Good flights over the Atlantic to Italy and perfect arrival day in Florence! Got out and about a bit - unpacked my bags (no sign of Andy!), shopped for some groceries and even cooked some pasta for supper! Lots of tourists here as October is a busy month for travelers. Found my way around just as I thought I would - huge market going on today near San Lorenzo. Tomorrow I go again to the airport to pick up Bobbie & Terry Acker(from Southport), Carol Howley and her sister, Louise Hudson (from Boston - friends of the Ackers) and Bill and Barbara Loyd (from Caswell Beach) - it will be a busy day as they all come in at different times, so it will be back and forth as we get everyone settled in. Had an e-mail from "Bob on the Bike", Margaret and Al made it to Switzerland to meet Bob, so they are all bicycling down this way. All is well - more later!