Buon Natale

Jeff and I have just returned from a fabulous few, festive days in Italy.

Day one

We had a very respectable 10.55 departure from Bristol airport, arriving in Italy at 14.10.

We stayed in Lucca, a 20 minute train journey from Pisa. 
We had visited Lucca for a morning when we were here last Easter and had earmarked it for a place to return to, as a morning just wasn't long enough.

It was a public holiday on the day we arrived. It could have gone one of two ways - all closed up, super quiet or lots going on, super busy. Thankfully it was the latter. So we dropped off our bags at our accommodation and headed straight out,

It was wonderfully festive and we joined the crowds following a band through the narrow streets, into a small courtyard, playing festive tunes all the way. A right time, right place moment x

Everywhere was lit up....

....just as we'd hoped x

Day two

We were up and out early and on a train to Florence by 8.30am

We stayed in Florence for a few days previously, so had 'done' Florence. 

We really just wanted to soak up the atmosphere of Florence at Christmas.

It was so much nicer without the crowds and big tour groups.

And we lucked out on the weather too.

It was warm enough in the sunshine to sit without a coat.

All I wanted, was for it to not rain!!

So we had a lovely day strolling through the streets of Florence.

And at night enjoying all the lights.

And there were plenty to enjoy!!

The Florence Christmas tree lights were only turned on, on the 6th, the Saturday that we then visited on the Tuesday. We didn't know, or we might have changed days, but the Olympic torch passed through Florence the following day, ready for the Winter Olympics. I guess it would have been busier and more crowded but it would have been cool to see it.

Day three

And we decided to spend the day in Lucca and explore it fully.

We sat inside mostly to enjoy a coffee and pastry for breakfast. It was cold, particularly in the mornings and evenings and when you weren't in full sun. I don't mind the cold if it's dry!!

We decided to spend our morning walking the city walls.

 A complete walk around Lucca's city walls typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours at a relaxed pace. The circuit is 4.2 km (2.6 miles) long. We did exactly that, we ambled, whilst joggers, cyclists, speed walkers passed us by. It was very pleasant. There are many points at which you could walk down into the city but we did the full circuit.

We then did a little window shopping. 

Lucca is made up of lots of small, traditional, independent shops and cafes.

We shared the most delicious lunch. 

Ravioli a la bolognese and a pork with caramelised onion focaccia, absolutely 'squisito!' 

Might have shared a tiramisu for pud too !!

I may have treated myself to a little Italian ceramics!! We spotted this shop on Monday evening. I had my eye on some little spotty and stripy cups but they had gone, so I chose this gorgeous plate instead. And I'm happy to report that it made it back home in one piece too.

We then decided we'd not done enough steps!! and we would climb the 217 steps to the top of the bell tower of Duomo di San Martino. It was only €3 each. We easily averaged 20,000 steps a day!!

It was worth the climb. You got fabulous views from the top and you could make out the city walls we'd walked that morning. We climbed the more popular tower, with the trees on the top, when we visited last year so did something different.

It was lovely just to take in all the sights and sounds, smells and tastes of an Italian festive season. I had thought we'd be coming home laden with panettone but it was actually quite expensive. I guess it's their main festive cake, so lots of artisan bakes.

For me, I love eating out. I love not having to think about what to make, shop for the ingredients, cook!!! It's one of the biggest treats of the holiday for me, enjoying eating out. And you get to try different foods, enjoy different surroundings, listen to the locals chat, even if you can't understand a word of it!! 

Jeff is better than me. He has spent the past five years, teaching himself Spanish and has recently started to learn Italian. I am going to 'try' and focus in the new year, to do the same. I much prefer Italy as a country to Spain, and I think Jeff is coming around to my way of thinking too. We have two trips to Italy already booked up for next year and we feel it's important to try and get a few words/phrases under our belt before we go. Admittedly, we should learn some Greek, but in our defence it is very tricky and much harder to learn, but as we will be there for a chunk of time in the summer, we will try our best to learn a bit for there too.

Day Four

We were unsure where to go on our fourth day. Pistoia won, but it was possibly the wrong decision. We should have possibly headed in the opposite direction to the coast. It was slightly higher up and the sun didn't burn through the whole time we were there. It was cold, damp, misty and murky.

We spent our time sat in cafes.....

and mooching around the shops.

Enjoying the festive touches.....

.....before returning to Lucca for lunch!

It was then time to pack up and head back to the train station, to make our way to Pisa.

Our original plan was to stay in Lucca for our final night but there was a train strike happening on the Friday. So rather than risk there not being a train to Pisa in the morning, we decided to spend our final night in Pisa. 

It meant we got to see Pisa's Christmas lights.

I thought the Leaning Tower of Pisa might be lit up but no, it was the same as normal. 

It was so quiet compared to our previous visit.

There was a new art installation by the city walls to enjoy.

We went back to Ristoro Pecorino for our final meal.

Jo and I went there when we visited Pisa, and I made Jeff go there last Easter, 

Sophie too, when we visited in March!! 

The food is delicious, so a good reason to return. 

We ate inside this time, so it felt like a new place!!

Day five

Our final morning in Pisa. 

And last pistachio croissant for a while!!

We woke to fabulous blue skies and sunshine. So we made the most of it and spent a chunk of time, just sat outside soaking up every once of sunshine we could.

It's been a fabulous few days in a fabulous country. 

Just what we needed. 

Jeff only really switches off from the busy term, once we go away.

He no longer has the temptation to check emails or 'just finish something'. 

So it's a complete break!

I am thankful to the organised me, who got the house ready for Christmas before she left!! 

I just have the presents to wrap and the food shop to do! 

Sophie comes home on Tuesday and Sam, who is now up in the Lakes with Poppy, returns home on Thursday. I have a few coffee dates in the diary, our two family gatherings in the coming week and we have a night out in Bristol to look forward to. So a busy week ahead.

So Buon Natale from Jeff and I. 

As always I post pics, videos and lots of info whilst we are away, over on our travel Instagram page @hap_pea_travels and Jeff writes a blog HERE if you are interested. I love to see places and find out information about our trips from Instagram posts or blogs. So by doing this, we can share any tips or info we find out about and you never know it might inspire someone to go there too xx

It's beginning to......

.......look a lot like Christmas!!

Monday was December the first! 

And that marks the start of Christmas here.

From the first of December, we start to drip in a little bit of Christmas every day.

I have a Christmas cupboard, which is full of Christmas memories and all my favourite things from years gone by. Each day a few more bits get taken out of the cupboard and gets dotted around the house. Remembering where they went, and finding a space for them at the end of Christmas is a challenge, but somehow everything manages to squeeze in and find a home.

The dresser is always the start...

...the Christmas chocolate tin comes out, a few candles, some festive foliage, the snowflakes I've had for years. A few new additions, this year my handmade toadstools, a couple of new baubles. The old favourite Christmas cards adorn the shelf, the lights go on and that sets the scene xx

This year I have decided to repurpose an old CD storage box I used to use as a point of sale card display, when I had my stationery company. I have some lovely Christmas mugs that end up staying in the cupboard, as I've nowhere to put them. (Shhhhh! there are more!!)

My all time favourite mug is my hand painted Italian holly mug. I have 6, bought 30 years ago now from a shop (which is long gone) called 'Stone the Crows' in Bath. And the little holly plates are a new find this year, from SoStrene Grene in Cardiff.

The advent calendar comes out, always a paper one for me and Sophie.

Sam has a Biscoff one this year and Jeff just has a choc from the tin!

The wreath goes on the door.

The Christmas jumpers come out!

Sam has a new addition this the year....

...the SPRITE Christmas tree!!

How many cans in his bedroom??!!

The pud cards are up!

A few swaps and new additions this year.

Those of you who have followed me over the years will know, that I keep really special Christmas cards from years past, and display them every year.

I have my pud collection, a few from our travels, trees, Robins, Father Christmas & Ho Ho Ho etc.

I blame, or rather thank, my mother-in-law. I remember thinking she got sent the loveliest Christmas cards and then realised as the years went by, that they were the same cards she brought out every year. She sadly passed away far too soon, but every year, as I display my cards, I think of her fondly xx

The same goes for the decorations. We get out the same decorations each year. 

The odd new addition creeps in but mostly, the same 'old favourites' come out every year.

These baubles belonged to my Granny. 

We found them when we were clearing out her attic. But I have such strong memories attached to them from childhood Christmases, when we would go to Cornwall. My sister and I sleeping on blow up airbeds on the dining room floor. Our pillow cases left under the tree. Always a big tin of Quality Street, real nuts to be cracked, Papa roasting chestnuts on the fire. Good times xx

The tree is up! 

It gets earlier every year. Mainly due to us going away once Jeff breaks up for Christmas. It would all feel far too rushed if I left it all to do once we got home. I don't mind, as it's the build up to Christmas that I enjoy the most.

I have bought a new Christmas tree topper this year. Our old sequin star has been on it's last legs for a good few years but I hadn't found anything I liked to replace it, until this year.

All the Christmas cards have been posted.

The odd present has been wrapped (for posting)

And a few new things, I couldn't resist buying!

I mean at £2.81 a plate, I'd be silly not to buy them!

The weather hasn't been great, but the cloud moved just in time to see the last super moon of the year by the Tor. It really is a magical view,

And we have the odd colourful start to the day.

Other than getting the house decorated, I have managed to squeeze in a few coffee dates with friends this week. Had both a dentist and health check up this week. Both okay.!! Good job as I stupidly booked my health check up for after my school Christmas lunch!! That was lovely, I've not been before. I went with the Art/gallery girls. Sam served me my turkey!! I will say the food was excellent but I was conscious of my appointment straight after. It meant I was good, resisted eating too much but it was really good quality and plenty of it.

So both Jeff and Sam have now broken up for Christmas. 

Sam will house sit whilst we are away, then head up to Carlisle with Poppy for a few days. It will be the first Christmas 'ever' that he won't have any work to do, be it Uni essays or actual work!! So I keep telling him to make the most of it and enjoy it, as it'll probably be the only time he gets it!!

I spent most of yesterday decorating the sitting room and the hallway. 

Finished just in time for Strictly!

Today is all about cleaning, sorting and packing for our little Italian trip.

We fly out to Pisa tomorrow for a few days, staying in Lucca. We hope to venture over to Florence for a day to see it at Christmas time and have a day earmarked for somewhere new! The weather has been very changeable in the lead up but it looks like we may get a dry spell whilst we are there, which will be very welcome. Whatever the weather, it will be a lovely break. Time together, a chance to slow down and take time to just sit, drink coffee, eat a little Italian treat, chat and just watch the world go by. I will give you a round up of our trip next weekend xx