2016-07-19 Porto Molo Mediceo, Livorno, Italy

This morning we leave the Tangaroa and with a rental car we plan to drive inland and revisit a few of our favourite Tuscan towns

This morning we leave the port with a rental car, to drive inland and revisit a few of our favourite Tuscan towns

As we leave town we pass one of the many churches in Livorno

The statue of Grand Duke Ferdinand III on Piazza della Republica

While driving you have to be aware of the incredible number of motor bike riders in Livorno

Once out of Livorno and heading towards Florence on the highway on either side there are acres and acres of rich farming land

Once out of Livorno and heading towards Florence, on either side of the highway there are acres and acres of rich farming land

What initially looked like snow on the tall mountains in the distance, we found out later that it was actually white marble

What initially looked like snow on the tall mountains in the distance, we discovered later that it was actually white marble!!

Fields and fields of sunflowers make a colourful display along the highway

We arrive in Florence and enter the old part of the town and park the car

By foot we set off for a walk along the River Arno which flows through Florence

The attractive Ponte Santa Trinita

The Ponte Santa Trinita is the oldest elliptic arch bridge in the world

From the Ponte Santa Trinita one has a great view of the famous Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio was first built over the river Arno in 966, then rebuilt after a flood in 1345

The Ponte Vecchio was first built over the River Arno in 966 and then rebuilt after a flood in 1345

Since ancient times on either side of the Ponte Vecchio were shops and since the late 1500's only gold and jewellery shops are allowed on the bridge

Since ancient times on either side of the Ponte Vecchio were shops of all kinds however since the
late 1500’s only gold and jewellery shops are allowed to trade from the bridge

As we have been to Florence a few times we decided to continue on our little excusion

As we have been to Florence a few times we decide to continue on our little excursion

Fortunately we found a parking spot by the ancient city walls a few streets from the river

Ric was keen to then go to Marina di Pisa where the Arno river enters the sea. He had heard there were places here one could lift and storage boats over winter

Ric was quite keen to go to Marina di Pisa where the Arno River enters the sea. He had heard there were places here where one could lift and store boats over winter. Although the location would have been great however unfortunately the place looked unsuitable for the Tangaroa

Near the entrance to the Arno River there is a small fishing community

A number of tiny wooden stilt houses have been errected on rock piles near the entrance to the river

A number of tiny wooden stilt houses have been erected on rocks near the entrance to the river

Huge dip nets have been constructed by each of the houses

Huge dip nets have been constructed from each of the houses

These huge nets are conveniently lowered into the water to catch fish moving between the river and the sea

Nearby the fishermen sell their fresh hauls!!

As the town of Pisa was nearby how could we not visit the 'leaning tower'!!

As the town of Pisa was so close by, how could we not revisit the ‘leaning tower’!!

Piazza dei Miracoli in the foreground

The Cattedrale de Pisa, with the famous tower in the background

The amazing 55 metre high “Leaning Tower of Pisa” which is over 5 metres off perpendicular

Ric joining most of the other visitors attempting to support the tower!!

Ric joining most of the other visitors at the site, attempting to support the tower!!

This is a new pose!!!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was first started to be built in 1173 and eventually completed in the 1300's. If it was not for the delay and the earth under it compacting over that time, it is believed the tower would have eventually fallen over!!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was first started in 1173 and eventually completed in the 1300’s. If it was not for the delay and the earth under it compacting over that time, it is believed the tower would have eventually fallen over!!