ABSTRACT
Friday, 15 Nov. [1991] Betty [Tamblen] collected me in her car 6 a.m. Parked in Long Stay Car Park of H’row. Caught 9 a.m. (50 mins. delayed) Alitalia flight to Pisa. Airport train to Florence, ugly countryside veiled in mist and rain. Arrive Fl. ca. 2 p.m., taxi to Hotel Berchielli, extremely nice—old fashioned posh, we each had a double room right over the R. Arno, which is running fast with debris, and rising, and people are worried. Walked in rain to Sta. Maria Novella, great empty church with Ghirlandaio frescoes around the high altar (p[ost]c[ard]s)—very enthralling and lifelike = 14c. Also a half-gone Masaccio fresco of Trinity, and a?Donatello Rondel of m. and child. [In margin: 2 or 3 annunciations, 2 v. nice, one by Botticelli = Earthly life begins with a tiny picture of Christ rising from the tomb, underneath it = Heavenly life.] Walked home. Dinner in little trattoria just along Lungarno—I had pork chops and ‘tiramisu’, a delicious creamy, almondy, chocolatey trifle, and white 232house wine. Betty had tripe—roasted, or baked which she said was lovely!! Walked home, still pouring. Meal cheap—around £15 each: (2,000 lira to the £).
