Pizza in Pisa

Tues 8th May - Today we had another fantastic day visiting the city of Pisa. Piccolo coped brilliantly keep up with the locals when grid starting from traffic lights, even the Tomtom seems to work quicker to keep up with the faster flow of traffic!. Parking alongside the Piazza dei Miracoli (where all the old city and tower is situated) was really easy apart from being jumped on by masses of black hawkers, "you like Rolex"? as he unwinds a hidden roll of fake Rolex watches was met by a polite 'no grazie' which sufficed in putting that one off until another one then came over with fake Oakley sunglasses. Just like we remembered in Rome the police suddenly appear from nowhere and you laugh at the excited hawkers now running full tilt with their wares to avoid capture. The security is great inside the walled Piazza and you are finally left in piece to compete with the masses of Japanese tourists arriving either by bus or on cruise ships. They seemed to like the very posh Mcdonalds (Yes the big Mac is never far away) so we headed over with the Italians and found some lovely ristoranti's in the side streets. 
The main tower of Pisa has been renovated alongside the other magnificent buildings and shone almost white in the glorious sun against the blue sky (Apparently non existent in the UK!) Going off into the side streets to the older sections revealed more beautiful Italian architecture and we were soon enjoying a traditional pizza with grilled vegetables under the shadow of the tower. 
Like France the Italians have no problems with dogs (Cane) and Bradley was welcome everywhere. He was approached by so many people wanting to know what breed he was and even the Japanese took his photo. I got Bradley to sit for one nice couple who learn't the word 'sit' quickly, took his photo and went off giggling. In a few weeks somewhere in Japan there will be Bradley in amongst a slideshow being shown to a family!. We have to say that Bradley is getting on really well and loves his travelling and sightseeing trips, I suppose mainly because unlike the UK, he is most welcome just about anywhere which makes us more relaxed. 
Bradley even had to prop up that tower (Photo in Italy (west)) and the photo just had to be taken. 
Later in the afternoon we found a lovely 'Gelateria' in amongst the many cafés frequented by the students from the University. There is a large student population in Pisa and the atmosphere watching them all chatting and riding bikes along the narrow streets along with the occasional horse and cart was very relaxing whilst eating the tirimasu, caramel and vanilla ice cream. No need to guess that they make the best ice cream!. 
It was fairly hot but we had felt good and were acclimatising well to the extra heat (Will be 28c degrees on Friday!). Just before the rush hour we were out of the car park and navigating back to the campsite fully Pizza'd out!

Off to the smaller city of Lucca in a couple of days so back soon.

Caio!