Back from Verona after an absolutely blissful couple of days.  It is a beautiful city, with wonderful architecture, inviting bridges, mouth-watering frescoes. The Romeo and Juliette references do get a bit silly, but that has more to do with the crazy Brits than the easy-going Veronese.  They seem to perpetuate that little hoax for our benefit — fabricating Juliette’s house and Juliette’s tomb as if she really existed.  The city has enough of its own history and atmosphere even without all that.  Here are a few photos to whet your appetites:

This is a view of the river and the distant citadel from one of the bridges.  No, that isn’t my thumb in the way…

And we had lunch in this piazza behind the statue of Dante:

and coffee, reading the newspaper in the sunshine, in this grand piazza behind the Roman amphitheatre which is still used for operas during the summer — an excellent reason to come back.

So now I’m home for a few days before I head to the States to visit family. I don’t get much time to myself on these trips, so I apologize in advance if my blogging is a bit sporadic over the next ten days.

But before I go, I want to tell you about a new exercise craze which I have completely fallen in love with: Nordic Walking Poles.  Although I do love to get out and get my heart racing along the river from time to time, the running is getting harder on my aging knees.  These poles give me all the benefit and pleasure (?) of a good run without the pounding.  And, after only one lesson, I was able to do it on my own without falling over.  Take a look (alas, this guy didn’t come along with the poles…)