Another warm day...Pete and I caught a local bus to the train station...we are on our way into Milano Centrale.

Our local train station...Segrate...

This was what we saw as we climbed the steps out of the subway....

Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)...and the entrance to Victor Emmanuel Gallery...

Then we were in front of the Duomo....so striking...

.....the beautiful stained glass...

......the amazing floor...

Honestly I could have spent all day in there and still not have seen it all.

There are over 200 steps to the roof but it was worth the climb...the view changed with each level that we climbed...

I love this photo...a great view of Porta Nuova, the financial district in Milan. The tall building with the spire is the Unicredit building which is the tallest building in Italy.

The building to the right of Unicredit had Pete and I intrigued. It looked like it had holes in it?! Google of course had the answer. It is Bosco Verticale...a pair of residential towers and is home to over 21,000trees, shrubs and perennial plants.

Photo from Wikipedia...amazing isn't it.

They say there are more statues on this gothic - style cathedral than any other building in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate Milan Duomo.

We descended from the roof down the other side of the Duomo....seeing more of Milan.

Inside the Duomo museum....the statues were amazing...

It is awesome...

Walking the nearby streets looking for somewhere to have lunch...I took some photos...

Pete and I found an ideal cafe that served us  delicious paninis and for me the best cappuccino I have ever tasted. Pete had a nice cold beer.  We continued our walking after lunch, only managing to walk a block before we saw this shop selling gelato...and we couldn't resist a small cone each. What could be more fun than walking the streets of Milan licking an Italian ice cream cone.

Sforzesco Castle....another impressive place to visit...it was built in the 15th century and later renovated and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Inside the castle...

Quite close to the castle is Sempione Park...I was pleasantly surprised to see all these turtles...

....and fish...

The trees and flowers in the park were all unfamiliar...but exciting to see...

Another site in the park is the Arch of Peace...located at the entrance to the park. It is a neoclassical arch begun by Napoleon during the early 19th century to honour his military victories. Bit of a shame that the area was being set up for a concert this weekend but still glad we saw the structure.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele11.....didn't disappoint, loved strolling along window shopping...

After such an exciting and interesting day Pete and I caught the train then bus back to our very comfortable apartment...cooked and ate some pasta then went to bed early.

 

Singapore Airport...quite a comfortable trip so far...

Great carpet....a short wait for our next plane.

We arrived in Milan and managed to catch the train from the airport to Milano Centrale Station without any trouble...

Milano Centrale was very busy but exciting...the station building itself is magnificent...

Outside the station...we caught a taxi...to our airbnb apartment...

We enjoyed the ride...

Our apartment block...

The views from our balcony....

After a couple of hours rest , my cousin Corrado picked us up and took us to his parents apartment . It was wonderful to see Uncle Peppino and Aunt Tina again and to meet Corrado's daughter Alessandra. I am so disappointed that I forgot to take some photos...there was so much to talk about.

After Corrado dropped us at our apartment Pete and I went for a stroll by the lake...we needed a little exercise...

These trees seem to be everywhere...we picked up a pizza for dinner on our way back to the apartment...then hit the sack very early ...

 

Our plane to Singapore...the start of our 5 week holiday...

 

Will helping mum with our morning pancakes ....

Breakfast...I love the large and low windows....they look like paintings on the wall...

Some rain today but lots of sunshine between showers...I went for a walk into town...

One of the beautiful murals in Cowaramup town....

Nearly home after a wonderful four days...

 

Ready to go fly kites down at the beach...

 

Wd drove down to the Margaret River mouth...there was a lot of wind coming off the ocean...

One kite just wouldn't stay up....Pete tried...it just kept spinning around...

Luckily the other kite performed well...

What could be more fun than flying kites on a windy day at the beach....

It was really pleasant to visit The Sea Garden cafe in Prevelly for a coffee and treats. Excellent cafe with fabulous cakes and coffee AND children's books.

Flynn says I'm his best friend...melts my heart...

Cool display of surf boards outside the cafe...

Next stop, a wonderful children's playground...

...one of the sculptures on the Art Trail..

Tired boy...

It is called Cow Town for a reason.

Ethan with his glowing rainbow ball...

 

Drawing and cutting before school...

Todd texted that there was a five metre swell today so Pete, Flynn and I drove to Cowaramup Bay...I don't think we have ever seen the bay so wild.

Cold and windy too...

We didn't stay long...but enjoyed seeing the ocean.

Nice and warm inside....playing with play dough.