Starting at the beginning

So here we go.  Three months of touring some of the great art galleries of Europe.  Resting, reflecting and learning.  What an opportunity!  And here it all begins.  Sitting in McDonalds in Florence - American fastfood in the home of European culture.  I'm not here for the food (I cooked my own pasta dish earlier) but because until access is sorted out at my flat its the only reliable wifi connection I could find. 

Santa Maria Novella is just across the road - looking spectacular in the floodlights though I'll have to wait till later in the week to see the Fra Angelicos inside.  I'm staying at St Mark's, the Anglican church in Florence where I'm taking the services (High Mass!) for the next two weeks.  Anyway this Sunday I'll feel more at home - they are giving me a 10mth old baby to baptise - flown in all the way from America especially.  I meet the family at 9am and baptise the child at 11am - preparation of a sort.

The church is in a building formally owned by Machiavelli, a perfect place to begin reflections on the Anglican church!

Today started at Leeds Bradford Airport at 7am, flew over my own church in early morning sunlight, then on to Pisa.  A coach journey to Florence, a walk across town in 34 degree heat and the rest of the day getting my bearings.

Anyway there's only so long you can make a McD's milkshake last and the cleaner has started work on the floor round me so I'd better go.  The intention was to post a picture or two every day or so but technical problems with my various devices mean today you will have to make do with a picture from the internet of today's highlight - The High Altar at the  Orsanmichelle - its enough to make you an Anglo-Catholic! (although to be honest I couldn't work out how you could possibly celecrate communion on it so perhaps not?)