It was with real interest that Mari and I viewed the photo on Uncle Hips Christmas Dinner Menu,Florence,Italy.as served to the HQ Comd NZASC,1945.This of course being the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.1978 Mari and I went on a extended Overseas Holiday,taking in USA,England,Europe and Hong Kong,we selected Italy as the Country to retrace the steps of Mari's Father during World War Two.Having travelled down the coast of Yugoslavia to Dubrovnic we caught the overnight ferry to the South of Italy arriving in Bari.Bari,where the remains of St. Nicholas,todays Santa Claus,lie enshrined in the medieval Basilica.From Bari we travelled North to Campania,Salerno,Sorrento,Capri,Naples,Pompeii,Monte Casino,Rome,staying many nights in these places,it was then onto Florence and the medieval Ponte Vecchio Bridge.This famous Bridge spans the Arno River.Built in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi,then rebuilt in 1564.The style is Italian Medieval Vernacula,inhabited urban Bridge which has three great segmented arches on massive piers with arches above.There are seven bridges spanning the Arno,and it was during the retreat by the German Forces from the fast advancing Allied Forces,the Germans were destroying the bridges,an agreement was made between the two Armies that the Germans would not destroy the Ponte Vecchio and the Allied Forces would not use it to cross the River.Just a small pieceof nostalgia,love to all,Jack and Mari.
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