Monday
Dearest Elsie
Today was the day we all arrived in Milan. We got up early in Varenna and went to the local coffee shop for cappuccino and then went for a last walk around this beautiful little village. Surely, it is one I would like to return to. 1 hour out of Milan, it’s easy to get to and easy to navigate around. For our last visit we went to the ancient church of St John the Baptist. There is a record of it 880 years ago
Inside…
From there we returned home via the waterfront. I took this picture because it shows where we walked yesterday afternoon. We went up the Wayfarers Path…it was quite a hike.
And Teddy came too yesterday afternoon…
Back to today…by 10:30am we were at the station. The train arrived and we climbed aboard a very full train. Just over an hour later, we disembarked into an extremely busy city, overflowing with tourists and locals alike. We found our hotel and then Julian’s and from there we went sight-seeing. I have walked 21000 steps today. We walked through a park and to the most amazing shopping mall where all the big names have a presence. This is where everyone wants to go…
When you walk out this end….
This is what you see….THE DUOMO!
They say construction began in 1386 and it apparently took 600 years to complete. Ongoing maintenance and cleaning continues day and night. See the big crane on the left. It’s an awesome building with intricate carvings all over it.
We had to see inside. The columns are massive. There are hundreds of stained glass windows each depicting a different scene. Each intricately & individually painted. There are many paintings and carvings.
Centuries of people have sat beneath this roof. Millions of prayers have been prayed. Joy and grief, happiness and pain, all manner of emotions. All the ups and downs of lives lived – all trusting and seeking an ever living God. And today, in a moment of time, I sat there too soaking it all in. God has seen every person. He has heard every prayer. He meets us in our time of need and that, my sweet Elsie is an important lesson to remember.
Teddy didn’t go sight-seeing with us today but he is tired! He has his own bed tonight…
Tomorrow, we go to Venice. I think I am going to stay at the hotel until it’s time to go to the station. I am tired!
Psalm 139:5
You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.
The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Granny xxx 🙂