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On our final day, we drove out to where Ki had spotted
a hilltop watch tower out by the chapter house we visited
during the Rendering Workshop. We decided to take a
walk to the top. (For Roger, it was more of a march.)
Captured July 3 2002 11:13:03a
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This was our destination.
Captured July 3 2002 11:07:07a
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Roman Cistern
The tower was of Roman construction, as was this ancient
cistern, which used to hold water to be carried by aquaduct
to the city of Pisa.
Captured July 3 2002 11:17:49a
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A timed exposure -- my tripod was a bit low, so the
grass took a foreground position.
Captured July 3 2002 11:20:35a
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The wildflowers there were quite pretty.
Captured July 3 2002 11:22:24a
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This one was quite small, also.
Captured July 3 2002 11:25:49a
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Nearing the tower. The left side of the hill in this
picture was a carved-out quarry, where they had mined
limestone (I presume) or perhaps just rock.
Captured July 3 2002 11:30:22a
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The summit conquistadors.
Captured July 3 2002 11:43:08a
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The view from the top.
Captured July 3 2002 11:36:24a
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Pete spent some time chasing uncooperative butterflies,
trying to get a good photo. Here's one pretending to
be a flower.
Captured July 3 2002 11:52:54a
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Well, he asked us to point.
Captured July 3 2002 11:57:15a
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That's the side I wanted to climb, but everyone else
insisted we go up the back!
Captured July 3 2002 12:04:54p
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Captured July 3 2002 12:13:25p
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After returning the car, we had a late lunch in one
of Pisa's main courtyards. The Gnoccchi Ki and I ordered
was extremely filling, and neither of us could finish
half of it.
Captured July 3 2002 2:20:31p
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Once we got to the airport, we were told that our flight
was delayed -- by four hours! We wouldn't leave for
London until after midnight, arriving in the wee morning
hours.
Captured July 3 2002 9:09:11p
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We passed the time by looking at the pictures Pete and
I had taken, and trying to get some rest in the awkward
seating the airport provided.
Captured July 3 2002 10:28:21p
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Ki Gets Comfy
Ki finally found a comfortable position, when they called
for our flight.
Captured July 4 2002 1:15:57a
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Here we are in London Stansted, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
at 5am.
Captured July 4 2002 5:17:09a
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At Stanstead
Having a bite of breakfast before driving back to Bristol.
I said 'good-bye' to my travel buddies and settled
in for a nice snooze next to the baggage scanner, since
my appointment with my friends in London was still a
few hours off.
Captured July 4 2002 6:00:48a
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U. College London
I arrived at the University College London before any
of the professors, so the admin put me in a lounge to
wait until someone got in.
Captured July 4 2002 7:46:52a
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Marilyne, Celine, David, Alex, Insu
Fortunately, Celine is an early riser, so I didn't have
long to wait. After spending some time and having lunch
with her and her students, we went to Cafe Nero, which
offers fairly authentic Italian coffees. I realized
while in Italy that I actually like some coffee, just
not the American variety. (Marilyne on the far left
is Celine's cousin, in case you noticed a resemblance.)
Captured July 4 2002 2:10:36p
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Mel & Anthony
I gave a repeat of my Rendering Workshop talk to Mel
and Anthony's students, and we had time later in the
afternoon to chat. I showed them my browser.
Captured July 4 2002 6:22:07p
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I was impressed by these BMW scooters I saw in London,
complete with roofs and windshield wipers. One-seaters
with a little luggage compartment on back -- very nice!
Captured July 4 2002 8:13:44p
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Cloister Flats
This was a former cloister across from my hotel that
had been converted into a group of flats. I thought
it most unusual -- looked peaceful, though.
Captured July 4 2002 7:54:07p
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After a nice, long flight home, Alberto did me the favor
of picking me up with my own car at SFO. Amigo muy
bueno!
Captured July 5 2002 2:43:01p
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All I had for the girls were some silly toys and airline
extras, but they seemed happy to see me, anyway.
Captured July 5 2002 6:19:25p