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GLORIA:A trip to Padova (Anglicised to Padua) was our destination.A quick stroll through the Oro Botanica, founded in 1545 to cultivate medicinal plants and is the oldest botanical garden in Europe.Our visit there was shortened because the caretaker closed for an extended lunch time a half hour after we arrived.Nothing interferes with lunch/siesta time in Italy.One palm tree dates to 1585 and is called "Goethe's Palm"though the significance is unknown to us.Perhaps if we had more time there we would have learned the reason but at least we knew we were on an "historic" tour in Goethe's steps.He is well known and respected in Italy.
We walked through the old (mainly) cobblestone streets to the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, built in 1232 to house the remains of Saint Anthony of Padua.A magnificent sight from the plaza fronting the basilica, which is topped by a central dome, surrounded by 7 other domes and several spires. Nearby the basilica we toured the Scuolo de Santo and the Oratorio di San Giorgio, which are linked together.Both have many frescoes depicting the lives of Christ and some early Saints, which were painted from 1378-1384.The earliest documented paintings by Titian dating from 1511 are in the Scuolo.
On the drive home we had our second "accident", a tire on the car driven by Robin had a large gash so we headed for a local garage, surprised that it was open at 5 p.m. in this small town.The rental agency had not included either a manual for the car nor a spare tire.Our luck held and the mechanics put on a re-tread as a temporary measure until they could order a new one for that car. And the garage would not charge us until Robin returned two days later for the new tire.How pleasant to see such faith in human nature!
The evening celebration (finally) of Robin's 60th birthday began with our joyful singing of the traditional birthday song accompanied by the trio of flute, violin and clavichord which Glenna had hired.Robin was quite surprised.The musical program that followed was mainly Vivaldi - so appropriate in this area - and one piece composed by Platti and another by Handel.The trio played an hour-long concert, which was our gift to Robin for this special celebration.They were outstanding musicians. Elisabetta and Fabio had prepared a special meal for this occasion and that completed one more pleasant day.
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