Our last few days in Venice; departure and arrival in Stormy Florence

Our lovely lecturer Louisa Buck chats with Geoffrey Humphries during the final life drawing class

Our six weeks in Venice drew gently to a close (although a massive storm threatened but failed to dampen our spirits)

The final life drawing class was bathed in glorious sunshine as was our private visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, where we were greeted by Karole Vail, the director (and grand-daughter of Peggy)

It was a terrific tour and we felt immensely privileged to see such spectacular art without having to bump into 'members of the public'; mostly because the museum is so small that too many visitors would have threatened to spoil everyone's pleasure.

Lots of amusement over Marino Marini's sculpture on the terrace! But what a great collection, with some truly seminal art.

I dropped into Geoffrey Humphries' last Life Drawing class with Louisa Buck, who was once model and muse for our esteemed painter and teacher, and bon viveur

Then it was off to Florence. First day was pretty wet and cold, but the sun came out and we had the opportunity to see some really stunning art and architecture. Michelangelo's David, and then up to the terrace that overlooks Brunelleschi's fantastic dome.

Yesterday afternoon we took a local bus up to the hills of Settingnano and had a wonderful, restful few hours just hanging out in the historic garden, reading and doing nothing but breathing in the spring air and getting some sunshine. Superb!