We set off at about 9 on Saturday to find breakfast and to see more of the sights of Siena. We bought a piece of pizza on the way (which Glen had most of) and a large fruit bun thing for me. Then it was time for coffee just of the Piazza del Campo before wandering through the narrow streets to the Sanctuary of St Catherine.

We saw her house, at least the outside of it, before going up to the cathedral, the main drawcard being the preserved head of the saint inside a glass box in one of the chapels. Pretty grotesque. And Glen raised the interesting question that if she was a saint and here was her head, where’s the rest of the body? Shouldn’t the head be with the body because when the resurrection comes, she’ll need it? Ahhh, the mysteries of religion.

After the church we walked up to the fortress and then wandered its grassy walls, lined with chestnut trees. We threw them at each other before stopping at the little outdoor gym. Not a bad spot for a workout.

From the fortress we walked across the city to the Franciscan monastery, had a quick look at its cloisters (sounds so dirty) and then, having had enough of old buildings and churches and walking, we went to the supermarket to buy things for lunch.

Loaded up with supplies of bread, pasta, cheese, meat and drinks, we sat outside in our courtyard, nibbling away and enjoying the quiet. I worked on something I have to prepare for a job interview on Wednesday and other things. After eating, Glen had a siesta while I kept working or reading, enjoying the quiet of our secluded courtyard. I didn’t feel any guilt for spending a day this way, only wishing we were perhaps in the countryside at a villa that also had a pool. Next time.

At about 4, Glen said, ‘Should we go get a coffee?’ We left the apartment and headed to the Piazza del Campo again, before remembering a friend had recommended a nearby gelato place and we went there instead. It was called Grom and was busy.

I had peach, fig and nougat, while Glen had yoghurt, lemon and hazelnut. We took them to the Piazza del Campo and sat with the rest of the people in Siena as the day wore down. Ice-creams finished we went for drinks at Bar Il Palio, the place we’d been to the day before. Cigarette smoke was still bad but struggled through. I did as the Siennese did and ordered a spritz, mostly because it’s so orange. It was nice to just sit and sip.

Back at home we lounged, reading our books or buggering about on the internet, before I cooked the rest of the food – chicken breasts with leftover pesto pasta – and we watched Bridesmaids on the laptop. The evening was only semi-Italian – not extra virgin Italian – but it suited us and that’s all that mattered.

The pigeons don’t suspect a thing.

“I AM the Lizard Queen” – St Catherine doing an impersonation of Lisa Simpson

St Catherine’s head lives here.

“I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times, stop leaving your crucifixes and herbs lying around!”

Someone’s back got sore

Posing on the wall of the fortress

Fortress Chic

Glen trying out a Siena torture device

Posing in the Piazza del Campo

A stunning afternoon in the Piazza del Campo

Aperitivi, because we’re worth it.