Train to Milan

We are all up early to begin our homeward journey. It is fine and sunny! We get the luggage down the stairs and then it is downhill to the station. At the station we have to go down more stairs to pass under the railway and then up more stairs to our station. Because we are early we get the 9.03 train to Monterosso, we split up and we squeeze on to the train. It is barely 20 mins to our stop and after the first two stops the crowd has thinned out. We have a 90 minute wait for our connection to Milan. It is quite warm and the sea looks very inviting at Monterosso. Our train eventually arrives and we struggle on and stow our luggage. It is 10.55 and our arrival time in Milan is 1.55, so we have time to relax. At the next station, Heather and her parents get on, there are 8 carriages on the train and she picks ours - what are the odds!! It is a pleasant journey with great sea views as we run along the coast before turning inland. The sky is clear and blue and the sea is calm and blue.
We arrive on time and say goodbye to Heather and make our way out of the station. It is hot - 30 degrees. We pick up two taxis and head off to our hotel. Milan is big and crowded, it is a bit of a shock, a major contrast to our last few weeks. We check in and then go for a walk. The Duomo Cathedral is barely 150m from us and the Cathedral and square are spectacular and off to one side is the famous shopping area. The buildings are beautiful and we walk through the strip. We buy some beers and will meet for drinks at 5.30.
The beer we bought is still not cold so we head off to a cafe/bar across the road. Start with beers and Aperol Spritz, then more beers and some bruschetta and then more beers and hamburgers. Our waitress is great and we have a good night.  It is so hot, crowded and busy. Ann and I go for a walk after dinner at about 8.30 and all the shops are open with people everywhere. The buildings are majestic and Milan is an incredible city.
Tomorrow we have a tour of the Duomo Cathedral which will be exciting.
We have all agreed to book a transport to the airport as we are over dragging suitcases onto trains!