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	Queen Victoria Cruise Voyage V913: Mediterranean Medley II - 17th-30th August 2009 Day 7: 23rd August - Livorno for Pisa
	This is the record of a 13 night cruise taken on board Cunard's Queen Victoria from Southampton on 17th August 2009. This page covers Sunday 23rd August in Livorno for Pisa. The good weather of mid-30s temperatures and deep blue skies with little haze continued - too hot for ambitious walking. Queen Victoria arrived at Livorno at around 7.00am, and swung to reverse into her berth. Ventura soon did likewise, taking the berth ahead of us. Various Moby Lines and Corsica Ferries vessels were in port, but not not easily photographed. We took a taxi to the station (cheaper for four than the €5 shuttle bus fare) and FS train to Pisa, where we climbed the Tower. On departing Livorno, we passed a number of inbound ferries. In the evening, we again ran alongside Ventura for some time.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) is the campanile of the cathedral in Pisa. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) after the Cathedral and the Baptistry.

Although intended to stand vertically, the tower began leaning to the southeast soon after the onset of construction in 1173 due to a poorly laid foundation and loose substrate that has allowed the foundation to shift direction. The tower presently leans to the southwest.

The height of the tower is 55.86 m (183.27 ft) from the ground on the lowest side and 56.70 m (186.02 ft) on the highest side. The width of the walls at the base is 4.09 m (13.42 ft) and at the top 2.48 m (8.14 ft). Its weight is estimated at 14,500 metric tons (16,000 short tons). The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing staircase. Prior to restoration work performed between 1990 and 2001, the tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but the tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees. (www.wikipedia.com)

Name of ship: ELIANA M - IMO number: 7350985 - Call Sign: IBHS - Gross tonnage: 10659
Type of ship: Ro-Ro Cargo Ship - Year of build: 1978 - Flag: Italy

Name Changes:- 2007-04 Eliana M - 1983-01 Golfo del Sole - 1982-00 Esaryna I - 1978-00 Espresso Veneto

Name of ship: CLAUDIA M - IMO number: 6915881 - Call Sign: ICHZ - Gross tonnage: 21019
Type of ship: Passenger/Ro-Ro Cargo Ship - Year of build: 1969 - Flag: Italy

Name Changes:- 2007-11 CLAUDIA M, 1995-02 Stena Searider, 1992-04 Norse Mersey, 1992-01 Stena Searider, 1991-01 Searider,
1990-00 Stena Searider, 1987-00 Scandinavia Link, 1984-00 Scandinavia, 1975-00 Polaris, 1969-00 Finncarrier