Some of you are familiar with the concept of ‘Coffee and Conversation’. It began in 2017, when Greg and I first arrived in Bologna …

Back home in Brisbane, I’d been learning Italian with our wonderful tutor, Benedetta. When we arrived in Bologna I asked our host, Franco, whether he knew anyone who might want to practise their English and, at the same time, help me improve my Italian.

Franco contacted Tina, and Tina reached out to her friend, Armanda. Just like that, we were a group of three. Our first meeting was at the Sala Borsa – now the city library – in Palazzo d’Accursio in central Bologna.

The idea was that Tina and Armanda would speak in English, and I’d respond in Italian. But what began – and continued – as language lessons, also morphed into a deep friendship that extended well beyond the confines of the Sala Borsa.

It’s been wonderful to re-establish ‘Coffee and Conversation’ on this trip – and even more wonderful to reconnect with these two fabulous women.