July 29: to Venice

Arrividerci, Roma! Ha - always wanted to say that. We got up very early to pack last things and get to the station. We were going to catch a bus, but got twitchy after a 15 minute wait and decided to walk. (I was in sandals and a silly strapless top, alas.) Anyway, we made the train easily and settled down for the trip.

Our breakfast had been skimpy ( Wheat Biscuits but no milk, a few bits of leftover fruit) so we spent our saved bus fare on hot drinks and croissants after a while. This trip had many tunnels, so it was hard to see the countryside. We glimpsed old fortress-things on hills, and fields of sunflowers.

Finally, the train seemed to plough into the sea on rails... got into Venice at 12:30. We were impressed, although it was a bit rainy here. We caught a water-bus to our destination, and Annie and I didn't mind standing outside to get a good eyeful of the scenery.

We got met by a rather taciturn apartment host, and led through VERY narrow streets to our new digs. It looked very rough on the outside (see picture), and there were about 40 steps to climb inside, but then it was very impressive! It was bigger than our cottage in Trethawle. It didn't have the high ceiling of Rome, but several rooms and lots of furniture. Also, they provided some goodies in the fridge, which was much appreciated. This picture of Eleanor, taken from our window, is supposed to show a gondolier at rest under the awning, but he is hard to spot!

We went and fetched a late lunch. Then out again in search of fruit and other supplies, as the rain had stopped. It was a bit hard working out the map, but we made some sort of progress. A fruit seller at a stall would rather have talked to his mates than serve us, but we eventually got the goods. Onwards we went to find a supermarket. Lots of little craft shops... many with very elaborate masks, and lacy duds that would win the Scarlet Pimpernel's nod of approval. Even the baker had dough masks on display.

We found a small supermarket and I got a few basics. We then went off in search of a fish shop. However, the fishy display we had seen earlier turned out to be a restaurant. Wayne and Jack went back to the supermarket for some sort of meat, while the girls went 'home'. Then it poured! Annie watched out our window as a shop person pulled in an awning and dumped a ton of water on some passing girls.

Wet Jack and Wayne came home with some chicken fillets. We rested, and ate. It was well after dinner that we went out again, the rain over. We went back to the waterfront, and had a good look.

Wayne then decided to take a 'short cut' home. Mistake! Our map was inadequate, and we got lost in narrow, dark alleys. We met some lost Americans, too...

Eventually, a nice lady directed us back to the waterfront, whence we found our first route home. Whew! I did something to my knee that made the 40 steps difficult. Bed!