Friday, September 23, 2011

17 September - morning

The days have sped by – surely a sign of a good time – and the moment to leave our apartment after packing and tidying . . .



board the water taxi and head out for Santa Lucia Station as our ‘neighbourhood’ prepares for a new day.







Enough time to pause at the station cafeteria for a jolt of espresso



and check in for one of the reasons for visiting Venice –



Great anticipation waiting on the station for the signal to board.







all amenities laid on for the next two days, as we travel back to London







Finally, ‘all aboard’!



No seat belts of course, so a quick safety check to ensure we’re ready for any sudden turbulence . . .







while some of us take things a little more sedately . . .



polished wood, gleaming brass-work, and champagne served while we await departure.





Finally, we’re moving, and crossing to the mainland via the causeway in more style than the the local ferry to the airport!



Onto terra firma, and into the farmland, valleys, orchards and vineyards of Northern Italy . . .









A perfect moving, picture taking platform!





Time for morning coffee . . . to sit back, relax and soak in the scenery flashing by.















Every station we pass seems to have it's share of Orient Express admirers



as we progress now through the Dolomite mountains







Tantalizing glimpses of spectacular country speeding by . . .





highway engineering marvels . . .





Then – a stroll through the piano bar



and time for lunch . . . .

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

16 September

Our last full day in Venice, over all too soon. A last visit to the Rialto . .





A final chance to shop (again!)



And a final canal side break in weather that's remained constant all week - hot and humid.



Back to pack, and embark on the next leg of the trip!

Monday, September 19, 2011

15 September

No use keeping a journal, unless you keep it up!



Another day, and another trip planned – today to the Rialto Bridge and market, aboard a vaporetto on the Grand Canal.







With no roads for delivery truck to deliver, almost everything delivered by . . . water !



The Rialto Bridge – a truly impressive structure, constructed entirely of stone, wide enough to span the Canal , and support two ranks of shops with three lanes of stairways.





Affording a spectacular view of the Grand Canal



every visitor has to have their photo taken . . . .





Back to reality, and planning the route ‘home’,



while some of us attempt to engage in a little Italian communication.



then, down to the market for immersion in a little local colour . . . .







before heading out on foot . . .



through piazzas



down alleys, where every corner divulges something different . . .





quiet corners with tranquil scenes





fantastical architecture . . . .



personal memorials



personal laundry





intriguing doorways



each hiding a private world



shops with strange goodies . . . coromelli, meringa, cantuccini . . .



almost there . . .



just a few more rios to cross







and more surprises around the corner . . .



then . . . .greenery, amongst all this water!



and finally the latest addition to the Grand Canal, the new (foot)bridge – budgeted at Eu4.7m, delivered at Eu20m, a mere 94 meters, after a 12 year gestation.



Take note Kingston!