Last day

I am all packed up but not ready to go!

For the last three days I have been in bed with a chest infection and missed my last days here.
Luckily I had some anti-biotics with me & began taking them as soon as I felt it coming on last Saturday. Even this morning I was so bad I looked at flights for next week, I didn't think I could consider going home tomorrow.

This afternoon I felt slightly better, the sun had come out and I decided to go out for a short walk to see how I managed. The two bridges were hell I was so stiff after not walking for several days. But I strolled around the block, sat on the Zattere and had soming to eat

I returned home via the two bridges with the ramps (still there from the Venice marathon last October). The two flights were not two bad to climb. Tomorrow I will set the alarm for 07.30 to allow my chest to clear after being laid down all night. Hopefully I will make it home OK and Richard being a wonderful neighbour will be at Manchester Terminal 1 to meet me. Without such good friends I couldn't do this. Jackie and Sylvia have looked after my house and paid bills. Margaret and Richard have also looked on and prepared for my homecoming with washing and shopping. Richard also did a sterling job in getting me to Manchester airport in terrible weather conditions.
Thank you to all of you.

Gaspare has just called to return some DVDs I loaned him and I said there maybe a return trip in November. I just need a new tennant in my house.

Arrividerci and caio, caio, caio.

Fairy Sparkle's Soiree

Fairy Sparkle’s Soiree

Bell No 2
2nd floor

Last Saturday I hosted a small soiree for friends I have made here in Venice. I went to the market at Sacca Fisola on Friday and bought delicious cheeses, parmesan, gorgonzola and one I had tried the previous week, strachitund. This one was slightly blue and harder than the gorgonzola which was so soft and creamy. The man at the stall remembered me which was lovely and we had a great chat. I also bought salami from him and he told me that if it has a red tail it is with garlic and a white tail without garlic. I was relating this to Liz who took me to the market a while ago and she has lived her 10 years and didn't know that.

I made bruschetta, laid out the salami, cheeses breadsticks, olives and pineapple. Neda brought galani and Gaspare a foccachia sweet bread so we had a delicious spread..

Several people were away because it was half term but fifteen people came which pleased me very much. There was lots of chatter and laughter and I think everyone enjoyed the party.

La Fenice

Here is the piano used by the two pianists on Sunday night. It as a very good concert.

I bought a E10 listening only seat & was sat in the fourth box from the right on the bottom tier at the opposite side to those you can see. My seat was behind the front two, but the couple sat at either side with me in the middle so I had a great view of the pianists.

Trouble with the washing machine.

So far no floods or power cuts. I have remembered to only use one appliance at a time.

The other day when I had washed my new combat trousers they came out looking bleached.
Kirsten pointed out the washing liquid & I thought fabric softer. Well this ACE stuff smelt OK but I just didn't think it was fabric soften. But I used it.

I did look in the supermarket & the stuff was with the softeners.

Last time I was in Billa I was looking at it again & an old Venetian lady took the top off a pink one & had me smelling it. Rosa, bellisimma. I asked about this Ace stuff. No it wasn't fabric softener - it contained bleach or ammonia!!!! I think she said it was a floor cleaner!! I have had it in the washing machine!!! No wonder my combats had faded. No doubt the rest of my clothes will disintegrate.

Another lady joined us. Further discussions on fabric softener. Yes the rosa was good but this one, I had to smell it, is much more bellisimma. Cocomut fragrance.

I am now fully conversant in ALL Italian fabric softener.

But why is floor cleaner with the fabric softeners. Not worked that one out yet. It is the same in three supermarkets.

Carnevale

Carnevale has begun once more.

I didn't go down to Piazza San Marco to see the angel abseiling down the campanile. last year it was packed.

I did walk through the piazza later & again yesterday. Here are a few photos.

More will follow.

Just watched a clip on BBC news about the cut backs to the carnevale. My pink fleece wasn't featured.

Music

Last Thursday I went to La Fenice to see Pucinni's opera Manon Lescault. It was a very modern setting which was quite amazing but not what you immediately think of as opera. It began in a schoolroom (very old students) which was on top of roadworks. There were lots of workment playing cards. Then it went to a fairground & swans with people in flew accross the stage. Later we were in a prison & some of the prisoners were hanging from the ceiling in wire cages which when they were lowered became thier skirts! One of the prisoners is the sister of someone I know. The final scene was in a hole in the ground. Manon is a girl of 15-16 & the lady who played her was at least 40! Too old. Mixed reviews but pucinni's music was wonderfu;.

Saturday night I finally got back to the Venice Jazz Club who were giving a tribute to Miles davis & it was great. I must get back at least once more before I leave. federico had got anew piano - a baby grand.

Sunday night I was back at La Fenice for a concert for carnevale in the salon - opera meets jazz. Sound good was dreadful. It was an Hungarian singer to recorded music & she looked like a hooker. Didn't sing too well either. I was seated on the centre aisle. had I been nearer the exit I would have left after the second song.

Tonight I am back again at La Fenice - two pianists playing music my Mozart, that should be much better.

Off now to meet Anna, an Italian friend. Caio, caio, caio. Here is Anna at her desk at the hotel Ca del Nobile. Beautiful small hotel 100m from St. Marco.

Umberellas

The rain doesn't stop people taking a E80 gondola ride. Not sure how much this group would see!