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!

Last year, this year

I have noticed quite a number of differences in Venice between my two visits. Some are about the city and others are my way of life.

The weather last year was very cold & very wet. I wore at least five layers everytime I went out & was often cold in the apartment. The water came up - aqua alta as well as down. Pantomime week there was flood alerts several mornings but the water didn't come very high. This year until today there was two half days of rain in my first week. There has been many more sunny days and although it has often been cold in the shade there hasn't been the rawness thhere was last year. I have been able to sit outside lots of times for lunch or a coffee.

People. Last January was much quieter than it has been this year. 09 the only people around & certainly on the gondoli were from SE Asia - there are noticably less from that area of the world & more from Eutope & the US - economies must be improving.

Shops & bars - there are more open this year and because the weather has been drier there are more tables, chairs & people outside. In the shops there is already spring stock arriving. Last year it was only just coming in as I left.

Me. I have had a very different time this year. The pantomime obviously made a big impact and took up one week. This stay has been less frenetic, less running around sightseeing and much more relaxed, people orientated visit. Because I knew people on arrival there were calls to me made and arrangements to see each other. I have had several friends to my apartment for meals and have been invited to others homes. Walking around I often see people & we go for a coffee or a glass of prosecco, shopkeepers wave to me as I go past & I don't have to say what I want in bars. I must have gone totally native as I don't notice the men in orange trousers anymore!

When I go the Church or to the Circolo I am accepted as a regular and not a visitor.

My days are easy and I have spent more time relaxing and reading in my apartment and have cooked more and eaten out less. It has been a very different stay. Not better, not worse just different and wonderful.

Fairy Sparkle's magic worked!

This afternoon I was sat in a bar having a spritz when there was a knock on the window - it was Magnus & Ambrose.

Magnus was so excited to see me I went outside to talk to them. I was told my magic had worked - the fishing flies & a Donald Duck & bumble bee costumes were under their pillows this morning. The thanked me very much & hoped would be going round to see them again soo. No doubt they have more wishes!

Caught up

Sorry I had a blog siesta. I did begin but uploading the photographs takes quite along time.

The weather has been wonderful this week - very cold but with a beautiful blue sky.

Monday I went out for a trip round the lagoon to a church St Pietro di Castello on the other side - it is actually the cathedral church of Venice. Then i went to look at a 5* hotel Il Doge that I had been told about. It has a hidden garden & a great view over to Murano.

Then I walked through the Ghetto and had lunch at an Isreali restaurant. he meze starter would have been sufficient.

The skyscrappers ov Venice and my delicious meze

In the evening I went to the circolo and the speaker was talking about the air quality of venice. They monitor the cruise ships as the pass through the Guidecca canal and have found that although they do contribute becuse they use better quality diesel they are not bad as the small motor boats & vaporetti.

Fairy Sparkle makes more magic!

Last Sunday I went to see Magnus (on the left) and Ambrose and to have lunch with them. Magnus knew I lived on his way to school and kept asking if Fairy Sparkle might lean out of the window and wave Sparkle Magic over him? He is wanting some new fishing flies. I took along my wand and some Fairy Sparkle magic dust to sprinkle over him, wave my wand and make a spell. Ambrose wasn't going to be left out and wished for a Donald Duck costume, process repeated.

The boys had made me some delicious biscuits and had dressed in their best clothes, including Ambrose in a tie for my visit.

Mummy Kristin had made a lovely lunch for me and I had a wonderful time.

Making all those spells was exhausting!

Carnevale food

Here are galani and fritelle.

The galani look like sheets of lasagne pasta, the recipe is very similar but then they are deep fried and covered in icing or caster sugar.

Fritelle are a cross between donuts and choux buns. Veneziana have currants in them and there are also ones filled with ricotta, crema & zabaglione and dusted with icing sugar. The shop puts them onto a gold or white tray and then they are wrapped like a parcel & tied with coloured ribbon.

They are only avaqilable from Epiphany to the end of carnevale. The reason is that normal pasta & donuts are boring and by making them sweet and full of good, rich ingredients sweet the excess of this period runs into the typw of food eaten

I have bought a recipe book with both of these in so they could be on the list at Kath's Perfect puddings

Bologna

I left early to get the 08.30 train. During the nght snow had fallen & everything looked very pretty. Even going through Mestre, not the prettiest of places with snow on the trees it looked magical.

First I took a bus tour around the city, got my bearings and some information of Bologna's history. We went out of town & up the hill to get an overview - had the weather been better it would have been clearer. Here there were parks & in summer a lovely area.

Origionally Bologna had 120 towers. Some built for security others to anoy their neighbour. My tower is taller than your tower! Now there are only about 12 & not all straight. You can, I didn't climb the 600 steps of the taller of these two towers.

Here is the Church of San Pietro in the main square - this is the peoples chuch & does not to "The Church" (Catholic)" Inside on a fresco is an interpretation of Mohammed. After the twin towers three weeks later a bomb was left by the chapel that contains tis image. it was found & made safe.

Bologna is also famous for its covered walkways there are 45 miles of them. All are different as each was built by the property owner. They enlarged upstairs to accommodate more students. There are over 100,00 living here - the oldest university in the world.

Cafes can spill out onto the covered areas and pay not extra rates as they own the land & have to allow public right of way.

This is one of the oldest extensions, made from wood. For safety reasons the town council wanted them built of brick.



This is the piazza with the seven churches. All are interlinked.

Bologna in Emila Romagna is renowned for its food. Parmesan cheese, Parma ham, salamis etc.

Parmesan cheesesDuring the afternoon I took a 2 hour walking tour around the city and I was the only client so it was exceptional value for E13.

1st away day - Padova

I have been to Padova today. There was a Caravaggio exhibition I wanted to see. On my walk into the centre from the station I checked with a lady wearing a fur coat, very Italian I was going in the right direction. Her English was wonderful - I had asked in Italian & we walked along together. She told me her son was a lawyer now working in London but he had done some training in Hull. She checked what I had seen - everything except the university so she took me there to check on the tour times. 3.15 today. I walked around the centre, looked at the market - the stalls are wonderful and here are some examples. Some stalls just sell fruit & others certain types of veg. Fascinating.

I made my way to the Eremitani museum & got a reduced price for both the Caravaggio & the Scrovegni Chapel - I know I have already seen Giottos frescoes four times but I couldn't not see them. There were five of us in my time slot which was great, many more in the previous & later groups.

Then I went into the caravaggio - ONE painting - they did this last year with Canaletto in Treviso & at the Academmia a couple of weeks ago there was one Leonardo drawing. But from the advertising you wouldn't know this! Anyway in the gallery there were some lovely Mangtegna's & a Bellini which were worth seeing.

I finally found somewhere for lunch, I didn't have much time & as it was after 2 o'clock I felt like more than a sandwich. In the small bar - no menu waitress just told me what was on offer today I had pasta with speck & cheese & a glass of good red wine all for E8. A bargain.


Then I made it ack to the university to book my tour - I asked again in Italian.

Padua is the second oldest university after Bologna. The students moved here because the church in Bologna was too much in control of the university there. It was founded in 1493. The courtyard is surrounded by a dual loggia & on the walls are some of the 3000 coats of arms of the noble students. We saw the special podium Galileo lectured from, the main salon & a smaller lecture room. Then we went to see the anatomical theatre. Our guide who was speaking in both Italian & English said the English speakers should go into the room first - I walked towards the door & she stopped me & said, no you wait for the Italian version. I replied no I was English. She said no I thought you were Italian, you booked the tour in Italian. I was THRILLED & told her so.

The table was in the bottom & there are six standing tiers above for students to stand & watch autopsies being performed. As it was illegal in that period there were no windows & the bodies were often raided from graveyards or were given by lectures when they died.

A fascinating hour.

Finally we saw the statue of the first woman to gain a degree - 1598. No other women got one at Padova for another 100 years - & much later in the UK.

The train back home was uneventful. I almost got into trouble going as I forgot to validate my ticket!!

Tomorrow it is an early start as I plan to get the train to Bologna.

Bible study, dinner & friends

Last night I was making my first visit this year to St. George's bible study. Of course I arrived at Church eight minutes before the start time. 12 minutes later Ian appeared then a text from Gaspare (he was running the class) to say he was late & just leaving Mestre! Zoe arrived & the three of us stood outside, luckily it wasn't as cold as the previous night. As everyone was going back to my appartment afterwards for dinner we decided to go straight there. I made drinks & we had fritelle & we did one hour on Mark 10 before starting on the wine.


Gaspare is my Italian friend from Church, Ian is also a member of Church, English & a painter who lives in Mestre. Zoe was here last year, she is working on her doctrate & undertaking research. We had a great evening, lots of chat & laughter.

Today when I was on the vaporetto I saw Ian painting, so I got off & went to see him - Zoe had just left having done the same. I got back on the vaporetto going in the opposite direction to the next stop, got off & came back to get a photo of him painting.




I also bumped into an American couple who had been at Church two weeks ago & in Camp Santa Marguerita Prince Charming. Venice is such a small city. Another couple of photos of a beautiful day here.





Tomorrow i was planning to go to Bologna but the sightseeing bus, hop on hop off only runs currently at weekend so I will go on Saturday. Tomorrow I will go to Padova to a caravaggio exhibition. Buona notte.