First Day Riding

Today we got our bikes and headed out for an island hopping day from Venice - Lido - south on a few ferries to Chioggia (Little Venice)  and then the sea side resort of Sottomarina.  The plan was a pitcuresque ride along the sea side and a doddle of 35 km.

That was the plan.......

The bike snob will just have to suck it up!

About 20 minutes down the road, Liz had a very nasty fall over the railway lines.  It was a small but devastating crash. 

That is a broken ankle.

While we waited for help to arrive, Professor Reymond was able to conduct a complete self diagnosis and declared "its stuffed".  Liz was taken to hospital and has had her leg set in plaster and were are just waiting to here their next moves.  It is a very sad day and I wish Peter and Liz a safe and painless journey home.

So that just leaves Chris and myself on the road.  The rest of the day was thankfully uneventful and we rolled into the sea side town late afternoon.

At least there was the gondola ride. 

Venice (updated)

Just arrived in Venice, enough time to get lost, find the Rialto bridge

and have some pasta and seafood with Peter, Liz and Chris Hall.

Hmmm a little glitch there as the photos did not appear.  Today was shopping in Venice.  Peter, Liz and Chris dutifully did the tour of churches while I got lost.  Lost on purpose I might add.  Words really to fail me to describe  Venice.  It is just such an amazing place and the contrast after a few days in Rome is breath taking.

well a man does have to eat

this is my next job, sorry Ramsay

they would never get away with that kind of parking in Rome

Rialto Bridge at night

I feel very guilty that I didn't take many pictures today, it just didn't occur to me as I soaked up the view and (probably) walked around with my mouth open.  Big change of pace tomorrow; on the bikes!!

Pompeii

Yesterday I went to Pompeii on a bus trip out of Rome.  It was the only possible way to squeeze the 400 km round journey in before leaving Rome for Venice.   I can tell you that the prospect of doing a guided tour filled me with dread but the day turned out to be exceptional. This is mostly due to the fact that visiting Pompeii has always been on my wish list and it didn't disappoint.  Also the bus trip gave me a chance to rest my worn out feet.  

Ocean facing main gate

Main forum

 I had not realised just how large Pompeii was and how extensive the restoration has been.  Italy does seem to have a 'naturalistic' approach to conservation, ie if its still standing then leave it alone, if it’s fallen over it must be a ruin…. then leave it alone.  Happily this is not the case with Pompeii and the restoration of a few houses and theatres gives you real perspective of the civilisation. 

Baker's ovens

Main street and volcano in the not too distance!

Off to Venice to begin the ride!!

 

Sorry about the comments

I have fixed the comments option on the page for those of you trying to make comments.

Apologies

Via Appia Antica

Today was brilliant.  Peter and Liz headed off to the Vatican City to do some Pope spotting and I decided to take the plunge and hire a bike.  I have read up about the ancient highway into Rome, the Appian Way and how it was a very popular bike ride.  Perhaps I should have done a little more research but hey..... who reads instructions?

Now the bike snob in me did initially struggle with the only style of bike on offer but as I hit the cobbles all was forgiven.

Once I had finally cleared the hell raising traffic of the business district and the Coliseum the countryside was spectacular and dotted with a ridiculous number of ruins.

I was having so much fun rattling over the cobbles and dodging the ancient pavement that the day flew by.  I was brought back to reality when I ran out of road and energy.  Fortunately in Italy there seems to be a little man in a van selling food just around every corner.  My lunch may not have been the most aesthetic so far but at the time it tasted like heaven. It also provided enough energy to get me home again.

I want one.

Ok I know i want lots of things, but I REALLY want one of these. 

Why Lord Byron was not a tourist

Spanish steps today.  The vibe here was great.  Although it is the start of the high season the crowds were not too oppressive.  There was plenty of room to sit in the shade and to ponder...... stuff.  Not sure that I can reach the same intellectual heights as Lord Byron, Shelley and Keats.  Having said that I was also not taking substantial amounts of barbiturates to help with the prose.  In my defense the crowds were noisy, no wonder Byron only stayed for a few weeks.