Day 44 – Sunday 21 June

Breakfast was typically Italian, which to our tastes is not very satisfying. Like the French it consists of a continental style offering of cheese and ham, however you get very plain cheese and ham, cereal, yoghurt, fruit, and selection majoring on cakes and other sweet things.  Juice was not pure, just to get in more sugar!

Ah well, we are expected it and found enough to eat.  We took our time going out and then headed towards our favourite Restaurant from previous trips for lunch.  34 degrees meant a slow walk, following shade where possible, with a water top up. 

Not far along the route a Murano glass sea horse caught Verns eye. As it was close to home we walked back home and dropped it off before continuing our way to the restaurant.  We enjoyed the simplicity of walking along the familiar streets, admiring the waterways, bridges and pastel coloured worn out buildings.  It is just so unique, and so Venice.  

The restaurant had changed ownership and name since we were last hear in 2017.  Thankfully it was air-conditioned. We enjoyed our pasta for lunch – me seafood and Vern a carbonara. 

We then continued our walk to St Marks basilica, which I was keen to go inside again and sneak some better photos.  We took it slow as the heat continued to intensify well up to the mid 30’s.  At one little break we saw a sad scene of a Mollyhawk in clear distress walking up and down near a door. It appeared that it must have been fed or watered by someone there and that person was not attending at the time.  We tried to share some of our water but it was a bit scared of us.

By the time we got to St Marks square the Basilica was closed. I am not sure why, however to overcome my disappointment I assured myself I would return one day – in Winter…..

Despite not being able to go inside I spent some time just wandering the square and marvelling at its beauty.  I find it absolutely stunning – the palace, the tower, the clock, the statues, and waterfront. The basilica itself was glittering and glowing in all its glory.  There was also a distinct lack of crowds which I figured was the only upside to the heat.

Our legs were getting a bit tired, and our bodies were not willing participants in the sight seeing due to managing the effects of the heat. However, what is an extra 2.4 km to get home?  We continued on, pausing at a clothes shop on Vern’s suggestion to see if there were some very light dresses to add to our wardrobe for Lyon which will be next level hot. Bonus – it was air-conditioned.  The sales person was good at her job and very pleasant = two dresses later and more effort we were home.

We did about 7km in the heat, and it felt like 17.  After a freshen up of course – we went to the closest place from the hotel for dinner. Sitting outside by the canal it was still over 30 at 9pm.  Our dinner was ok – the kitchen got my order wrong and served me a pasta meal instead of polenta so I sent it back and got the right one.  I think the heat is also affecting locals, so it was no drama. 

I felt a little melancholy sitting in the amazing setting of this old town on stilts, boats passing, people enjoying their own memory making, knowing that tomorrow we leave too soon.