Verona

 It was going to be a rainy day in Venice yesterday so we headed off to Verona by train.  Sarah wanted to see Verona and it was easy to wander around in the cool weather. We went to some of the usual tourist spots including the Arena, la Casa di Giulietta and Piazza delle Erbe.
Some of my favourite things about Verona are the ammonites in the beautiful pink marble.  There are heaps in the streets and the seating in the Arena.  I couldn't climb many steps in the Arena this time because  I had a sore knee but Jules and Rob took some photos for me.

I haven't added Jules' best photos because someone as already uploaded one of his photos from another program and claimed it as their own.

Last time we came there were just locks everywhere and names written on the walls.  Now people are declaring their undying love by also sticking blobs of chewing gum all over the place and writing on it - yuck!

If this screen hadn't been covered in crap, if you wanted to you could watch the screen and listen to a commentary about the place.

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These people were writing their names on the audio piece

Rob walking through Piazza delle Erbe

The Venice Lion

Piazza delle Erbe -more of a tourist souvenir market than a herb and vegetable market

This little dog was patiently waiting for a treat

Scarves for sale everywhere

It wasn't too cold for Jules to have gelato

The Arena is pretty spectacular

We weren't able to walk around much in the tunnels or go out in to the centre of the arena as there are major works going on with the ground in the centre

Today there is really high aqua alta  -about 1.4 or 1.5 metres, it is a public holiday (All Saints day -Ognissanti) and it is going to rain, a good day to stay inside. People going past our apartment have high wading boots, I think that our high wellies would fill up with water.

This afternoon we're going to visit the family in Mestre, the water should have gone down a lot by then. If not we'll be swimming :)

A lazy day at Murano

It was a beautiful but chilly day so we piled on the warm clothes and headed off to Murano. Sarah & Paul were sensible and sat inside on the vaporetto to Murano, Jules, Rob & I didn't and took a while to thaw out :) It wasn't as warm here as last year and we kept coats etc on.

We have always been lucky with the weather at Murano, it was a beautiful day and we strolled around checking out many glass shops finding many beautiful things to buy.  As usual the things that we liked best were thousands of euros and there is always the likelihood of stuff being broken in transit. After watching the DHL guys throwing packages on to their boat we were glad that none of them were ours :)

We had lunch at a favourite restaurant,
Ristorante ai Pianta Leoni - Murano, Rivalonga 25, telefono +39 041 736794.

There is something very relaxing about Murano,  it is a beautiful place and the pace is slower. Jules took some fantastic photos but you'll have to make do with mine until he downloads his.If you go to Venice make sure that you visit Murano - Burano is great as well.

This piece of public art always impresses and over the years we have taken many photos of it.  Such a shame that the fence is needed as it detracts from the beauty of the glass.

Lunch in a restaurant on the canal. We had a meal here last year and came back because it was so good -it didn't disappoint.

Tagliolini neri con gamberni e zafferino

Gnocchi di patate con prosciutto e montasio

Seafood antipasto

Spaghetti and mixed seafood

Grilled Branzino and white polenta

Fried mixed seafood

Tonno

Frutte di mare alla griglia

Paul, Jules and Rob enjoying the sunshine

We all want this boat :)

How cute!

Another beautiful piece of public art.

The colours and shapes are exquisite

There only needs to be a little bit of sunshine for the glass to glisten

Around the world there must be so many photographs of the main canals in Murano with almost everyone taking similar shots

Not too many tourists -which must be a worry for the local people