Ah Venezia...

This morning we were up by 7 to finish packing and say our goodbyes to the rest of the mob who all left for various Italian destinations before 8:30, and then to Margherita before we left for Torino at about 9:30.

Our first stop was a cafe opposite the Porto Nuova train station where I left Brian and the luggage, and then, with Jane's help, drove less than 2km to the tiny Europcar office to return the car that we picked up at Gare du Nord in Paris just over a month ago.  Then a short walk to the Metro station and 2 stops on the very efficient and modern train system to Porto Nuova to meet Brian at the cafe, now onto his second coffee since we parted just over 30 minutes previously.  I went into the cafe to pay Brian's bill and the elderly man in the cafe told me that I was "una moglie brava" (a good wife).

We went into the railway station and had lunch at a typical Italian establishment called "The Wild West Ristorante" (some of the bar seats were saddles, the manager's office was called "The Sheriff's Office etc).  I think they've heard about Sophy Foreman's recommended dietary proportions but became a bit confused in the translation - 25% animal protein (grilled chicken), 25% salad and 50% carbohydrate - and then supersize every order to have enough food to feed a family on each plate!  Anyway, the food that we managed to eat was fine and we boarded our train for my absolute favourite holiday destination, and Brian's second favourite (his favourite is MR of course) - Venezia!

The train trip was very comfortable (Brian listened to music and updated his diary and I read and caught up on a bit of sleep) and we both felt an enormous sense of excitement as the train pulled out of Venezia Mestre - the last stop before crossing the water over to Venice.  It took us no time at all to purchase vaporetto tickets, ride down the Grand Canal and make our way to "our" apartment.  

Our absolutely charming landlord Fabio called in to visit us before we headed out for a walk around our part of town, ending up back at the little cafe / restaurant that's no more than 10 metres from our front door - had a drink at the bar until a table became available - and then a delicious dinner in a crowded restaurant where we seemed to be the only tourists.  What a joy it is to be in Venice again!