Well, last night was a very fitful sleep. For some reason I spent the night waking, and worrying that today was not going to go to plan. K4 did much the same. So we got up earlier than intended and just got on with it. Might as well, we weren't sleeping anyway!
Because our internet access in Switzerland was SOOOOOO patchy, I hadn't managed to confirm our Venice accommodation either. So I was having a mild panic about that.
3 of us Uber'd to the train station with all of the luggage, while Jess & K4 skipped. Yes, skipped, and sang apparently. The market people were complimentary of their efforts (I think!).
On arrival, given we were early, we asked if we could get on an earlier train so our transfer between trains would be less rushed. The lady replied "Haven't you heard? There was an accident in the tunnel, and your train has been cancelled." Oh, yay.
I'd been really looking forward to this trip, it has the longest tunnel in Europe, at 57kms. BUT, I'm glad they cancelled us, I'd hate to have been in that accident! In a tunnel!
Anyways, 45 mins later, saw our trip cancelled, refunded and rebooked. The young girl that fixed the booking was a bit dour at the start, and amazing at the end!! Very well handled!
Our 2 trains turned into 4. All connections have been tight, with a rushed 'run' to the next train, and until this last train, we've been feeding the masses with junk food & muesli bars out of my bag. Thank goodness for chippies for breakfast!
Oh, and as we set off on our last train of this journey, they said we may be delayed, due to finding a WW2 bomb close to the line, and they would be working to make sure it wouldn't explode!!! <insert crossed eyes here> It's been a funny trip.
The views have been stunning though! Swiss mountains, houses & lakes. It's been less picturesque in Italy. And this leg finds me without a window. But that's ok, because I've had half a ham & cheese toastie, and a drink. And I have a very good imagination. Of course I had a quick lunch with George Clooney on the way past Lake Como. Courtesy of my very good imagination.
Tonight I imagine I'll be having a delicious pasta and an aperol spritz or two! Or chianti, or prosecco. I'm not fussy. Have toothbrush, will drink. Winning!!
Also, once we crossed the Italian border, the internet magically turned itself back on. It seems Switzerland doesn't play nicely with others from time to time - kind of like the older sibling, who isn't used to sharing their toys (across Europe internet access) and is also very good at letting people know that they're not behaving as well as they should (Germany and their late trains).
Anyhows, I've fixed the accommodation situation, and we should be all good.
Update coming soon with how dinner went, and what our apartment is like!
CIAO!!!
******
Well, we made it through to Venice, despite the accident in the tunnel, and the WW2 bomb disengagement. I really do feel like we’re in a James Bond movie!
My previous visit to Venice did not leave much of a mark on me. It was wet, claustrophobic and smelly when I went in 1997. We had to walk everywhere on raised boards, and I got soaked. It really didn’t leave much of a good impression, and I wasn’t in much of a hurry to go back.
K4 asked me this morning why I even added it into our trip. Well, the truth is, everyone else thinks it’s beautiful, and we were close-ish. Also, my friend has a gorgeous necklace, that I want to steal every time I see it, and I wanted one. So instead of taking hers, I thought I’d better get one of my own.
So, we arrived in Venice, and caught the water bus (48 Euros for the 5 of us) around to the other side of the island - Fondamento Nove. With some specific directions from our host, we were lead down a super skinny, and claustrophobic alleyway, into a small door, and a low ceilinged hallway. Up the stairs, as we waited for K4 to negotiate with the coded lock box, to get the key out, and unlock the 4-5 bolted, reinforced door. I’m not quite sure they needed to be so solidly protected from, but I’m glad we never met them.
Entering into the apartment, we were greeted with a very spacious 2 bedroom apartment. Walls were whitewashed, with concrete floors. At first it looked a bit sparse, but after throwing open the shutters, I loved the place!
It was located above a little restaurant, and not 20m from a great bar & ice cream shop, and just over a little bridge to the Bascilica di Giovanni & Paolo. The kids were happy, and so was I!
As it was about 6pm by this stage, we decided to try to find a little market (Coop), and get some dinner. What we ended up doing was getting snacks, wine and cheese. Dinner was a deliciously simple tagliatelli with different sauces. The girls all got tomato & basil,, Johnny was brave and went out on a limb with butter & sage, and K4 had bolognaise. The bowls were made from cardboard, and not very large, but they had certainly packed the pasta in! We had no hungry tummies!
And then back to our apartment to put our feet up, and introduce the kids to Ted Lasso. We were all snoring before long.