Canals, Churches, coffee, children

Phew an internet connection! Not so easy in Italy.

We're in Quatro d'altimo, near Venice (20 mins train ride). In the last few days we arrived in Franfurt and caught the bus to Hahn it's an hour long trip and we all fell asleep on the way one by one. Just made it with about 20 mins to spare before boarding for Treviso, Italy.

At Treviso we were meant to meet Peter Zettinig (our Austrian friend from NZ), but we waited and waited and waited. We were starting to think about booking somewhere for the night when he showed up to pick us up. Poor guy had taken 3.5 hours to get to the airport because of road works and bad traffic. We walked to the car about 200m away and it started to rain, getting heavier and heavier. Looking up it was that big fat rain about the size of pidgeon poo. Worrying! So we hurried as much as you can with two tired children and too many bags. Then it started to hail and it was the biggest hail I've ever seen. About the size of marbles, poor Bella on my shoulder was crying and we got soaked. Luckily they didn't hurt.

Peter thankfully drove us safely despite the challenging weather. We arrived at the Hotel Rex in Bibione. People staying there are generally German speaking, German or Austrian. So we brushed up on our non existant Italian and German too. "Eine Eis per favori?" sorry about the spelling.

This is a really popular spot with a great beach. Amazing though the seats on the beach. They look like rows of headstones from a distance. Close up it is unbelieveable the rows upon rows of deck chairs and umbrellas. The weather was sunny but with a cold wind. So we didn't actually get in the pool or the sea! Crazy. After two days we decided to move on to Venice.

We got here this morning via bus to Litisana and a train from there to Quatro d'altimo. Our hotel is just beside the railway but not noisy. Henry and Bella were very tired so they were sent to bed for a big rest. Thankfully the staff let us go to our room early. While the grumpies slept I went for a walk around the town. I didn't get very far but saw a little snake and people picking grapes and many gated properties. Someone did a big deal here with selling automatic gates. I also found good coffee and a fresh bread shop nearby.

Once the monsters awoke we got the train into Venice. A great service which is regular, clean, easy to use and took us right to the heart of the city. We didn't get into the city until about 4pm which was great as we could go a little later than usual without the kids being too tired.

At first we got hopelessly lost but then after a while you get used to it and figure how to find your way through the twisting turning dead ends. It is amazing thinking people have lived here for so long. We walked through a church that was completed in 1350 I think and had taken a hundred years to build as so many secessive plagues had stopped progress. The architecture is stunning and there are things to see at every turn.

We were prepared for very expensive meals but didn't find it that bad. There are cheap options outside the main spots and away from the Gucci/Prada district. We're taking the train there again tomorrow to watch the All Blacks vs Italy. Should be good.