Saturday 13 September

Today’s tourist day so back to the 700 lire parking chaos. 1st to San Marco to see what a difference daylight makes – well very much. The city is still impressive but now one sees the effect of water – dark wet buildings and smell. Not bad everywhere but noticeable in the smaller canals.

 A long queue at San Marco so a long walk to buy 2 aerogrammes and then onto Fondamente Nuora to  cross to Murano to see one of many glass blowing factories. I will now remove Jews from 1st place as traders and put Italian there. I personally found the whole atmosphere very unpleasant. True you can watch glass-blowing free but with a tip plate waiting for you. Salesmen follow you around the showroom talking like records, “we ship goods to all parts of the world”. Ummm!!

Took ferry back and walked to S Maria Formosa square for a drink and a rest. Wrote postcards and letters and then onto San Marks. Well worth the visit to this twice re-built church. Pay the combined 150 litre tickets and saw tower, jewels, and altar backing. From the balcony got a superb view of Central and Easter Venice. Now into the Palace of the Doges.

What a place, vast panelled rooms in both courts and meeting places including the Room of the Council of Ten (Star chamber type!!) and the cells and moaning bridge (prisoners on way to execution gave it this name). Back into the square and a walk across to Riallo bridge and the self service restaurant of Rosticcera and Bartolomeo at 5423 Calle della Bissa.

Here we had noodle soup, white wine and pizza for a cost of 8/-. Back to Roma and to camp site to write up two days’ diaries. Tomorrow to Florence.