Venice

Setting off from slovenia we crossed the border to italy. Ironic for the home of beautiful cars that the drivers themselves lack similar finesse. The italians appear to use their genitals to work the accelerator leaving their hands and feet free to operate the horn and cigarette lighter. This doesnt leave much for steering which is probably the real reason the romans built such straight roads. Some of the younger italians have evolved to cope with the newer, less than straight roads and use their knees to steer, the side effect being greater aggression and more gesticulating possibly as a result of the posture cutting off circulation to the accelerator 'foot' inducing panic. Most cars also seen to be equipped with a device that automatically flashes the headlights when in the vicinity of any other vehicle so as not to detract the drivers attention away from horn/cigarette/gesticulating etc.
Having adapted to the new driving style, We arrived at Fusina camping which was in a wonderful location on the mainland, sw of venice, positioned right on the waters edge overlooking the city. It was recommended to us by an italian guy we met in Bled and we were very pleased with the find. The breeze was so welcome too as it was boiling hot and didn't cool down until about 5am! (and that only lasted an hour). We stayed around the camper for the rest of the day too hot to move. The kids made a den under the throw and washing line and zoe crawled around in the dust eating twigs and any paper we dared to try to read. We decided it would be nice to head into venice for the evening so took the 7pm ferry. What a super sight to see venice for the first time from the water. It looked stunning in the late sunshine with its pretty colourful skyline and boats everywhere. The kids (and mummy) were very excited as within 20 minutes we docked into the hustle and bustle of early evening in venice. We meandered through the streets carrying the buggy up and down steps to cross the many bridges. 117 islands apparently connected by bridges make up the city (117 multiplied by about 14 steps on each..1500 odd steps two toddlers one buggy and two hot/sticky adults..you get tho picture!). We loitered in doorways of churches where concert practices were taking place, passed by street vendors and hawkers pointed out leaning buildings and architectural features to jem and charlotte and smiled at all the 'bella bella angelino' comments aimed at zoe who was being extra charming in her pretty green sun dress. Then we came out from the alley ways (thanks largely to ant keeping his eye on the map) to st marks square and the basilica st marco. It was an amazing site with rows of arched windows the gleaming basilica and the many orchestras taking it in turn to play in the numerous cafes lining the square.
After a while taking it all in and a few pigeon chases by jem, we thought the occasion deserved a g&t in one of the cafes. So we sat down to silver service gin and tonic for the adults, pure chocolate sauce and milk for jem and charlotte and milk for zoe. The children rose to the occasion and displayed their best manners pouring their own remaining sauce and milks and eating olives and crisps like it was an everyday occurance. Charlotte got a little carried away and wet herself (bless) and they both loved the music whilst we chilled out taking in the atmosphere. We then headed back for the last ferry home. On arriving back we realised that the kontiki coaches we'd seen arriving were actually bringing club 18-30 holidayers complete with tents. The party was in full swing, karaoke bar and all so succumbing to loud pleas from the kids to go to the party we spied a table on the outskirts of the bar and 3/4 of us sang along, jem and charlotte making it up as they went whilst zoe slept in the buggy. several games of find the lady with the beer mats later we were ready to leave so as the disco started we headed back to our camper to bed.
After a relaxed start the next day we headed back into venice on the 1 o'clock ferry this time getting lost several times as we wandered around the different areas resorting to using tom tom at one point to find where we were (yes it does work in venice!) We browsed a few shops and main sights, the kids discovered slush puppy, we carried the buggy over what seemed like all 117 bridges (and their 1500 steps again!), chose a dodgy place to eat which too late we realised was a chinese restaurant doing a side line in italian food (quite poorly though still expensive); then with 2 fading children jumping on and off the buggy with zoe in the baby bjorn we headed back for the 8.30 ferry a little short of time requiring a rather too quick dash up and down said steps getting there with a minute to spare and all the outside seats taken though worth it to get the kids to their beds shortly followed by us. After another relaxed morning and mid afternoon check out we set off for somewhere between venice and rome with ant taking charge at the helm due to the mad italian driving antics causing mummy to have driver's stress in the passenger seat let alone behind the wheel! We made good progress and with the kids tired and happy to doze in their seats we decided to put Camp Tiber, Rome into Tom Tom arriving there about 9pm.