Stage 26 Choggia - Venezia

Love is in the air everywhere I look around, Love is in the air every sight and every sound....

Venice here we come, the city of Love.

Only a short ride today, 25 klm Elevation gain, zero mtrs.

This involved three ferry rides across the Venetian Lagoon.

The first stage, ferry across to Pallestrina then ride 10klm to Santa Marie del Mare. Strict allocation of 10 tickets per ferry trip for La Bella riders as we had bikes.

Jim Cavanaugh (USA) ever the entrepreneur is not on the first allocation so negotiates with a local operator to take him and another group straight away instead of waiting for the next boat.

it worked, Jim left before us as they waved is goodbye.

 As this was a holiday weekend many of the other passengers were heading for the beaches. it was like we were back in Australia, towels, buckets, spades, chairs, drinks, umbrellas etc.

We disembark and ride the full length of the island that forms the outer barrier protecting the lagoon from the Mediterranean Sea.

The Lagoon of Venezia is an enclosed bay of the the Adriatic Sea. This shallow lagoon consisting of many islands, tidal shallows, salt marshes and mud flats, has a network of dredged channels or canals as it is open to the sea through three main entrances. These are the Lido, Malamocco and Choggia inlets.

Venice is regularly flooded, the extreme being the spring tides. In previous times this gave a level of security for the settlers fleeing invaders. mainly the Huns. In later centuries this natural ecology protected the Venetian Republic. 

The Lagoon formed about 6-7 thousand years ago as a result of the last ice age. 

The present aspect of the Lagoon is due to human intervention in the 15th & 16th century. Venetian hydraulic projects prevented the lagoon from becoming a marsh land. From the 19th century pumping of aquifers has occurred. This has enabled many ares to be habitable.

Barrier to protect erosion on the dunes

No 2 Ferry Ride to Lido

Many of the islands are artificial or reclaimed islands. The islands on the outer lagoon bordering the Adriatic are basically dunes, such as Lido.

Rosario the Venetian for the day is ready to board. Slow down Rosario we haven't had our coke and gelati or is it an espresso today?

Pallestrina due to it fragile coastline has been strengthened by embankments (see above photo) The four main villages on the island are known for their colourfully-painted homes. Market gardening lace making and fishing is what makes the island viable.  

Espresso it is Rosario, what about you Peter?

Waggons roll onto Lido. This is an 18 klm long sandbar and is noticeably a more substantial settlement with about 20,000 residents. Buildings, roads, landscape give a very different feel. Italians move here every summer, traffic was like the mainland, busy. Many beautiful sandy beaches, many owned by the hotels to cater for the tourists. A wide main shopping precinct with many shops and restaurants.

Lido 

Riding on the lagoon side of Lido

Twisting by the Pool Punta Sabbioni

Big day for the Wonthaggi Boys Brian Martin Phillip Hanley

After setting up camp we head through the caravan park which has beach frontage for a swim. Also have a swim in the pool and have a snack and drinks with some of the group.

Chris Richards (USA) and Kristen Schneller (USA), The Boys from Wonthaggi, Calum Campbell, William Scott (Ausssies) Join us for a pleasant few hours. Salute!