Rest Day Venezia

There are places I remember. All my life, though some have changed. All these places have their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall...

Catch the ferry from outside the camp and head across to Burano. This is in a group of four inhabited islands north of Venice. These four islands are linked by bridges. Burano is known for it's brightly coloured homes and it's lace work.

Moving around is on foot or by boat on the canals. Burano was probably founded by the Romans in the 6th century and was in the shadows of 
Murano and Torcello until the 16th century, when the women on the island began making lace with needles. Today it is a thriving island.

Burano is well known for it's leaning bell tower, San Martino Church dates from the 15th century and stands at 53 mtr and has an incline to it's axis of 1.83mtr. 

A beautiful island only 21 hectares, and 14,000 residents. We hop back on the Venetian ferry buses and head towards Murano our next stop

 

 About a 30 minute trip from Burano by ferry, is a another beautiful island. Famous for its glass making. This came about because the Venetian Republic fearing fire and destruction of the city due to it's many wooden buildings, ordered the glass maker to move to the Murano in 1291.

The glass makers became prominent citizens and had special privileges, as they could wear swords and had immunity from prosecution. No wonder the daughters married into Venice's wealthy families.

It was fascinating to watch glass blowing.

A great skill 

Glassmaker at work

Walking around Burano and Murano was like stepping back in time. With lace making, glass blowing and many other cottage type industries evident throughout these communities, was uplifting. Add this to warm sunny weather, lovely canals, architecture and pace of life, it seemed idyllic.

Time to move back on the ferry and head to Venetia, here we come.

St Mark's Basilica

   Very impressive from the water is Piazza San Marco and Doge's Palace. We disembark amidst multiple ferry boats, it's like a bus depot, only on water, commuters and tourist travelling to all [arts of the lagoon. 

Gondolas everywhere....

The view on the left is from the Bridge of Sighs. It is hard to believe the way Venice is constructed on wooden piles, despite centuries of submersion. The foundations rest on plates of Istrian limestone placed on top of the piles, and buildings of brick or stone sit above these footings. The piles penetrate a softer layer of sand and mud  until they reach a much harder layer of compressed clay.

You are surrounded in Piazza San Marco by some of the most fascinating buildings you will see anywhere.

St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace. This is the principal public square of Venice.

Venice was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. It was also a very important centre for commerce.(Silk, grain & spice).

The central focus for me is Piazza San Marco, a wonderful vibrant meeting place surrounded by beautiful buildings, music, places to eat etc.

Like all great historical centres, declines come and go. Venice started to decline in the 15th century. During the plagues they lost a third of their population.

During the 20th century artisan wells were sunk to supply water for local industry. It was realised that Venice began to subside, so the wells were prohibited from the 1960's. However the city continues to sink at 1-2mm pa.  Subsidence is part of Venetian life, this lowering of the surface of Venice is called Aqua Alta and each season much of the surface of the Venice is covered by a high tide.

One of the entrances to include a series of hollow pontoons

When Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi inaugurated the Mose project , an experimental model for evaluating the performance of hollow floatable gates; the idea is to fix a series of 78 hollow pontoons  to the sea bed across the three entrances to the lagoon. When tides are predicted to rise above 110 centimetres, the pontoons will be filled with air, causing them to float and block the incoming water from the Adriatic Sea. This engineering work is due to be completed by 2018

Some of the many small and large canal system that Venice is famous for. Below the Grand Canal

Peter on the famous Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal

Two more Aussie tourists on the famous bridge which was opened in 1591 just before Paul & Garry were born. This bridge divides two districts, San Marco & San Polo.

Rialto Bridge

Steve Rogers (USA) always wanted to have a drink in one of Venezia Hotels where all the famous stars stay. So he had an ale in the Rialto and paid 17 Euro for the privilege and said it was worth it. Salute! Steve.

Some music with your espresso Signore?

Did you know Venezuela means "Little Venice?"

Florence Rest Day

Steeples and Spires, inglenook fires, once warm desires take my mind back through a maze of frolics and frays, we spent the days hearts entwined.

Early evening yesterday Ross was a little concerned that his pneumonia was not clearing up, so we decided to catch a taxi to the Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital about 15 klms from camp. As would be expected we were entered through general admission and waited in line. I brought with me a book and borrowed Garry's laptop and try to catch up on the Blog. About 1.00 am Ross was given the all clear, everything was okay and he was responding well to medication.

Arrived back at camp and all was dark and quiet. As Ross had not received his evening antibiotic injection, we decided to head to the shower block as they had good lighting. In the process of mixing the medication in solution and drawing up the medication through the needle into the syringe, I proceeded to inject Ross in the buttocks, and timing is everything in life, in walks a gentlemen who was cleaning his teeth etc. and I say "Ross do I insert this all the way or just partial?" "No all the way says Ross." Not sure what the visitor was thinking of or if he could speak English, but we completed the procedure and retired back to the tent with another tale to tell, slightly amused.

One of the most beautiful medieval cities in the world, this was our rest day so we are going to make the most of it. Catch a bus from camp into the city, grab a coffee and some breakfast prior to boarding.

Firenze (Florence) Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore

Baptistery of St John

Piazza del Duomo

 Disembark onto the narrow streets full of movement and life. Stunning architecture all around. Opposite the main entrance to the cathedral is Baptistery of Saint John.

Queues were long to enter the cathedral, but entry for the tower and the dome had already been fully booked for the day.




Florence was the centre of European trade and finance and was one of the wealthiest cities in the Middle Ages. Also the birthplace of The Renaissance. Over this period it was ruled by the powerful Medici Family. Two members of the family were Popes, Catherine married Henry II of France and Marie married Henry IV of France. Wow! That's keeping hold of power and influence.

It had close connections to Julius Caesar as he founded it in 59 BC, and the Florentine dialect is regarded as the Italian Language. Today as well as tourism, trade and financial services, it is known for it's fashion. 

Paul went to town on Francis, with purchases of expensive leather, perfume, clothing, trinkets etc. Shop till you drop Paul.

Palazzo Vecchio

 It was hot, close to the middle of the day, so time for a cool ale and some food at the local Irish Pub in the Piazza della Signoria.

Burn Baby Burn, Palazzo Inferno.
Fascinating square where Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola was burnt at the stake for being outspoken about immorality, attachment to riches, and against Pope Alexander VI. Well he did father several children, you paid a heavy price for heresy in those days.

Burnt at the stake right here in Palazzo Vecchio in 1498, no wonder I am feeling so hot. How Ya Feelin H...H...H

Loggia dei Lanzi

Two Squares within a Square

The tourists outnumber the local population between April and October (370K) and it looks that way as the streets are swarming. Weather is described as hot summers and cool damp winters. As it is inland they do not have prevailing winds, and humidity is high. Snow is not unusual most years but does not accumulate.

All the greats have been to this city, Paul, Garry, Peter, Ross, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Donatello to name a few. 

Replica of David

 Many beautiful cafes piazza's and palaces throughout Firenze, such an important meeting place for poets, artists, writers etc. and you can see by your surroundings the fruits of what evolved from all those Lattes and pasta 500 years ago.

They say the value of tourism in 2015 amounted to over E 62 billion. 

The original David stood on this spot in 1504 but was moved in the 1837

Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is home to Botticelli's famous Venus.

Did you know Roberto Cavalli is credited with creating the sand blasted look for jeans, not Levi's. He is a famous Italian designer, the Five Amici's know this because, well, you know we are snappy dressers (see photo above of two squares). Gucci and Pucci was founded in Florence, I knew that. Thanks Google shhh!

Beautiful Lanes

Chianti Wine

 Giotto's Campanile bell tower beside Florence Cathedral (in Piazza del Duomo) is impressive although can't go up today all tickets sold (10.00am)

The Marble in this cathedral is similar to Siena, stunning white green and red marble. The first stone of this magnificent cathedral was laid in 1296, but like all great structures progress was slow and evolved over many decades a this was cutting edge and sometimes untried construction. After 100 years the dome was still missing.  

Brunelleschi had to overcome many technical problems as the use of Gothic buttresses was forbidden in Firenze. He looked towards the Pantheon in Rome for solutions. He decided to build the dome out of bricks due to it's lighter weight. The dome is octagonal, comprising of 37000 tons of material including 4 million bricks. I wonder is that where they get thick as a brick from.

Brunelleschi Dome

Piazzale degli Uffizi

 The Ponte Vecchio spans the Arno River which runs through Firenze. This 14th century medieval stone arch bridge complete with shops is impressive.

Ponte Vecchio

Ross on Ponte

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

 After a long day walking site seeing, and finally something to eat on a warm summer's evening, it was time to make our way back to camp. 

Ahh Italian Food. Belissimo

Evening Meal

What a great day, one of the best places to visit

Stage 23 Siena - Firenze

We're going on a holiday now, gonna take a villa a small chalet...(how about a campsite), Dance to the Eurobeat, Yeah we're going be so cool, Twisting by the Pool.

Time to leave the campsite at Strada di Scacciapensieri. A beautiful campsite, good shade great facilities, but steep descent from the road. before we caught the bus yesterday into Siena we had a swim in the pool, very relaxing. It's not always about the bike!

Yesterday was 91 klm with 1300 mtrs of climbing, pretty easy at this stage of the trip, well today is even easier 70klm and 900mtr of climbing as we head north towards Firenze (Florence)

Deep into Tuscany is the Province of Chianti, we have Castellina in Chianti, Greve in chianti, Strada in Chianti, everything is in Chianti

...and coffee in Chianti

These boys cannot help themselves, always wanting to stop for coffee or an ice-cream, we could be in the lead group if we didn't stop!! How much fun would that be?

Chianti is a famous red wine district here in Tuscany, some of you may remember the famous squat bottle in a straw basket, that is if you are over 60!

Castellina and vines in the foreground

We stop at a lovely small town called Castellina in Chianti, as we approach, the road climbs and snakes around in front of the Rocca Castle. The tower is 14th century.

Castellina

Panzano

Let's move on towards Greve in Chianti as we pass through Panzano and some more wonderful landscapes and the famous Pencil Pines leading up to an even more impressive Villa.

More Pencil Pines

Greve in Chianti

Greve Is another beautiful town in the region with the fast flowing river that runs through the centre. This is also well known for the monks who established a monastery here (Franciscan) in the 15th century

A

An easy ride towards Strada in Chianti only 15 klm from Greve.

Strada in Chianti

The ride through the hills which are full of trees with running rivers and streams, is full of climbs and descents. Then there is a break in the trees overlooking the valley and in the distance we can see Firenze. I am looking forward to visit this amazing medieval city.

Florence is over there

 As we are admiring the view Martin rides through so we decide descend the final leg together, will we be able to squeeze in another stop for a ??? or a !!! okay I guess we can. A welcome stop for something to eat. 


When you enter a large city such as Firenze (pop 400k), I am always taken by surprise the intensity of the traffic after riding most days in quiet country back roads. We were in a camp on the outskirts of the town so our route was very interesting on major roads, ancient roads and finally along the River Arno, all very busy, so it was enjoyable to ride beside the river into camp. We arrived in the middle of the afternoon, very hot and dry. The camp was very new so the trees had not fully matured so shade was limited. The early arrivals had the pick of the spots. I told you we should not have had those 15 stops Paul & Garry.

New facilities, such as pool and additional games areas etc. were under construction. for future campers. We decided on the fence side where bushes provided some cover.

Karen & Steve from Alaska

 Tomorrow was a rest day and everyone was looking forward to going into town to visit the sites.

It was hot and people were thirsty. Tom from Florida USA bought a crate of ale and provided the thirsty riders a drink for 2 euro. Great idea Tom. Honour the Fallen, we sure do Tom. A welcome relief.

Welcome relief when the sun was low in the sky. Good food and rest. Bikes to be serviced as always Ype managed the impossible.

Ross not feeling 100%, Bill suggests he should have his follow up X-Ray to ensure the pneumonia has not flared up again.