Day out to Coneligiano

I had a day out to Coneligiano in the foothills of the Dolomites.  The day was bitterly cold but I enjoyed it.

I first found a beautiful cage for hot chocolate - literally melted chocolate, I have never had one so rich.

But as I walked around town I realised this on only one of dozens.  The place was wall to wall Viennese type cafes.

First I went into the Duomo (cathedral) that had a wonderful Prieseppe (nativity scene) set in a model of the church.  So here are photographs of the scene and the outside of the church.

The towns streets were columned passageways similar to those in Bologna.

I also went to see an art exhibition of paintings by Lorenzo Lotto the nephew of Antonio Canaletto who painted in the same style and sometimes each others paintings were attributed to the other.

Liz recommended a place opposite for lunch, no menu so a guess from the description meat or fish.  I had macaroni with a cream meat sauce, beautiful soft bread followed by homemade tiramasu.  Delicious.

I returned to the station and was just in time for a train back to Venice.  I was so cold when I got back I went to bed to read and here I still am.  The north wind is freezing.  I have put a scarf down at the door to try to keep out the wind.

The light

I love the late afternoon light on the city.

Here are two lovely photographs of the Grand Canal.  Above from the Accedamia and below from 

San Toma looking towards the Rialto.

Marco Polo

Marco Polo was not over liked in Venice, they thought he exaggerated too much and was too full of himself.  

There are two campos named after him in the area his family lived, near the Rialto behind the Malibran Theatre.  The called him the man with the million stories and that it how these two campos got their names!

Follow the Star

Many of you will know we had a project in the village over Advent with the schools and the traders.  Kay bought a small shooting star to go outside Church which John kindly fitted for us. He did say what a pity it wasn't larger!  Here are a couple of the stars I have found in Venice.

I read the lesson in church on my first Sunday here and it was Matthew 2 1-11.  The Kings following the star!  It was perfect for me, culminated our project.

Murano, Burano and Torcello

Here are my photographs of my trip to the Islands last week.

Above is the Canale grande in Murano!

Burano and its' leaning campanile!

The coloured houses of Burano.

Torcello, the first island to be inhabited, the most northerly and nearest to the airport.

Experimenting with my new camera!

Approaching the Fondamenta Nove.

Sunset behind San Servolo.

Sunset behind San Giorgio.  it was a fabulous trip back.

Apple Mac tutorial session

Several of my friends here have recently purchased new Mac books but have not had the lessons I've had and know how to get the most from it.

Last night I lead a one to two session with Hilary and Mike.  We covered a lot of ground, iPhoto, Skype, FaceTime, dashboard and more.  We had a session then Annie fed us with delicious home-made soup, another session then open sandwiches, another session then a strudel Hilary had brought back from the Coop in San Vito then another session.  Each session was accompanied by prosecco and then wine.

We had great fun and my pupils said they had learned much, or at least I had given them pointers of where to look for things. 

First Spritz

Saturday I had a day out to the Islands.  The weather was beautiful so I thought I should go and get some colour into my cheeks.

After much walking I sat outside waiting for the vaporetto to Treporti and enjoyed my first spritz.  For those of you who haven't experienced this Venetian drink it is either Aperol (my choice) campari or select with prosecco, a dash of water and a slice of orange or an olive.  It can be served as here in a tumbler or in a large, long stemmed wine glass.  Salute!