That was the question – whether we should bite the bullet and go to race 1, the sprint at Jesolo Lido, or to save our energy for THE NIGHT RACE IN VENICE. After not much debate we decided it was not to be.
When we went to register on Friday, the round trip had taken us 5 hours, getting on and off water buses, waiting to catch the correct connections, and then once we reached Punta Sabbioni, waiting half-an-hour for a connecting bus, a real one with tyres, which took a further 30 minutes to get us to the Arrex Pala, an immense sporting complex, to register.

So, it’s sight seeing again. Sigh… Well, someone has to do it.
Down to Ca ‘Doro, our local bus stop, to San Marco. A change of bus (we have a seven day unlimited public transport pass, that gets us everywhere) and 15 minutes later we were on the Isola di San Grigorio Maggiore, just another small island, containing the glorious Chiesa di San Gigorio Maggiore, Palladio’s white Istrian marble church which gleams in the sun, sunglasses required. Among lots of other things there are two Tintoretto masterpieces within, masses (pardon the pun) of wonderful wooden carved statues and pews, and also a lift – how civilised – that takes you up to the top of the campanile.
From the campanile, which contains no less than 6 enormous bells, the 360 degree eagle’s eye view over the Grand Canal to San Marco, the Doge’s palace and St Marks Cathedral, and all other points north, south, east and west is nothing short of stunning. It was another gorgeous sunny day, and we could see forever. We also espied a fabulous hedge maze which would be an incredible challenge to orienteer in. Pete’s offered to extend our stay so he can map it! No contours, not even a bridge!
We had forgotten what time it was, and were caught in the midday bell recital. Six enormous bells produce eardrum shattering ringing! We all stood around with fingers in ears, but it was magic. There’s nowhere else in the world we would have wanted to be just at that moment.
We hopped on another water bus and had lunch and coffee on the Giudecca, known as Spina Longa – the long fishbone ‘cos that’s what it looks like on the map. Venice’s Jewish community lived here before they were shunted off to, and confined in the Ghetto. Ancient Venetians built weekenders and tended their gardens until they were mostly abandoned during the Plague. Today, many buildings have been converted into artists’ studios and shops.
Home to have a nap, and a bite to eat before going to the night race. Pete will report on this in detail.
Ciao. Ilze.