Having decided that we had imposed on Didi and Gorgiou the “Count and Contessa” long enough, we ventured forth into the street after donning our Must Have accessories, knee length plastic overshoes. While these come in a rainbow of colours we decided to choose blue ones. They are awkward things, difficult to get on and off, and the wearer waddles like a duck; it’s impossible to walk properly.

We were starving, but finding an open restaurant was not easy. Most business owners were in the process of sweeping flood waters out. We found an open restaurant eventually, and dined well on pasta, accompanied by a glass of white for me, and red for him.

Sorting through damaged stock. Keep or ditch?

After stopping at the supermarket which used to be a theatre which had a long queue of people stocking up for the possibility of another flooding, we ventured home to our now dry apartment. We were encouraged that the sun made a brief appearance over the Grand Canal.

Supermarket or theatre, or both??

When the pressure of living with Acqua Alta becomes too much?

Time and tide doing immense damage. Acqua Alta doesn’t help.

Drainage hoses were in great demand today.

Another alarm just as we were having dinner, advising of advancing high water, just two tones this time so it shouldn’t be too bad tonight. We should sleep well.

Good night.

Ilze

That is the post Ilze meant to put up last night but was too tired to polish it and thought it was boring.

I did not think that but it was not till I woke in the night with the sirens again and I read the decision by the Orienteering Committee did I realise the problem. They have chose not to run the event as a mark of respect to those citizens who have woken this morning to face despair, hard work and  possible ruin.

Nero may have fiddled whilst Rome burned but all the Orienteers that I know and love are better people than that.

We have many fond and lasting memories of Venice but seared into the mind will be these.

Pete.

It will be hard to sleep well for some time