The Phoenix rises

Fear not loyal readers, your intrepid reporter has escaped from the confines of the toilet, overcome the novichoc laced mussel poisoning attempt and returned to rescue mother from marauding gondoliers. It was a little frustrating today as all anyone seemed to talk about was Venice and gondolas and mum kept saying hello to people I’ve never seen before. Well Venice smenice, it’s only a canal with boats on, very similar to Hirstwood really. I’ve done that. Jealous? No not me 🙁
We had a 3 legged boat trip today. First it took us from Garda at the end of the lake to Malcesine half way up one side. It’s main attraction was a Saturday market but to be honest it was pretty much like Skipton market so we sat in the sun and strolled through the shops. Stopped at a bar and had our now customery latte macchiato and Hugo. The thing is if you both order coffee that’s all you get but if one bravely has alcohol you also get free nibbles. This time it was a bowl of peanuts. Then the boat took us across to the other side of the lake to Limone which is named after the lemons it’s famous for. All the shops have limoncello but I have my own at home.
We saw the end of a mountain race. It’s only a 10k but it took the winner exactly 3 hours which seemed incredibly slow until you see the terrain they run over and the mud on their legs! Had lunch there. More coffee and Hugo to get my average back to one a day (as I was otherwise engaged yesterday) and this time a free bowl of crisps. I had an Arabo, a bit like a ciabatta but in some sort of local bread with salami, cheese and salad. Mum also had a local dish (if she’d been in America) of a hot dog. They were both very nice. Then the boat took us back to Garda so we popped in the Coop (yes, seriously) to top up our water and beer supplies.
Mum has discovered that there is free cake and coffee at the hotel in late afternoon every day. But today was the first time we’d been back in time but we were too tired to be bothered engaging in small talk so didn’t bother trying it.