Padova

Very hot, 35 degrees all day. Coach trip to Padova (apparently pronounced Pad oo er) . Very nice town off the general tourist track. The main purpose of some people was to visit as many old churches as they could in the time available. But we just shuffled about for an hour then went in another air conditioned bar/cafe where mum would have a milk shake or coke (she never had a coffee all day after breakfast George!) and I had a beer, purely for purposes of maintaining hydration you understand. I had a tuna and olive sandwich for lunch; never come across that combination before but it was ok and I’m sure Faye will love it when I make her one.
After lunch we went on a boat trip on a canal. They said if you stay on it this canal eventually arrives in Venice. There was a saloon cabin but upstairs was an open deck which is where I always prefer to go. But it was so fierce in the sun we sat under a canopy at the open front!
Now for today’s hotel food entertainment! We are bed and breakfast only at this hotel but it is a 4 star and has a restaurant so we booked a table for a 3 course meal. They brought a plateful of appetisers, bread, things like foot long yellow sticks, square crispy things etc. I could probably get a job describing menu items with my extensive food knowledge! Then they brought what looked a bit like and also tasted a bit like haggis. Of course I had to eat both. I ate the haggis with my official starter of fusilli with bacon, onion and tomatoes. Mum had vegetable soup sans haggis.
Then the fun started. Main course orders were an omelette for mum and steak for me. They make a big show of bringing food to the table with a silver lid covering it, then whip the lid off to reveal your food. Well, first of all he gave me the haggis and mum got sea bream. So he swapped our plates and disappeared. The fish looked nice so I thought I’d just eat that but as mum was about to eat this guy appeared from nowhere and whipped her plate. No explanation! After a few minutes he came back and presented her with fish! So we both objected at that point and he took them both away. Another few minutes passed and we each got what we ordered! It was very nice.