Moniga - Week 3

Buon giorno!

Well Venice had to be put on hold - after the torrential rain and thunderstorms that we had last weekend we learned that many of the camp sites in and around Venice had been flooded and the campers evacuated for their own safety.

So here we are at Moniga del Garda - week 3. Even the locals are getting to know us and there is a nice familiar air about the place.

So much so that Harry has been looking at property! He has found a villa, still under construction, overlooking olive groves and Lake Garda. When we go out for our evening stroll our route now always takes us past the villa - one can dream! 




Although we had the bad weekend the weather has been glorious for the rest of the week and we have had a very lazy week reading, swimming and sun-bathing. Even had to buy a couple of bathing caps as it is mandatory to wear them in the camp swimming pool. Harry had real difficulty getting his long tresses under the cap and he definitely wouldn't let me take a picture of him - I'll get him another time!

The World Cup hasn't escaped our notice here in Italy and the England / Slovenia match was no exception, so Harry turned the TV around and positioned his chair, stein in hand and he was a happy man despite the ball being the wrong shape. Today's match should be interesting - our new neighbours who arrived this morning are German!

We have had  yet another lovely week here in Moniga and to round it off nicely we went out to dinner last night before attending an open air concert in the village square. The restaurant was set in a courtyard and slightly off the main drag. It was, what I would describe a traditional Italian place and it was buzzing. we arrived earlier than we normally would because we wanted to go to the concert and we were glad that we did - it wasn't long before people were waiting to get in. Think we were the only foreigners in the place. It was all so very special. 

Then off to the concert - sat on the wall in the warm evening air enjoying an ice cream - hey it wasn't the opera in Verona but we were not complaining. The concert (string quartet accompanied by a male singer) was very good and we finished the night  off with a nightcap at our favourite place before heading back to the camp site. 

Yes, Moniga has been very special in lots of different ways - I think I could fall in love with Italy.

Tomorrow we are definitely moving on to Venice and I'm really looking forward to that, so until next week.

Arrivederci!

Kath and Harry xxx

PS   Oh, I nearly forgot - I have previously mentioned that Harry and I have some tough old scrabble matches and that Harry gets to win about 80% of the time. Well, yesterday afternoon we had a cracker (well I did) It looked as if I was going to lose, yet again and Harry couldn't contain his joy when................nearing completion I had the opportunity to use my letters to tag on to another word, land on a triple word and to add insult to injury, use all my 7 letters (extra 50 points) giving me a score of 110 - and the word that allowed me to do this was (I kid you not)  SHAFTED. Yes he was gracious in defeat (through gritted teeth) but I'm sure he won't mind me sharing that with you all.

Week 2 Moniga, Lake Garda - Italy

VERONA

Lake Garda has certainly lived up to our expectations and as we chose to stay on the less popular west side, it is much less crowded and more to our taste. On Monday we set off to catch the bus to Desenzano and then the train to Verona. First impressions on leaving the train station were that Verona was big, noisy and very, very busy. We got our free city map from the Tourist Office and set off to explore the old town. First problem was crossing the road. Even with zebra crossings and green lights for pedestrias, the motorists don't stop - Kath was not impressed!

Into the old town and wandered round some shops and old buildings including Juliet's house and the famous balcony (of Romeo and Juliet's fame - reputedly) 

We also saw the famous Arena, built in the first century AD, it is an open air roman amphitheatre made from pink marble. It is remarkabley well preserved despite a 12th century earthquake that destroyed most of it's outer wall. It is now Verona's Opera House and can seat up to 30,000 people. We would have loved to have gone to the opera but with a price ticket in excess of 300 Euros we gave it a miss. There were also excavations in one of the main piazzas of times long ago. 

To escape the crowds and the heat of the midday sun we ventured to the Giardino Giusti, an oasis in the heat of Verona. The gardens were created towards the end of the 15th Century by Agostino Giusti, Knight of the Venetian republic and squire of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. They were a haven of peace and tranquility and we were glad that we made the effort to seek them out.   

Some artists were also in the gardens gaining inspiration and getting on with their paintings. I find the camera easier and quicker - Kath calls me a philistine!

After another hot and long day we made our way back to the train station via an ice cream parlour. Once back in Moniga we stopped at our favourite cafe which looks out from the square to the mountains and enjoyed a drink - cold and alcoholic - before heading back to the camp site for a late dinner.

After the heat of Monday the inevitable happened. Terrific thunderstorm with some heavy rain. A good chance to catch up on domestic chores though!

DESENZANO

On Friday we decided to visit the town of Desenzano. We had briefly passed through en route to Verona and we decided it was well worth a visit. Desenzano is situated on Lake Garda's southern shore and is a key place for all transport links by road, rail and sea. We took the early bus and spent a very pleasant few hours exploring, sight seeing, eating ice cream and of course stopping for a Spritze. 

The weekend has seen us hold up in the van experiencing more thunderstorms and heavy rain. The weather forecast looks better for Monday so we have decided to stay an extra day so that we can pack everything away while it's dry and then we hope to move on to Venice - but that depends on the weather.!!! 

So until next week, Wi Fi permitting.

Love to all

Harry and Kath xxx

Moniga - Lake Garda - Italy

Here we are at Moniga on Lake Garda and as you can see this has been our playground this week. 

We are staying at Camping Fontanelle which is a 4**** site set amongst an olive grove with direct access to Lake Garda.

One of our favourite pastimes this week has been an evening stroll along the shore to the nearby marina and it's pavement cafes and bars. Kath has discovered Aperol Spritze and it's so nice to sit awhile watching the world go by.

It's been really warm this week (not that we are complaining) but it has meant that we have to take cover in the heat of the midday sun. The village of Moniga is nearby and it is very pleasant to wander around it's narrow streets and sit on a shady bench eating an ice cream. One evening we decided to eat out and it  was not long before we were serenaded by 2 accordianists. Having entertained the diners for about 10 minutes they took their bows and moved on to the next restaurant.

Lake Garda has a good travel network with a regular service to various points around the lake. So, off we trotted on the water bus to Sirmione. Sirmione sits on an islet at the end of a slender peninsula on Garda's southern shore. At the gateway to the islet, it's square cut castle was built by Verona's ruling family, the Scaligeri in 1250.       

At the tip of the peninsula is the maze of Roman ruins known as Grotte di Catullo where we spent the afternoon amongst the ruins and enjoying the spectacular views. 

Back in the village we passed a Church which was being prepared for a wedding. We took a peek inside and admired the floral displays both inside and outside the Church.

All this walking about is thirsty work so we sat in a bar near to the Church so Harry could watch the Argentina v Nigeria match on the tv and I could watch the comings and goings of all the wedding guests in all their finery!

The bride arrived in a horse drawn carraige, carrying her up to the Church in a very narrow cobbled street with everyone cheering (or where they cheering at the football)?

Back on the water bus, this time it was a catamaran which took us back to Moniga and the short stroll back to camp. We have decided to stay a few more days here at Moniga and take a trip to Verona (by bus and train) - so for all you enthusiasts, the history lesson will continue next week!

 Lots of love - Kath and Harry xxxx

Monte Terlago, Trentino-Alto-Adige - Italy

Our last morning at Mittenwald greeted us with fresh snow on the mountains and a temperature of 3C - it was definitely time to move on.

We were away by 9.30am and were soon crossing the border into Austria. Austria was a bit of a blur - we drove on, over a mountain pass and found ourselves looking at an azure blue sky and a temperature of 26C. We had originally planned to stop at a site just inside the Italian border but changed our plans and drove on to be sure of better weather.

The camp site at Monte Terlago is located in the wonderful setting of the dolomites, in the 'Valley of the Lakes'. At 800 metres it offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. The site wasn't too busy and had a nice feel about it.

We soon got settled in - had a bit of trouble getting the gazebo up because of the stoney ground but Kath's determination has to be admired, she just wouldn't give up, muttering something like 'I knew there was a reason why we took the meat tenderiser with us' We have since bought a rubber mallet so she won't have that trouble getting the tent pegs in again!!!

Temperatures have soared to 30C this week. It has been a great chance to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

The nearest town, Trento, is about 15 km away, so armed with the Italian phrase book we set off to catch the bus. Remember neither of us speaks any Italian................This is all getting too easy.

Once in Trento we ambled around the side streets soaking in the atmosphere when we were stopped in our tracks. From somewhere we could hear the sweet voice of someone singing  Ave Maria. As we got closer we realised that it was coming from the Church (one of many in these parts). We went in and sat spell bound along with others who had followed our lead. The musicians were obviously doing a rehersal but we were priviledged to hear the full rendition of Ave Maria. It was stunning. The Church looked beautiful, festooned with flowers and when we passed the Church later in the day we saw that a wedding had just taken place.

Our day consisted of drinking coffee in a pavement cafe - lunch in the local square watching the world go by and of course now that we are in Italy eating ice cream.

We decided to stay for 1 week at Terlago. Days have been filled with walking and cycling to the nearby lakes and we have had lots of rest and relaxation.

Tomorrow we move on again and have Lake Garda in our sights.

So until next time

Ciao!   Harry and Kath xxx