We have been in Venice, enjoying a last glimpse of warm sunshine thanks to generous friends who have yet again let me use their charming and incredibly convenient flat on the Giudecca. This was the first visit to Venice for our children and on balance a great success, mainly because the only time it poured with rain we were safely ensconced with quantities of pasta and wine at Al Nono Risorto, which is by all (guide book) accounts one of the better places to eat. And also because we didn’t aim to do more than wander and keep a good eye out for ice creams.
I didn’t do a lot of work, but you can’t have everything, and the pleasure of pottering through the back streets (we did a bit of fox and hound style hide and seek) and glimpses of crumbling towers accompanied by my (mainly cheerful) children was recompense enough. Ironic tone? Maybe… but only a bit.
In any case, I have come back with a lot of ideas for new pictures. Things I would not have done on my own, like go up the Campanile, have produced promising ideas.
In the meantime, the Exmoor show at Lanacre barn has got better and better, in that more than 2 thirds of the pictures were sold, I have practically nothing left, and all involved feel justifiably proud. It may not be St James’s but Exmoor can still pull a crowd. Well done, Jo!