BayswaterFarm.Com
Digital mayhem
Venice, Sunday 22nd September
Venice is a city of great contasts; predictable, yet unpredictable. Numerous alleyways with unexpected twists and turns open into a multitude of squares (Campi) - some large, most quite small. Quiet, and noisy. Hoardes of tourists here, children noisily playing tag there. Bustling, then suddenly falling quiet as a bell tolls, signifying the end of a lunch break, or whatever.
Nowhere else would the extent of building decay be tolearble, yet somehow it is part of Venice's charm. Many buildings are being restored - some of the more prominent sport images of their facades on the awnings shielding the scaffolding. A recent newspaper article however has lamented the poor standards to which many smaller private edifices are being 'restored', storing up more trouble for the future no doubt.
We arrived last Thursday after a relaxed few days taking in France (just), Belgium, Germany, Austria and Northern Italy. The weather - fine for the journey - deteriorated progressively after our arrival culminating in a fantastic storm last night, just as we were finishing a excellent meal in a small Campo. Today, Sunday, is calm, both temporally and spritually.
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