A gondola ride along the aromatic canals.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
And the group scatters
October 28, 2009
Our lovely stay in Venice is done and the Bonsor Breakfast Club (Italian chapter) scatters to all corners of Italy.
Carol and Larry are headed off to Florence for a couple more days of culture, Sue and Mary are off to Varenna on Lake Como for a quiet couple of days. Lots of rests, maybe a boat cruise or two ... or not.
The rest of the crew has several hectic but hopefully lovely days planned. They are taking the train to Cinque Terre, via Florence and La Spezia. If they successfully navigate their way there and find accomodation, they will be hiking/strolling the Cinque Terre tomorrow and taking lots of photos of the lovely coast line. Internet access is likely to be limited so we not get to hear their stories until they return to Vancouver.
Our lovely stay in Venice is done and the Bonsor Breakfast Club (Italian chapter) scatters to all corners of Italy.
Carol and Larry are headed off to Florence for a couple more days of culture, Sue and Mary are off to Varenna on Lake Como for a quiet couple of days. Lots of rests, maybe a boat cruise or two ... or not.
The rest of the crew has several hectic but hopefully lovely days planned. They are taking the train to Cinque Terre, via Florence and La Spezia. If they successfully navigate their way there and find accomodation, they will be hiking/strolling the Cinque Terre tomorrow and taking lots of photos of the lovely coast line. Internet access is likely to be limited so we not get to hear their stories until they return to Vancouver.
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Marathon is over !!
We did it, two weeks of little or no running and we managed to survive the Venice marathon.
We were feeling guilty about not running so we went for a run in San Giuliano Park when we went to pick up our race packages on the Friday before the marathon. It was a large park, nice but mostly just bare lawn with few features, we were able to do a nice 40 minute run and we all survived that with not too many complaints.
The running expo was about medium size, we drank some mystery Yoplait type probiotic concoction, received dozens of Mentos gums and then found where to pick up our race packages. The race shirts are very nice.
We were informed while we picked up our packages that daylight savings would end on Saturday night, so in addition to the stress of getting our gear ready and trying to figure our where to catch the buses we also had to remember to change the clocks. We probably asked a dozen other people during the next two days to confirm that the time change was happening.
When we had all finished shopping at the expo and were ready to catch the bus back into Venice, we discovered that there was a one day bus strike on. We spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get back to town before we went to a hotel and got a cab back to town.
Marathon Morning:
up at 5 am so that we could go catch Vaporeto to where we needed to catch the bus to the start at 6:50. As we walked up to the Vaporeto stop we started to see the crowds of runners. We were very happy to see them as we probably wouldn't have been able to navigate our way without someone to follow.
The bus trip was about 40 minutes long (standing on the bus), we arrived in Stra (the start line for the race) at about 7:40 and then we had to wait around for a 9:20 start. The marathon ended up being very difficult which I think had a lot to do with the fact that we ended up standing around for over two hours before the race started.
The first 20 km of the race was a lot of fun, lovely country side, beautiful villas, friendly towns folk cheering us on. We were popular in our Running Room Canada shirts.
The middle section of the race was difficult, we went through a more industrial area of Mestre with few spectators and then we ran for several km weaving back and forth around San Giuliano park (I was happy to see something I recognized but was sick of the park by the time we finally left it). After we finally left the park it was on to several km of approach to the Liberty Bridge and then 4km across the bridge. I found this section especially difficult, there was a lot of traffic on the other section of the bridge and I think the pollution was bad. I walked the majority of this section as it appeared the majority of other runners did.
After the bridge the run became much more enjoyable again, the last 7 km was along the Canal and over 13 little bridges and one large pontoon bridge that they built over the Grand Canal. It made for natural walk breaks, walk up one side then run down the other. There were signs counting down to the finish (14, 13, 12, ........ 2, 1 bridges to the finish). I managed a finishing "sprint" for the last couple of hundred meters so maybe the pictures will look good.
I think I would recommend this marathon to others (I definitely would have recommended it during the first half). as long as you are well trained, well rested and can manage to stay off your feet for the hours immediately before the race (one of those race tours would probably be a good idea as they shuttle you to the start),
We were feeling guilty about not running so we went for a run in San Giuliano Park when we went to pick up our race packages on the Friday before the marathon. It was a large park, nice but mostly just bare lawn with few features, we were able to do a nice 40 minute run and we all survived that with not too many complaints.
The running expo was about medium size, we drank some mystery Yoplait type probiotic concoction, received dozens of Mentos gums and then found where to pick up our race packages. The race shirts are very nice.
We were informed while we picked up our packages that daylight savings would end on Saturday night, so in addition to the stress of getting our gear ready and trying to figure our where to catch the buses we also had to remember to change the clocks. We probably asked a dozen other people during the next two days to confirm that the time change was happening.
When we had all finished shopping at the expo and were ready to catch the bus back into Venice, we discovered that there was a one day bus strike on. We spent about an hour trying to figure out how to get back to town before we went to a hotel and got a cab back to town.
Marathon Morning:
up at 5 am so that we could go catch Vaporeto to where we needed to catch the bus to the start at 6:50. As we walked up to the Vaporeto stop we started to see the crowds of runners. We were very happy to see them as we probably wouldn't have been able to navigate our way without someone to follow.
The bus trip was about 40 minutes long (standing on the bus), we arrived in Stra (the start line for the race) at about 7:40 and then we had to wait around for a 9:20 start. The marathon ended up being very difficult which I think had a lot to do with the fact that we ended up standing around for over two hours before the race started.
The first 20 km of the race was a lot of fun, lovely country side, beautiful villas, friendly towns folk cheering us on. We were popular in our Running Room Canada shirts.
The middle section of the race was difficult, we went through a more industrial area of Mestre with few spectators and then we ran for several km weaving back and forth around San Giuliano park (I was happy to see something I recognized but was sick of the park by the time we finally left it). After we finally left the park it was on to several km of approach to the Liberty Bridge and then 4km across the bridge. I found this section especially difficult, there was a lot of traffic on the other section of the bridge and I think the pollution was bad. I walked the majority of this section as it appeared the majority of other runners did.
After the bridge the run became much more enjoyable again, the last 7 km was along the Canal and over 13 little bridges and one large pontoon bridge that they built over the Grand Canal. It made for natural walk breaks, walk up one side then run down the other. There were signs counting down to the finish (14, 13, 12, ........ 2, 1 bridges to the finish). I managed a finishing "sprint" for the last couple of hundred meters so maybe the pictures will look good.
I think I would recommend this marathon to others (I definitely would have recommended it during the first half). as long as you are well trained, well rested and can manage to stay off your feet for the hours immediately before the race (one of those race tours would probably be a good idea as they shuttle you to the start),
We're back
We have been out of internet access since we left Rome.
The Amalfi coast was fabulous. It rained the first day we arrived and then the weather was quite nice.
Folks scattered in various directions to tour Pompei and Herculaneum, the towns around Amalfi, etc. Another day we all toured Positano and our last day we all cruised over to Capri to see Anacapri and the Blue Grotto. It was absolutely fabulous.
We didn't manage to do any running in Rome or Amalfi but we did get to walk up and down lots of stairs and lots of hills.
Our trip from Amalfi to Venice was exciting. It turned out that we were on two different trains. Most of us were on the slow train that left Salerno 15 minutes late and arrived in Rome about 30 minutes late (we ended up with about 10 minutes to catch our connecting train). Susan, Doug and Margaret caught the fast train and they had a leisurely 20 minutes to change trains, however their train arrived at a platform at the farthest end of the station from our Venice connection.
Larry, Carol, Mary, Leanne, Sue, Sarah and Ken sprinted up one platform and back down to the end of the next platform, knocking over tourists as we ran. We dragged our bags onto the train as it was pulling out of the station. We were very glad to see Susan and Doug to confirm that we were in fact on the right train.
Venice is amazing, we were all spellbound as we stepped off the train.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Rome night tour
A night tour of the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Metro. It was a cool but beautiful evening and we got some lovely photographs and the fabulous San Crispino Gelato. We were less than thrilled with the bus service trying to get back.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Another busy day in Rome. Carol, Larry, Doug, Susan, Margaret, Leanne, Ken and Sarah set out for the day. For some of us it was our first time on the buses in Rome. 9:20 AM is still a busy time for comuters!!Our first stop for the day was the market at Campo Fiore. What a lovely selection of fresh produce. Next we strolled through the Jewish Ghetto through the Teatro di Marcello and on to the Monument Vittorio Emanuelle II. The views of Rome from the top of the monument were breathtaking!! Thank you Susan for finding out there was an elevator to the top.
Next we found our way on to Ancient Rome -the Forum, Palantine Hill and Colosseum. Very impressive. Carol and Larry headed off to see the Trevi Fountain and a bite to eat.
The rest continued on for the rest of the stops for the afternoon. All that walking required some sustenance so a table literally on the edgeof the street was found and a late lunch was had. The service was fast and very congenial. Very different from what we received last night!
After refreshment, we went to see Michelangelo's Moses and then Susan, Doug, Leanne and Margaret went off to see the Wheel of Truth from Roman Holiday fame. Sarah and Ken went back to the Piazza Venizia for another view of the Monument. All made the return route to the apartment.
Ken and Mary wer on cooking duty. Another lovely pasta meal with dessert from the local bakery. How do they make use of Nutella so much here? We had a pie which seemed to be made with it. :)
I wonder what tomorrow wil bring?
(Posted by Sarah)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Touring the Vatican
Everyone (except Ken and Sarah who were still in transit), visited the Vatican today.
Susan, Doug, Leanne and Margaret did the intensive, all inclusive visit. Carol, Larry and Mary did the Cole's notes version.
St Peter's Basilica is absolutely lovely (and free), the views from the Cupola would have been fantastic, but unfortunately rain squalls were blowing through on and off all day and hit as the adventurous folks reached the top.
We have decided that the Vatican Museum was the originator of Ikea's floor plan, we walked about 3 km to travel the 1km from one end of the museum to the Sistine Chapel. Monday many of the sites are closed in Rome so the Vatican seemed very busy.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
We've arrived
We have successfully arrived in Rome and are settling into the Gregorio Flower.
Several adventures enroute - Susan, Doug and Margaret arrived in time to catch the train to town with every "soccer"?? fan in Rome. After 45 minutes spent accosting strangers for cell phones they were able to meet up with the owner of our apartment and gain access.
Carol, Larry, Mary and Sue got a lovely bus tour of the Rome airport tarmack and then we were dropped off at Terminal A, obviously the local terminal as there were no frills. "Most" of our bags eventually arrived. Mary is in hope that her bag will arrive eventually.
Leanne arrived one hour later but was actually able to collect her bag before the rest of us had gotten ours.
Since we were five we got a shuttle to town. We arrived while the others were out enjoying gelato so we got to park on the sidewalk for a while as well.
More updates later....
Sarah and Ken arrived on Monday night. The flight from Vancouver to London was lovely and the British Airways 747 with on demand movies was a good way to spend a long journey. The legroom was nonexistent and the view of the self contained pods in first class was making us envious. We had a 4 hour layover at BAs Terminal 5. Not much comfy seating but tons of shops and a clean modern look. The 2 hour flight to Rome was scary - very bumpy with 200 km/hr tailwinds. It was a white knuckle ride. Definitely happy to land. The bags came quickly, the train was waiting and the taxi ride short. At 10:30PM most had gone to bed already but Leanne, Margaret and Mary were up to let us in and show us around. Finally everyone is here!
Several adventures enroute - Susan, Doug and Margaret arrived in time to catch the train to town with every "soccer"?? fan in Rome. After 45 minutes spent accosting strangers for cell phones they were able to meet up with the owner of our apartment and gain access.
Carol, Larry, Mary and Sue got a lovely bus tour of the Rome airport tarmack and then we were dropped off at Terminal A, obviously the local terminal as there were no frills. "Most" of our bags eventually arrived. Mary is in hope that her bag will arrive eventually.
Leanne arrived one hour later but was actually able to collect her bag before the rest of us had gotten ours.
Since we were five we got a shuttle to town. We arrived while the others were out enjoying gelato so we got to park on the sidewalk for a while as well.
More updates later....
Sarah and Ken arrived on Monday night. The flight from Vancouver to London was lovely and the British Airways 747 with on demand movies was a good way to spend a long journey. The legroom was nonexistent and the view of the self contained pods in first class was making us envious. We had a 4 hour layover at BAs Terminal 5. Not much comfy seating but tons of shops and a clean modern look. The 2 hour flight to Rome was scary - very bumpy with 200 km/hr tailwinds. It was a white knuckle ride. Definitely happy to land. The bags came quickly, the train was waiting and the taxi ride short. At 10:30PM most had gone to bed already but Leanne, Margaret and Mary were up to let us in and show us around. Finally everyone is here!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Test
This is a test of email posting from mobile device.
Mary
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Sunday, October 4, 2009
1 week to Italy
The training is done, the planning is finished and it's time to take this show on the road.
Wait for updates of Bonsor Breakfast clubs latest Italian adventure.
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