A Trip to Venice
I planned to write a newsy account of our visit to Venice at the end of March. Although Italy is one of our favourite destinations, we’d never been to Venice before so were greatly looking forward to our visit (arranged through Voyages Jules Verne).
The afternoon before our departure, I tripped and fell awkwardly on my wrist. At first, I hoped it was just a sprain, but the wrist looked a bit odd and the severe pain didn’t ease. Alec took me to A& E, where I spent most of Sunday evening waiting around for X-rays and confirmation I’d broken two bones in my left wrist. After a half plaster cast was applied from finger tips to elbow I was discharged with an appointment at the fracture clinic the following week. It could have been worse as I’m right handed, but I soon discovered even basic tasks like dressing need two hands!
Despite this hiccup and thanks to the A& E at St Peter’s in Chertsey, Alec’s invaluable help and a supply of painkillers, we made it to Venice the next day and had a memorable time. What a truly remarkable place – why did we wait so long for a visit?
We spent our four nights in Venice on MS Michelangelo, a modern riverboat with good amenities and comfortable cabins, moored conveniently close to St Mark’s Square. The weather was wonderful and Michelangelo cruised the Venetian lagoon, enabling us to explore interesting places like Burano and Chioggia. We also took various interesting excursions, which I’ll write up about once I’m out of plaster. It was too painful to use the laptop and in any event the wi-fi connection on board was slow and erratic.
Life has been extra busy since we came home – our beautiful new grand daughter arrived the following week (also at St Peter’s!) and I’ve been to the fracture clinic for further X-rays and casts on my wrist. I can now use a keyboard quite well, but turning the pages of reference books when working on my new tourism report is difficult.
We’re back to lovely Javea next week, which will be a welcome break, though gardening with one hand may be a tad difficult! Perhaps this time, I’ll give the gardening a miss. I’ll just enjoy the beautiful Spanish environment and (hopefully) the warm sunshine and try to carry on researching my new tourism report.
Venice from the Water costs from £745 pp (two sharing) including BA flights (Gatwick), transfers, four nights’ full board accommodation with drinks on the MS Michelangelo, excursions as per the itinerary and the services of the cruise director. No single supplement applies on 22 December departure (subject to availability).
Further optional excursions available (additional cost).
Call Voyages Jules Verne on 0845 166 7035, www.vjv.com.
