Verona

 After a good sleep we were ready to start the day. We were going to spend our time wandering around Verona. Our host, Gigi, gave us instructions on how to get to the old town but we must have deviated. Whilst standing in the street trying to work out our route a young man was sustaining his bike and asked if we needed help. Following a quick chat he decided he had time to walk some way with us. It appears that he is Australia/Englis, now living some time in England and some time in Verona, where he is learning Italian.

We finally entered the old town and proceeded to  zigzag from church to church, plaza to plaza before reaching the arena. We did go inside - it has the original features but has modern seating (in parts) and seems to be used for Operas etc. Kerry tried to venture to the top of the arena ( I wasn't game) and came back saying how scary it was - she found it very difficult to get up the high steps.

We sat and people watched for a while before the walk back to our abode - we found a quicker way back. We ventured to a nearby restaurant, which had some outdoor seating. The food was delicious- best gnocchi I have ever tasted! There was a downpour which left the locals scurrying indoors even though we were all under huge sunshade and grapevines. We stayed out and the staff had to deliver our food whilst holding and umbrella!

Saturday saw us venturing to Lake Garda.  We had to go to the Tabac to get tickets for the local bus - a bus stops metres away from here. Once we reached the train/bus station we bought tickets to Lazise with the idea of walking along the Lake to Garda. 

The bus trip took about 90 minutes going through little villages which were surrounded by vineyards.

Lazise was a lovely little place on the lake. The walls of a ruined castle were still present. We had been told that the walk from Lazise to Garda would take about 1.5 hours - we'll that's not exactly true! We called a halt at Bardolino, just over 5 kms away. It was very hot 32C, no shade,  and sore feet didn't help.

             

Finally got a bus back to Verona where I managed to get us on the right number bus but going in the wrong direction! We made it through by doing a complete loop, which took far longer than expected - lesson learnt!!

Yesterday we caught the bus back to Bardolino to continue our walk to Garda which, according to Google is 3.5km away. It was lovely walking beside the lake which was heavily populated by ducks, ducklings, swans and cygnets! We passed many campsites on both days - camping is really good over here - with amazing numbers of motor homes!

   

We were determined to have a swim in the lake and we actually did. The water was beautiful and actually quite warm but getting in and out of the water was another matter! Around the lake it is all pebble 'beaches'! You can't get into the water in a very dignified manner you just plunge in. Getting out was even worse! The pebbles were horrific to stand on but then the waves pulled you back as you tried to get in. We found the best way was to sit down with your back to the shore and sort of boost yourself backwards before trying to stand and the take a few steps on unsteady pebbles. Luckily we made it out! 

Verona