Bonjourno!!

Just back from a long weekend in Venice and it was a very welcome break.

It is a remarkable city, the fact that it can even exist is probably the most amazing thing. We had the best and worst of the weather. Nice sun on the Saturday, but torrential rain and flooding on Monday which was an amazing experience. It's amazing how the residents and businesses can cope, but one can only assume that they are used to it.

Indulged in plenty of beer, wine, coffee, pasta and some of the best pizza's you could hope for. It is a very cultural place too, as you would expect. Church's galore and plenty of bridges and amazing architecture. It was very easy to get lost with all the twisting alleys and canals, but we coped!

Here are a few of photos.


Venetian canal, very picturesque


St. Mark's Catherdral (the main Sq. in Venice)


Venice (from St Mark's Basilica)

And, as is customary on BRFC trips abroad, a picture of me sporting the official mercahdise (not available in any sports stores, good or otherwise. Preferably this would have been a football game, but our trip to see Padova v Vernazza was hampered by the fact we couldn't find the game!!:)


Taken from the Rialto Bridge

Not to miss on a Hobo-spotting opportunity, I was also accosted by the gentlemen sitting behind Brother Pie (from a secret cult of monks!, in the pic below. Whilst quietly enjoying a coffee this Hobo sat by me and mumbled on for some time about what I can only assume was the 2nd World War.

I say "assume" because I don't think even he knew what he was talking about. Wild hand gestures, not a small amount of flying spit, wrist slashing motions (!) and the crazy Italian (which you'll be surprised to hear I'm not fluent in) were met by strategicsmiles from me and a little laughter when I thought appropriate. I could have been laughing at the fact that this guys dad had died at the hands of the British in the war, or that his cat had been killed in an RTA. Who knows!!

Suffice to say he was moved along by the cafe's owners, much to my delight. However, he did not escape the gaze of my camera!!


Hobo...and some guy in the background! :)

On another note, had an interview today for a position at Ofsted's new offices in Manchester, so fingers crossed. Should find out in 2 weeks.

Also, if you ever want a good meal out in Manchester you could do alot worse than The Mongolian BBQ on Chorlton Street. Great food, very reasonable and amazing experience watching the chefs cook in front of you. Had a lovely evening there with Charlotte on Friday to celebrate 4 yrs going out, and me missing our anniversary by being in Venice. I'm doing well, missed both her birthday and our anniversary so far this year. Now, lets see what I can book over Xmas...

Well enough from me. Maybe some more photos for in the future but that is enough for now.

Ciao!