'Wow' it is Venice

Last morning in Florence which involved delicious pastries and coffee - always good. Followed by the pack and clean that we have down to a fine art now. I was left at home to tackle some work that had been building up - mixed feelings about having to work while away. It definitely impacts on my 'down time' and time with the children but then again work enables us to travel and life after all is a balance...our particular work even more so. Anyway Steve went off with the girls to post back home another parcel of things that we no longer needed or had 'acquired' in our attempt to continue to lighten our load. We have done really well with the whole travelling with little but things have a way of creeping into your possession - fridge magnets being a particular attraction of ours! Anyway an hour later he was a broken man due to the complexity of the Italian Postal service and without a significant amount of cash - it ain't cheep posting things home! And we were now in a rush to catch our train to Florence!

Still we made it, winding our way through the throngs of tourists that had seemed to have appeared over night and once again enjoyed the efficiency and comfort of the Italian train service. UK - take note...they run on time and there is enough seats for all - novel concepts indeed in our experience with the British railway system!

Then we were in Venice to what must be the most beautiful entrance to a city in the world. Out of the train station and there was the water and the boats and the buildings and the light - another 'take our breath away' moment for us all. Our apartment was only a few minutes walk and within moments there we were all settled into our temporary life as 'Venetians'!

Then it was out to explore! I knew that one of the best ways to experience Venice was to 'get lost' and so we did but not without making our way to what we already had been told was the best ice cream place in town - Alaska! Flavours that are seriously delicious - says she who has consumed more ice cream in the last two weeks than probably the last 14 years in the UK!

It was slow going as we made our way through the tiny streets and over the canals because we were 'forced' to stop and go - 'how lovely' or take a picture or two or just question if it could really be real. But it was and it was magical and we were in awe and we were extremely thankful that we were experiencing this as a family.