James Clay Stuff

So I did something mad, I did a day trip to Venice.

Actually as day trips go to Venice, I have done a fair few, but this time was the first day trip to Venice from the UK. I have been to Venice before.

My first visit to Venice was way back in 1982 whilst on a Scout Camp to Slovenia in Yugoslavia. I also went there in 1985 when we did another camp to Yugoslavia. That was a three coach drive.

My next visit was when I stayed with a friend in Padua. I think this was the summer of 1995. I visited again a number of times in the late 1990s, usually during February to coincide with carnival. Then I was catching the train from Padua to Venice.

It was 1999 (or possibly 1998) that I did my last trip to Venice. So, it had been at least twenty five years since I was last in Venice and also the last time I had been in Italy.

What I love about Venice is that it is one of those places which every time you turn a corner or cross a bridge you feel immersed into the fabric of the city. There are obviously no cars or roads (yes there are canals), but the streets are narrow and I love the almost random squares that appear out of nowhere.

One of the advantages of going off-season is that the place is a lot less crowded than at the height of carnival or in the heat of the summer. I was very lucky with the weather, it rained the day before, and the day after, on the day I was there I had sun and blue skies. I did a few tourist things, but what I really wanted was just to walk around and explore the city.

I had a fantastic lunch for €17 at a trattoria, sitting outside on the “pavement” watching the world go by.

You know when you’ve had a good day, when you don’t want to leave.

I might go again, but I won’t leave it twenty five years this time.