Monday 6th Aug - Venice the city of Romance!?

We got up, packed our bags & off we set to catch the bus to the ferry.
Note to self, check timetable before leaving tent 15 mins is a long time to wait in scorching heat.

We jumped on the ferry and off we set.  The heat was ridiculous, by the time we got to Venice we were sweltering.  A quick walk along the front with no shade was enough to pass out.  We sought shade and headed towards St Marks square, surely there would be shade.  We enjoyed the shady back streets before hitting the sun in the square once again.  The buildings were beautiful if we'd had a chance to enjoy them rather than sticking backs to the walls for shade, we tried to rest on the steps - but we were moved on , we went to the other side and stood in the shade and were moved on again.  We found the palace gardens around the back & thankfully a bench in the shade with no one to move us on (except the odd pigeon!).
We ate our lunch & drank all our water, so headed off in search of the elusive water fountains.  Through more shady back streets we found another square with water fountains & topped up with ice cold drinking water.
Finally we found some steps which we could sit on without being moved on - they led to e canal so shoes off & feet went straight in - bliss.
We sat for some time watching the grid lock of gondolas making their way past - it was like rush hour on the M25!
I managed to sneak Amelie into a nearby (very posh) hotel to use the WC, as all the public ones cost 1.50euros & looked hideous.  This one was super plush, lucky their doorman was on a break or we'd never have been allowed though the door.
After cooling off some more we looked for the gondolas which ferry people across to the dome but to no avail.
At this point we decided we'd done Venice and it was time to head home.
The timetable we had said no more boats for another 2 hours, but the ferry schedule said different so we got on & went back.  On arrival we realised that it was not a problem with the boats it was the bus at the other end which stop running! (tourists don't come back till at least 4pm!?)
So after 30 mins waiting & much discussion with the man at the info desk we managed to catch a different bus which dropped us a 2min walk back to the camp site. Why couldn't he have told us that earlier?!
Back at the camp Rich and kids grabbed swim gear and headed for the beach, while I popped to the shops and stocked up on meat for the BBQ tonight, time for a proper meal - exactly what the doctor ordered.