Tuesday..
Dear Elsie
Today was the day we arrived in Venice but there were a few tense moments! We woke up in Milan, had breakfast and then I chilled while Mike went and collected Julian. Then we wondered around Milan for a bit before heading for Milan station which is an imposing building. Look how big it is!
We said goodbye to Julian. That’s always a poignant moment. He went off to catch his train to the airport and we went to our platform to catch a train to Venice.
The train was red and very very fast.
Teddy was tucked into the pocket behind the seat..
We arrived in Venice and then needed to find WIFI. The WIFI on the train was down, so we went to KFC (yes KFC in Venice!). Mike ordered the only coffee then had which was expresso and we knocked back black strong coffee shots! I sent a message to my host for our Airbnb digs for tonight to say we were on our way. It was wonderful to see Venice again….
It was raining! We got to the building within a few minutes. It’s the reason why I booked it. It was really close to the station, but it was then the drama began. There was no host. There was no way we could get inside the very locked door. An English /American couple came past and they kindly messaged our host to say we were waiting at the door. Then someone came through the door and left it open for us. This was the way in so at least we had reprieve from the rain…
We had no WIFI so eventually I left Mike and returned towards the station. I stopped at a restaurant and told them my problem so they gave me WIFI access. The host had messaged back, so I returned and tried to follow his instructions without success, so back I went to the restaurant and sent more messages! Can you imagine how frustrating this all was? Elsie! These are things that can go wrong. My battery was beginning to die. I told Francesco who then said he would be there in 3 minutes! I rushed back to the building and told Mike the guy was coming. Then he was going to quickly show us what we were doing wrong and guess what? He couldn’t access it either. The whole system was down. 
Anyway, eventually we got in. He went and got actual KEYS for us to use to enter the gloomy part, the apartment part and the room part. Three keys. To access this Airbnb, you need WIFI. That needs to clearly be said. Don’t use this place unless you have an Italian sim card with WIFI.
So grateful to be in and to celebrate we went out for dinner.
Now I’ve on the bed typing. Look at the lovely room. It’s really very comfortable.
And now this is done, I’m off to shower and then to bed!
Tomorrow, we face other adventures/opportunities/obstacles. We need to test negative for Covid to get on the ship. With Mike sick last week, we are not sure if that will happen! Our holiday may be cut short, but we are both feeling good so if one does test positive we will be grateful that we are asymptomatic and be joyful for good health. Also, after today, I’m not sure how much WIFI I am going to get, so there may not be a blog tomorrow night, but I’ll update as soon as I am able.
I love you Elsie my girl. I’m sorry today has been a little rough for you and you’ve had a temperature. Get better soon.
Psalm 139:13 & 14
For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
The best is yet to come – we are only passing through.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Gran xx 🙂