Day 4 - Venice

Awoke to the gloom of a foggy Venice morning but shortly thereafter the mist rose sufficiently to see the tower of St Mark's in the distance.

Venice never fails to impress. Last time that I was here there was a foot of snow on he ground but that is another very long story for another time.

The sounds of the musical show were indeed still ringing in my head, or maybe that was just my ears ringing as we joined the by now mandatory queue of gently complaining people to board the water bus to the city. Twenty minutes later we were delivered just four bridges away from the Piazza San Marco where even if you could afford the coffee, getting in was difficult due to the entire population of Japan being there already. Oh, that and they were making a movie. In Italian, with grumpy German production assistants. "Action" came the cry followed by "CUT!" as a party of Thomson Majesty dodderers stumbled across the scene - marvellous.

A short walk away the crowds thinned and we were able to lunch at "Le Chat qui Rit" - presumably the cat is guffawing at the amount of money charged for a brandy (for Daddy Bear) and a cappuccino. Emboldened with our purchase, we continued to order some rather delicious pasta (well, it is Italy) and accompanying creme caramels.

Cafe hopping back to pier 4, our three hours ashore was over all to soon and it was back to the ship - sailing early today for the journey to Split where the sun is promised. That and another bike run, talcum at the ready. However, that is tomorrow.

So, the afternoon was spent on the top deck, successfully resisting the charms of the bar and having a chat to my showgirl at home who is enjoying rather less temperate weather. An evening of moderation tonight as the initial flush of over consumption has settled down. Darkness falls as we sail from the Lagoon.

There, nothing controversial today - disappointing huh?