Buongiorno

Having had an amusing but confusing evening with my landlady and her fascinating group of poets, academics and critics who sail under the flag of Casa delle Parole I managed to get out of bed in time to get breakfast. The Casa delle Parole was fascinating; (https://www.casadelleparole.it) in which the group take turns to read out passages of their own choosing, from poems, documentaries, novels or philosophical musings; Borges, Byron, Thesiger, Moravia and many more - each evening has a theme and last night's was simply 'Desert'...much wine was quaffed and we were all encouraged to bring some food to the table (I brought half a ricotta - which was largely not consumed - note, for future reference!), and although I didn't understand everything, and felt slightly included, but this was a tight-knit group who were welcoming, but I wasn't yet a part of it.

However, I took a selfie with the view from my flat down over The Frari.

But a few familiar faces (yes, that familiarity again!) and interesting conversations, some in my halting Italian and others in English, but I'm trying to learn to communicate in Italian/Venetian.

I treated myself to two breakfasts this morning; heading first for the holy grail of Venetian pasticcerie, Tonolo, this morning it was well-attended by Venetian Naval cadets (I think), and then I bought my Gazzetino and sat down for a slow session in Calle del Traghetto O Ca'Garzon at the side of San Toma, with its lovely relief of The Madonna della Misericordia sheltering local flagellants.