We had a plan! That’s a good thing for us. First stop, Bar Cupido and I saw the cute Barista. They must have a big staff.

We walked over the Rialto Bridge to meet our friend Colleen at Campo San Polo.

I noticed the front of Al’Amarone’s new wine shop, and we checked in to get a look. The guy gave us a tour of the wine tasting alcoves. The place looks great! They sell a lot more than just amarone and the shop is lovely:

Next stop Rialto Market to buy some vegetables. There were lots of people around the stall we like, but I waited patiently. No line–just everyone knowing who is next. Ken and Colleen chatted, to the side.

We stopped at the Miracoli Church to find an amazing view of a bride with a luminous veil at the altar.

Since Colleen had never seen Elisa’s apartment we stopped up here and I changed into something a little less warm. It was a warm day! And off we went to meet our old Slow Travel friend, longtime Venice resident, Nan. Estro has a new spot with just sandwiches, cicchetti and wine. We had a great visit, three pals, sitting on the fondamenta, trying to find some shade and chatting away. I had one little sandwich with mortadella and peppers and one cicchetto with marinated anchovies (they are nothing like the ones we get in the can in the states) and potato salad. And I had a sparkling Malvasia wine. Busy Nan had to go, so I walked with Colleen through the Ghetto to the train station. We said our goodbyes and I headed home at a good pace.

I was a sweaty mess when I got to our apartment. I threw off my clothes and drank some water and had a wonderful rest time. It started raining hardm so the timing was perfect. I started the cooking for tonight. Sausage from Bisiol, in a simple tomato sauce with pasta. And the bietine (like small chard) I got at the market.

After the rain stopped, Ken and I went our for a nice walk. The light was changing rapidly and we went out to our little spot, looking across the Grand canal to the Rialto, where we usually go to eat gelato, just to watch the canal:

The wind was really brisk and chilly. When we got home we were treated to some gorgeous sunset light on San Michele.

The dinner came out fine and the wine was lovely. Who could ask for more?

Not us!