Riders On The Storm

We went to bed anticipating an idyllic dip in the Adriatic Sea ; we awoke to overcast skies and a cooler day. We still packed our bathers on the bikes, and after an hour's cruise from Adria we began our cycling just as a few drops of rain began. Valeria asked us if we were happy to continue, and we all agreed to go on. More fool us. Just like last week, the weather rapidly worsened, and soon we were cycling into a strong headwind, then thunder and lightning and eventually heavy rain. We were out in the open with no place to shelter for miles, so we had to keep going getting progressively wetter. We sought refuge in a train station aiming to catch the next available train, but then found there wasn't anything for hours. With the weather worsening we cycled into the nearest town but still couldn't find shelter, and thinks looked grim. Fortunately Valeria noticed we were next to the equivalent of the river SES, and after much begging and diplomacy they let us into their compound and then negotiated a spot where the boat could pull in and pick us up. Like a dozen drenched water rats we climbed on board, dried ourselves off and sheltered from the wind and rain as the boat motored to Chioggia. We arrived around 1.15 pm , and went for a walk into the city for a late lunch. Chioggia is like a little Venice ; still with canals but lots less tourists. It is quite a fishing port, so seafood is common around the restaurants and is very fresh. We walked around town, then had a tour of the belltower which had a great view of the surrounding area from the top. Everyone thn settled at a local bar for a round of Spritzers ( and birra for the boys) before returning back to the boat for a delicious three course meal of shellfish and past a; baked sea bream and the pannacotta - washed down again with the local wines. Tomorrow we explore some of the islands as we make our way towards Venice : today we cycled less then 10km in the bad weather, but tomorrow is a day with only around 25km planned and (again) the possibility of a swim.