In Ferrara (pictured), they were in the middle of their annual Festival of Buskers, and last might the streets and squares of the Old Town were full of all sorts of street artists. There were bands, soloist singers, jazz, opera etc. There were various odd acts too, like a hillbilly band doing a version of Smoke on the Water. There were artists, caricaturists, tarot card readers (5) along with various other odds and sods. Along with big crowds, it all made for a v...

We made a big dent in our attempt to reach the mountains as soon as possible. Around about 100 miles got us from Venice to Ferrara (via Padua, Dei Colli Euganei national park, Monselice, Lendinara and Occiobello). Both of us got 'a touch of the sun' and were 'feeling it' a bit in the last 20 or 30 miles - a bit headachy. This was probably due to the fact that we just couldn't push any more water and electrolytes (and flap jacks) down our necks. It was very hot (...

Sat next to a Welsh teacher coming over. She was from Bridgend and was teaching English at a school in Padua, where she'd been for the past 15 years. Staying in the only pre-booked place on the tour: Hotel Kappa, Mestre (just outside of Venice). Following 'the pub' - A nice meal was had at the seafood restaurant next to our hotel: oysters followed by tagliatelle vongole (me) and swordfish pasta (JC) tog. with a very good Soave Classico. (Jackie thought that a se...