Sept 15. On the PO and moving rapidly. 83 km today.
Started in fog. Couldn't see much, so took it easy. Thought about the great meal I had last night and the restaurant owner who let me pitch my tent on his property. Pumpkin ravioli. The first for me.
I paddled and knew there was a bridge. Couldn't see it and did not want to hit a cement structure. So waited by the edge of the river. Nice flowers.
The fog lifted, and I am off. I paddle a good couple hours and then stop at a village, Castelmassa, to buy groceries.
I went to Coop. Hah. Why doesn't Norway have this choice of cured meats. Wow!!!! Impressed.
Sept. 16. After a severe thunderstorm and torrential rainfall through the night, I was glad to see the sunrise.
Thinking a lot about direction. Where I want to go. More philosophical than geography. We all want to move forward and in the right direction. It doesn't matter about age. We all hit a crossroads in life and still want to make the right choices.
I take a break and it looks something out of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
I find another safe spot to tent. 63 km behind me. Still haven't reached Venice. Miscalculated the mileage. But am amazed at the beautiful scenery.
Sept 17. Thought I would reach Venice. Wrong. Looks closer on the map. Terrible winds on the sea. I took a much longer alternative route which meant portaging, paddling through a drainage system, in and out of a river. What a day!!!!
This isn't a boat lock. But it was a tricky crossing. Hah. A local said it couldn't be done. So I left my kayak and walked the 44 minutes to see if it was possible. It was. So I did it!!!! Oh yeah, it smelled a bit.
I really wanted to reach Venice, but I got as far as Chiaggio Veneta. I stopped by a pleasure boat and asked if the boat lock would let me through. They said yes and then asked me if I was hungry. I said "YES". Before you knew it, I was at a table with a whole bunch of lovely Italian people. They were so gracious and supplied all sorts of food and even Prosecco. Wow!!!!
Thank you AMAZING group of lovely Italians. Lots of love.
Chioggia. A place I will always remember. Hospitality that melted my heart. Plus a full stomach. Thanks. :) Mark