Hello from Pianiga!
Firstly, we'd like to acknowlegde all those who have posted a comment, it is great to hear from you, always! M..... great to read your comment in Italian, keep them coming, Alex and Nelda, Bruno and Lisa .... we remembered your blog and your recommendation to try a spritz, and so, tonight (before we even read your blog) we went into the local town of Mirano (not Murano) and had an Aperol spritz at a quaint outdoor bar. Absolutely delicious and most refreshing! Sorry to hear about Port Power..... hey, Paul O'Dea, that's reallllllly depressing, isn't it!!!!! Year 2-3's..... it was FANTASTIC to hear from you, i'm so glad you are reading the blog, i hope you are enjoying the photo's and listing all the adjectives.... i'll try to use as many different ones as I can! good luck with NAPLAN, do your best, enjoy it, and don't worry about it.

Yesterday we said good bye to Milan and took the train to Padua, and then another smaller train to Pianiga. Our good friend, Julie, met us at the train station, it was wonderful to see a familiar face, and a dear friend. For those who don't know, Julie and I (Tina) went to primary and high school together, so we have know each other for many, many years. She now lives in Pianiga (about 12 km from Padua and  25 km from Venice....... lucky her!).

We have spent our days here exploring this wonderful area, visiting Pianga, Dolo, and Mirano. Julie's husband , GC is of Italian heritiage, and so i am speaking so much Italian, I almost feel like a native! even Paul is almost turning Italian!!!! this area is wonderful, it is a quieter place to be in, compared to busy Milan, we are as one of the locals here.



At the main square of Pianiga (Julie and Tina)

 Julie and GC have driven us to various spots today, such as Villa Pisani, where (once upon a time) the rich and famous of Venice would sail up the canal to their villa to escape the hustle and bustle of their Venetian life. Napoleon stayed at this particular villa in his time. WE found this a-MAZE-ing maze and of course we got lost and it took us such a long time to find our way to the centre! Luckily we were able to get out by following the guide.... it was almost closing time!!!!


Villa Pisani




The day ended with an Aperol spritz, then Paul made his delicious Pesto pasta for dinner..... unbelievably scrumptious! These will be memorable days with our friends.

Tomorrow..... off to Padua, then Venice on Monday! we'll fill you in then!