Molveno

The hotel

 The time has come to tell you a little about our holidays. As you probably realised we went to Molveno, a village in the Dolomites. Our hotel was near the shore of the lake of the same name.

Or so we were told.

The village with the lake before it

It turned out the village was rather bigger than we had anticipated. Most of it was up a hill too steep to expect the Fox to even attempt to push me. The land between the hotel & the lake had been built on so the lake was only really visible from the hotel if you had an upper floor bedroom. From our bedroom on the first floor you only saw the roof of the public swimming pool & conference centre. However it was a fairly easy walk to actually make you way to the shore edge.

The lake

The lake, too, was also bigger than anticipated. It took most people about 4 hours to do a full circuit around the lake. It was incredibly green. The stream running into it was milky green – milky with natural deposits rather than pollution.

Lake Molveno

The stream to the lake

The stream to the lake

Behind the hotel the mountains reared. The Brenta group dominated one side, with its challenging slopes for mountaineering. On the other side was the lower Paganella height with its skiing slopes in winter. By the time we arrived most of the snow had gone except on the very tops. Even while we stayed, the rainy days we had at the hotel level, was snow higher up.

Brenta group

Paganella behind the village

It is a really beautiful, peaceful spot. Clearly most visitors were interested in the walking – it did look fabulous! – the mountain bike riding, the climbing, & in winter, the skiing. In summer there are various watery activities on the lake.

It made a good base for us, a place to let go & recharge our batteries. And we certainly needed to do that.

Saga rep leading the group into the village centre

On the first day there the Saga rep took everyone on a walk around the village, pointing out the essential services. The Fox went while I stayed behind. There was another lady there, Ruth who also had some walking difficulties, so we struck up an acquaintanceship. The Fox meanwhile had made the acquaintance of Col, Ruth’s husband. Over the following couple of weeks our acquaintanceships developed into friendship as whiled away wet days talking or playing dominoes. Ruth & I were soon established as the quiz queens – we won all 3 quizzes we entered during the holiday.

Other days we went our separate ways – we in the car to explore, they content with a gentle stroll along the lake edge, watching the people as well as the birds with a regular stop at the ice-cream parlour (Col’s an ice-cream addict) or going on one of the arranged coach trips to Trento or around the Dolomites.

All in all the days passed quietly, gently. We did do some trips, of which I will write in the coming days.

Chaos rules the day

We got along to Morrisons yesterday to do the big shop. We knew it was a chore we weren’t looking forward to, as it was a bigger shop than usual. We seemed to have been running out of all the basics.

Our first shock was that the car park was absolutely heaving. We ended up going round the car park three times looking for a disabled spot to fill. We told ourselves it was because we’d come shopping earlier than usual. It was still lunch-time & a lot of local disabled & elderly people come for a cheap meal in the café. That would be all it was.

Having finally found our spot we ventured in. The Fox stopped to collect a trolley on the way in. He was surprised to discover they were all new ones. I meanwhile was being startled by the new layout inside. During our absence the whole store had had a makeover. Products were no longer in their normal place.

It started with the fruit & veg. definitely new stands. Now there was a whole stand of fresh herbs & salad veg being regularly sprayed with a fine mist of water(?). New veg had appeared on the scene, kohl rabi for example. We desperately looked out for our more prosaic needs of potatoes & carrots.

Then the Fox sought some leeks. They only seemed to be in multiple packs. Leeks are something we like the odd one of in a meal, usually a casserole, but not something we would have as a vegetable as such. A further hunt found us back at the beginning again. The loose leeks were on the sprayed stall. In the process we noticed that chillies can now be bought loose. Great! It’s always got to me that I’ve had to buy a pack of 3-4 chillies, to use one & the rest gone off before I need any more. No longer will that be.

Having finally got the fruit & veg we wanted located, we then looked for the garlic bread, usually with the fresh pizzas. No sign of them. I finally found them where the mushrooms had been. And so it went on.

Item after item took ages to locate. We ended up going up & down that store several times. We were not the only bemused people. Others were in a daze, desperately looking around with glazed eyes. It seemed to take us twice as long as usual. In the end we abandoned the shop without trying to look at the cheese stall. That can just wait until next week.

We made our way to the tills to find they too had been replaced with a new style. Admittedly they were wider, making getting through with a wheelchair considerably easier. Parents with young children were having problems though. Instead of little hands stretching out to chocolates, now they reached out for more expensive DVDs. Meanwhile I, a confirmed chocoholic, was put out as I can no longer reached that bar of chocolate I usually reach for on the way out, my little reward for having survived the shopping ordeal.

All the tills had queues even though more tills were open than usual. We soon discovered why. As our purchases made their way through, the operator had to search through the screen to locate where things were. She had to get help to locate the loose leeks.

She told us all the changes were done a week ago. Since then it’s been sheer bedlam. The store has been inundated with customers, more than they can cope with. She, clearly a pensioner, would be relieved if it all settled down to something a bit quieter.

We couldn’t help thinking we wished they could have done it when we had had a smaller shop. I dare say it will all settle down with time. If nothing else we should get more used to the new layout & where to find what we want. It is good to see some of the new products but couldn’t they have waited an extra couple of weeks until we could have coped better.

We hastily retreated to the village pub for a welcome reviving drink. Then it was home for a nap before dinner. The shop had exhausted us both.

Home again

Well, we’re back. We actually returned last Thursday, but since then there’s been a whirl of activity trying to catch up on things – the washing, the accumulated post, friends, family etc. Finally I’ve got time to sit down at the computer.

The holiday was, overall, a success. I’m not going to go into detail here. That can wait another day. Today is primarily to let you know we’re safely back home.

The weather on our holiday was varied, with temperatures varying from 1˚C to 26˚C – just as well we took all those layers! A couple of days it was non-stop rain, but this was mitigated by the enjoyable company we met there and the roaring log fire they lit in the bar/lounge area of the hotel. On the whole the few bad days of weather encouraged us to relax & put our feet up, which we were in dire need of doing. We could then appreciate getting out & exploring the area on the better days. The food at the hotel was above par. The hotel staff was very friendly & welcoming. It was very much a family run place, with all the personal care that implies.

The stay in Venice was not quite as good. We read in our guidebook that food in Venice isn’t very good & we can believe it. In the three evenings we stayed there we found only one half-decent restaurant, & even that was just OK. The hotel was conveniently placed both for the airport bus & the vaporetti (water buses) to get around Venice. Although I think we both are please to have seen some of the sights, we were also both rather overwhelmed by the sheer number of tourists. Despite all the access material we were sent, we still found large areas that we couldn’t go & ultimately Venice is a city for mooching round & finding unexpected corners.

I can’t see us wanting to return particularly to Venice. It’s been seen, an itch scratched. The numerous photos we took are almost more exciting than being there – too many crowds as I say. I even recognised some of the views that are the basis of jigsaws I’ve done! A few days were sufficient for us. Maybe it would have been better if we’d been in one of the more central hotels with a bit more atmosphere & comfort, with dinners included maybe, though it is dubious how easy it would have been to get to them dragging bags along behind us.

We came back to find mixed news awaiting us. First we noticed the answerphone flashing – a call from my cousin Pat. After several calls later to various family members, it seems pretty certain that Pat is the third cousin to go down with cancer at the moment. In her case it is breast cancer. She should hear this week what is proposed to be done. She’s resigned to an op. It’s just a question of how extensive an op it is. Still she did get on to the doc’s as soon as she found the lump so hopefully all will go well.

In the post pile I found yet another letter from the DWP (Department of Work & Pensions). My heart sank. Then I suddenly noticed that it was telling me that I no longer needed to attend interviews for getting a job. It didn’t actually tell me I had won my appeal but it did go on about me being in the Support group rather than the Job-related Activity group. That can only be if I have won. I hastily looked again at the letter from the DWP that arrived just before we went away. Again it referred incidentally to me being in the Support Group. That was clearly meant to tell me I had won & this second letter was confirming the implications as far as the Job Centre is concerned. I’ve re-read the letters several times since. I can’t believe it. I expected to have to go through the whole tribunal system.

Now I just have to get my DLA (Disability Living Allowance) form sorted, then hopefully I will have a bit of peace again from the DWP for a couple of years. At least now, after our holiday, I feel less stressed to cope with it.

Today we’re off to get some food in. We’d run down most of our stores before we went away. We couldn’t face the Bank Holiday crowds so we’ve left it until today to re-stock. We seem to have a long list of basics – loo paper, onions, potatoes, bleach, bread etc etc. It’s going to be a very big shop this week.

Italy here we come

I lie in bed. I toss & turn. The bed gets ever hotter. There’s no rest for the Vixen.

The problem? I keep going through in my mind what I packed in the afternoon. I can’t help thinking of things I’ve forgotten something. And do the various separates I’ve packed actually go together to form something resembling a cohesive look?

Suddenly I remember the manicure set. We’re sure to break some nails if I don’t take it with me. I phone the Fox to find the set & put it on the suitcase for me to pack this morning.

In the end I resort to a sleeping pill. I have to send the Fox to find them. I had already packed them. But without pills the tossing would have continued all night. Even as it was it took the best part of an hour for the pill to take effect. Usually one would knock me out in less than half an hour but this night there’s too much mental turmoil.

So this morning I’m on the last stretch. I’ve been through my handbag leaving at home any unnecessary items, moving the sewing kit I always carry into the suitcase for the hold (needles & scissors won’t go through security in the hand luggage).

I can only think of one more thing left to do – feed and water the birds in the garden. Hopefully that will keep them going until we’re back.

I confess I’m full of foreboding. I feel this holiday is going to be another disaster. Why? I suspect it’s partially that it’s just taken so much hassle to organise. The weather forecast doesn’t sound too brilliant. I’m aware of the long drive from Venice airport to the hotel in Molveno & just hope the Fox is up to it. I’m aware how terrible the Fox found driving in Italy last time we visited. I’m telling myself the people in the north will be more sensible drivers than their compatriots in the south. I’m just not sure if we haven’t taken on to much. Still it’s all organised now so we’ll just have to hope for the best & keep our fingers crossed.

Anyhow, when next I write it will be to tell you how things went.

But for now it’s Manchester here we come, then on to Italy & the Dolomites & Venice itself. Ciao.

Nearly there

It’s been a busy week, but I think we’re finally almost ready for the off.

We’ve gathered all our medical supplies, almost a bag-load by itself.

The doctor rang & confirmed there was nothing seriously wrong with the Fox. He suspects there’s a little bit of irritable bowel but nothing too bad. The GP is a little concerned about the rather high sugar levels in the Fox’s blood but suspects it’s a blip, nothing to worry about, but just to be on the safe side he feels the further blood test would be advisable but it can wait until we’re back from our holidays. So, all in all, not bad for someone of his age.

All the jigsaws & books went back to the library yesterday.

The new fence panels have been put in place so privacy & security is returned to the garden.

Yesterday we went along to the golf club to celebrate Mrs B’s birthday. She’s 81 today. She’s the retired headmistress who used to come along to the Geriatrics’ Corner at the Pub & the monthly meals we had. Most of the members of Geriatrics’ Corner have joined the golf club as social members now, and several turned out for the party.

We’re even contemplating joining the golf club ourselves, as social members only. Membership isn’t too expensive & should be recouped by the low prices of food & drink, especially if we ever eat there. Mrs B says not to bother. Members are allowed to sign in 8 guests a year. If they all signed us in on various weeks we would be able to get in for free. It just doesn’t seem fair on them all. They may want to invite other people to come as well. And it is only just over £1 a week each, not a lot. Then we would also have the option of calling in by ourselves from time to time, even take our own guests if we want to. We’ll decide when we return home from our hols.

I have to confess the golf club does sound a rather posh place to join. A bit of inverted snobbery makes me resist the idea. But it has to be admitted it does seem to be one of the main social centres of Morecambe life. In the main bar you do get magnificent views either across the Bay or the lush green golf course. The smaller back bar is quite cosy. So we may just join.

But today is packing day. We’re off tomorrow.

I looked on-line last night to see what the weather should be where we’re going. It is supposed to be rain & showers most of the time with temperatures in the low teens, not much better than here. I was a bit reassured to see that some of the nearby places we are intending to explore seem warmer & drier, so maybe it’s just in the mountains, the Dolomites, where the hotel is, that is so miserable sounding. Or maybe the rain is going to be as fictional as most of the predicted rain for this area has been lately. I have to remind myself that the Lake District where we lived for many years, is so called because of the number of lakes.  People sometimes moaned about the amount of rain & I would point out you can’t have lakes without rain to refill them from time to time. The two go together. The same clearly applies in Italy.

The uncertainty over the weather does cause extra problems over what to pack. I’m telling myself just take plenty of layers. I can always strip off a layer or two if it turns out warmer than expected but I will need the layers if it should turn out as cold as we fear. We’re just hoping the weather is going to be better than our holiday last year when we went to the Dordogne. Then, in a fortnight, we had only one really warm day. The rest were usually cold & often wet, even snow & hailstorms. At least this time we will be staying in a warm comfortable hotel, even a junior suite, with a bar & other entertainment on site, so it shouldn’t be too bad even if we only venture out between the showers.

I’m not sure if I will have time to get back to write more tomorrow. If I don’t, I’ll be back later on in the month & tell you all about our holiday. Who knows we may find we have free access to a computer at the hotel as we did last holiday in Italy & I can write there with our impressions of the area.