Murano

On Mondays the biennale is closed so we had a day off contemporary art. But instead we went to Murano for the art of glass. After a short ferry ride we walked to the glass museum and on the way found a very beautiful bakery with swan meringues. We had to have one between the 4 of us - it was a nice sugary boost to the day.

The museum was unfortunately closed for lunch - so we decided to go for lunch too. We found a nice little trattoria on the edge of the canal. I had grilled sardines and salad - very fresh. Glenn had his first spaghetti bolognaise of the trip.

It was then time for the museum,

Going into the museum the first amazing thing was actually the painted ceiling with chandelier. The museum was an old palazzo.

There was a huge collection of glass pieces that started from the 1500s.

There were many different types including milk glass.

Then things got more sophisticated with beads with different colours. There was a modern area on the side with an Australian glass artist.

In the 1800s they were able to create portraits in a bit of glass.

There were also impressive glass sculptures including the cockerel - the symbol of France.

There were good videos showing some amazing glassblowing creations adding different colours of glass and stretching it into thin bands for further heating and shaping.

A modern exhibition at the end had some very interesting pieces.

I had gone a different way from the others - and found them in the garden - they had been waiting for 20 minutes. I don’t know why I took so much longer - and how I missed them on the way through!

We then admired the glass shops on the way back to the ferry.

Back on the main island of Venice Glenn and I decided to get the ferry home and Ange and Oli walked.

Unfortunately the ferries were full apart from one going only 2 stops to the end of the train station which was empty - so we jumped on.

This took us to an interesting university area with a lot of work being done on the quayside. It’s obvious that the wood stakes under the water are preserved whereas above the water have become cracked and eroded. Just as well as Venice us built on the posts underwater. Also the water level is not far below the paving stones.

We arrived back at the Airbnb and we all had a cheese, wine and salad dinner at home with more 5 Crowns cards. This time Oli was the winner with Angela second - they have picked it up quickly!!