Francesca's House - Our Time Here

We are sharing an apartment with our lovely AIRbnb host Francesca. Her home overlooks one of the smaller canals on the outskirts of Venice and away from the busy centre and all those tourists (as we no longer have a home we don't consider ourselves tourists, rather residents of wherever we are at the time...so Venice is our home this week...as will Florence be our home next week etc etc).

Francesca's family Home

This area is very quiet by day and a lively little spot by night. The 14th century four storey building is owned by one family. Francesca tells us the building was purchased by her great, great grandfather many years ago and so five generations have lived here since. Currently the ground floor is I supposed the equivalent of a garage.

What else would you store other than a boat in your garage?

The first floor above is where her parents live, Francesca lives on the second floor and the 3rd is occupied by her sister, brother-in-law and their five children. Most of the furniture, lights and ornaments in the house are antiques, reflecting the lives of previous generations. While the house and much of its contents (not the people) are a little worse for wear and the passing of time...there is still a wonderful sense of grandeur and splendour to be felt and imagined...high, high ceilings, ornate doors, glass chandeliers and well proportioned large rooms. I absolutely love it...if I had a magic wand I'd transport it back to Oz.

Late afternoon in the sitting room

Our bedroom

Sleeping in separate beds...I like it...best nights sleep we've had for a long time!

Dinner at nearby restaurant. Had a lovely evening talking to an Italian couple on our left and an American couple on our right. However Glenn being Glenn insisted the Italian couple were on his right while the American couple were on his left. I must point out we were both facing each other. Poor soul...he'll figure it out one of these days??

Sunday was so hot here in Venice, even the locals were melting. Francesca had gone to Lido beach for the day and we are doing absolutely nothing by choice. Saturday's heat was unbearable and so have decided not to venture anywhere today. While out shopping yesterday we found ourselves standing in the doorway of many air-conditioned shops for rather long periods of time. Later we popped to a nearby supermarket and once again the cold food section seemed most appealing as we loitered over the cheese and parma ham without any intention of purchasing...hmmm wonder if they have loitering laws here?

Thursday, and it is our last day in Venice for tomorrow we travel to Florence on the train. Although excited to be moving on to a new adventure, we will miss Francesca. She has been so wonderful to us, allowing us to really feel at home. Nothing has been too much trouble...she is a truly lovely spirit. This evening she is cooking for us and has invited a few of her friends to meet us, so tonight we feast.

Making chocolate mousse for last supper

A gift for Francesca - tiny glass duck from Munaro

Murano glass duck

Dinner with Francesca and her friends

Francesca cooked a beautiful four course meal, all washed down with some lovely wine and finally the dessert I'd made earlier. We got to meet here lovely friends, Roberto, Frederica, Francesca,and Sandro. We couldn't have asked for a better 'last night' as they all bid us a safe and happy holiday with hugs and kisses all round.

Thank you, thank you, thank you Francesca for making our time in Venice truly memorable.

 

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