Knitting through Italy pt. 3 (Venice to finished object!)

When last we left our heroes. . . they were leaving Cinque Terre and taking the (maybe crazy) four different trains to get to Venice. That's right folks, three different train transfers. We only have 10 minutes to make the first train transfer. Our first train is (ahem . . . ) 12 minutes late. We're screwed. But wait, a clever couple (not us) asks the conductor to radio ahead to the next station to have the train (that we were trying to catch) held. YEAH, one mad dash and the next two train transfers went without a hitch. We arrived in Venice just in time to check into our hotel in the Lido, clean up and take the Vaparetto back to Venice to see the Grand Canal in some pretty dramatic light.
















Here's the famous San Marco from the Grand Canal.















We spent the evening wandering through the lovely streets, weaving around the tiny inner canals. We've been to Venice before and hit all the big tourist places, so this time around we were free to enjoy the city and just wander. After a nice dinner and a rainy Vaparetto ride back to the Lido it was time for sleep and 1 1/2 more fabulous days in Venice.

The next morning started overcast and chilly and then turned sunny and gorgeous.

Here's David by the famous Bridge of Sighs. The city has to be one of the most photogenic in the world. We took about a hundred pictures in two days.


Wait, before you start reaching for the "quit" button on your browser . . . I've only selected a few.






After spending the morning strolling and eating. . . it was time for a knitting break. Sitting by the Grand Canal with San Marco in the background seemed like a good spot.


Followed by more strolling, eating, some art museum, eating, visiting gardens, eating . . . you get the point.




























The next day there was more "knitting by landmarks"


If you haven't been to Venice. Sign up for some fare watcher alert e-mails. Find and off season flight and GO. I love this city. It's even more beautiful at night, but the camera could really capture how beautiful it was



The next morning we enjoyed our last 1/2 day in Venice doing what we do . . . walking, eating, taking photos. Before we took our plane back to London. We were only spending one night in London just to make our flight in the morning easier.

Because we were only sleeping in London, we booked a small hotel by a convenient rail station. London is crazy expensive, so we spent a whopping $100 for a room with no breakfast. This is what $100 can buy you in London:


Yes, that's the whole room. What the hell it was clean. We ate at a pub, walked around Picadilly Circus, went to the river and went to sleep.










The next morning it was time to head to the Max Jet departure lounge to eat and eat and eat. I can't believe how much food they set out for the business class traveler. We had another fantastic plane ride home filled with food, liquor and movies.

Unfortunately, on the coach plane ride back to San Francisco, American Airlines lost my luggage AGAIN. urggg.

Thus ends my tale of Italy. Now I've been back in San Fran for a week and a half, with rehearsals and shows nearly every day. I did finish Jenny Lee's bikini. So without further ado . . . My first finished object for someone other than a family member.



She was kind enough to model for me before the show outside the Jersey Boys hair room. I'm pretty thrilled with the way it turned out, and she said it's really comfy. I love that Cascade Fixation. It really hugs the curves and it doesn't sag at all when it gets wet. Very cool.

Here's my personal favorite shot. Both because you can see the detail of the pattern, and because her tattoo is priceless: