Day 35: Bassano del Grappa

A quiet day today. Scarlett didn't get out of her pj's until 4pm.  We decided not to go to Venice early. Rick spoke of driving to Cortina for the day or night, but it just didn't seem worth the effort when we have such a big week ahead of us. So we stayed in Bassano del Grappa and didn't surface until early evening.  It was lovely not having to be somewhere for the first time in over a month and I appreciated just sitting and enjoying a cup of tea and some much needed computer time. The kids were keen to chill out and play their ipads, and as long as they were quiet and not fighting, we didn't care.  I did 5 loads of washing and 2 hours worth of ironing while Rick researched Venice and London.  The highlight of the day was when Zachies 2nd tooth fell out around lunch time.  The kids finally decided to get dressed and we headed into town around 6pm. The streets were noticeably quiet. We ummed and arred about which restaurant and finally decided upon Daniele in one of the main piazza's. We thought it would be perfect for the festivities later in the evening. There is a concert every Wednesday night in the piazza's across town during the summer. People come to dance and listen to different types of music. The restaurant was only serving pre dinner drinks until 8pm when the "kitchen opened" so we happily sat for 2 hours and indulged on our favourite summer spritz and mojitos whilst the kids scoffed the crisps that came complementary with the pre-dinner drinks. It was beautiful to just sit and soak up the atmosphere and watch the people start to roll in as the night went on. When we finally could order, Rick had a squid ink spaghetti with seafood and I had fresh tuna rolled in nuts and sunflowers served with chargrilled veggies and aoili which was beautiful. By 9pm it was pumping with babies, children, young lovers, couples, families, grandparents. It was a splendid to watch and screamed of local community. Everybody seemed to know each other and it reminded me of Griffith at the food and wine festival all those years ago. The women were noticeably more sheik than what I have seen to date and they were divine to watch in action.  They were all wearing heels and dresses and seemed super stylish (even the not so stylish ones). A street vendor of sorts had set up just near us.  It was basically a big carpet with a stack of bowls laid out with soapy water and a loop for kids to create massive bubbles.  It cost 1 euro and the kids could play as long as they liked, which ours did for close to an hour.  Then they sat at the edge of a square where people where dancing the rumba, samba, you name it.  It was a little sexy in spots and few couples looked like they were doing things they shouldn't be, but the kids just soaked it up and loved it.  It was divine.  We ordered a round of gelatos at 11.30 pm and bumped into Francesco's gorgeous friend Giorgio.  It was a magical night and such a perfect way to end a magnificent few days in this beautiful part of Veneto.