No Treviso Croeso Padova Arrivederci Italia

Late last night, before we went to sleep, a shriek of horror came from the kitchen, as mum realised Treviso parkrun had been cancelled due to a fallen tree on the course. Annoyed, but determined to still do an Italian parkrun before we left for Slovenia, the parents went online in search for our next nearest parkrun.

Farfalle, a 45 minute drive was found, and it was decided we leave early the next morning to make it in time for this alternative event. Fast forward 8 hours or so, we were getting dressed,a little frantically, and clambering in the car, afraid that we might get lost travelling Farfalle parkrun. 

In fact, we had nothing to worry about - we barely made any wrong turns (we're improving day by day) and arrived with plenty of time to spare. The volunteers and fellow Parkrunners were very warm and welcoming - not that we needed their warmth since it was 200 degrees and the sun was boiling down on us.

parkrun family

There was about 20 of us running, a small yet lovely bunch. We lined up on the start line - in a small field next to the car park and cafe area. Then we started. Within the first 5 metres there was a sharp turn along the small field and into a wooded area. This was when we realised the course was going to be difficult.

don't leave the path

IT was mostly trail and grass underfoot, and the course lacked some marshalls - more people should volunteer - meaning we all (including the fast runners at the front) got lost a few times. Some of us ran less than 5km, some of us ran more than 5km. The course we each ran was all over the place, and consisted of quite a bit of turning around and hopping back onto track. It was 4 laps to (a Parkrun first for us Williamses), and it was tough.

to run with dad, or not run with dad?

I'm glad we went though, the event was really nice and it was great to meet lots of new people. It didn't take long to drive home and we rushed around, zipping up suitcases and taking it in turns to shower. We said goodbye to the individual house and started the journey to Slovenia.

air bnb outside

artist studio next door

The traffic made the journey longer, but it didn't drag on too much, fortunately. We had to queue in the service stop - me for the toilet, the parents for a vignette.  Slovenia approached with its sunny glow and blue waters. IT looked like paradise.

vignette queue

another country

Our apartment has a gorgeous view of the sea, and isn't a long walk from the beach front. We strolled down (which was quite steep) and walked by the water, enjoying the lovely weather and pretty views. We stopped for a quick drink in a bar, as it was 'happy hour' and the beers were just 1 euro. I had a pear juice, a more expensive option, but non-alchoholic.

carys has expensive tastes

The sun began to set just as we found a nice restaurant to eat in. IT was quite fancy, with lovely seating an ideal area to watch the sunset. I Ate caesar salad with chips, tasty and enjoyable. We played some cards games, and started our walk back along the now-dark beachfront.

cards in the air

We stopped in a few shops on the way, got some things for breakfast, and dad and I had a strawberry cheesecake icecream from a gelato store - it was something I\'d seen a few times on holiday and was intrigued to try. It didn't taste much like cheesecake, but was yummy. 

Along the way we stopped for a quick dance in a square where a band was playing. We'd seen them setting up, and now lots of people were gathered round the stage,. singing and dancing to their 7-0s
medley. I felt very nostalgic of the old holiday we'd go on when Bryn and I were younger.

(Lloyd)

A bit of extra travelling today but my word was it worth it.  Very sad that we couldn't do Treviso parkrun, but adaptable and persistent souls that we are, and with great advice from our friendly RD at Treviso (Giulia) we drove the 50 odd kilometres to the outskirts of Padova.  This meant we backtracked a bit today which is never a popular decision, but all turned out very well.

easiest parkrun find ever

start/finish/cafe perfect

Met a number of parkrun tourists, and between us we probably made up close to half of the field.  We paled into insignificance next to a family from Hull who turned up 3 minutes before the start with all their luggage, having come straight from a cruise disembarkation (presumably in Venice?) and had to leave for the airport (back in Venice) straight after the run.  So that's the extra 50k by taxi and on a time schedule.  Perhaps we are not the obsessed ones after all!

the one bit I ran correctly

The run itself was 4 laps of a chirpy little park, although even after 4 laps, and with few marshalls I was still getting lost in some light woodland. Galileo was once a lecturer at the University in Padova and I could have done with one of his compasses.

https://www.relive.cc/view/r10007099183 shows a lot of random squiggles but perhaps a sense of where the park is in relation to built up Padowa.

The heat, circumstance and general uncertainty meant times were never going to be important today, and it was a case of getting round, enjoying the moment and having some lovely conversations before and after with Italians and Brits.  Was great to meet Giulia in person as she came over from Treviso with yn ddraig goch for photos and to share the global parkrun spirit.  A quick coffee afterwards and then it was back to Treviso.

grazia

Fabrizio, our genial Air B nb host, not only had given us the advice and surrounds for a pleasant stay, but also provided us with the couple of extra hours extension we needed to shower, and check out of our fantastic home.  I'm posting this on the Parkrun tourism place, please consider Fabrizio and his Air Bn B if you do the Treviso (or Padova :) ) parkruns.  It is an unforgettable property with the advice of a truly nice fellow.  I place the link here again https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/30173543?source_impression_id=p3_1564868319_qNBYhwmEqGg8l32d

And Fabrizio, I hope you soon join Giulia at Treviso Parkrun, let us know if you ever go!

Some final information from Fabrizio concerned the fact that today was Black Saturday, when all of Italy goes on holiday to Slovenia! Expecting something akin to the M5 on pretty much every Summer Saturday, we took a deep breath and followed the Google Maps diversions.  These didn't seem to help all that much and we were still stuck in one massive toll queue close to the border, so a 2.5 hour journey probably took closer to 4.5 hours.  And probably only looked a bit like below.

off road

middle of nowhere

back on the autoroute

slovenia roadsigns

Got out vignette at a dodgy border service station, felt like we were in some sort of refugee queue, but were soon in the rolling hills of Slovenia and hitting the 4th country of this particular trip.  And the only one I haven't been to before.

We seem very near to Croatia, I do wonder if I can find a way of jogging across the border over the next couple of days, may be a tricky ambition. Our holiday flat was high above the Adriatic Sea but with wonderful views and literally only a 2-3 minute descent by foot.

can you see the sea?

Another Air B nb, this time a little more functional in terms of interior, but the views outside mean most of our time will be out there anyway, and the wi fi is top quality, so no complaints at all.https://www.airbnb.com/trips/v1/e1970ed1-eec5-40a5-94b3-f902923b3e90/2019-08-03/ro/RESERVATION2_CHECKIN/HMFHEB4JMC/g

Having listened to the first (and hopefully not last) Swans win of the season drinking some well travelled rose and brie we took the steep descent to the resort itself. Gentle stroll along the promenade, a salt museum and lots of sun bathers.  The slightly eastern european feel to the place consolidated by the voices (didn't hear a UK accent all night) and little things like the building of steps into the water in the port walls for people to go swimming, and the very 1970s looking hotels.  Kids remarked that it had an 'old' Vegas feel to the place.

picturesque

beachy stuff

We hit holiday mode briefly finding a happy hour and 1 euro beers, everyone except Carys partook, insisting on her 3 euro pear juice.  We treated ourselves to a meal out tonight in one of the many buzzing restaurants on the side of the boardwalk.  The sun set over the Adriatic and was beautiful, as I had a light curry with cous cous in the Bungalow Lounge, feel they could have been a bit more generous with their portions, I had built up a good appetite.

no words

is that it?

In darkness Portotoz was all exciteable, and enjoyed an ice cream and listening to some 1970s funk that was the entertainment in one of the outdoor areas.  As I say, we are in more traditional holiday mode tonight, albeit 1970s/1980s style, and bringing back memories of some of my own family holidays (again) to Russia and Yugoslavia when I was a teenager.