How things change …

A nice exit from Grado, a canal with a few boats, parallel to the road and then onto the mainland and a levy and the coast, it is a nature park so no pristine white beaches, but pleasant enough to watch the sun glistening on the water. A few zigzags by a canal then back again, it’s agricultural with sunflowers and grapes, corn has finished. It turns uninspiring after a couple of zigzags so I short change and go on the main road for about 8km. A strong headwind, trucks and no shoulder in places until we rejoin the Komoot route in Monfalcone.

Same, same, on a busy road no shoulder in parts, very lack lustre.

Finally we get a glimpse of the coast and stop just above Sistiana Mare, an information office, toilet and lovely view. The lady was very keen to give me so much paraphernalia about the wines in the region … like a whole book … really, I had to explain they were too heavy for our mode of transport … so out came a condensed version. Do I look like a wine connoisseur??? We try not to collect maps etc.

Allora … further on, with the cars and buses and glimpses of the ocean which is spectacular.

Komoot does a great job to get us through the town to our accommodation we are ready for a shower, drink and lunch at 3pm. Followed by a walk … oops we are going up, up and more up … to the information office??? Oh well we are now quite exhausted after a large beer each and I can’t think how many stairs and we’re at the castle.

A great €3 each wandering around the museum within the castle, mostly underground and of course the view of the city and the glorious coast.

Now to find the tourist information, just follow this road someone said, so with a few others to follow, and other points of interest we get back to sea level. To the main square, Piazza Unita d’Italia, it’s that midget feeling again … the buildings are so grand, big and tall.

Also the pier is a ‘have to do’ supposed to be the longest pier in Italy … WHAT!!! I think when I reflect back to our recent trip to South Australia … they were jetties and very, very long … maybe there’s a difference.

Back to find our way to the hotel, still like midgets among the tall buildings … it’s time for an Aperol Spritz I think.

John has to have a ’20 minutes nap’ so by 7.40pm … hey it’s time for dinner … he wanted Spag bol!!!! Luckily settled for veal meatballs and spaghetti.