We’ve been living through the completely reliable and predictable days of scorching heat — this being the end of summer — and we’ve been dealing with it in the simplest and most effective way known to man: Immersion in water. But no beaches for us. The beaches have lost whatever appeal they once had, due mainly to the vaporettos loaded with families with hot, tired children struggling home at the end of the day.
Instead, we go out early into the lagoon to a little spot that I have dubbed “the old swimming hole.” It’s not literally a hole, and usually it’s not deep enough for real swimming, but lowering ourselves up to our necks in the cool water flowing in from the Adriatic is all we need to do to feel happy, harmonious, chakra-balanced, equipoised, and otherwise at peace with ourselves, if not with the world. This little idyll ends at 9:10 AM, when the man with the motorboat arrives, along with assorted family members and a dog. No idea how he discovered this place, but their idea of relaxation is very much not ours.
So we climb in our boat and row home, which we’d probably have been doing in any case, because by 10:00 the sun has switched to “char.” Those two hours, though, are the best part of the entire day.
This was a most interesting and enjoyable post to read and view! Thank you for sharing. My youth was spent living 4 long blocks from Coney Island beach on the Atlantic. But now, and for over 40 years I live in the foothills of the mountains of northern California, 150 miles from the Ocean. I miss it. It does get very hot here in the Summer, so I helped some friends construct a 40 x 20 foot swimming hole with a vinyl liner. It’s six feet deep and refreshing to say the least. I was very happy to experience the Lagoon when I went to Burano and Torcello; next time to San Francisco isle. However, I may have mentioned in the past that I have this thought that in my next incarnation I think I would like to come back as a white egret in the Veneto! Lots of fish to eat! I promise I’ll wave at you and Lino.
I thought it might come as a surprise — or modest discovery, anyway — to even the hardest-bitten Venice fan. Glad you liked the little expedition. For a place that’s so near the city, it really does feel like somewhere far away.
I really felt that we were right there in the boat with you, how wonderfully you have documented it! (I wonder if the heron was the Italian cousin of the English one strutting around in my back garden yesterday?)
Thank you yet again, you have a real gift for selecting the really effective image.
I’ve really enjoyed this expedition- and funnily enough, not at all aching from rowing again after all these years since last I did any!
Time for a little drink now, I think, to reflect on it all. Wonderful, yet again.
Hi Erla, I was begging to worry about you because you haven’t wrriten in a long while. I am glad to see and read all is well (I hope). I do enjoy your blog and although I read all Donna Leone seeing the real thing is best. Keeep them comming.
Dian
Loved this blog, Erla! Was cleaning up my email and discovered I’d missed reading this one. So fun to think of you and Lino taking your morning dips in such a beautiful setting.
21 Comments
I love everything about this post…serenity, sparkling wit, wondrous calm. Nothing better than a morning swim. Thanks for bringing us along.
Thanks Erla, a wonderful blog.
Beautiful!
Thanks Erla… as always, a good read and a great way to start our own morning!
Roberto y Maria’
FarNorthQueensland, Australia
I’m so glad you liked it. Let’s all pretend you come along with us next time.
Love this…morning in the life
always supposed someone was going for a secluded dip
thanks
This was a most interesting and enjoyable post to read and view! Thank you for sharing. My youth was spent living 4 long blocks from Coney Island beach on the Atlantic. But now, and for over 40 years I live in the foothills of the mountains of northern California, 150 miles from the Ocean. I miss it. It does get very hot here in the Summer, so I helped some friends construct a 40 x 20 foot swimming hole with a vinyl liner. It’s six feet deep and refreshing to say the least. I was very happy to experience the Lagoon when I went to Burano and Torcello; next time to San Francisco isle. However, I may have mentioned in the past that I have this thought that in my next incarnation I think I would like to come back as a white egret in the Veneto! Lots of fish to eat! I promise I’ll wave at you and Lino.
a new form lurking here — the photographic novel.
What an interesting idea. I’ll have to mull this over.
I’m glad you have found a nice place to immerse up to your chins and cool down a bit. What a lovely way to start a day.
I am so sad to think I may never be back to Venice; I am very glad I got to see a lot of her in my lifetime. And, to meet you!
Absolutely beautiful! Few get to experience the serenity these photos display.
I wanted to share it with you. All that’s missing is the birdsong…
A fascinating look at an unknown—to me, at least — part of Venice.
I thought it might come as a surprise — or modest discovery, anyway — to even the hardest-bitten Venice fan. Glad you liked the little expedition. For a place that’s so near the city, it really does feel like somewhere far away.
I really felt that we were right there in the boat with you, how wonderfully you have documented it! (I wonder if the heron was the Italian cousin of the English one strutting around in my back garden yesterday?)
Thank you yet again, you have a real gift for selecting the really effective image.
I’ve really enjoyed this expedition- and funnily enough, not at all aching from rowing again after all these years since last I did any!
Time for a little drink now, I think, to reflect on it all. Wonderful, yet again.
I hope you feel as good reflecting on it all as I do when we actually go out there. Glad the row didn’t wear you out!
Hi Erla, I was begging to worry about you because you haven’t wrriten in a long while. I am glad to see and read all is well (I hope). I do enjoy your blog and although I read all Donna Leone seeing the real thing is best. Keeep them comming.
Dian
This may be THE most magical post of yours that I have read! Thank you so much for bringing your experiences to me here in Salem, Massachusetts!
I’m glad I could bring you the experiences without having to fly over. I’ll try to keep it going.
How wonderfully you describe everything. Happy swimming!
EZ, Gee, have you ever thought about being a travel writer? Oh, wait. Been there, done that. This was a grand read. Thank you.
Loved this blog, Erla! Was cleaning up my email and discovered I’d missed reading this one. So fun to think of you and Lino taking your morning dips in such a beautiful setting.