July 14, 2018

What a day! Our plan was to get south of Venzone (Italy) to a small campsite – a distance of about 100 kms.

But, the day started bad from the get go. We were up early, as usual, and were about to leave as there was no sign of Angelina. However, she appeared and proceeded to make us breakfast. Breakfast was called “mish-mash” a Bulgarian dish she told us. The base recipe is peppers, tomatoes, eggs and feta cheese, but you can add whatever left-overs you may have.

First disaster – Angelina, was cutting up a pepper (jalapeno) and rubbed her eyes – crying, we managed to rinse her eyes and made sure her hands were well-washed. When the dish was almost ready, she asked me to keep my eye on it while she quickly got all her climbing gear ready. I had a taste, it was good.

However, unbeknownst to me she had added some shrimp – I am allergic to shellfish – not deadly allergic, just enough to make me sick. As we ate the “mish-mash” I had a strange tingling in my mouth, then I chomped into a shrimp! I stopped eating immediately and told her I was allergic to shellfish – it is on my profile on the website- but not everyone reads the profiles. Angelina didn’t read my profile. “OMG I am trying to kill my guests” she said.

I threw up after breakfast, but Angelina was in a hurry to get going and Ralf and I headed out to follow the Cyclio de Alpe Adria Radweg (CAAR). I felt dreadful, sweating like a pig and ready to throw up. I told Ralf I was fine, as I knew we had a long day ahead of us.

Then the signs for the CAAR route disappeared and we didn’t know which route to follow.

We got totally turned around and eventually headed back towards Villach and found the route again.

The signs for CAAR were non-existent in Austria – we followed the R3C route instead.

The route was a steady climb for 15 kilometres, nothing too strenuous, constantly upwards.

Eventually we came to the Italian border crossing, although there are no official crossings, this one could very easily be reopened or closed if necessary.

We stayed on the road after crossing into Italy towards Tarvisio, we didn\’t want to get turned around and head into Slovenia! We stopped for lunch at a little café in Tarvisio and then joined the real CAAR route. This route used to be an old railway, which has been paved.

We are in Italy, time to carry toilet paper in my jersey pocket. I had read that no washroom or campsite has toilet paper,  My first visit to a washroom – no toilet paper, glad I have my little stash in my jersey pocket again just like in France.

Then to cap the day off the weather turned nasty and started to rain.  We had only cycled 50 kms. The mountains were covered with angry grey clouds and it started to rain, lightly at first then very heavily, the wind was picking up and a few thunder claps were thrown in for good measure.

Fortunately along this route all of the B&B’s, hotels etc advertise along the route. We stopped at the next advertising sign, spotted the village and headed towards the hotel. Bugger the budget, neither Ralf or I were having a good day and we needed to stop.

The hotel is lovely but a little expensive E87 per night including breakfast. We were told by Angelina that English is not widely spoken in Italy, that’s o.k. it is part of the adventure. However, in this area German is widely spoken and we were able to reserve a room.

By the time we had showered and washed our cycling gear the grey clouds had disappeared and the sun came out.

Sods law, we could have cycled on, but we were not feeling very happy I think it was a good idea to stop and recharge the batteries.

We had a lovely walk around the small Town. Which has several things going for it.

An old fort at the top of the hill which is part of a longer walk and a fun animal walk through the Town. The Town has placed wooden carvings of animals throughout a walking path. These animals can be seen through the seasons in this area.

Tomorrow with recharged batteries and feeling better we will continue on the CAAR. We actually get a lie-in tomorrow as breakfast is not served until 8:00 a.m.

Finalizing the blog tonight, the thunder is rolling around the valley and the rain is pouring down.  A good end to the day to stay in a nice room instead of the tent.