Our flight from Gatwick was so early we had booked a room at the Bloc hotel right inside the terminal. Jess and Ryan had an airbnb within walking distance so we all got the train over from Fleet after dinner. Not a brilliant sleep in a windowless room and an internal door nearby banged every time it was closed.
We were up at 4.45, straight to the automated bag drop and met Jess and Ryan at Pret for breakfast. The flight was on time and Kath and Faith had already arrived at Venice airport after their flight from Manchester. We then split up to collect our hire cars.
Along the route to the airbnb in the mountains we stopped at a bar for coffee and to buy lunch and the others caught us up. We all then drove on a bit to a beautiful lakeside location to eat. There was a group on a car rally in the restaurant - later in the holiday we saw a few rallys.
When we arrived at the apartment there was a bit of a hassle getting in as the hosts instructions about the key code were not clear. Eventually he came out to help. Lovely large apartment with balconies and a bathroom per couple.
We drove out to the nearest town to do a food shop and collect the harnesses and helmets for the Via Ferrata.
The area had a real alpine look to it.
After some dinner and games it was an early night for us all.
The next day we were up and out with a packed lunch. I hiked up for 2 hours with the others to the start of the first via ferrata, watched them harness up and start their climb then hiked back down to eat my lunch. Martin rang from the top and I could just see the hut they were near on the mountain top.
I had a strange experience in the cafe. I thought the sign said no bar service so sat at a table. A waitress noticed me and said no - order over there and waved her arm off to the left. I went round to where she pointed and saw an electronic device. The screen was showing a cup of tea but I wanted coffee so I pressed Returnez thinking this would make the screen revert to the main menu. I was taken aback when the whole unit came to life, turned around and moved down a corridor. It was actually a robot server which brought things out from the kitchen! The same waitress saw me and took pity, sat me down and ordered and brought my hot chocolate.
Outside once again and there was a massive herd of goats, sheep and donkeys being herded down from the mountain. The kids did 3 ferratas but Martin came down after 2 as there was a big queue.
We drove back to the apartment and sat in the sun on the balcony. A chap asked us for help as he had hired another apartment from our host and he coudn't get in either!
The next day we paid 30 euros to drive on a toll road. There were loads of cars and campervans. Once parked we hiked up for about 1 and a half hours. I got a bit cold waiting for them - it was so high up and windy. Kath and Faith and Martin came back first - Ryan was going up the highest summit. We had a hot chocolate and Martin and I hiked back and returned to the apartment.
In the evening I wasn't feeling brilliant and thought I had caught a chill. I decided not to go out with them on the Tuesday but actually when I woke up I was worse and stayed in bed until dinner. Martin went out with the kids to a waterfall area but came back to keep me company whilst the others returned the equipment and had an ice cream. The games got a bit raucous in the evening but we had a good laugh.
Wednesday was the day we all left. Jess and Ryan were going home, Kath and Faith were going to Venice for a few days and Martin and I were flying to Helsinki. We met up by a lake on the way to the airport to chill then Martin and I left for our flight. I still felt off but the journey was smooth.
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