Bright memories – 5

We spent two holidays on Lake Garda. The first, based in Bardolino, enticed us to return. Not something we would normally do, but when something is such a perfect fit, why not? Our hotel, 5 minutes from the lake, was comfortable and easy. Small boys were very welcome, and when the tureen of spaghetti, in a simple but delicioza tomato sauce, passed around and around the dining room, not just the small one was delighted.

There was a favourite cafe, overlooking the ferry departure point, where once we watched a storm roll across the waters. Torrential rain poured, and it poured. The water joined with the flood waters of the lake and rose, higher and higher. The waiters diligently swept the waters away, and we sat, helpless, with our feet up on adjacent seats as it rose, and rose. And then, slowly abated, as if it had never been.

Small boy loved the hydrofoils, and was on first name terms with all of them. It didn’t even put him off when we got caught in a storm, out on the lake, and the hydrofoil leaped and danced through the waves like a dolphin as the water raged over us.

Another, much calmer day, we took the ferry to Sirmione. Ice cream by the harbour, compensation for the lack of hydrofoil. High on the battlements, we watched the boats come and go.

Becky has many bright memories of her own. Share them with her on her special day. Happy birthday, darlin!

Bright SquareΒ 

71 comments

    1. As you said of your island, Graham, the weather changes rapidly with the proximity of mountains. I love the combination of lakes and mountains, however unpredictable. Thanks a lot! πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

      Like

      Reply

    1. I used to write my travel diary on the back of the postcards I bought, Frank. They’re all in an enormous box… for a rainy day πŸ€£πŸ’• We had a lovely beach walk this morning and you wouldn’t believe the slab of chocolate cake Michael had afterwards!

      Like

      Reply

  5. Lovely memories of a lovely place Jo πŸ™‚ I’ll say one thing for Lake Garda, if it decides to rain it certainly does it good style but then it’s over as suddenly as it starts. We got caught in torrential rain at Torbole once, took shelter in a cafe and five minutes later the sun was blazing down again πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yep, that’s how it goes. That day we were marooned in the cafe it was steaming after half an hour. I went back and changed my direction on the Gardone post, thanks πŸ€—πŸ’•

      Like

      Reply

  6. How lovely to explore Europe from an early age. Happy days with your youngster! I sadly couldn’t afford many holidays with my bunch, not even in England and the little ones were too young to remember life in South Africa. I wonder how much James remembers? Maybe he’ll take his boy to the Lakes and enjoy those hydrofoils again (if they still run).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. That’s an interesting thought about the hydrofoils. I’m sure they must, though maybe not at present due to the virus. I still haven’t gone digging under the bed! So much comes back without the diaries, though I seem to remember Italy is all on the back of postcards. πŸ€£πŸ’• Sadly James doesn’t have money for holidays either. One day obviously they’ll have this place, but maybe not for a while.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. I’m glad to hear you loved exploring Lake Garda. It’s one of those places I could easily return to, too. You can spend days visiting little villages around the lake and always find something fun to do. Have a good day, Jo πŸ€— Aiva

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. What a marvellous memory and story, Jo. πŸ™‚ I could see it all. When you said you wouldn’t normally return to a place, that resonated with me: I always maintained that there is so much world to see, why go back to somewhere you’ve been? I did break that rule twice, for Paris and the Swiss Alps above Interlaken. I would so love to go back to Interlaken …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.