Steve's Nature Blog: Down The Adriatic from Venice to Patras

Despite trying to be clever and booking a hotel between Venice city and the ferry terminal it was still a fifty euro taxi ride to the port. Oh well, I'll know for next time. If there is a next time. Let's get on board and see where they've put us. This is going to be home for the next day and a half. Oh, that's nice, right up the pointy end.

It's a midday departure so I suggest a stroll sternwards and we'll watch Venice recede. Is it really necessary to have so many posts I wonder? I feel like I'm travelling up an old bagatelle board (fore-runner of the pin-ball machine for younger travellers – the metal ball did run between actual pins). Still, they make great perches for the Yellow-legged Gulls and the Black-headed Terns.

And after that, quite a lot of sea. No whales, dolphins or porpoises unfortunately but we have had one unexpected visitor, a Painted Lady butterfly. You may recall that back in March of this year I introduced you to the Butterfly Migration Project which was studying this remarkable butterfly's migration patterns (see No Place Like Home). The study is still ongoing so that's another observation to add to the list. Nip up and ask the captain for the ship's current position would you? Tell him we've just seen a butterfly - I'm sure he'll be impressed.

Now I suggest that we go and have a wash and brush-up and see what the restaurant has on offer this evening. (The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice that this photo was taken at lunchtime. You can clearly see the port through the windows. Still, if Messrs. Durrell and Attenborough can 'fake it' I don't see why I shouldn't!)

The journey is now entering its final leg as we pass into Greek waters. It has been interesting but I have come to realise that travel, like so many other things in life, is a pleasure best shared but Patras on the north coast of the Peloponnese, is looming into view, so lets see what the Astir Hotel has to offer by way of entertainment.

Crete Nature Catch-up
Series 1 - Welcome to Lasithi	Series 2 - The Rhythm Of Life	Series 3 - A Journey Begins
Series 4 - The Milonas Valley	Series 5 - This Is Ferma	Series 6 - Upland Villages
Series 7 - The Forty saints	Series 8 - Sunday Strolls	Series 9 -Stormy Weather

Steve's Books

Just waiting for the author proof copy of The Quick Guide To Creepy-Crawlies to arrive (due here Nov 8^th). So long as everything is OK it will be available on Amazon very soon after.