2021 POSTCARD FROM SIRMIONE, ITALY Tuesday 24 August - Monday 6 September

 

After a bad time at LHR with BA, I had a good flight with a nice brunch on my flight to Milan.  My Covid/Locator forms all worked well on arrival and I was in my car to Sirmione within half an hour of touch down.

 

In a nice but basic room with a lovely balcony overlooking Lake Garda and the pool so will be able to sun myself whilst in isolation for the next 5 days!  I was happy in my room for four days, sunbathing, reading, and enjoying the view. Richard arrived on day 3 and was in the room underneath me!  On Saturday, day 4, I took a bus to the chemist for my Test and as it was negative I was free!   [Couldn’t do it on day 5 as the Italians don’t work on a Sunday!]  I walked back from the chemist – about an hour, and then picked up some wine in Sirmione.  Once back in the hotel, delivered a bottle to Richard!

 

Spent the next few days lying in the sunshine and doing the odd short walk around the historic part of Sirmione.  On Tuesday it was a little overcast, but Richard had his freedom so we were at least able to dine together which was great.  On Wednesday I spent the day by the pool.  Richard went for his antigen test and to pick up his partner, Peter.  In the evening we had an early supper in the hotel and then Peter drove us in Richard’s hired car to Verona and we had a wonderful evening at the Verona Arena watching Nabucco.  It didn’t finish until midnight so we had a rather late night in bed.

 

Breakfasts in the hotel were so awful [queuing etc] that I took to having them in my room.  On Thursday, my 80^thbirthday, I had an early breakfast and then Richard, Peter and I walked into Sirmione and caught a slow ferry to Garda – gorgeous day so wonderful to sit and relax on deck.  After a coffee in Garda, we walked around the little town, finishing up with an Aperol Spritz.  Then the three of us walked slowly along the Lake to Bardolino where we found a little restaurant for some lunch and another Aperol Spritz, finishing with a delicious Limoncello!  We then took a ferry back to Sirmione, and after another Aperol, finished up at the hotel in time to change and meet on my balcony for some Prosecco!  After that it was a lovely dinner in the hotel with lots more bubbles and wine.  A Birthday to remember!

 

Richard and Peter left the day after my birthday and I then spent my days by the pool.  On Saturday afternoon I went for my antigen test – that was quite some journey as the roads and buses were very busy.  So having got a negative test I gave myself an Aperol on my way back to the hotel and had a quiet dinner!

 

After a last day in very hot sunshine, I packed up and had a final dinner.  The next morning I had a very good, if expensive, taxi ride to Milan Malpensa for my flight home.  All went well, only 5 minutes in Passport Control, but in true BA style a long wait for luggage.

 

A fantastic 80^th birthday!