Po Delta

I think Piero would have liked us to get up earlier but we said we could make it for 8.30. Off we went to see the Po Delta. En route we passed through Adria, the town that gave its name to the Adriatic because the sea came as far as the city. Gloria told me about the disaster in 1951 when the river Po overflowed its banks and flooded as far as Rovigo. Gloria was 5 then and, along with other children,  she was evacuated until her home was habitable again. There is a village called Norge which got its name because Norway paid to have it rebuilt after the flood.

The Po Delta reminded us a bit of the Camargue and, to put icing on the cake, we saw flamingos eventhough Gloria thought they would all be gone by then. We saw lots of herons and wildlife in the swamps.

Jim has always been fascinated by lizards!

We had a walk along a boardwalk where fishermen had their boats and we watched clams being loaded via a conveyor belt into lorries to be transported wherever. Gloria and Piero obviously know the area very well and chose a local pub for a pre-lunch prosecco and then on to a rather unprepossing premises where we were to lunch. Jim and I would never have chosen it but we were happy to be guided by G. and P. They ordered a traditional lunch which was composed of a starter of grilled gamberi, grilled scampi and grilled sea crickets (cicale di mare). We had never had sea crickets before and really enjoyed them. That was followed by delicious clams. The main course was a selection of grilled fish, one of which was eel. All was delicious! And all was accompanied by house wine and followed by Grappa for Jim and Piero and Limoncello for Gloria and me! The bill came to 60 euros!!!

Outside the cafe following lunch as we waited for Piero who is rather fond of chatting! Gloria is rather shy!












Following lunch we drove along to a beach where we walked and watched men fishing with nets. We crossed a wooden bridge that was suspended on boats.

The remains of salt houses that have been submerged and are still under private ownership - something to do with methane gas?

 Finally, we were making our way back to Rovigo when Piero suddenly turned in to an Osteria which was run by friends. We thought it was just to have a chat with their friends but a carafe of wine was produced. Then Gloria told us that she had arranged that we have another traditional meal! Tables were set in the Osteria (basically a wine pub) and we had a platter of salumi (charcuterie), bresaola, varying dried pork and ham sprinkled with shards of parmesan. Then followed several dishes - beans, stewed beef, polenta and others I can't remember. We finished with chunks of delicious parmigiano cheese. Dinner accompanied by carafes of house wine and followed by grappa and limoncello!! About 5 days food and drink in one day! G. and P. think I am not a drinker at all with all the refusing I have been doing!
When we got back home it was time for bed but Piero warned us that we were to be on the road by 9 in the morning as we had a long trip to Lake Garda.