Farewell Ferrara

 Sunday 20th August 2023

Today we decided to take the train to Ferrara as recommended by the hotel reception. We just got on the train and off we went. Sounds easier than it was. Today is Sunday and things are  different.

In order to buy the ticket, we had to take a number and get the ticket which then had to be validated at the platform. We were then able to board the train which was sitting there and you would not believe, was beautifully air conditioned. Today was very hot. I could have stayed on this comfy train with WC and air conditioning forever.

Me at the station with ticket. Success.

After just under an hour, we arrived at Ferrara. Too soon.  

OK so i had not done any research on Ferrara and where everything was. I had assumed it was a small village/town and we would just see everything immediately we were off the train.  Not so.

It was a city and there were signs pointing in the general direction of the churches and museums and general medieval stuff for which it is famous.  Unfortunately it was very hot and a Sunday (Domenica) and everything was shut. There were restaurants and bars nearby but these were shut. 

We went off in the direction of the stuff and after some directions found the main road. It was pretty deserted.

I photographed the map but not helpful

Deserted main road

Deserted town building

Another deserted building with only Paul on that street.

We were hopeful we had found a church.

The church was not only deserted but locked up.

Some weird walkway also deserted.

A deserted street

Nice buildings

A statue which may have been Garibaldi. Famous around here.

And then we found the Estense Castle which was medieval and quite amazing from the moat around it to the little old lady in the paid toilets.  And there were actually other people around all suffering from the heat.

Me on the gangway

Paul in the square

After our long walk to get there, we decided it was far too hot and we needed to go back where it was cool. The train!

So we headed back to the station, a short 20 minute walk, making it a combined almost an hour of walking for the disabled person!

We probably went a slightly long route but got to the station to find the next train to Bologna sitting at the platform, air conditioned in all its glory.  Thank god, even though his church was shut.

A very quiet afternoon followed. Our pattern has been to have a big breakfast, have fruit for lunch and then have an evening meal. Not sure how healthy this is but it is convenient. We both had siestas this afternoon and soon it was dinner time.

Where to go in this gastronomical heaven?

We walked back down to the main square to find a ristorante that has gluten-bloody-free food. I was surprised to find it known about but not necessarily catered for.

We found an interesting place that met the criteria of (1) air-conditioning  and (2) gluten-bloody-food options.

Very Italian

Look, two air-conditioners. It is very hot here.

 

Every eatery in Italy provides you with salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar and olive oil for the table. Tonight we got something unidentified. The orange liquid.

These are the breads. I got the rice things. Yum.

We shared a seafood salad which was really really good.

Paul had a great pizza with fantastic crust and too much for one. Perfect for sharing. HaHa

I had risotto with gorgonzola and pear. It was pretty good but the rice was a little undercooked for my taste. And it looked boring next to Paul's.

And then we could eat no more and headed back to the hotel. I was completely exhausted and was horrified to discover later that I had done 13,699 steps in 35 degree heat today. Not surprised because it felt like it, but horrified nonetheless.

Good practice for our walking food tour tomorrow and then the big football game tomorrow night which will involve more stairs than I did today in train stations.  

More stairs than I have ever done.