Lavarone

Another successful day in Italy.
Last night we had dinner with Matteo (Lizze's friend) who helped us find our accommodation and gave us tips on how to get around. Was great to get a chance to thank him and make the most if his Italian language skills! He took us to a little restaurant in Rovereto which served tapa's of all the local specialties. The very amusing waitress gesticulated her way through the menu before virtually ordering for us but the food and wine was very tasty. Our last few meals have been the obligatory pizza and gelato which is delicious but good to have a change.
We have just got back from dinner at Matteo's place with his family, pasta was on the menu and delish! Was awesome to be able to see the inside of the big old buildings too, lovely apartment which I accidentally gave myself a tour of while trying to leave.

This morning we attempted to go training up at Lavarone.
Turns out Lizzie was slightly over-confident with her German skills and I can understand more Italian than I realised. Our 8am bus did in fact only run on the weekend, unfortunate given it's Thursday and the next bus wasn't until 12.30.
It all worked out well in the end as it gave us time to explore the castle in Rovereto which is also a museum of World War 1. The Trentino area is quite interesting as it's heritage is as much Austrian as it is Italian. The Trentino region was the front of World War 1 so there is a lot of history in the area. Up around Asiago (where we head to on Saturday) the maps are dotted with the remains of the trenches which is a little unnerving at times. Last time I was here with the NZ team for JWOC we would often come across mass grave sites from the war as we were running along.
Even more unnerving is that we learnt in the museum that most of the war in this region was fought with land mines, great news when we are running through the forest in areas where most people don't usually go!!!!

We did eventually make it to the map in Lavarone which is where the long distance for WOC is. It's a really fun little area and I couldn't help running along getting excited about the WOC race. Our timing proved impeccable as we both finished running just as the heavens opened and the thunder and lightening rolled in.
A caffe in Hotel du Lac got us through until the bus arrived. We found out that Lavarone has 1000 permanent residents (info for you Dad!) spread over 22 villages. We've been admiring all the tiny villages dotted around the mountains from the bus. They're perched so precariously on the tops of the cliffs which are backed by more cliffs then more cliffs. Seems to be the nature of the Dolomites. Luckily for us the tops of the cliffs flatten out into plateau's, so while the maps are steep it's not quite rock climbing.
We are based in Lavarone for WOC week so looking forward to heading back up there.

Tomorrow we meet up with friends, probably a good thing as Lizzie made me sit by myself on the bus today. She claimed it was to spare me from her post run perfume but I have other theories.
Lachy and Ness from Australia and Alex from USA become our motley crew for the weekend.
The first race is on Saturday, a sprint relay which will be my first experience of one so should be good. Lizzie has suggested a team name of Lach Ness Grizzle (we are currently just Team Grizzle) which appeals to me a lot.

Italy part 1 - Rovereto

Ciao!
Have finally made it to Europe. After all the planning and logistical excitement it wasn't until the morning I left that it actually hit me that I'm not sure when I'll next be back in NZ. A lot of tears ensued followed by some very hasty goodbye hugs at the airport (sorry Mum, Dad and Ingo) so I wasn't too much of a mess going through security alone.
The first flight was full of excitement when a lovely 5 year old across the aisle from me decided that he couldn't wait to make it to the toilet and managed to wet both himself and the neighbouring seats. Thankfully I was spared!
The second flight I knocked myself out with some great drug combo's before a delightful 6 hour wait at Milan airport for Lizzle. There is nothing to do at Milan airport, it is especially tricky when you have all your gear and need to go to the loo. I made friends with other loners and worked it out, getting good at this travelling thing!

We're onto our third day in Italy and staying in Rovereto, in the Trentino region.
We spent the first two days exploring while recovering from jet lag, such a luxury compared to other trips where it all seems very rushed. Last night we discovered a bell of peace and the military memorial up a steep hill on our run. Much to our disappointment they didn't fit our Italian generalisation and were closed at 6.30. Lizzie convinced me not to climb the fence as there were cameras so that's a Friday morning activity.
We had our first day on a map today up at Folgaria which was good fun but seriously steep. Managed to find 2 Bambi's and some epic views. The bus rides are about an hour to each map but quite a cool way to see the surrounding region. Today we were the annoying tourists jumping all over the bus trying to get pictures and see the castle as we drove past. (Photos are proving too technical for me right now, hopefully next time).

Tomorrow we gain friends in the form of some of the Great British girls who we're planning to meet at the map. Then Friday we meet up with 2 Aussie's and an American to head to the races this weekend up in the mountains around Asiago. It's all happening!

The blog is born!

After some gentle persuasion from A-Wat I have decided to start up a blog to keep family and friends updated with my travels.
Will mostly consist of photos and odd snippets of activities in Europe. I will probably get carried away with details about my orienteering, so apologies to those who don't understand what a contour is, feel free to skim those parts.
One more day of work then freedom and adventure awaits me in the form of Cathay Pacific on Sunday morning. A brief itinerary for those that would like to eagerly anticipate my next update (Mum and Dad):
Italy, Norway, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Italy, WOC!! (deserves a special mention), Italy with Matty and Van (same country, VERY different activities), Switzerland, Austria?, Czech Republic?, SWEDEN!
This takes me all the way through to mid-August with a few tbc's towards the end.
Bring on Italia and the Dolomites!!