Well, you don't need to resist--though at present the industries in Marghera seem to be burning off ("cleaning out") their smoke stacks or something, and it's common to wake up or go to bed to strong acrid smells, like that of an oil fire, carried into Venice by winds from the west. It can't be healthy. So this may help you resist for the present.
I am coming back - for the whole of March. ay I ask a rather trivial question? Would you recommend I bring my rather heavy rubber boots or are the plastic ones sold during aqua alta adequate? Thanks for your blog. I love it.
November and December are usually considered the worst months for acqua alta--and of the 25 highest tides recorded, only one of them occurred in the spring (in April of 1936). All the rest were in Oct, Nov. Dec, or mid-Feb at the latest. Of course March here is called "marzo pazzo" ("crazy March": as in unpredictable, with wild swings sometimes from mild sunshiny days to chilly, windy rainy ones), and weather events do seem to be getting more extreme generally in the world, but I don't think there's any need for you to bring heavy rubber boots unless you really have a lot of empty space to fill in your suitcases. Also, remember that the high tide of an acqua alta persists for 3 hours at most: the damage that very high tides do is immense, but the tides themselves don't linger for long (except in the unusual "perfect storm" conditions of 1966). A small light sturdy umbrella to carry around with you in a coat pocket or bag is probably more relevant to a March visit than heavy rubber boots! And shoes that won't be damaged if you get caught in a storm. I hope this helps, and thanks for your remarks.
Don't know what a resident would suggest, but I've always brought real wellies, because I'm usually there in Autumn, winter or early spring, simply wouldn't trust those flimsy things! I pack socks and underwear in them, in my case, and then they're there when i need them. Worth getting a pair that wren't unduly heavy.
I'm glad you found them helpful and hope you enjoy your visit. (And if you do suddenly find yourself caught in pelting rain in Venice, remember the more extreme the storm, usually the faster it passes. Take shelter for 10 minutes in a cafe or under an awming and the rain usually diminishes to a drizzle at most.)
You know.... the place really is calling me back again! How long can I resist?
ReplyDeleteWell, you don't need to resist--though at present the industries in Marghera seem to be burning off ("cleaning out") their smoke stacks or something, and it's common to wake up or go to bed to strong acrid smells, like that of an oil fire, carried into Venice by winds from the west. It can't be healthy. So this may help you resist for the present.
DeleteOh dear .... I'll resist until it smells a little sweeter....
DeleteI am coming back - for the whole of March. ay I ask a rather trivial question? Would you recommend I bring my rather heavy rubber boots or are the plastic ones sold during aqua alta adequate? Thanks for your blog. I love it.
ReplyDeleteNovember and December are usually considered the worst months for acqua alta--and of the 25 highest tides recorded, only one of them occurred in the spring (in April of 1936). All the rest were in Oct, Nov. Dec, or mid-Feb at the latest. Of course March here is called "marzo pazzo" ("crazy March": as in unpredictable, with wild swings sometimes from mild sunshiny days to chilly, windy rainy ones), and weather events do seem to be getting more extreme generally in the world, but I don't think there's any need for you to bring heavy rubber boots unless you really have a lot of empty space to fill in your suitcases. Also, remember that the high tide of an acqua alta persists for 3 hours at most: the damage that very high tides do is immense, but the tides themselves don't linger for long (except in the unusual "perfect storm" conditions of 1966). A small light sturdy umbrella to carry around with you in a coat pocket or bag is probably more relevant to a March visit than heavy rubber boots! And shoes that won't be damaged if you get caught in a storm. I hope this helps, and thanks for your remarks.
DeleteDon't know what a resident would suggest, but I've always brought real wellies, because I'm usually there in Autumn, winter or early spring, simply wouldn't trust those flimsy things! I pack socks and underwear in them, in my case, and then they're there when i need them. Worth getting a pair that wren't unduly heavy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the very helpful comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found them helpful and hope you enjoy your visit. (And if you do suddenly find yourself caught in pelting rain in Venice, remember the more extreme the storm, usually the faster it passes. Take shelter for 10 minutes in a cafe or under an awming and the rain usually diminishes to a drizzle at most.)
Delete