A VT meeting in Bassano del Grappa (IT).

Santi; VTer Redang came back to northern Italy, so it was a good  opportunity to meet him. We agreed to meet in Bassano del Grappa. This is a nice town not OriettaIT) for a meeting. I invited to this meeting my friend Patrizia (VT member WXWXR) If you don't know what VT is please see; www.virtualtourist.com

One of the highlight of Bassano del Grappa is this bridge which crosses the Brenta river. In the late 1500 it was designed by Andrea Palladio; a famous Italian architect. Already in the 1200 a bridge existed on that place. Later it collapsed various times and after its destruction in the WWII war it was rebuilt according the original plan of Palladio.

The weather wasn't fine. It rained almost all day.

After lunch we had coffee (or something else; herbal tea or a soft drink) at a beautiful cafe. Here's Orietta.

Here's Dave (VT member painterdave).

This is part of the town hall with a loggia and the clock.

We went inside the oldest bakery in Bassano, because one of us liked to buy some bread.

Four of us on the bridge. The fifth; Orietta was taking the pic.

I don't know why somebody wanted to take a pic on this road.

These are Orietta's shoes.

Small orchards and pets.

A couple of days ago I paid a visit to a cousin of mine living in a nursing home. We spent some time in one of the gardens. I had my camera with me and I couldn't resist to take some pics of the small orchards built to keep the house's guests occupied.

A small orchard, or some vases with herbs it one of the things I'd like to make someday.

Here's my mother and my cousin Ernestina. She was my grand mother's cousin. She is now 89.

Aubergines! It's one of my favourite vegetables.

The nursing home hosts also some pets. Two chickens, some turtles and a cat. This one you see isn't the home cat.

The charity market.

Mercatino missionario is a charity market held in my village three times a year. It is organized and ran by a group called Gruppo Missionario Santa  Teresina del Bambin Gesù. This is my mother posing beside some of her cookies.

There are lots of beautiful items at this market. Most of these are handmade. In this pic you see Anna (one of the members of the group) ; on the right with some customers.

Here you can see some colorful creations on sale.

The money got from this market goes to several missions in the thirld world and especially to well known missionaries.