Bonjourno.....

 Welcome back to my little part of the world. Today, I am going to take you on a little flight. I hope you remembered your passports, sunblock, flipflops and a knotted hankie. Here is your boarding card, enjoy the ride, and the view.

I have not travelled as widely as I would have liked in my life. But I love airports, the build up to a flight, the packing. I don't get stressed or worried about it. I feel travelling is in my blood. There is a rumour there is Romany in my family which could explain a lot. More about my heritage in another blog.
I do have this side to my character which means if I could, I would catch a plane at the drop of a hat and blow the consequences. In truth I want someone special to travel with me.
I do get a little grumpy and overheated in blistering heat, so certain places appeal more.

Since I was as young as I can remember I always loved Lake Garda. I have no idea where this originally came from, it may have been a book/programme, but I used to make my mum laugh by saying it was somewhere I had to go, like an obsession. I am prone to an occasional obsession, so be warned, if I have one deep enough, it never ever stops!

I had been to other parts of Italy, Sicily, etc, but when it came to my 40th birthday, I felt this was the right time. This was in November, so the climate was cooler.
If you remember I had met back up with my Dad after 25 years, and by this time I had investigated a little family history. A few surprises, but later! Stop pressing the air hostess button, all in good time!

As the plane touched down, I thought well isn't this nice, the flight had shown some impressive mountain and lake views, but still a bit misty, so not crystal clear.
The flight arrived at some ridiculous O'Clock and I think it was a couple of hours journey by coach to the hotel. Cheap flight so airport nowhere near the hotel, you get the idea, bucket seats cheap as chips.

Anyways, its pitch black as the coach sets off. It went through tunnels, so long and so deep it was strange, another world. I took in the scenery, stunning houses, the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen. I have always had a connection with Italy, it gives me goosebumps, I never knew why. I have inherited a 6th sense, this is another of my traits. No you can't get up to see that blog, sit down and buckle up!

The light started to come through, a beautiful sunset across a the first view of the lake. I was stunned by how big it was. I had imagined it smaller, but that was as a younger small person!

The coach continued and I happened to look up, It was like enlightenment, a strange feeling, I realised the tunnel was actually going through the mountain, and the awesomeness of it hit me. I felt so in touch with something. My eyes filled with tears and I sobbed my heart out. You know me by now, the numpty who cries at the drop of a hat. This was different, like my heart depended on it. The tears just ran and ran and ran. It was a very deep intense connection.

The destination was Torbole. Beautiful hotel, on the lakeside, welcomed by the family staff who prepared food as if we were family, the most kindest people you could imagine. Cooking for us travellers, at a ridiculous hour still, I have never known that in other resorts.
An exhausted sleep and dreams ensued.

Something woke me a little later, a duck outside on a bit of the lake. It was a noisy little bleeder and never stopped quacking the whole holiday. No alarm clock needed for Miss Jones. But it was as if it was saying, "Come on get out your lazy bed and look"

I tumbled out of bed (please don't imagine it, seriously, I look like the Wreck of Esperance
after a spring clean!) pulled back the curtain and I stopped breathing for a minute I am sure. I felt as if heaven was in front of me. The lake, the sun, the foliage. But it was the mountains, The most stunning range I had ever seen. I had been to Corfu, I love the Greek islands with a passion, so know what floats my boat.
This range absolutely blew me away for a different reason. I had connections here, I just knew it.

I just stood on the balcony with shivers down my spine. The sad thing that struck me, however, was that the person with me, was not the one to share this with me. It suddenly seemed poignant that he was snoring through the tunnels, and was now.
The tears rolled again, because I really hadn't learned my lesson. The numpty had not been her true self. Here I was again, somewhere beautiful, the most special part of my life, and I felt lonelier than I had ever been. I knew I was 40, and things had to change. Somehow, I had to find the right path and make it to the other side, without looking back this time.

The holiday remained beautiful because of the scenery, the people who I found to be awesome, the air which was refreshing, the food which was out of this world. Although I have to admit I am not keen on the real Italian pizza. Maybe because I made the mistake of ordering one and it was delivered, it was the size of the table. I nearly fell off the chair. I looked around and giggled, as I caught sight of people laughing looking as if to say. "we did that, but only once!"
My personal favourites are lemon risotto, and spaghetti/pasta dishes. Seafood doesn't really float my boat (apart from prawns, sardines Greek style etc) - sorry fishermen, for that reason, I'm (mostly) out, (but not fishing).

Another strange passion of mine is a little opera. I'm a bit fussy, Carmen, Nutcracker Suite, anything with a real passion within it (like me).
My main love is Bocelli. I adore his music and am actually listening as I write.
On a day trip to Venice (sorry this did not float my boat. I have a phobia of rats and the sight of them at high tide put me off for life. I felt trapped in the alleys and although I  am open to try something new, it was not for me). Another comical thing is that the person with me adored it and always has (you get me?!)
Anyway the gorgeous Italian guide Maria (they are all called Maria) said on the way back, lets have some music and put on her favourite CD. On came the dulcit tones of Bocelli. The mountains at twilight, the voice I loved, and snoring next to me. For that reason on came the tears again. But again realisation of where I needed to go in my life.

Well that is a little flight of discovery.
Hold tight we are preparing for landing my lovelies. Please put your seat upright madam,and gently, do not upset the mans coffee in the seat behind you, Joan Collins style. Miss Jones ensures you are all sitting comfortably and buckled up and takes her own seat.
The landing is a little bumpy, with the memories of realisation, but hope for a better future.

A little later, my Dad came to visit me. I shared the holiday photos with him and he absorbed it all, he has a love of similar things. He had brought me some family documents for my family history research. I explained my feelings whilst I was there. He smiled and said "Its not surprising" Confused, I asked why. He then said you can search all you like but there is one bit you won't find in the documents. He went on to explain that apparently my Great Nan had met an Italian man, who lived in Garda, had an affair, and that is how my paternal side had continued! The family spent many happy times in Garda, and it was always "their" place.
I asked him why he hadn't told me before I left for the trip. He just laughed. I knew he wanted me to feel it for myself.
Perhaps that explains my dark hair, my love of mountains, plus water, as that is where I am truly happy. Maybe it explains my love of a bit of opera, the language, the people. It could be why people tell me my eyes are my main feature. Who knows.
But I found myself there, and I will never forget that experience.

Its not all sad. Recently I am beginning to see a new path. There are mountains ahead. But I am looking through the trees, I can see the lake. And this time, however rough the terrain, however steep the climb, I will not give up.
The sun is always shining through the trees. Look hard enough, its there.
This time I will not look back

(your only homework, Miss Jones is not that strict - translate to find the ending....and if you have never listened to opera, indulge..

 

#  Ogni volta che si raggiunge per me, che farò tutto quello che posso

Stiamo andando per qualcosa, da qualche parte non sono mai stato

A volte sono guidata ma io sono pronto a imparare per il potere dell'amore

 

Anche se ci possono essere periodi, sembra che io sono lontano

Ma non chiedo mai dove sono io, perché io sono sempre al tuo fianco    #

 

 

 

From me to you

Much love, eternally

 

BJ

xx