11th September (Diary according to Daniel Hiles)

Liz up earliest (for once!) to check out hostel in case it's cheaper but no-go as it is full. We get up and have bizarre egg/ham sandwiches on sliced white bread (bit of a rarity on the continent. Took no. 1 waterbus to San Marco piazza, it's more than a little strange to see ALL transport on the canals. Also, for once, it is sunny-not a cloud to be seen, this throws us for a bit but we should cope. Arrive in San Marco piazza and there are hoards of tourists-unfortunately it appears they are mainly annoying Americans. See basilica of San Marco-really impressive but there are literally hundreds of pigeons (worse than trafalgar square!) Mike and Tim buy corn in order to play with birds. Wander around for hours Venice is a magical place and some of the views are awesome, it is definitely one of the best looking places so far.Have cold pizza for lunch but damn jealous when Mike and Tim have much nicer warm one for 30p more! Liz has dry bread rolls AGAIN!! Continue to walk around scenic area then take no. 42 waterbus all round the other side of Venice-really taken by the place but then the weather always helps. Head back to hotel for chillout and shower. Head out to pizza restaurant-eventually-o.k. pizza but Tim had packet microwaveable pasta. Also cover and service charge make it cost much more than expected. Walk around looking for bars but all places are really expensive so we buy big bottle of Italian beer and sit on dock of Grand canal, (in the words of the philosopher Tim-"this is what it's all about!"). We then head home and are grateful for the lie down. Although we had walked slowly we had been on our feet for a long time. Feel that we will be able to leave for Rome tomorrow lunchtime though.

(Just to note none of us had any idea of the events which were going on in America that day)