Verona

From the Porta Borsari to the Amphitheater to the streets to the dinner, all beautiful. I immediately resolve to learn Italian and come to live here forever.

 

Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum

Not enough photos have been taken of Naples. Or Pompeii. And I'm pretty sure the world is short of snaps from Herculaneum. So here are a few to help plug the gap.

Driving the Amalfi Coast

This is one of the worst experiences of my life. 

I had my eyes shut for 90% of the time. (No, I wasn't driving.) 

The bit I do remember was coming off the main road and driving through the restaurant. 

Only drive the Amalfi Coast if you are insane.

 Maybe the start.

 Definitely the end.

How it all goes wrong and right

 

A beautifully located door on the way from Naples. Also our accommodation. The lock broke and we couldn't get in. Then the resident locked themselves out with us. The neighbours joined in, and we all waited for the locksmith. But! From the evening I got a free beer and bag of crisps. Perfetto!

Les Arcs

Walking from the station to find the night's accommodation. I swear France gets more beautiful as the years pass.

But I love how that yukka looks like a delinquent.

VE day

 

I took an old metal tea-pot with a hole in it and offered tea. (No takers.)

Long walking, Somerset

We've taken to summer exploration with some enthusiasm. Involves sleeping in the back of the van-car, a circular walk with history, pub, good weather. Here's the one from Somerset.

 

Expecting a Butterfly Summer?

 

Is this The Most Charmless Post Office in all the UK?

 

Shut for over a year, plus Covid, plus routine power cuts, plus high street closure of the store it runs from, plus rumours of last month's immigration raid, plus the grumpiest staff-on-training I ever met. 

When I think life has taken a turn for the bleak, there's always our local Post Office to lift my spirits.

Walk, Oxfordshire: Blewburton Hill, Cholsey and the Astons

 

Started from Southam, Warickshire

 

En route to the Bridge Theatre

 

York

 

Arrival from the Falklands

 

Renovation project ongoing, year 2...

 

I remain ridiculously proud of my door.

Books for Painters

 

Book Bouquet

 

Valentine's Day and my gift to the nation. Fresh flowers mixed with silk flowers in a Knicker Drawer Note Book.

Words and letters: London