Tag: the extraordinary
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A walk through Shkoder to Rozafa Castle
Well where shall I start. I rather like it here. Shkoder is definitely a city of contrasts. This morning I woke to the sound of a cockerel from some garden nearby and then breakfasted in the garden on fried eggs, a type of spicy sausage, coffee, fruit juice, delicious bread and jam … all for…
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Morning at The Albertina … Lichtenstein, The Blaue Reiter, Die Brucke and other delights
A beautiful and warm morning and yet another gallery. Im a bit obsessed I think no but they give such pleasure and open my eyes to new things. The Lichtenstein was really wonderful really well curated. I saw an aspect of his work I was unaware of. I knew of his use of comics, films…
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Musee D’Orsay … impressionists
This afternoon I visited an impressionist exhibition at the Museum. It was wonderful telling the story of the beginnings of Impressionism. In 1874 the artists who were excluded from the traditional Salon decided to mount their own … The Salon de Refusees. It was the first coming together of artists we now know as Impressionists.…
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Entangled Pasts … Art and Colonialism at the Royal Academy
As you enter the courtyard you are instantly arrested by First Supper by Tavares Strachan a reimagining of Leonardo’s Last Supper in black and gold portraying famous black historical figures. It’s a suitable introduction to this exhibition exploring art in the eighteenth century and beyond and its difficult, complex and often contentious relationship with slavery…
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A visit to Queer Cinema Festival
The film I’ve just seen was a documentary on Intersec. It was stunning, touching, heartbreaking and joyful. The experiences of the people interviewed were shocking and troubling and the efforts made to maintain a purely binary view of sexual identity by society and the medical profession were terrible and still exist today. What came through…
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Today … visits to Flea Market at Santo Spirito, Brancacci Chapel and Queer Cinema
Last night I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Laura’s with some of her friends. I had met Gregorio and Roberta before. They are charming. They had a very rapid conversation about the Meloni situation which was amusing. Cloister at Santo Spirito … a rather austere church Santo Spirito contains a crucifix by the young Michelangelo……
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At the Munch Museum
I was blown away by this museum. A comprehensive view of Munch his life, his art and his themes and their interconnection. Of course like the Mona Lisa the Scream was almost impossible to see. However the vast array of prints, paintings and drawings more than made up for it. The themes that coloured Munich’s…
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Catching the bus to Lammassaari for a country walk
I decided to get out of the city for a little and enjoy some country air. Lammassaari is an island nature reserve a twenty minute bus ride from Helsinki city centre. So I put on my boots and my new Estonian socks and headed out. It was easy to get to in the 71 bus…
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Telliskivi graffiti and more
I visited this wonderful boho and bougie area this afternoon. It’s really great … cool and upbeat. It was a former industrial complex and now is home to art galleries, restaurants, a world beating photographic museum, a container hotel and many independent shops and bars. A great place to wander and have a coffee and…
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A museum for everything … some x-rated … be warned
KGB headquarters… very chilling stories Prostitution display at Tallin City Museum
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A morning in Tallinn
The tourists have arrived in force as the cruise ships are docking this morning. Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, German and many Americans. Question asked in Tourist Information; “ what can I see in the city in two hours? I have to be back on the ship.” Hansa trading city Tallinn has a fascinating history. The…
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Leaving for home! But before I leave a visit to Musee Carnavalet
Well I start my last day in Europe before I leave for London this afternoon. before I go I’m going to visit an exhibition of Philippe Starck the designer at the Carnavalet Museum nearby.. the whole experience has been wonderful. The first couple of days in Paris was lovely and I enjoyed renewing my acquaintance…
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The afternoon tour
This afternoon our tour with the lovely Maurizio took us to the 13th century church of Santa Maria Novella. Not necessarily beautiful architecturally though it was interesting. A large church it’s principal interest lay in the wonderful frescoes in the Tornabuoni chapel by Ghirlandaio from the late 15th century and those earlier frescoes in another…
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A visit to the Museo del Duomo e La Battisteria
This morning I awoke a little later than usual. I didn’t realise how tired I was. I had booked tickets for the museum and the Baptistery as the weekend is free. It’s a little drizzly today but very warm. The museum is excellent. To preserve them many of the original sculptures together with Ghiberti’s fabulous…
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At Pere Lachaise
This is such a beautiful cemetery. Burial place of the rich and famous. There are so many graves and monuments and it’s so peaceful. Birds and trees and the sunshine today is wonderful … the place is full of strolling tourists. I think there are over a million burials … it’s still in use ……
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Ravenna III
Baptistery of Neoniano Another beautiful little brick building hiding wonders. Sixth century. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves
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Il Torre Asinelli
I did it … 97.2m and 498 steps … I as terrified but it was exhilarating… and fantastic views of the city … when I dared get close enough to the edge. There used to be over 100 towers in Bologna but only 24 remain. Asinelli is the tallest. The neighbouring tower, Garisanda leans at…
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Some quotes I’ve been thinking on lately which seem to resonate with me more than ever
Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year’s time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings.…
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Escaping ….
I’ve called this blog escape to myself and it’s struck me how many people I’ve met are escaping from something… or trying to find a place where they fit. Like me there is a dissatisfaction with their lives and they are consumed with the idea that somewhere there is that place in which they find…
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A really unexpected evening …
Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world. ….. quote from John Evelyn “Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer”….E.M. Forster, Howards…
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… to Aquileia… a hidden jewel
I wasn’t sure what I would find here. A train journey and then waiting for a bus it seemed quite a journey as it’s about 40 miles from Trieste. However I’d heard about it and it is yet another UNESCO world heritage site so I thought it would be worth a look. I walked a…
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Street Art in Desanzano del Garda
This is a very pretty little town: and very up market. As a result there is a lot of interesting street art. The big fibreglass animals are great fun. There are also some good modern sculptures throughout the squares I had the chance to catch a street installation … “Riflessi del Lago”. Using recycled clothing…
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San Gimignano … an almost too perfect Town
I’m sitting outside the hostel listening to church bells as I write this. the drive to San Gimignano took us through some beautiful scenery. Vineyards of Chianti country, grey green olive groves. Forested hills and valleys until we finally climbed the steep hill to the town. The Italians take their history and culture very seriously.…
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I love a good arm reliquary and an embalmed Saint … Lucca Cathedral
There is nothing like a good bone in a silver arm or a Saint behind a glass case. Spooky but fascinating. The cathedral treasury had some beautiful objects. It houses il Volto Santo or holy Face of Lucca, a represention of Christ crucified dating from the 8th century. This was, until recently carried in procession…
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A morning in Nervi
Just 15 minutes by train from the centre of Genoa is Nervi. Today it looks fabulous. No tourists so I’m sitting writing this in a cafe by the sea. It’s a pretty little town and I’m practicing my Italian where I can. For €1.50 what a bargain on the train! I think I may be…
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The passages of Genoa
My friend (who often visits Genoa) advised me to steer clear of these alleys in the old town at night😀. I think I’ll follow his advice and explore them in the day. They look so inviting in the day. Genoa has an edgy vibe which I quite like. Exploring tomorrow
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Looking back to Paris
Well having left Paris behind I’m looking at the highlights of my visit and my impressions. Firstly the people I met … friendly and witty. The buildings beautiful and well kept. The vibe was so exciting, on trend and easy. I think the 4eme is wonderful. So many independent shops of all types; wonderful chocolatiers,…
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Off the tourist track
Walking with a native Parisian reveals the small corners and unusual sights … a flea market, perfumer that sells coffee, graffiti and some wonderful bookshops dedicated to art, literature, lmanga, fashion and photography
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At the Musee D’Orsay
What a wonderful and humane Manet was. Breaking the centuries old barriers of art consumed by the male gaze. No longer a “nude” but a naked prostitute looking the viewer straight in the eye. This is no coy woman at a man’s beck and call.
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Catalyst
2022 has been a strange year; my life pivoted in July when I hit an age I never imagined I could be; 70! Then I encountered a much younger man and became madly infatuated with him. He was beautiful, sensitive and so open emotionally. At 70 I never expected such an intense sexual relationship. Older…
Escape to myself 