Monday, August 13, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
"Butterflies Are Self Propelled Flowers"
Giorno Sette martedi 17th luglio
Today we planned to visit the Marble quarries of Cararra. We had intended to set off early, but having spotted a Swallow Tail butterfly in the garden, we stayed another half an hour trying to get ‘just one more’ elusive photograph.
Today we planned to visit the Marble quarries of Cararra. We had intended to set off early, but having spotted a Swallow Tail butterfly in the garden, we stayed another half an hour trying to get ‘just one more’ elusive photograph.
William Of Orange?
The trip to Cararra was pretty uneventful, down to Lucca, autostrada up to Viareggio, supposedly autostrada to Carrara, but having left the autostrada at Viareggio (it just petered out) it required a detailed knowledge of all Italian towns, North and South (which we didn’t have) a compass, a map and perhaps Randolph Fiennes – anyway the entrance remained elusive and after what seemed ages we arrived at Carrara. In a way, it was fortuitous, had we located the autostrada we would have missed driving through Massa (the town before Carrara) and seeing orange trees lining the main street (amazing!)
You Can't Ski On Marble!
The weather was scorching as we sat having our picnic in the car and were glad to only walk a short distance round the corner into The Marble Museum. The chap who ran the museum was really unhelpful and the only Italian we met who couldn’t speak English! The history contained in the museum was fascinating and the examples held there were varied, smooth and cool. We watched a video which told us everything we wanted to know, including details of the largest whole piece of marble ever quarried and showed film of how they transported it to the docks to be taken to Rome to be used as a monolith. (Luckily we had a choice of watching the video in English) Having left the museum we asked ‘grumpy boots’ where we could go and find a quarry and he directed us to the Information Centre across the road. There we met our only red headed Italian, who was extremely helpful and gave us several maps and clear instructions.
View Of Marble Quarries From The Car...
The sites we saw on the way to the quarries were breathtaking and if the photos look a little grainy, it’s because they were taken from inside the car as we went along. There just wasn’t the option of stopping at a good vantage point.
Quick Step or Tango?
Before long we were parked outside ‘The Largest Marble Mine In The World’ or so it said – which was strange as we expected them to be all quarries. There was a cardboard clock on the side of a small hut stating that the next tour would begin in about 20 minutes. We were told to come back nearer the time, collect a safety hat and board one of the Mini buses – but not to pay until we got back - which at the time seemed a little odd. Soon we were bumping along inside a huge mountain, hoping that the speck of light at the end of the tunnel would not disappear, but relishing the coolness of the constant 16 degrees centigrade (we even wore our coats!). We had a lovely guide who talked us through all the different processes used, her Italian accent using ‘the’ in front of every word and rolling lots of ‘r’s. We got to see and feel the helicoidal and diamond impregnated wire that the marble is now cut with. The size the blocks are huge and judging from the small amount of noise we made and how loud we seemed, to have men working machinery in there must be completely deafening. Apparently staying underground for eight hours at a time drives you potty and the miners see figures in the stone they have cut. We thought we could see two dancers and Madonna and Child in the cut face and we were only down there 20 minutes!! At the end of the tour everyone loaded back in the vans and trundled off. Unfortunately, where there had been three vans to bring us in, there were now only two and having been occupied by taking ‘just one more’ photo, we found ourselves without transport for our trip back to the outside world. “Don’t worry, we be back in 5 minutes to collect you” said our guide…after 10 we were beginning to worry…
Follow The White Dusty Road...
The scenery of the quarries was so amazing we decided to carry on a bit further to ogle at more of the same, but managed to miss a turning to Colonnata which we soon realised when the road abruptly developed ruts the size of small drainage channels and the incline changed to almost vertical. Hmm, time to turn back, the bubble car just couldn’t hack it! The joke of it was that a 4x4 had followed us up and whereas that’s exactly the sort of terrain meant for that sort of car, the occupants were clearly worried about getting dust on their paintwork!
After that we made our decent to the town of Carrara, had a nice walk round, an ice cream in the park and then on to Viareggio. There’s something about Viareggio as a seaside resort which just oozes class and makes you want to come back. Posh shops on the seafront and an endless supply of inviting restaurants allowing you to sit outside in comfort., what more could you want? We chose the one with the most people (it was obviously popular) and luckily we didn’t have to wait too long before we were seated between a table of old ladies and their sea food platters (was that really a small octopus I saw disappearing into the mouth of the lady with orange hair?) and another table of a young couple who had mussels followed by a florescent coloured pasta. We on the other hand had melone e prosciutto - Graham’s favourite, (I’d rather eat them separately) then I had grilled Seabream (disappointingly had too many bones and not enough flesh, but tasted very good and Graham had breaded veal. By this time it was now 10 o’clock and we realised that we hadn’t even seen the sea, so we found a place to cross the sand (most areas are cordoned off and you hire a sun bed for the day in an enclosure) and made our way down to the water where a new moon was attempting to balance on the end of a newly built pier…
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
En Route To Lucca...
This bridge is known locally as 'Devil's Bridge' and the story behind it is quite remarkable. According to legend, the Devil offered to build the bridge in return for possession of the first soul to cross it, the 'canny' villagers agreed and when it was finished sent a dog across...
Giorno Sei lunedi 16th luglio
Some places you visit on holiday are like visiting Sirens, you feel compelled to go back every year. Nothing compares with the rush of excitement as you round the corner, even though you know nothing will have changed. Lucca is one of those places. It is a walled town of amazing beauty and however many times you visit, you will find new treasures to marvel at. We always enter Lucca at the wrong gate, so for future reference, it’s best to go in via Elsa Gate. Around the inside of the walls is the main parking and we’ve never had a problem finding a space, just make sure you go armed with enough Euros, as it’s 1 per hour. (I’m beginning to sound like a tourist guide) Lastly, remember to head for the Information Centre first as you will need a map. (End of lecture!) The one thing we hadn’t quite planned for was the intensity of the heat, but at Lucca it is always breezy, so this helped. First we had a picnic on top of the town ramparts. It wasn’t any different from last year, but it was oh so good to be back, to drink in the atmosphere and to watch the world go by on their bicycles.
Some places you visit on holiday are like visiting Sirens, you feel compelled to go back every year. Nothing compares with the rush of excitement as you round the corner, even though you know nothing will have changed. Lucca is one of those places. It is a walled town of amazing beauty and however many times you visit, you will find new treasures to marvel at. We always enter Lucca at the wrong gate, so for future reference, it’s best to go in via Elsa Gate. Around the inside of the walls is the main parking and we’ve never had a problem finding a space, just make sure you go armed with enough Euros, as it’s 1 per hour. (I’m beginning to sound like a tourist guide) Lastly, remember to head for the Information Centre first as you will need a map. (End of lecture!) The one thing we hadn’t quite planned for was the intensity of the heat, but at Lucca it is always breezy, so this helped. First we had a picnic on top of the town ramparts. It wasn’t any different from last year, but it was oh so good to be back, to drink in the atmosphere and to watch the world go by on their bicycles.
Not Quite Alice...
View Of, Anfiteatro Romano, Taken In A Mirror, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Elton At Lucca...
Lucca, like all Italian towns has a main square (Piazza Napoleone) where concerts are held each year. You do have to pay for the ones at Lucca, but I was so disappointed to find that Elton John had played there the day before we arrived in Italy and Norah Jones on the Saturday! We did have the choice of seeing Ricki Martin or George Michael, but that would have been all our holiday money gone and we were already racing through it at a rate of knots.
Too Hot For Singing...
I had planned to visit the Puccini museum which had been in a state of renovation during our first visit two years ago. but although the scaffolding had been taken away and there was a notice: ‘Museo Di Puccini’, the museum itself didn’t exist. (It was housed in a modern prefab on the town walls) We treated ourselves to an ice cream at the Piazza Anfiteatro and would still be there, but had to go to get out of the heat. Next we headed for the cycle hire area. Graham didn’t think we’d manage it in the heat, but I was determined to prove that I could now ride a bicycle with ease now that my hernia has been mended. I was in a bit of discomfort, but it only hurt during and strangely not after the event. We had to leave about 6.00pm to get back to base reasonably early. Graham had arranged to have a ‘phone conference’ with a firm in New York at 8.00pm, so we collected a few provisions at the local shop on the way back and while Graham held court for over an hour, I borrowed his camera and attempted to take pictures of the villages on the opposite side of the valley which were so beautifully bathed in the golden evening light.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Oh To Be Back In Longoio...
Giorno Cinque domencia 15th luglio
Sunday was our first rest day and I celebrated by having a mammoth lie in (I think I forgot to get up). By the time I did come round, the sun was hot and Graham had already reached the fifth chapter of a book he’d found to read. We continued with a leisurely morning spent sunbathing, me washing my hair and then cooking a sparse Sunday dinner consisting of chicken with lemon, potatoes wedges laced with olive oil, (found in the cupboard) rosemary (cut from the bush in the garden) and sea salt (also found in the cupboard). By 4.00pm, the heat was just about beginning to retreat (we hoped) – so jumped into the bubble car and set off in search of a village we could just make out clinging to the mountain in the distance.
The roads in Italy are very narrow and winding – unless you have been there you can have no concept of how bad they really are. Unfortunately they are a means to an end and unless you follow their tortuous route, you have no chance of reaching you goal and as every village has a certain charm there’s no other way. So it was we began our little ‘jaunt, me holding on tight to the door handle trying to combat the centrifugal forces and Graham with both hands gripping the steering wheel, looking every bit as though it would snap off in his hands!
Sunday was our first rest day and I celebrated by having a mammoth lie in (I think I forgot to get up). By the time I did come round, the sun was hot and Graham had already reached the fifth chapter of a book he’d found to read. We continued with a leisurely morning spent sunbathing, me washing my hair and then cooking a sparse Sunday dinner consisting of chicken with lemon, potatoes wedges laced with olive oil, (found in the cupboard) rosemary (cut from the bush in the garden) and sea salt (also found in the cupboard). By 4.00pm, the heat was just about beginning to retreat (we hoped) – so jumped into the bubble car and set off in search of a village we could just make out clinging to the mountain in the distance.
The roads in Italy are very narrow and winding – unless you have been there you can have no concept of how bad they really are. Unfortunately they are a means to an end and unless you follow their tortuous route, you have no chance of reaching you goal and as every village has a certain charm there’s no other way. So it was we began our little ‘jaunt, me holding on tight to the door handle trying to combat the centrifugal forces and Graham with both hands gripping the steering wheel, looking every bit as though it would snap off in his hands!
View From Our New Friend's House...
We stopped first at Palleggio, a delightful village complete with the usual vineyards, olive groves and built on a steep hill (which makes sense of the fact that the only animals you see in these parts are goats). We parked at the bottom and found a path to lead us up to the centre. Graham was about 5 metres in front – I’d stopped to take a photo or two and on my way up a set of steps I bumped into two old ladies who addressed me in French (they thought I was French, I was so glad they did as I could understand them) After exchanging pleasantries they said we must come and meet ‘so ‘n’ so’ (didn’t catch the name) as we were English. We weren’t quite sure why we needed to talk to this chap, but trying to be polite we thought we should at least say ‘hello’. What happened next was slightly bizarre…
It turned out ‘The chap’ (we never did catch his name) had lived and worked in Chicago for 29 years, married a Filipino (having met her in a very strange set of circumstances) and he had returned when his mother was ill (she no longer with us) and his wife had stayed in America. So now he was an Italian who spoke English/American with Italian intonation (which made him quite difficult to understand) and had a wife who visited him every year…It seemed the natural thing to do to show us around his Italian home (one of my greatest ambitions). All Italian homes are dark and cool inside.(it makes sense) The large double glazed front door led directly into the living room which was dominated by a huge flat screen television in the centre of a floor to ceiling sideboard, this led through to a large kitchen with an anti-room with a small sink to the side. Back through the living room there were other rooms, bedrooms, ensuites (for when his brother from Canada came to visit) and we were even shown his mother’s bedroom, with a large mother of pearl inlaid bedstead, (luckily no sign of the body) and his room with very modest 1970s fittings. It turned out he’d been a machinist who had a keen interest in cameras (he had several Leicas). All in all it turned out to be a very memorable occasion – and all because he so missed conversing in English…
It turned out ‘The chap’ (we never did catch his name) had lived and worked in Chicago for 29 years, married a Filipino (having met her in a very strange set of circumstances) and he had returned when his mother was ill (she no longer with us) and his wife had stayed in America. So now he was an Italian who spoke English/American with Italian intonation (which made him quite difficult to understand) and had a wife who visited him every year…It seemed the natural thing to do to show us around his Italian home (one of my greatest ambitions). All Italian homes are dark and cool inside.(it makes sense) The large double glazed front door led directly into the living room which was dominated by a huge flat screen television in the centre of a floor to ceiling sideboard, this led through to a large kitchen with an anti-room with a small sink to the side. Back through the living room there were other rooms, bedrooms, ensuites (for when his brother from Canada came to visit) and we were even shown his mother’s bedroom, with a large mother of pearl inlaid bedstead, (luckily no sign of the body) and his room with very modest 1970s fittings. It turned out he’d been a machinist who had a keen interest in cameras (he had several Leicas). All in all it turned out to be a very memorable occasion – and all because he so missed conversing in English…
Friday, August 03, 2007
Third Time Lucky - Don't Forget To Book!
Giorno Quattro sabato 14th July
Saturday dawned as hot as ever. Eager to get to the Ducati Factory in plenty of time, we checked out of the hotel, filled up with petrol and attempted to negotiate the tangentale. Unfortunately we managed to get on going the wrong direction, but eventually, with 5 minutes to spare we made it to the meeting point along with about 20 other eager anticipants. Luckily they arranged for two groups to go round, one Italian and one English (although in our group, I believe we were the only real English people, others were from America, Australia etc) All the males spent the whole time with a look of amazement on their faces, finding it hard to believe they were really there. All the females on the other hand had a strange air of resolve – it’s now 11.00am and they shut at 1.00pm, only 2 hours and we can get on. To be fair it was an interesting experience, the factory had people working on the bikes even though it was a Saturday and the actual areas were kept very neat and tidy – in fact you could have eaten your dinner off the floor it was so clean. We saw all the bikes in various stages of completion. As a male dominated country our guide was keen to point out the value of having female workers saying things like: “ We need women to machine these particular parts as they are the only ones with small enough fingers to get to the tiny parts”. And “ We give the job of collecting all the parts of the engine to women as they are good at shopping and they collect the parts in a shopping trolley”. Each engine is assembled by one person and they have to complete one engine in 45 minutes (which doesn’t sound long in view of all the bits involved) and if there is any trouble with an engine they know exactly who to go to! We saw some of the tests the bikes are put through on rolling wheels and rows of bikes ready to be delivered to different countries. For example, a bike going to the US will need to be fitted with an extra filter and side reflectors to conform with emission regulations, whereas a bike bound for Europe won’t need these modifications.
Saturday dawned as hot as ever. Eager to get to the Ducati Factory in plenty of time, we checked out of the hotel, filled up with petrol and attempted to negotiate the tangentale. Unfortunately we managed to get on going the wrong direction, but eventually, with 5 minutes to spare we made it to the meeting point along with about 20 other eager anticipants. Luckily they arranged for two groups to go round, one Italian and one English (although in our group, I believe we were the only real English people, others were from America, Australia etc) All the males spent the whole time with a look of amazement on their faces, finding it hard to believe they were really there. All the females on the other hand had a strange air of resolve – it’s now 11.00am and they shut at 1.00pm, only 2 hours and we can get on. To be fair it was an interesting experience, the factory had people working on the bikes even though it was a Saturday and the actual areas were kept very neat and tidy – in fact you could have eaten your dinner off the floor it was so clean. We saw all the bikes in various stages of completion. As a male dominated country our guide was keen to point out the value of having female workers saying things like: “ We need women to machine these particular parts as they are the only ones with small enough fingers to get to the tiny parts”. And “ We give the job of collecting all the parts of the engine to women as they are good at shopping and they collect the parts in a shopping trolley”. Each engine is assembled by one person and they have to complete one engine in 45 minutes (which doesn’t sound long in view of all the bits involved) and if there is any trouble with an engine they know exactly who to go to! We saw some of the tests the bikes are put through on rolling wheels and rows of bikes ready to be delivered to different countries. For example, a bike going to the US will need to be fitted with an extra filter and side reflectors to conform with emission regulations, whereas a bike bound for Europe won’t need these modifications.
Read The Notice!
Graham With His Tee Shirt And Renewed Dreams With Hyper Motard, Ducati Museum, Bologna, Italy
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Eager to get off to the holiday home, we navigated successfully to the Autostrada, but had to wait at least half an hour to join the flow, the volume of traffic being so high on a Saturday. Eventually the miles melted away and after a brief stop for sandwiches we were nearly there - but not before we had witnessed a forest fire and a helicopter overhead carrying a full load of water attempting to extinguish it. Back on familiar territory we felt at last we could being to relax and having stopped at the local shop for provisions, we began to wind our way up the hillside out of Bagni di Lucca up to our destination of Longoio.
Almost, But Not Quite...
Giorno Tre Friday 13th July
Packed and ready, we were off on the Autostrada by 10.30am after a quick trip to the local supermarket for drink and fruit. The journey down to Bologna was uneventful until the navigator decided to advise the driver to come off one stop too soon. Italian road signs are confusing at the best of times, but eventually we had located the tangentziale (ring road) and the sign for Borgo Panigale – the home of Ducati. Having visited the place two years ago on our first trip to Italy, the road was at least familiar and the walk from the car park to the barrier entrance was filled with anticipation. It was not Saturday, (day we had travelled there before), it was not midday (when they close) what could go wrong? Well, it turned out you now have to book – OK and we needed to do that at 2.00pm. We headed for the nearest supermarket and a spot of ‘hamburger a cheval’ (that’s a bit how it tasted) for lunch and waited for 2.00pm to arrive. We should have taken more notice of the date, Friday the 13th as we found out by 2.00pm that there were no spaces left today. I felt really sorry for Graham and his disappointment, but the good news was, we could visit the factory at 11.00am the next morning, hooray!!
Packed and ready, we were off on the Autostrada by 10.30am after a quick trip to the local supermarket for drink and fruit. The journey down to Bologna was uneventful until the navigator decided to advise the driver to come off one stop too soon. Italian road signs are confusing at the best of times, but eventually we had located the tangentziale (ring road) and the sign for Borgo Panigale – the home of Ducati. Having visited the place two years ago on our first trip to Italy, the road was at least familiar and the walk from the car park to the barrier entrance was filled with anticipation. It was not Saturday, (day we had travelled there before), it was not midday (when they close) what could go wrong? Well, it turned out you now have to book – OK and we needed to do that at 2.00pm. We headed for the nearest supermarket and a spot of ‘hamburger a cheval’ (that’s a bit how it tasted) for lunch and waited for 2.00pm to arrive. We should have taken more notice of the date, Friday the 13th as we found out by 2.00pm that there were no spaces left today. I felt really sorry for Graham and his disappointment, but the good news was, we could visit the factory at 11.00am the next morning, hooray!!
The Long Walk...
Covered Walkway, Basilica Della Madonna Di San Luca, Near Bologna, Italy
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Orange And Blue, Complimentary Colours...
The Building itself was quite plain, but the orange colour of the walls, contrasted with the deep blue of the sky and made for the most impressive sight. The church inside took your breath away, - it was awesome in the true meaning of the word. We listened to the history on a dial up machine and were just about to explore all the features mentioned when we approached by the man sweeping the floor. Apparently I had committed a cardinal sin of not having my shoulders covered (enough) for a church and we were politely asked to leave.
Time now to return to the centre of Bologna and find our hotel. With the aid of a map we’d bought in the supermarket, it was located easily and we were soon in our ‘executive’ suite (It really was posh!) I had a rest while Graham went for a swim in the outside pool. Surprised that he returned so soon, it turned out that having taken the plunge, he’d surfaced to find the pool side taken over by tanned Italian girls and to say the least, he felt a bit out of his depth!!
Dinner at the hotel was expensive and generous, prosciutto and melon (I had salt beef and rocket) followed by chicken and cheese and mediterranean vegetables (I had Sea Bass and more lettuce- but too much olive oil)
Dinner at the hotel was expensive and generous, prosciutto and melon (I had salt beef and rocket) followed by chicken and cheese and mediterranean vegetables (I had Sea Bass and more lettuce- but too much olive oil)
The Bellissimo Buildings Of Bologna
'Mine's Bigger Than Yours', Towers, Centre Of Bologna, Italy
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Cruising Around Venice...
Day Duo Thursday 12th June
Rising late we missed the coach load of American 18-30 year olds and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of six cups of tea (they were tiny) and a piece of toast. Feeling like ‘olds hands’ we set off for the station clutching our train tickets purchased from the hotel and arrived in plenty of time to ‘activate’ them using the machine on the platform. Half an hour later we were marvelling at our first sight of Venice looking as it always does – as though straight out of the holiday brochure. Pit stop at the station toilets (they’re very few and far between in Venice), photos of the undercarriages of trains (I try to be patient) and off on the No 82 water bus to Sans Marco. Strangely, this year we seemed to go the wrong way round and were treated to the sights of industrial area of Venice, but we did see the huge cruise liners (which did look just like the images in the Sunday Telegraph magazine) waiting to transport their expensive cargo on to the next resort.
Rising late we missed the coach load of American 18-30 year olds and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of six cups of tea (they were tiny) and a piece of toast. Feeling like ‘olds hands’ we set off for the station clutching our train tickets purchased from the hotel and arrived in plenty of time to ‘activate’ them using the machine on the platform. Half an hour later we were marvelling at our first sight of Venice looking as it always does – as though straight out of the holiday brochure. Pit stop at the station toilets (they’re very few and far between in Venice), photos of the undercarriages of trains (I try to be patient) and off on the No 82 water bus to Sans Marco. Strangely, this year we seemed to go the wrong way round and were treated to the sights of industrial area of Venice, but we did see the huge cruise liners (which did look just like the images in the Sunday Telegraph magazine) waiting to transport their expensive cargo on to the next resort.
New Take On Scene At San Marco Square...
San Marco was as photogenic as ever, but this didn’t stop me taking loads of photos, but I did try to think of a different angle. We sat outside and had our lunch which seemed a snip at £22.00 for two chicken burgers – the drinks costing as much as the food!!
Vivaldi, One Of Many Sons Of Venice...
Miniature Violin Next To Full Size, Vivaldi Exhibition, Venice, Italy
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
View From Ponte Dell'Accademia
Everything about Venice is beautiful, the buildings, the canals, the gondoliers, the list is endless. Although we left hot, very tired and our feet hurting, I’m now planning our route for when we come back next year.
Ponte Di Rialto, Venice, Italy
A trip to Venice would not be complete without visiting Ponte Di Rialto - best shopping area too. I bought my third Murano watch there this year!
Night Time Excursion...
We arrived back at the hotel about 8.00pm. I washed my hair, Graham answered some emails and at 9.00pm off we set again in the car in search of the seaside. We knew we had little chance of finding it, especially in the dark, but hey, we were trying to make the most of the time we had. We ended up in a place called Jesolo, it had a river and a tower and a very ambient atmosphere. As we made our way on foot to the centre, we thought we could hear the sound of live music. Except this wasn’t just any old music, it was a brass band and it sounded wonderful. Pity was we arrived just as the final chords were struck – but it was wonderful even so- and the musicians, they were teenagers from Weymouth!!
We did get rather lost on the way back as it was so dark. We eventually arrived back having travelled the 'quick' route back via an Autostrada.
We did get rather lost on the way back as it was so dark. We eventually arrived back having travelled the 'quick' route back via an Autostrada.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
First Photo, On Holiday In Italy
Day One: Wednesday 11th June
It’s a funny thing about holidays, the day before you go you feel as though any time away cannot be fitted in – there is just too much to do. But having turned the key in the door, stepped away from your responsibilities, you know you can become someone else for a week (or 10 days) face adventure and believe in your dreams. For all too soon it will all be over! Lucky I can savour it by writing this blog and sharing the experience…
Stephen (Lucy’s friend) collected us from home and took us to the airport. Lucy came too for company.
No hold-ups, and 4.15pm (3.15pm) saw us safely in Venice awaiting our baggage. The first year we came to Italy (three years ago), we had a diesel Fiesta which was ideal for pulling up steep hills and hugging the tight corners – and it was very economical. Last year’s car was far too big, but then we had Robert and Lucy with us, so we were looking forward to a small car again. I wasn’t quite sure what we’d let ourselves in for when Graham announced we’d been allocated a Ford Ka. OK it was small, but would how far would we get in this bubble car!
It only took us 15 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel and we were ready to go out by 7.00pm. This year instead of catching the train to Venice, we decided we’d ‘head for the hills’. We’d only travelled about 2 miles when I called a photo stop. I’d seen an impressive tower with the sun on it, backed by the clearest blue sky you could imagine. Stopping did involve going round a round-a-bout and retracing our steps, but it was well worth it.
It’s a funny thing about holidays, the day before you go you feel as though any time away cannot be fitted in – there is just too much to do. But having turned the key in the door, stepped away from your responsibilities, you know you can become someone else for a week (or 10 days) face adventure and believe in your dreams. For all too soon it will all be over! Lucky I can savour it by writing this blog and sharing the experience…
Stephen (Lucy’s friend) collected us from home and took us to the airport. Lucy came too for company.
No hold-ups, and 4.15pm (3.15pm) saw us safely in Venice awaiting our baggage. The first year we came to Italy (three years ago), we had a diesel Fiesta which was ideal for pulling up steep hills and hugging the tight corners – and it was very economical. Last year’s car was far too big, but then we had Robert and Lucy with us, so we were looking forward to a small car again. I wasn’t quite sure what we’d let ourselves in for when Graham announced we’d been allocated a Ford Ka. OK it was small, but would how far would we get in this bubble car!
It only took us 15 minutes to get from the airport to the hotel and we were ready to go out by 7.00pm. This year instead of catching the train to Venice, we decided we’d ‘head for the hills’. We’d only travelled about 2 miles when I called a photo stop. I’d seen an impressive tower with the sun on it, backed by the clearest blue sky you could imagine. Stopping did involve going round a round-a-bout and retracing our steps, but it was well worth it.
Church and Tower Near Quarto D'Altino, Italy
I think we managed about 3 more miles before the same thing happened again! Not such an impressive tower, just part of a church, but right next to a very picturesque river bend. As we snapped our way to the riverside, we stumbled upon a water clock. I wish I could have transported my dad there to see it, he would have loved it.
Fitting End To Our First Day On Holiday
Next we headed past Treviso with its impressive city walls (must stop and explore there next year) and on up into the mountains. We didn’t get far, but as the sun was setting at 9 o’clock, we were standing above a water treatment plant on an untarmaced road trying to capture the last rays of the first day of our holiday.
Returning in the dark on the ‘wrong’ side of the road wasn’t easy, but after just one “but I think we should be going that way”, we were back at the hotel, glass of wine in hand and steadily emptying the vending machine of its crisp-like offerings.
Returning in the dark on the ‘wrong’ side of the road wasn’t easy, but after just one “but I think we should be going that way”, we were back at the hotel, glass of wine in hand and steadily emptying the vending machine of its crisp-like offerings.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
IN BRIEF
Monday 25th June
Not particularly busy. Two piano lessons. Went to Rycote for a meeting about 'Embedding RARPA'. For those of you not 'in the know', I won't bother explaining what it means, merely point out that every job has it's own jargon - worse than that , it is changing all the time. You just get the hang of the last Acronym and it changes and you're back to square one! Only six people attended and of those three had attended the previous tutor meeting. It just seemed a shame for the managers who had organised it...
Severe overnight rain.
Tuesday 26th
Lucy off to spend the next three days in Manchester, accompanying Ben who is taking part in a Trading Standards Quiz. Set off to take her to the station and soon got stuck in the gridlock around Derby due to the floods. Had to deposit her round the back of the station, but decided to return to the city centre to take pictures of the floods. Eventually found a parking space and armed with the Olympus E44 and my Canon off I set on my adventure. The Derwent was incredibly high, only just able to force itself under the arches of the main bridge by the Council Offices. Had great fun snapping away, although with an Easterly wind, it was incredibly cold. On the way home stopped off at some flooded field just as someone decided he had to collect something from the waterlogged field. Was pleased that I've lots of hits on Flickr showing the chap walking away with the water at the top of his wellies.
Beginning to think I can can now 'take up my bed and walk', with every old routine that I attempt I know I am getting better. Today I decided it was time to return to tap lessons. Everyone was lovely and supportive and asked lots of questions. When you're incapacitated as I was, you desperately need the support of other people, but it's so difficult to make the effort to return to your 'normal' life. Five minutes before the end I felt I'd had enough, but I felt a great sense of achievement from having gone and joined in. (I hurt less than after every lesson in the last 18 months!)
Thursday 28th
Graham working from home in the morning and left about 1.00pm. I was busy making up a sample of felt for my class tomorrow - trying to remember the sequence of things I'd learned from a course I'd attended a couple of years ago. Collected Lucy from the station just before 2pm. Delivered parcel to Graham (only they'd sent the wrong stuff) and did the food shopping on way home. (Lucy was not happy as it turned out she'd not gone to bed until 4.00am and she'd not had any lunch)
Friday 29th
Postal strike on, so the wool for felting I'd ordered from Wingham Wools and pleaded with them to deliver by Friday failed to turn up. Luckily I had ordered some more from eBay 'just in case', but the colours weren't the best. Lesson went well for most. One of the students who has a helper, decided she'd get upset because she found the technique of teasing out the wool a little difficult, but everyone else was happy enough and I was plaesed with the results. Had another session in the afternoon making felted balls for a bracelet next week. Took a break and looked at some felted websites on the internet which worked very well.
Met Lucy in town afterwards and had a look round the shops. Took Lucy over to Ben's (she's going on holiday with him and his family for the week) bought fish and chips from Heanor for tea (quite a rarity). Because the evening was sunny and mild Graham and I went to Duffield for a photo jaunt. Got some lovely photos of reflections in the flood waters etc. Quite a full day all told.
Saturday 30th
Graham at work until 3.30pm, then we had a quick visit to Ilkeston and back. Robert had spent the day travelling to see his mate Warren in Uttoxeter, then on to Sherwood Forest with lots of other mates (in two cars) to see Travis and other bands perform in the pouring rain. We were well asleep by the time he 'rolled' in.
Sunday 1st July
Graham busy being a professor in the garage for most of the day. Took Robert to the open day being held at Banks Mill Studios in Derby where the two jewellers I tried to organise a trip to see are. Very interesting to see all the craft units and the activity going on there. Surprised at the standard (not good) of some people's work compared with others. Gave me hope to see people working there who were older than me, perhaps there is hope yet...Had a pang of the green eyed monster on finding a tutor I vaguely know obviously pally with one of the occupants. Felt a bit put out when she was exceedingly 'arsey' (as Robert would say) when I tried to make conversation. Found a chap there who is a Product Designer and left Robert to chat with him for an hour. Had a surprise encounter with Juliette Hemmingway - famous for her amazing ecclesiastical robes (she designed the ones for the Bishop of Canterbury when he was inaugurated) as I knew two people in her employ and had often wondered what she was like.
Came home and then put Robert on the train at 6.00pm
Monday 25th June
Not particularly busy. Two piano lessons. Went to Rycote for a meeting about 'Embedding RARPA'. For those of you not 'in the know', I won't bother explaining what it means, merely point out that every job has it's own jargon - worse than that , it is changing all the time. You just get the hang of the last Acronym and it changes and you're back to square one! Only six people attended and of those three had attended the previous tutor meeting. It just seemed a shame for the managers who had organised it...
Severe overnight rain.
Tuesday 26th
Lucy off to spend the next three days in Manchester, accompanying Ben who is taking part in a Trading Standards Quiz. Set off to take her to the station and soon got stuck in the gridlock around Derby due to the floods. Had to deposit her round the back of the station, but decided to return to the city centre to take pictures of the floods. Eventually found a parking space and armed with the Olympus E44 and my Canon off I set on my adventure. The Derwent was incredibly high, only just able to force itself under the arches of the main bridge by the Council Offices. Had great fun snapping away, although with an Easterly wind, it was incredibly cold. On the way home stopped off at some flooded field just as someone decided he had to collect something from the waterlogged field. Was pleased that I've lots of hits on Flickr showing the chap walking away with the water at the top of his wellies.
Beginning to think I can can now 'take up my bed and walk', with every old routine that I attempt I know I am getting better. Today I decided it was time to return to tap lessons. Everyone was lovely and supportive and asked lots of questions. When you're incapacitated as I was, you desperately need the support of other people, but it's so difficult to make the effort to return to your 'normal' life. Five minutes before the end I felt I'd had enough, but I felt a great sense of achievement from having gone and joined in. (I hurt less than after every lesson in the last 18 months!)
Thursday 28th
Graham working from home in the morning and left about 1.00pm. I was busy making up a sample of felt for my class tomorrow - trying to remember the sequence of things I'd learned from a course I'd attended a couple of years ago. Collected Lucy from the station just before 2pm. Delivered parcel to Graham (only they'd sent the wrong stuff) and did the food shopping on way home. (Lucy was not happy as it turned out she'd not gone to bed until 4.00am and she'd not had any lunch)
Friday 29th
Postal strike on, so the wool for felting I'd ordered from Wingham Wools and pleaded with them to deliver by Friday failed to turn up. Luckily I had ordered some more from eBay 'just in case', but the colours weren't the best. Lesson went well for most. One of the students who has a helper, decided she'd get upset because she found the technique of teasing out the wool a little difficult, but everyone else was happy enough and I was plaesed with the results. Had another session in the afternoon making felted balls for a bracelet next week. Took a break and looked at some felted websites on the internet which worked very well.
Met Lucy in town afterwards and had a look round the shops. Took Lucy over to Ben's (she's going on holiday with him and his family for the week) bought fish and chips from Heanor for tea (quite a rarity). Because the evening was sunny and mild Graham and I went to Duffield for a photo jaunt. Got some lovely photos of reflections in the flood waters etc. Quite a full day all told.
Saturday 30th
Graham at work until 3.30pm, then we had a quick visit to Ilkeston and back. Robert had spent the day travelling to see his mate Warren in Uttoxeter, then on to Sherwood Forest with lots of other mates (in two cars) to see Travis and other bands perform in the pouring rain. We were well asleep by the time he 'rolled' in.
Sunday 1st July
Graham busy being a professor in the garage for most of the day. Took Robert to the open day being held at Banks Mill Studios in Derby where the two jewellers I tried to organise a trip to see are. Very interesting to see all the craft units and the activity going on there. Surprised at the standard (not good) of some people's work compared with others. Gave me hope to see people working there who were older than me, perhaps there is hope yet...Had a pang of the green eyed monster on finding a tutor I vaguely know obviously pally with one of the occupants. Felt a bit put out when she was exceedingly 'arsey' (as Robert would say) when I tried to make conversation. Found a chap there who is a Product Designer and left Robert to chat with him for an hour. Had a surprise encounter with Juliette Hemmingway - famous for her amazing ecclesiastical robes (she designed the ones for the Bishop of Canterbury when he was inaugurated) as I knew two people in her employ and had often wondered what she was like.
Came home and then put Robert on the train at 6.00pm
Trip To London 24th June
Great day out with Robert in London viewing this excellent photography exhibition.
Highlight of the day was lunch - Salmon and haddock fishcakes at The Tate!
More photos of trip on Flickr
Highlight of the day was lunch - Salmon and haddock fishcakes at The Tate!
More photos of trip on Flickr
Thursday 22nd June
Eight photos published in the Derby Evening Telegraph since February, time perhaps now to capitalise on the situation. So it was that a couple of weeks after my hernia operation, I gathered up all my courage and made a phone call to the paper. What to say?: "Do you ever let people come and shadow one of your photographers?" I asked tentatively. The voice on the other end was very calm and understanding and luckily didn't think my request at all strange. "Yes," he said " we get requests from students all the time, just send in an email and we'll get a date fixed up" Sending in an email was the least of my concerns, it was the word 'student' which really worried me...
Date arranged, I rose early and arrived with minutes to spare. I was greeted in the foyer by Steve, the same chap whom I'd spoken to on the phone. He was really great and spent the whole day explaining his work to me to the 'Nth' degree. We got on like a house on fire - I don't think he even noticed I'm probably old enough to be his mother...!
Eight photos published in the Derby Evening Telegraph since February, time perhaps now to capitalise on the situation. So it was that a couple of weeks after my hernia operation, I gathered up all my courage and made a phone call to the paper. What to say?: "Do you ever let people come and shadow one of your photographers?" I asked tentatively. The voice on the other end was very calm and understanding and luckily didn't think my request at all strange. "Yes," he said " we get requests from students all the time, just send in an email and we'll get a date fixed up" Sending in an email was the least of my concerns, it was the word 'student' which really worried me...
Date arranged, I rose early and arrived with minutes to spare. I was greeted in the foyer by Steve, the same chap whom I'd spoken to on the phone. He was really great and spent the whole day explaining his work to me to the 'Nth' degree. We got on like a house on fire - I don't think he even noticed I'm probably old enough to be his mother...!
First task was to catch a photograph of the person who'd been a 'bit naughty', outside the Magistrates Court. Steve attached his biggest lens to his camera and we set off on foot in hot persuit. It wasn't the easiest thing to do when you have no or little idea of what the person looks like. Steve had been told the man resembled Mr Burns from The Simpsons, so there was no way I'd be able to help in the identification! As time edged towards the court appearance time, it looked as though we were out of luck, so we made our way into the Court - bags had to be searched, cameras left at the desk and you had to go through a metal detector. Having never been inside a real life Court Room, I was surprised how small the space was - there seemed to be screens everywhere (perhaps for people giving evidence from other rooms) As we sat there in hushed silence, I was suddenly overcome by an attack of the giggles. Being there reminded me of a television programme being shown currently where couples accuse each other of things they'd rather not do in the bedroom and the jury has to decide who is guilty (or not). Luckily Steve realised that as the man was up for sentencing (a) he wouldn't be getting a photo of him leaving the building and (b) it was getting dangerous close to our next appointment time. So we gathered our belongings and headed back to base.
The next assignment was to photograph a cyclist who was going to take part in the Welsh Tryptk and raise money for the Derbyshire Association For The Blind. The distance was only as far as the Court House, but to have walked would have meant crossing over a dual carriageway. Steve had spoken to the chap before we left the office to ask him to come prepared looking as though he was just about to depart. He managed to bring his bicycle, but no helmet or rucksack etc! It was here that F-numbers were explained to me. It's not the first time by any means, but perhaps the first time that it registered exactly why you would want to dictate your depth of focus. If you widen your aperture to a low number, taking care to check that your film speed doesn't fall below, say 100, then the background will be out of focus (smaller depth of focus), thus highlighting your subject by being in focus! (It's only taken me 30 years to get the hang of F-numbers)
Next up was the yard of a pub, transferred into a paradise of pretty flowers and wanting promotion for its entry in 'Derby in Bloom'. Steve mentioned that this would be a good opportunity for me to take the photo with my camera and have it printed in the paper. But as he took it out of the camera bag and handed it to me he must have caught the look of panic on my face and instead, set it up for the lighting conditions and handed it to me to use in any case, but without real instruction. I thought my photos came out really well!
Then we grabbed a sandwich (there isn't really a lunch break as such) and returned to the office where I watched and tried to take note of what Steve was doing. Basically, he downloaded the photos, choses three or four from each event, tweaked them, saved them in a certain type of folder which was then send to Victoria's computer and saved in another folder showing the date. (All photos had to be named and allocated a number which denoted the photographer by initial and included the date) A black and white picture of the photos was printed to show roughly what they looked like. Another thing, all photos had to be taken in both portrait and landscape mode to make such one of them would fit the space earmarked for the photo. I then sat with Michelle, who along with three others was responsible for the layout of each page. It looked highly complicated, but as she said, once you know how to do it, it's more or less a case of copy and paste as everything goes to her fully written, all she has to do is pop it in and sometimes resize the images. The good thing about her job was when you've finished for today , you really have finished!
Things had slowed down a bit by now, which was good as it meant there was time to get to know the other photographers. Jon, who as I said " looked as though he'd done a full day's work by 1.00pm (he'd been on a 'stake out' at Wirksworth since 5.30am - something about a man and his dog...) and Ian who had years of wisdom stored up, but seemed only to be able to take very dark photos - well it was a rainy day...Adam popped up sometime later, the joke on him was that he was fresh out of college, which of course he wasn't he just looked (as they all teased) about 12!
Victoria spent all day disappearing into important meetings and never spent more than a few minutes in the same place. She buzzed with the same amount of energy whether the clocked showed 9.00am or 5.00pm and she was great fun too. Things had now ground to a halt and then Victoria found she needed one last photo to go with a story of someone who had received an on the spot fine for dropping litter. Steve collected up all the empty containers he could find and the rain having eased off we headed off for a likely location (about 10 metres away!) He staged the photo with litter strewn about next to a plastic bag. He then posed me to look as though I was walking away dropping an empty can from my hand. The shot was taken. Then I pointed out that the person fined was male, so shouldn't I take a photo of him as the culprit. As he'd already set up the photo, all I had to do was press the shutter... success... 'My' photo credited with my name appeared on page 14 of the DET the following morning.
The start of a new career...?
Then we grabbed a sandwich (there isn't really a lunch break as such) and returned to the office where I watched and tried to take note of what Steve was doing. Basically, he downloaded the photos, choses three or four from each event, tweaked them, saved them in a certain type of folder which was then send to Victoria's computer and saved in another folder showing the date. (All photos had to be named and allocated a number which denoted the photographer by initial and included the date) A black and white picture of the photos was printed to show roughly what they looked like. Another thing, all photos had to be taken in both portrait and landscape mode to make such one of them would fit the space earmarked for the photo. I then sat with Michelle, who along with three others was responsible for the layout of each page. It looked highly complicated, but as she said, once you know how to do it, it's more or less a case of copy and paste as everything goes to her fully written, all she has to do is pop it in and sometimes resize the images. The good thing about her job was when you've finished for today , you really have finished!
Things had slowed down a bit by now, which was good as it meant there was time to get to know the other photographers. Jon, who as I said " looked as though he'd done a full day's work by 1.00pm (he'd been on a 'stake out' at Wirksworth since 5.30am - something about a man and his dog...) and Ian who had years of wisdom stored up, but seemed only to be able to take very dark photos - well it was a rainy day...Adam popped up sometime later, the joke on him was that he was fresh out of college, which of course he wasn't he just looked (as they all teased) about 12!
Victoria spent all day disappearing into important meetings and never spent more than a few minutes in the same place. She buzzed with the same amount of energy whether the clocked showed 9.00am or 5.00pm and she was great fun too. Things had now ground to a halt and then Victoria found she needed one last photo to go with a story of someone who had received an on the spot fine for dropping litter. Steve collected up all the empty containers he could find and the rain having eased off we headed off for a likely location (about 10 metres away!) He staged the photo with litter strewn about next to a plastic bag. He then posed me to look as though I was walking away dropping an empty can from my hand. The shot was taken. Then I pointed out that the person fined was male, so shouldn't I take a photo of him as the culprit. As he'd already set up the photo, all I had to do was press the shutter... success... 'My' photo credited with my name appeared on page 14 of the DET the following morning.
The start of a new career...?
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