The Urban Jungle

Somehow, many towns and cities manage to avoid the smear of modern life, concrete monsters both erected and underfoot. Venice still has its cobbles and a true air of the Middle Ages. Parts of Dublin could still belong happily in the 19th century. Paris, despite the horrors of its traffic, retain an elegance around the Parc Monceau that gives a sense of time having stood still.

While in Italy I found it difficult to get information on writing on art and architecture when I enquired in art galleries. It's a strange fact of life that people on desks are trained only to sell tickets and do not have a wider sense of perspective.

However, having time now to surf, there are so many sites and online magazines that come to the urban traveller's aid, that I can enjoy Venice and Verona virtually and in comfort. One site in particular is a mine of information on the construction of Venice...

bellereti.com/ Perhaps, as well, all links lead to Rome?

The Weather is Frightening...

Memories of being out of doors, reading in the calm shade of the betulas in the garden are receding beyond recall.

It rains in Australia as well, but mostly the climate is warm most of the year and when it does rain, the mists create a mysterious haze that cheer the heart.

Renaissance Art

Apparently there is a recognised medical condition known to exist among visitors to Italy who get exposed to too much art.

Knowing this, we took things gently enough when we visited art galleries and churches.

In Venice, there are many angels.

On the Map

[ This is the Flagcounter map that has been for a relatively long time on my Flickr profile. It brings a bit of sparkle to the site... a reminder that in Cyberspace one is never alone.