Galway and Glasgow

Had a lovely time in Galway, we stayed right downtown and our view was like this painting. Galway City is next to the ocean and the Irish were swimming in it! Water must be 15 degrees.


Next stop Glasgow where we stay with my sister and attend the Commonwealth Games. The weather has been magnificent for Glasgow with mostly dry days. Today I decided to paint the birch trees in her garden which dappled shade onto her garden wall.


Because the weather was so benevolent, we go to Loch Lomond today for a swim (the kids did go in) and a walk up the hill. This is the view of the loch. Had to stop once the midges started biting.

Ireland and Venice (again)

After a warm few weeks in Italy, we arrive in Dublin to 16d and drizzles. Hmmmm. Somebody forgot to tell them it's high summer. We drove to Galway City yesterday and are staying at a comfortable 2 bedroom apartment. But the strangest thing happened- we bumped into Andrew M and Catherine at the hotel. It turns out that they were checking in after some time in Cork.


Anyway on the apartment's walls were photos of Venice. It being wet, I declined to join the others for a swim at an indoor pool and decided to practice painting Venice instead. This is the depiction of Santa Maria Salute and gondolas.

More hillside towns

At the risk of sounding blasé and ungrateful, I think I've overdosed on Tuscan and Umbrian hillside towns. They are all picturesque and built on steep hills. Puffing uphill is mandatory if attractions are to be seen. And most have great views but I've been to so many recently that they have all merged into one.... Cortona, Siena, Spoleto, Norcia, Castellucio, Gubbio....



Yesterday we went to Gubbio for the funicular. It's a unique one that is not fully enclosed, more like a cage. Quite terrifying when travelling at speed. At the top was a minor Basillica dedicated to San Urbaldo. The saint himself is mummified and can be appreciated. This is a quick sketch of the courtyard with brick archways.


There was a terrific storm this morning and when it cleared the mist lifting off the valley was quite spectacular so I had to attempt a painting. Today I'm laundering having decided on a quiet day at the villa. The Laus have rushed off to see Orvieto. Ordinarily I might have gone but it's probably just another hill side town and I would be better off painting here. Roger is reading on the hammock and Sam enjoying a quiet day away from cousins.

Terraia villa

Enjoying our villa in Terraia not far from Spoleto. It's a farm house attached to a huge mansion called Villa Pianciani which is extremely grand and used for weddings. Our villa has a pool which has come in handy to entertain the kids and for us to cool down after a long hot day.


The views are magnificent - overlooking plots of wheat and other grains. There is olive grove just near by. There are mountain ranges in the background.


The house itself is in picturesque brick and stone as is all dwellings this part of the world. It's pretty large and fits all 7 of us with no trouble at all.


Yesterday we drove to Norcia, famous for the cured meats, truffles and pecorino. Then a windy drive to Castellucio, a town perched high up the mountains. This is part of the Mount Sibillini Park. Lots of lovely wild flowers as we walk through mountain trails.

Tuscan delights

It's now time to sample some Tuscan delights with a stay near Siena. The estate we are staying at is a small farm with wheat and olive trees. This is the view from the terrace. Very typical Tuscany.


This is a shot of the interior of the Sienese Duomo. The famous Duomo looks gothic in parts and Romanesque in other parts. It took 500 years to get to the final state of incompletion. The decorations on the floor panels (marble galore) and paintings are Renaissance as they probably were commissioned later. The black and white strips are most distinctive.

Canals

The problem with painting Venice is that it is hugely built up and consists of buildings everywhere... and I'm not a big fan of drawing architecture.


Anyway I sat next to the canal near the hotel and did some sketching. It was early morning and the best time as many gondolas ply this route later and although picturesque, they ruffle the water surface and spoil the reflections. Some gondolas even have an extra musician on board and the strains of "O Sole Mio" can be heard all day!! This attempt doesn't even begin to pay homage to the beauties of the place. Oh well. At least I have 200 photos!

Venice

After 2 days of travelling we arrived in Milan. Stayed at a lovely hotel close to the railway station. Quick visit as we boarded the train to Venice the next day.



This is a quick sketch of the views onboard the train. It hurtles at 200kph speeds which makes it nearly impossible to photograph anything. The impressive Italian Alps are ever close by with amazing snow capped peaks. The land is fertile and grown with rows of corn, wheat and grapes.

Venice as ever, is beautiful in its decay. We got onto a vaporetto and to our apartment in San Marco. This is the view out of our windows.

I've always wanted to paint a roof top scene. Venice is so glorious but time here is so short that I'm taking tens of photos everyday. Last night we went to a performance by the Interpreti Venezia of Vivaldi's four seasons. Held at Chiesa San Vidal, it was outstanding musicianship at a glorious venue.