The Faces of Japan
Photographs of people I met in Japan So many faces, all with a story to reflect their years.
Exploring Hyde Park
Avenues of trees, expanses of grass, ponds, lakes, flowers peeping through the grass; Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are essentially one large parkland, but I never knew which one I was walking through.
A Bookshop in Venice
The Acqua Alta Bookshop is so typically Venetian: hidden in courtyard, complete with a gondola overflowing with books in all languages.
Exploring Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is where many Romans escape the crowds of the city to sun themselves on a beach. It’s also the main cruise port for Rome. Instead of heading off for a whirlwind tour of the Eternal City, why not do as the Romans do and instead spend some leisurely hours here?
The Gods Themselves
A monk with writer's blog. Death returns from stress leave. A peasant who preaches silently after flying to Heaven. An illiterate knight bears book with a new numeral. An angel who carves statues.
Just an average day in Medieval France.
Walking Melbourne Backwards
Discovering new sights in Melbourne. I thought I knew the city well until I tried a different way to my usual path.
Braving the Doctor Fish of Singapore
Submitting my feet to a Doctor Fish massage (and nibble) in Singapore.
Dawn in Hoi An
Thoughts as I watch the dawn in Hoi An from a fishing boat. After watching the clouds came a breakfast cooked by the captain, using produce fresh from the sea.
Venice and the Church of the Skiing Jesus
An unusual church spire in Venice, with Our Lady standing on top of a crescent moon and wearing a crown of 12 stars.
Drifting Along the Danube
Images and memories as I drift along the Danube in flood, from full rivers, quiet backwaters, quaint villages and sighting elegant ruins.
Montalbano's First Case - Andrea Camilleri
My review of Montalbano's First Case, the first in the series which made Andrea Camilleri one of Italy's most popular writers.
Venice, Gondolas and Me
Images and tales of gondolas and gondoliers from my visits to Venice, from travelling the Grand Canal, to seeing an attempted u-turn in a tiny canal.
The Kappillan of Malta
Against the backdrop of The Siege if Malta in WWII, up to 6000 Maltese take refuge in some forgotten catacombs and Father Salvatore joins them, becoming their priest (or kappillan). Throughout Monserrat’s writing shines his love of Malta; her history and her people, their strength and their failings. A Malta I want to discover, as I walk her streets to find the world of Father Salvatore.
King Wenceslas and His Vineyard
The delights of discovering Good King Wenceslas had time to be both a good king and plant a vineyard below Prague Castle.