Finding Klimt
In the fin de siècle, the works of Gustav Klimt were seen as part of a radical new movement by the conservative Viennese.
An Angel, A Florentine Painting, and My Novel.
Sometime around 1252, a monk fell asleep and an angel finished his painting. If only the angel would do the same for my novel.
A Small Green Door
Behind this little green door was my home in Venice for a short while; just outside the door, this magical city waited to be explored
Discovering Corfu
The colours, the history and the heat of this island in summer (not to mention the free limoncello) left me wandering her streets, guided only by the bell tower of St Spyridon.
Gardens in Venice
Gardens are everywhere in Venice, but often hidden from the casual eye.
It Began Here
Thoughts on how I fell in love with Florence and how the city changed my life - of course it began with a painting by Leonardo
A Cup of Memories - a Poem
A Bamboo Bridge to Nowhere
Standing beside a bamboo bridge somewhere in Vietnam speaking broken French to complete strangers - the unexpected delights of travel!
London in Four Photos
Four of my photos taken in London in a recent trip, showing the variety of unexpected things to see and do in this metropolis.
The Poisons of Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie used an impressive of poisons in her writing - more than any other mystery writer. Here are the details and mechanism of some of them, including how they work
Prague and my morning Becherovka
An early morning walk in Prague, aided with a nip of Becherovka, the local drink whose recipe remains a closely guarded secret.
An Unseen Parade - A Poem
The Oltrarno, Forence
The Oltrarno, or ’other side of the Arno’, is a place of winding streets and artisan shops, cafes, street markets, workshops, small piazzas and quiet spots - little has changed since medieval times.
Caravaggio, Negative Space and Non-Existence.
How Caravaggio’s The Seven Acts of Mercy gave me a lesson on the meaning of non-existence