

Thunderstorms and bicycles
Early morning reveille changed this morning. Street vendors hauling their carts from storage around 5am, clanking and rattling their way across uneven paving outside toward prime spots on neighbouring Piazzas, were pre-empted by Jupiter. This King of the Gods flexed his muscle overhead, delivering terrific thunderbolts and sending ripples of rumbling echoes bouncing off surrounding buildings and across the city. With childlike excitement I flung open the shutters and witnesse


The Arno in Autumn
The Arno sparkled this morning on route to the studio. Spirits lifted and smiling faces turned to the sun after a wet and humid week. Returning to sit on the weir at lunchtime Florence showed off her best features. Bathed in glorious light - crystal clear in the Autumn sun. I wondered how many had sat in this same spot over the centuries. A place of surprising peace and solitude in a city full of noise, life and unmistakable Italian bustle. Absorbing the wonderful space, ligh