Nov
04
New CD release from Michael Stimpson
One of Britain’s fastest rising composers, Michael Stimpson who has been a resident in Barga Vecchia for some time now (article here) has just released a new CD containing some of his recent work. The CD entitled “Journeymen” is recorded by the Allegri String Quartet and is based on two distinct and separate moments and places in time. Continue reading ‘New CD release from Michael Stimpson’
Nov
03
Roast Chestnuts and Necci time of year again
The AS Barga sports group were out in force at the Fosso - the area just outside the main gates of the city, preparing roast chestnuts and necci for the many visitors to Barga this weekend. Necci - the simplest of ingredients …. sweet chestnut flour, water and salt mixed into a thick paste and cooked between two hot plates over a flame. Continue reading ‘Roast Chestnuts and Necci time of year again’
Nov
03
Bellany - ‘thank goodness I am still alive because I have so many more paintings to paint’
After surviving several near-death scares and channelling them into his art, John Bellany continues to find colour in his life and work By Barry Didcock- Sunday Herald
SIX WEEKS AGO, JOHN BELLANY travelled to Tain for an exhibition of his paintings. He never made it to the private view. Continue reading ‘Bellany - ‘thank goodness I am still alive because I have so many more paintings to paint’’
Nov
02
No smoking - the penny finally drops
Italy has been a very different place since the 10th of January 2005. On that day the law was passed banning smoking inside bars and restaurants. (article here) Most commentators at the time expressed disbelief that the law would hold and that smokers would change their habits of a lifetime. Continue reading ‘No smoking - the penny finally drops’
Oct
27
Tiglio Alto to Monte Forato
ancient cart wheels
abandoned
on their sides
on the valley floor
their spokes splintered
engaged
covered in moss
and vines
and stones
the ground is obscured
by morning mist
in the distance
an upturned skull
is dormant
against the sky
as though a step through the fog
to the far bank
is to leave the past behind