Hello World

Chimneys and altane

ytaba36 — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:20:56 +0000

We all know what chimneys are, but the term altana (altane in the plural), may not be so familiar. I’ll let the photos of them provide the description for you.

Altana and chimney

Altana

Pietre sbuse/piere sbuse: another mystery in Venice

ytaba36 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:57:24 +0000

It was in the excellent blog BluOscar (in my Blogroll), that I first read about these stones set into the walls of some palaces. They protrude in a vertical manner, and have a hole near the end. There is speculation as to their use. Since they appear in pairs, or more, it seems logical that some type of pole could have been threaded through them. But, why? In the Scuola San Giorgio degli Schiavoni, you can see a painting (by Carpaccio), of St Jerome and the lion in the convent. Once you have looked at and enjoyed the very lively painting, you will notice that there are pietre sbuse on the wall below the two upper windows. And, it appears that clothes are draped over one of the poles. There are other theories, such as: they could have been used to dry fabric that had been dyed.

You have to look up to spot these stones. The ones I’ll show you here are to be found in Castello and San Polo. I also saw them in the Rialto area, and a single one in Campo San Luca. The partner to that one must have been removed or knocked off during some renovation work in the past.

13th century Palazzo: Sal. San Lio, 5674

Castello 5658

This private dwelling was not so old as the one in Castello. A gentleman I spoke to about it shrugged it off as “Quite new, maybe 200 years.” It’s all relative, isn’t it? Aside from many other eye-catching architectural features, this palazzo also had a number of pietre sbuse.

San Polo

I hope you see some of these, next time you’re in Venice. You might also spot some that are set in a horizontal plane, with a solid stone a little distance below them. Happy hunting!

Dusk

ytaba36 — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:02:47 +0000

These were taken as I walked home from Sant’ Elena, the last evening in Venice. The reflections from the navigation lights looked like golden ropes on the water.

Sassy, and shadowy

ytaba36 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:00:24 +0000

I had to smile at the faces on these door bells … so cheeky. They look like they’re saying “Nyah, nyah.”

These two gondolas were casting perfect shadows into the water of the canal.

About time for a pissotta, I suppose. A fellow would run the risk of electrocution if he decided to throw caution to the wind, and make furtive use of this one.

It’s an addiction!

ytaba36 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:10:08 +0000

I really thought I’d had enough of blogging, but it seems that isn’t the case. So, I’ll continue to inflict myself upon you! Break out the popcorn and beer.

I was walking through Campo Santa Margherita, when one of those mad ceremonies for someone who had successfully passed all their exams to become a Dottore crossed my path. I couldn’t get anywhere near the lucky new graduate, but I was captivated by these shoes. See, I am a fashion maven after all.

Reaching new heights

Isn’t she one of the most elegant brides you’ve seen for awhile? And, what a setting for your wedding photos. I hope they can crop all of us onlookers out of the final product.

The groom had a minor supporting role to play!

Her gown was truly magnificent.

Back to reality

ytaba36 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:17:25 +0000

Just a few images from the last few days in Venice. Then, it’s back to the fun, fun, fun of unpacking.

Carnevale!

Twins, Castello

This pair kept bobbing up in odd places. Which means, I must have been in some odd places!

My friend, Rita, picked me up at Cairns airport. It had been really cold on all the flights, so I was still in a woolen sweater and jeans. That didn’t last long. I even had a cooling dip in the swimming pool. What a contrast to a couple of days ago in Venice.

Just across the road from the flat where Rita’s friend lives, is the ocean. There was a handful of windsurfers having such a good time with the strong wind that was blowing.

Wind surfing, Cairns

The Carnival is over, for me

ytaba36 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:45:47 +0000

Arrivederci, Venice.

Penultimate day

ytaba36 — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:45:01 +0000

For you, Andrew, a glorious sunset behind San Giorgio Maggiore. The colours changed so quickly.

Some rather worn pavement, in Castello.

This is the remnant of a stained glass window at Sant’ Anna in Castello.

Dusk comes early in the winter.

NEWS FLASH! If you follow Fausto’s blog (Allogia Barbaria) you will have seen his video of the new owners of the fruit and vegetable barca, in Dorsoduro. Today, I bought some produce from the very pleasant young lady, and watched the new fellow being taught how to trim artichokes, by the past owner. (How many of those would he have trimmed in his lifetime?)

And, finally, another offering from Castello …

San Valentino

ytaba36 — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:45:13 +0000

May Cupid unleash his wee arrows on you and those you love.

It’s magic

ytaba36 — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:45:13 +0000

Let’s take a walk
Into the world
Where if our shoes get white
With snow, is it snow, Marina,
Is it snow or light?
Let’s take a walk

from “To Marina” by Kenneth Koch

Hurray! When I looked out the window this morning, I saw snow, and it was staying! So, with absolutely no apologies, I give you Venice in the snow, not much of it, but still …

My little snowman

What to wear when it snows. Many ladies wear real fur coats in Venice, it doesn’t seem to be an issue here.

I had never seen a ferret before, but here were two of them with their owners, from Puglia! They had their own fur coats to keep them cozy.

This light cast an aura of warmth in its area.

The snow started to melt, creating another form of beauty.

This little fellow was cozy in his warm clothes, in Castello.

My favourite costumes today. Simple and nice. And happy.

And, so, your reporter signs off for today. I have to make some pasta sauce … I burned the first lot of garlic because I was sitting here doing this post. My cheeks are very red from wind burn. But, I’m so content!

Ciao.