Writing Update In Part 196 I outlined what I expected to be doing over the next few months. It didn’t work out as I imagined, but that’s okay. To quote John Lennon, ‘Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans.’ The book market has certainly changed dramatically this year, notably with … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 213
Split Visiting historic sites when the temperature is above thirty Celsius has its cons, but the pros outweigh them. The weather maybe glorious, but when entering walled towns, it can feel like an oven, even early in the morning. But viewing Roman Architecture against a brilliant blue sky, is worth the effort. This visit was … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 212
Positano During the summer I spent a couple of days in the Italian town of Positano. Although I had seen photographs of the place, there is nothing that prepares you for the magnificence that is the Amalfi Coast. Built into the cliffside, the town is like a stadium, with houses akin to seating, each row … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 211
Kotor Describing the scenery of Kotor – a UNESCO-listed medieval city – as stunning is an understatement. The approach into the bay as the sun starts to rise is one of those unforgettable moments. The water is like glass and the reflection of the towering mountains makes for a scene that defies reality. The country … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 210
Sorrento While staying for a few days in Sorrento this summer, I took time to visit the Museo Correale di Terranova. This opened in 1924, the result of Count Alfredo Correale and his brother Pompeo, donating their works of art, housed in the Villa alla Rota, an impressive eighteenth-century residence. The museum collection is on … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 209
Pompeii During the trip to Italy this summer, I managed to take in Pompeii, a place I had always wanted to visit. I was aware of the basic history of the site and the tragedy that took place during the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, burying the city in ash, but that … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 208
Phoenician Steps During a trip to Italy in the summer, initially staying in Positano and then moving onto Sorrento, it was a short hop from there to Capri, an island situated in the bay of Naples. Fortunately I wasn’t going for the shopping, as it is very expensive. However, it does have the Scala Fenicia … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 207
Dali Revisited In part 139 of this blog I wrote about the Salvador Dali painting, Christ of St John of the Cross, on display at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. It’s a painting I’ve viewed many times and never tire of it. I was excited to hear that the painting had been … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 206
Postojna Cave After leaving the city of Trieste, next stop was the country of Slovenia and a town called Koper. Before exploring there however, a bus trip to the Postojna Cave, to see one of nature’s most wonderful sights had been planned. The Postojna Cave is like being in another world, another planet. To my … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 205
Ancona The highlight of visiting the city of Ancona – a main seaport in Italy on the Adriatic Sea – was to view the Arch of Trajan. Erected by the Romans in 115 AD, it is a magnificent structure. To get out of the port is a fair walk and then the road along to … More Inside the Fiction Factory – Part 204
