Bagni di Lucca and Beyond

Just before we left Santillana del Mar we found the magnificent Collegiate Church. For a modest fee of €4 we entered the stunning cloister of the church. Cloisters always seem to be quiet, tranquil places, and we had this beautiful place almost to ourselves. I love old stone faces, and here there were lots to keep […]

Santillana del Mar in the Cantabria region of Spain is a stunning, entirely pedestrianised town, lined with 15th to 18th century stone mansions. Flowers tumble from window boxes and balconies. The cobblestone streets are lined with artisan craft shops, and lots of places to buy the famous Cantabrian anchovies. We were there in spring and […]

We are now on our way back to Australia. It is time to return to our other lives. As much as I love Italy I am ready to leave. We travelled quite a bit on this trip. We no longer have a garden to take care of so we have time for other things. There […]

On our recent trip to Spain we visited the delightful Santillana del Mar, a tiny town in the Cantabria region of northern Spain. There will be more on this gorgeous town later, but first I have to tell you about the beautiful hotel where we stayed. Hotel Casa Del Marqués was originally a 15th century private […]

My youngest brother, Peter, was born on 24th May 1966. I remember the day of his birth as though it was yesterday. At about 4.30 in the afternoon Mum decided it was time to go to the hospital. Dad was a builder, so could not be contacted at work. Mum had a bell which she […]