by Penny | 10 Jan, 2018 | Advancing Women Artists AWA, Books, Exhibitions, Florentine History, Modern Art, Painting, Social History, WW2
Jeanne Modigliani (29 November 1918 – 27 July 1984) I have updated an earlier Blog as a result of the increased interest in Amedeo Modigliani aroused by the splendid current exhibition at Tate Modern (23 Nov -2 April 2018) Not the least part of the increased...
by Penny | 3 May, 2017 | Books, Garden tours, News, Social History, The Art of Writing, Tours, Tuscan gardens, WW2
A day trip to La Foce & DopoLavoro La Foceand Montepuliciano. DopoLavoro La Foce is a restaurant, lodged in a building that formed part of the grounds of Anthony and Iris Origo’s estate in Val D’Orcia. It was originally the place where their farm...
by Penny | 23 Aug, 2016 | Architecture, French Odyssey by Bicycle, Religious History, Saints, Social History, Stained glass, WW2
Tuesday, 23rd August 23rd – Day Seven – Nantes to Montaigu – cooking, claxons and getting cross! This morning culture won out over running and I went to the Cathedral of St Peter & St Paul in Nantes whilst John scoured the city for a British...
by Penny | 18 Aug, 2016 | Architecture, French Odyssey by Bicycle, Religious Symbolism, WW2
Thursday, August 18th- Day two – Rouen to St Malo by car and bike to Dinan under the black cloud 07.00 Oh dear – In my worst dreams I hadn’t expected this! Having gone to bed in the searing heat after a glorious day it was a nasty surprise to wake to...
by Penny | 18 Mar, 2016 | Architecture, Religious Symbolism, Renaissance Art, Social History, The Medici, WW2
For over a thousand years there has been, more or less, a castle called Vincigliata hidden in the forests around Fiesole, near Florence. The Castle was important because the people of Florence needed protection from marauding bands of brigands who...
by Penny | 29 Jan, 2016 | Activities, Books, The Art of Writing, writer's retreat, WW2
Writing from a Sense of Place with Lisa Clifford – Wednesday 24th February 2016 Location Castello di Vincigliata – near Fiesole, Italy Is your story-telling flagging? Do you need help with your characterisation and narrative layers? Join us for a day of...
