Florence Diary 2

Monastery of San Francesco, Fiesole.

This small window of a monk's cell

Appeals for the way the light pours through

Lighting the rough plaster walls

And the simple furnishings within.

Hipstamatic, Watts Lens, Pistil Film

A rough stone cloister gives shade from the Tuscan Sun.

Hipstamatic, Watts Lens, Pistil Film

Everywhere you go in Florence

The Duomo dominates the scene.

Brunelleschi's dome a constant landmark

Glimpsed through narrow streets.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Ina's 1969 Film

The Ponte Vecchio

Much loved bridge

Instant Florence.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Ina's 1969 Film 

Florence Diary 1

Walking along Viale Niccolo Machiavelli

Villas in varying shades of yellow and terracotta

Shaded leafy lanes invite your curiosity.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Pistil Film

San Miniato stands in glory

High on a hill overlooking the city.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Pistil Film

The Renaissance City glows in the valley of the Arno.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Pistil Film

Cool and dark the interior

Of San Miniato Al Monte.

Rays of brilliant sunlight

Reflect off smooth marble columns.

Hipstamatic, Lucas AB2 Lens, Claunch 72 Film

Spring Days 2

High cirrus clouds form a delicate tracery

The blossom, white and pure

Against nature's painted background.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Pistil film

In Japan they call it Hanami

The time of Cherry Blossom viewing.

Here, excited by the wind

Petals drift like pink snow flakes.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Pistil Film

Spring Days 1

Clear blue skies are the perfect background

For the first flush of blossom.

Behind, a poplar sprouts yellow green buds.

Hipstamatic, Lucas AB2 Lens, Kodot XGrizzled Film

Spanish Interlude 4

Sometimes it rains in Spain

High in the mountains of Andalucia

This small white village,

Villaluenga del Rosario,

Sits on the side of a mountain

Limestone pitted with caves.

Sheep, goats and hens in the valley below.

Hipstamatic, James M Lens, BlacKeys B+W film

Back in Jerez, the sun shone.

I roamed the walls of the Alcazar

Looking for the right picture to capture the bright sun

And shadows of the jacaranda and orange trees

That line the Alameda Vieja.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Ina's 1969 Film

The last shot of the day

It all fell into place

Light, shadow, white and black,

Warm sunlight on this ancient urban space

Lined with trees that give such grace.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, BlacKeys B+W Film

Spanish Interlude 3

Jerez in spring, it is the smell and sight of oranges

bright on the green trees that line the city streets

that stick long in the memory.

Hipstamatic, James M Lens, Ina's 1969 Film.

Hot sun from a cloudless sky

Narrow shaded streets of ochre and white

Lined with trees of viridian hue

Heavy with orange fruit bright

Against the dark green leaves.

Sweet perfume of creamy orange blossom

Scents the warm still air

Mingles with the tang of oranges

Crushed, fallen by the wayside

People pass without a care.

Near a Bodega's white washed walls

A sweet alcohol taste of crushed grapes

Their juice maturing into rich sherry

Coopered casks of burnt oak

Piled high in cool dark halls.

Hidden away in arched courtyards,

Inherited from the Moors.

The music of falling water

Tinkles refreshingly, reflects off

Blue and yellow tiled walls

Glimpsed through open doors.

The cobbled surface of the Plaza de Arenal, Jerez.

Hipstamatic, James M Lens, Ina's 1969 Film

Cool shaded courtyards.

Hipstamatic, James M Lens, Ina's 1969 Film

Spanish Interlude 2

The cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera, surrounded by ochre walls and orange trees.

Hipstamatic, James M Lens, Pistil film.

Sunlight and shadow on the cathedral steps.

Hipstamatic, James M Lens, BlacKeys B+W Film.

Tio Pepe, founder of the Gonzalez Byass sherry bodega, Jerez,  is honoured

by this statue near the cathedral.

Hipstamatic, John S Lens, Ina's 1969 Film