Monthly Archives: January 2017

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The Villa Pignatelli, two dogs, and a carriage museum in Naples, Italy

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A look back (first published 9 March 2016): the Villa Pignatelli – owned by the Actons, the Rothschilds, and the Pignatellis – is now a museum and, together with its carriage display, well worth a visit if you’re lucky enough to be in Chiaia in Napoli.

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Villa Pignatelli in Naples, Italy Villa Pignatelli in Naples, Italy

This villa – white and recently restored – sits in the lap of one of the most crowded cities in Europe.  It has the blue sea to its front, colour behind, and is wrapped in an exclusive coat of green.

Its striking, classical profile is very different to the buildings that now surround it.

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Sea cats around the Bay of Naples, Italy

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I published this post on The Phraser at the end of February 2016. February is a grand time to be on the Bay of Naples. The sun might not always be there, and it might be chilly, but there’s always coffee and plenty to explore … plus, of course, you’re bound to bump into a cat.

thephraser's avatarThe Phraser

By the old fishing harbour in Pozzuoli, near Naples, Italy By the old fishing harbour in Pozzuoli, near Naples, Italy

Last week a bonny, blond portrait painter came to stay.  We took her to see the sights: old fishing harbours; castles; artworks; views; and we fended off the men … but it was the cats that caught her eye.

I looked where she looked – this is for her.

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The joy, and guilt, of a drive along the Amalfi Coast in Italy

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I wrote this post at the end of February last year. Since then we’ve seen another summer on the lovely Amalfi Coast … but we’ve also sat in its traffic jams, and met up with friends, weak with frazzled nerves, after they’ve completed their own summer drives along this famous coast. My advice is to travel by sea .. I don’t think donkeys are available yet 🙂

thephraser's avatarThe Phraser

View from above Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy View from above Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy

Some places fill the mind with light, draw us like moths towards their flame … and as we arrive in our thousands the chaos from our wingbeats pushes outwards.

The Amalfi Coast, rippled turquoise, with emerald light and wilderness, is one such flame; and I feel like a vandal every time I visit by car.

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