The winter dawns are so much clearer than in summer. I never knew I could see both the Gran Sasso mountains 100 km away in Abruzzo, and the Sibillini Mountains (the two highest ranges in the Appennini at over 2000 M), from the window of my study.

Couldn’t resist stepping out of hermitdom yesterday (I’ve locked myself up in my mountain home in Italy trying to finish off a book) to join the rest of the villagers in the local amenities hall for the traditional Feast of San Antonio. Before the feast the contadini bring their animals – dogs, cats, cows, sheep, […]

Yesterday I gave the Eulogy at the funeral in North Wales of my 100 year old great aunt, Ben. I include the text below.

It was a beautiful service in the small parish church of St Tyrnog in Llandyrnog, North Wales. The coffin arrived on a cart pulled by Ben’s aged log pulling horse Neville and followed by a procession of mourners. Inside was a full Welsh Choir. […]

Wishing you a happy Christmas and a satisfying 2014

Poscritto a  Un Compleanno ‘Sul Cappello’ 14 Luglio, 2013 Please see also Mass on Monte Amandola and Grappa from the Bridge of Bassano

Fotografia: Hong Ying Un po’ di musica…

We are back in our Italian home for the summer. The polluted cloud wrapping Beijing – where even a sunny day looks anaemic – has been replaced by the stunning colours of the Le Marche countryside. Hong Ying and I are here to work – to get on and write our novels in the peace […]