Italy

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A to Z Challenge – V is for Venice, Vivaldi and Valmont

ven3ven4I’m A Total Tourist In Venice.      

It might seem odd for a woman who likes to visit gardens on her travels to be so much in love with Venice;  I can’t explain it. I’ve been sung to in a gondola,  shopped, paid too much to sit at one of the tables right in front of Florian and got bellini’d at Harry’s. I have queued patiently and gazed wide-eyed upon magnificence. I would do it all again and again. (Did I mention I shopped.)  The place that held me enraptured, however, was quite small in comparison to many of the historic masterpieces; the Museo della Musica .  The early instruments in the Museum had an extraordinary effect on me;  I longed to be able to hold them. There  is a section called Antonio Vivaldi e il suo tempo which gives an insight into the life of Vivaldi.

 

a view from my room

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Wondering how Valmont fits in with Venice and Vivaldi? They all feature in my manuscript of course. Oh the joy of writing your own plot (but, for the downside, please also see yesterday’s post “Unfinished” ) and  having fun with who does what, with whom and where.

All photos copyright Lynne Revette Butler.

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A is for April; The Enchanted April

This is not just my first A to Z Challenge post;  it is my first proper blog on any subject. Writing about a  book, a film and Italian gardens,  3 of my favourite topics,   seemed like a good way to start.  I’ve read quite enviously about some of the intriguing themes other participants are using; I’m not sure how my blogs will progress,  perhaps  a theme will emerge.  I would love some feedback,  good or bad, as entering this Challenge  3 days after starting my first blog site was quite possibly a mad idea.  In contrast,  Arlee Bird’s idea to start the A to Z Challenge in the first place was  inspirational and I am so glad I read about  it on Joanne Phillips’   “a writer’s journey”  blog in time to enter for 2013.

The Enchanted April, by Elizabeth Von Arnim, is about four English women who rent an Italian Castle, San Salvatore, for the month of April;  it is set in the 1920’s  but  the writer’s understanding and portrayal  of  human relationships keeps the book  relevant as we approach the 2020’s.  I had never heard of it until, on 5th April 1992, I watched the tv premiere of the  BBC film adaptation;  I was captivated  by it, and doggedly searched the local secondhand book and charity shops until I found an old hardback copy of the original book.  As I read it I could smell the flowers,  feel the sun on my back,  see the glint of light rising from the sea-water in the bay; I yearned to go there and spend time with Lotty, Rose, Lady Caroline and Mrs. Fisher  (and, it has to be said, with Michael Kitchen who played  Mr. Briggs  in the film.)

I went on a gardens tour of Tuscany in late April 1995 .  It rained on seven of the eight days I was away;  not occasional light  rain but relentless downpours that soaked through my inadequate showerproof coat. The water  ran down my legs into my sturdy English garden- visiting shoes where it remained trapped, causing  squelching noises as I walked, so I took a taxi to Florence and bought a pair of  soft, violet open-toed shoes  that would let the rain escape.

A couple of months ago, as I was purchasing a DVD online,  the recommendations for future purchases included The Enchanted April;  I bought it immediately and also downloaded the book onto my Kindle. As I read I can still smell the flowers;  I still yearn to travel there with Lotty and the others, but now I would be sure I packed my gaberdine mac.