One Summer in Venice

One Summer in Venice

Nicky Pelegrino has written a wonderful book about a woman who visits Venice initially for a week’s holiday and decides to continue her stay in the city over the summer months.  The author brings the city of Venice to life with the whimsical characters Addolorata (Dolly) meets and also the atmosphere of the beautiful city by the sea which is built on a lagoon.

There is a Countess in a once imposing palace but which is now badly in need of maintenance and furnishings, an eccentric friend, Coco, who may influence Dolly in some respects regarding her outlook on life and the beautiful dog, Boris, whom Dolly takes for walks around this  fascinating city.  The reader actually sees another Venice altogether from the Venice of the tourists.

There is the wonderful architecture, the dancing in the moonlight and the setting sun by the magnificent churches which give an added appeal and also a beautiful glow to the city, the joie de vivre of the populace and the wonderful neighbourhood get togethers.  It is a unique insight into the beauty of Venice where the people gather for morning coffee and there are wonderful descriptions of the Venetian food, travel by gondola and magnificent celebrations and religious festivals of which Venice is renowned for with masques, balls and fireworks over the lagoon.

There is also romance in this story and also the story of Dolly’s other life in London.  Sometimes she appears to be caught between the two different lives (one in London and one in Venice) and she has to choose what is important for her.  Dolly also has an interesting list of happiness and every so often she will write on her list what makes her happy.

This is an inspsirational book and also one which is well recommended.  I have previously read a Nicky Pelegrino book which was also set in Italy.  This was “The Gypsy Tea Room” also published under the title of The House at Villa Rosa which I also enjoyed reading.

The Winter Sun on a Distant Shore

Oh, how I love the Winter Sun

which glints and glimmers free-

spills upon the ocean wave

and sparkles upon the Sea:

Oh, how I love that Winter Scene

God grant that I may ever dream

and see a different Winter Gleam

In a place serene:

And the sparkle in the tree:

as the ocean birds

warm their wings

in a windvale lee;

It glanced upon the lily pond

Came down to the shining sea

where a wonderful palm frond

waved back and forward to me:

And out on that glittering sea

Beckoned awhile a beautiful boat

Gleaming bright

upon the ocean white:

Rocking to and fro

upon the ocean breeze

Taking me

To wherever I please?

On the horizon

The glint of the sun

This I knew

was the one,

The boat of my Dreams:

Get on, get on

get on with the tide

the call of Nature is on your side:

the breeze was right

the time was night

and on to this ship I embarked

And now it was a

Dream of mine

gliding along the brine

Looked up and saw a pine,

Shadowy branches

Spreading all along

a breaking surf incline;

and upon this golden ship

could be an achor over to climb

for a future

way past time:-

This golden light

ever bright

springs forth amongst the trees-

Golden Splendour

My Delight

Greenery, symmetrically

A bird haven, shelter

which beauty about decrees:

This winter light

sparkles white

glinting bright

on a distant land:

where pink-tinged clouds

touch lightly on golden sand

in a powder blue haze

of an orange sunset maze;

and distant birds call a night retreat

onward,

gracefully gliding,

wings flapping on a silent beat:

And the noble green

where dancing shadows

flicker in-between

the tall poplar, fig and rose

on a distant shore.

Oh, for me a

distant slip

Where forever

lands,

A Golden Horizon

burns ever so bright:

And golden were the tomorrows I could see

on this enchantment-filled sea-trip;

Imaginings, imaginings

If only this were true-

To sail across the ocean blue

to a distant shore

with colours of every hue:

This, I say, to my regret

A land where once there was a Crown

and the gold-fish danced beside the ship

the dolphins frolicked

in their play

At the closing of the day;

The sails went up,

the winds did whirl

About and about

A glorious show

As sails unfurl;

A place where people

would bow and clasp your hand:

Oh, help me, Master, to understand

That as I sail to another land

the truth alone I see in mine own eyes

Not difficulties in another guise:

with beauty, truth

the perspective clears

and hope our Master

always hears-

I see light come from the grey

Banish all my thoughts away

There is beauty in the day

And for peace

I will always pray.

Come let us form a circle for our friends

And light a candle for this hope

And clap together our hands

for in giving peace

we give scope

for people visiting other lands.

A new life prospers true

And gives the day a new spark

Taking me from days of dark

If I could only see

A wonderful world

A place to be

wherever you may be.

Holy Places of France - the beauty of the Mont

Didn't I see the sheep?

So beautiful and pure

Grazing as though in Heaven

So peaceful and secure:

 

In the distance a mountain

So lovely to behold

perhaps as a graceful fountain

sometime made of gold:

 

For was it not thus

this rock of St Michel so?

For us,

looking as from below?

 

The Heavens must have gazed down upon us this day

For it had been raining all upon the way-

A beautiful place

this saintly abode

Mont St Michel

The Angels sing:

 

Heaven's grace could surely

not find another

of beauty and harmony

graceful in each other;

This life, this love

enduring spirit

Mont St Michel

Shines as from above:

 

for it was in June

I visited this place;

the Sun shone down

upon its face:-

come late after noon:

 

Majesty, beauty

so rare, so unseen

Graces from Heaven

a celestial Queen;

For this was a place

I always wished to see

My hope, my esprit,

My reason to be-

for God in his mercy

Looked down upon me-

 

I came to Mont St Michel

with hope in my heart

to be inspired

right from the start;

 

Beauteous gardens

do wrap around me

Old stone walls

do surround me;

 

Garlands of flowers

do cry out to the sea

The measure of beauty

is unknown to thee;

whispering trees

bedecked and unknown

Stand shivering

in lees

golden and blown;

This beauteous monument

flings wild its charms

Joan of Arc, Saint Michael

the free;

Praying for more of wonders

to see;

A chapel beholden

The spirit emboldened

This wondrous place

A haven of grace;

Came from above

to render its place;

A miracle

wrought to be;

In dazzling light

splendour bright

a silvery show

glistening reflections

of a sea and sky bow.

Wonderful St Malo!

Oh, to be in wonderful St Malo!

This is a magnificent walled city of fascinating landmarks and inspiring scenery.

In early June I enjoyed walking around the ramparts of this city in the early morning

 looking out over the views of the wide expanse of sea and sky which seemed

to greet the new day.

I loved the history, the folk lore and the sense of adventure which is to be found in the stories

which are told of the explorers, corsairs, merchants and traders who made the city a prosperous 

place.  

Two cruise ships could be seen in the harbour and also a brightly coloured pirate ship which 

was quite inspirational as it evoked a sense of the times of the pirates and corsairs who 

plied their trade on the Brittany coast so many years ago. 

I admired the architecture, the shops and brightly coloured buildings and the little streets with fascinating

outlooks towards the water.  Such is the street of Le Chat qui Danse with a plaque in the wall for 

this famous cat of history.

A statue of a sailor and corsair who was recognised and decorated by Napoleon

is Robert Surcouf, who unfortunately did not always agree with Napoleon on certain matters as for

example wishing for a terrace of coins which Napoleon did not approve.

There is a plaque for explorer, Jacques Cartier who left St Malo for Canada.

The stained glass windows of the Cathedral give an aura of beauty and peace. 

There were little coffee shops getting ready for the lunch time shoppers and workers and the

place had a friendly atmosphere.  

St Malo beckons again with its wonderful sense of history and enlightening stories of the past.