La Spezia

This Cathedral really does combine the 60's space age with church design. Pretty and pretty unusual.

Check here for my other rant...

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

Genoa - Steps

I have no doubt that there will eventually be a movie made about my amazing life. I also have no doubt that a place like this will feature in the film. I just love these stairs. The wrought iron work, the stone walls, the ferns that will grow just about anywhere... it's all just so lovely. It was also lovely and cool on these steps, the stone absorbing some of the heat of the day. Yup, here's one of the 4728 locations I would choose to include. I'll see if you can think of any others...

taken June 2010 - one set of City steps, Genoa

La Spezia - Alter reality

This Cathedral was concecrated in 1975. Built in the round, the red circular carpet you can see in the foreground is in the centre of the church.

So interesting!

Taken June 2010 - Christ the King of Centuries Cathedral, La Spezia, Italy

Rose at Peppertree wine

I don't take that many photos of flowers from the side, but I think this one worked out quite nicely indeed. Also, my camera sometimes has a fit taking pictures of pink flowers. I don't know why, but there it is.

taken May 2010 - Peppertree Wines, Hunter Valley, NSW

Genoa - detail of church wall

I really do like taking this style of photo. More properly said, I would love to touch these sculptures and take in their details as much as I am allowed to.

Wikipedia link here

taken June 2010 - Basilica della Santissima Annuziata del Vastato (I think), Genoa

Genoa - Zaccaria

This lovely statue was one of four in a niche. Zaccaria, Stefano, Elisabetta and Giovanni. If I'm reading the card right. they are from the 17thc. Hurrah!

The statues at this basilica were absolutely stunning. I say this because they are completely up my alley as it were. I love the flowing lines of the cloth, and the near-human reality of the expressions.


Wikipedia link to Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta in Italian or English
Wikipedia link to St Zechariah (priest) here (feast day Nov 5th)

taken June 2010 - Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Genoa

My favourite shoes

I cannot tell you how much I love these shoes. Basically, whenever I think I can get away with wearing bright yellow on my feet, I do!

Genoa - Dome-tastic

Would you believe me if I told you this church was heavily bombed during WWII? Yeah, really. There did some pretty darn-tootin' impressive restorations here. This church floored me to begin with. It really does show 17thc style. (at least to my mind's eye it does).

I'm now going to quote to you from the church's English pamphlet.

A statue found and preserved "without hands"and respondent to prayers of an anonymous Flemish person of the 15th century "Christ does not have hands - he only has our hands to do his work today..."

Now I ask you to take a moment, to sit, look up and wonder at the works of God around us and say thanks. Then stand up, and find a way to use your hands to the glory of God.

Wikipedia link in Italian or English

taken June 2010 - Church of San Pietro di Banchi, Genoa

In the park with a Cocatoo

I'm still trying to get the perfect shot of the sulphur-crested cockie. I like the brilliance of the yellow crest, but even still... y'all are going to have to suffer through more pictures of these birds until I get my hero shot. (here's my last cockatoo post)

I might add that since they put new wood chips around the swings in the park, it has been cockatoo city! I think there must have been some tasty bugs in the chips as the cockies have been tearing though the grounds and ripping up just about everything. I also think the random foodstuff left after the weekend picnics are a hit with the birds. Yesterday I watched a cockie pull the straw out of a McDonald's cup, take the top off and upend the contents over itself. mmmm... sticky sweet cockatoos.

Taken August 2010 - Park by our apartment, Macquarie Park, NSW