A Photographic Catch-Up
When I was in my first job after leaving school – I left at 16 – I coupled working all day with studying at night on what in those days was called a correspondence course. Once the June exams were completed, I suddenly had a bucketful of free time, but was ambushed by a sense of guilt.. a kind of guilty feeling that I should – ought – to be doing something. It was like a guilty conscience forever tapping my shoulder.
I’ve got that same feeling right now, after taking a pause from the travel blog, an unshakeable nagging feeling that there’s something I should be getting on with. So, without a full resumption but to pacify the nadger, here’s a catch up which comprises more photographs than paragraphs…
Our last post left us on a ferry from Bastia to Livorno on the Italy mainland. A serendipitous train journey saw us make connections we thought we’d miss, ultimately arriving in Siena a full two hours before we thought we would. Of all of Italy’s magical cities, Siena is surely one of the most beautiful. Cue Michaela’s photographs….
From Siena another lengthy rail journey via three trains brought us to Trieste, a port city which is only in Italy by the skin of its teeth. Time was, Trieste was the last Western city before the Iron Curtain; Yugoslavia was a stone’s throw away. We weren’t expecting much, but were delighted by what we found, a thoroughly attractive port city with much to admire. Cue Michaela’s photographs again….
In truth it was Michaela who enjoyed Trieste, because I went off elsewhere for a few days. My two sons Steve and Kevin flew over from England and we spent a crazy mad-dash weekend racing with no time to spare to take in FOUR Italian football matches:
A fourth tier Serie D regional game, Cjarlins Muzane 1 Brian Lignano 0, then three top tier Serie A matches, starting with Saturday night Udinese 0 AC Milan 3. Sunday, drive to Cremona for Cremonese 0 Parma 0 (poor game, great little stadium), then a dash to Milan to see Inter 2 Sassuolo 1 in the mighty San Siro stadium. It was a LOT of fun for a Dad and two grown up sons. Grown up, us three? Who am I kidding?
And then we went to….
35 Comments
Cathy
Great to hear from you Phil! Love this type of blogging – quick and snappy! A question about your trip – Corsica or Sardinia if you had to choose only one for a 2-week trip?? We love swimming in the sea, walking, historic little towns, food and wine! Thank you!
Phil & Michaela
Is that your polite way of telling me you don’t like my wordy posts 😂😂😂. Hmm, tricky to answer. They’re both beautiful, both quite expensive. Sardinia is much larger so has more towns, beaches etc…but Corsica is without doubt more scenic and spectacular. Coastline tends to be more rugged on Corsica. Both have lovely towns. Cuisine wise, one us very obviously Italian, the other very obviously French but delicious in both cases. Lots of island wines to try. Have a closer look at Calvi, would probably be a very good base if you rent a car.
Cathy
I LOVE your ‘wordy’ posts – I’m just trying to encourage you to keep going in a more sustainable way! Your posts are such an inspiration to our travels! Currently in French Polynesia – come here!
Phil & Michaela
Not on the ‘26 list at the moment but you never know !
Marie
That was a short pause Phil!!!! Great photos – we were in Trieste over the summer so recognise the city but its years – decades – since Siena….. beautiful..
Phil & Michaela
Well it may not be a full return but, as ai said, it was nagging! Trieste was a very pleasant surprise.
Bernie
Wow! That’s a lot of games! We were in the south of Italy. It doesn’t seem as bright and clean as.the cities you found.
Phil & Michaela
Naples, I presume….
Bernie
No we hit several places in the south. The only one that was bright and clean was Alberobello.
restlessjo
I agree- it would have been a total waste not to post these photos. Especially the Trieste sunset! And when I have occasionally felt like quitting, Phil, something does tend to nag. Perhaps if there was something else I desperately wanted to do with the time… xx
Phil & Michaela
Yes, we’ll see how it goes from here. Trieste was a lovely surprise, Jo.
restlessjo
Michaela could take over while you ‘put your feet up’ xx
Phil & Michaela
Hmmm… except I only do the words and she does absolutely everything else!
restlessjo
Exactly! I’m sure she could manage a few words too xx
Heyjude
Perhaps this is the way to continue the blog without it feeling like a chore. A weekly or even monthly round up with Michaela’s photos and brief descriptions from you. Much as I enjoyed the word lengthy posts I can understand how much time and effort they require when there are other more interesting things to do with your time.
Phil & Michaela
Could be…we’ll see. It scratched the nagging itch by doing it though.
Heyjude
Jo’s idea isn’t a bad one.
Annie Berger
Surprised but happy to see you back so soon! Glad you had a great time with your sons watching the games.
Phil & Michaela
Cheers Annie!
Lynette d'Arty-Cross
Thanks for popping in and sharing your/Michaela’s photos – and maybe that’s all you should do for a while! Word-heavy posts are very time-consuming while (in my opinion) photos are more fun. I thoroughly enjoyed them, especially the ones of Siena, a city I adore. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the football. Cheers.
Phil & Michaela
Cheers Lynette…could be…we’ll see…
Toonsarah
It’s great to see you pop up again! I read the comments above about ‘wordy posts’. Obviously it depends on those words but I’ve always very much enjoyed your writing and would welcome more if you ever feel the urge. But meanwhile simply seeing a selection of Michaela’s lovely photos of these beautiful cities is a real treat in itself 🙂 I did see her Trieste photos on FB but must have missed Siena so I especially enjoyed those ones. It’s a city we’ve often talked about visiting but somehow has always missed out when it came to a final decision on where to go.
Phil & Michaela
Siena is amazing, so full of charm and character. Beautiful place!
Monkey's Tale
I knew you couldn’t stay away 😊 Nice roundup of pictures Michaela. Maggie
Phil & Michaela
😀😂
thesimlux
Majestic photos and a virtual getaway for us readers! 😊
Tul
Wow, the proportions are fantastic!
WanderingCanadians
We visited Siena for a day a couple of years ago. I completely agree that it’s a magical and beautiful city. Lovely captures by Michaela.
Phil & Michaela
Really lovely city.
leightontravels
It’s great to see you back, and so soon. I have also experienced the guilt of not writing and blogging while on a blogging break. As I said in my email, lots of comparisons between us. Perhaps a more photos than words approach could be the solution in the meantime until you get your hunger back for longer, more detailed posts. Siena looks just gorgeous, by the way.
Phil & Michaela
Yeah I think we’ve decided on a quick weekly photo dominated round up is the answer. Siena is stunning, truly!
grandmisadventures
Beautiful pictures of Sienna! I read a book set here and everything since I’ve been aching to see it for myself. And a soccer.game with it- sounds like a perfect visit 🙂
Phil & Michaela
(Or even four!). Siena really is magical, Meg. Beautiful and unique city.
Lookoom
Not bad for someone taking a break. The balance between text and photos may vary, but overall it remains interesting; feeling a bit like a vicarious journey that starts again.
Phil & Michaela
I think we’ve moved properly into the break period now that we’re home…