Sometimes, the temptation to play with photographs ... as was done in the darkroom, is too much and so I play. But I resisted the polaroid frame and opted for a simple edge. And stuff ...
Back home in New Zealand, we had Albatross circling one day, down there at the end of the Otago Peninsula. I adore them. For me, it feels a bit like seeing God go by, in that they are these enormous graceful birds, quite unlike any other I know.
My niece, Katie, recently sent me a copy of her end of year artwork. It's a delicately beautiful static image. She received 3 excellences for this work but even if she hadn't, I'm so proud of her talent.
And although I adore her, truly, madly, deeply ... she melted my heart some more when she wrote that I was represented by an object there too, as one of the people she loves.
She was the littlest creature when I left New Zealand and when I went home, I discovered both her and her sister are becoming the loveliest young women.
Oh yes ... I'm so proud of these girls.
I experience every emotion here in Genova. I'm sure of it.
After a terrible night, a story too long to tell, I woke tired and wondered if I could put myself back together for the day ahead but I did. Of course I did.
I was meeting Stefano, a good friend to me. He had introduced me to a rather remarkable man some time ago and I had asked if I might return and interview Mr Giovanni Grasso Fravega for my book.
It was agreed and I have just spent the most delightful couple of hours with both men, asking my questions, having them translated, and listening ... wishing, as always, that I had learned Italian by now.
Giovanni Grasso Fravego is a gifted artist, with a career that spans decades, but he is also a man with a rather impressive historical knowledge of Genova. I look forward to working with his words. I took photographs too, as he has an exhibition there in the studio he shares with Pier Canosa.
Afterwards, Stefano took me over to the top of the highest building in Genova where I was able to take photographs of the city spread out before me. It was stunning! It's another clear blue-sky day here.
Then to lunch at one of the many delightful restaurants here in the city. I don't have the name but the food was delicious. I enjoyed a pasta dish, containing a sprinkling of dried and grated unmentionable parts of tuna, preceded by a plate of fried anchovies.
Sometimes I have I no idea how to ease myself back into the world after hours spent like this however there are photographs to edit and a recorded interview to organise.
To give you a sense of today, here in Genova ... a first glimpse.
I arrived in Genova yesterday, ran my errands, and returned to the apartment just as the heavens opened. And I've been told there is more due tomorrow but today ... today is superb.
The sky is the deepest blue. It was already 9 celsius when I headed out in search of my first espresso at 10am. It's so very good to be back.
I slept 11 hours last night. 6 hours is normal for me. I need to go outside again, just to be out in it all. I wanted to download a series of puddle reflection photographs I just took. See ... La Superba still is really.
As Oakely, the exquisite chocolate-brown labrador pup, inches ever-closer to my slipper-clad feet, I find myself moving my chair back from my desk to ensure he is comfortable. Then I reach down and we have a wee conversation. I stroke him some, rearrange his chin so it's on his beanbag instead of my foot and then I move the chair back to the desk again.
I've always been a pushover when it comes to a good dog. I'm the boss but I'm not opposed to contact and conversation while working. Occasionally he licks the bare part of my foot and it's okay, I'll survive.
It's been 10 or 11 years since I last had a dog in my house. After a lifetime of labradors, beginning at age 9. Wandering the world dogless has been kind of strange. They are true companions and there's nothing like a dog when it comes to beaches and rivers, and long lonely walks. To working at whichever desk or table I've had during those days out here in the world.
Somehow, when a dog is involved, it's okay to talk outloud as you write. Someone is listening. And as I have written this, my right foot has become all snuggled and warm, as Oakley has sprawled himself over it ... using just one quarter of his beautiful beanbag.
So this is a first shot, taken when Oakley was more interested in being next to me than stepping back to a more appropriate distance for my 70-200mm lens.
Oh, I should truth-tell. Jessie organised this. She agred to dog-sit for 24 hours. Last night she had him up in her room but this morning I have him while she is on the morning school-run. I'm very happy about this. She knows it. Not having a dog has been one of the more difficult things about living in places not my own.
Thank you, Jessie.
