Hello everyone of my new and good friends. I have been away and so I am sorry that I have not answered any of your comments or left anyway of my own on all your beautiful poetry and writings.
I have been discovering the beautiful Tuscan region of Italy. It is a land full of grapes, olives , green rolling hills which in the months before my visit were covered in amazing sunflowers. Imagine the scenery fields and fields of golden sun flowers dancing in the breeze. There were only a few left as we drove through but we could see their dried up stalks and the occasional golden flower head still in the fields.
We visited many beautiful walled cities, towns and villages, people are living and working in the places straight out of history. Alive and vividly beautiful , full of echoes of the centuries that have gone before. It is a shame that more countries have not kept their history alive in this way. I do realize that many countries , New Zealand, Australia, America, Canada and some of the newer South African states do not have centuries of history ……. but there are people who populated those countries before the new settles arrived and claimed the soil. I do know that many European countries, mine among them,were war ravaged and so have had to rebuild loosing many original towns and villages.
Tuscany , no doubt all of Italy , I only have knowledge of Tuscany , but as I was saying Tuscany celebrates its history and it’s present together. It is alive with beauty and sun and history. In may places I could feel the presence of all those who had walked the cobbled streets and looked out from the high walled walks of a castle and saw exactly what I saw, when they looked out from that same spot.
We stayed in a beautiful house built in the 13th century it was full of the sense of what went before . Our hosts were truly kind and welcoming people who made our stay so much more special. Also we were so lucky, in that all our fellow guests turned out to be beautiful and friendly people of all types and nationalities and we feel that we have made firm friendships with all of them.
Every evening we all shared a meal, at a long table and what ever mix of guests that was there each evening we always found that the mix of good food and wine was enhanced a thousand fold by the joy and fun found in banter and conversation with our fellow guests and our hosts.
So dear friends and fellow writers that is my excuse and explanation for my silence , I am back now so it is catch up time and hopefully the Tuscan sun, fun and ghosts will inspire me to write.
Sep 28, 2011 @ 21:16:32
Welcome back! Congratulations on what sounds like a splendid hiatus. It’s good to see you again!
Sep 29, 2011 @ 07:01:06
Thank you it is good to be home …….. but I still miss the view and the people , never mind. I have a lot of reading to catch up so I am looking forward to seeing what you have all been up to since I was last here!! XXXX
Sep 29, 2011 @ 02:29:51
LOL…from paradise back to reality:) I love many parts of Europe and Tuscany certainly hits the top ten. I lived, worked, and traveled in Europe for four years in my youth. Welcome back.
Sep 29, 2011 @ 06:58:53
Hello there ! Yes back down to earth with a bang, traffic, washing shopping !! Help!! Even worse so much to catch up on…. eeek!! I shall be looking forward to looking around your blog ASAP! But lets face it if we lived there , in those beautiful places we would not appreciate them as much as we do when we we visit. Holidays are not real life and nothing lasts for ever so here is to our next travels!! Be well and happy and power to your pen!!
Sep 29, 2011 @ 14:01:20
ah Willow, what a wonderful experience, to be able to soak up the history and the sunshine… and have great company too, always worthwhile having like minded people to share a holiday with. Welcome back and catch up soon. xPenx
Oct 02, 2011 @ 06:48:49
nice to see you back again! seems like you had a fine vacation in the sunshine while we freeze in autumn winds. 🙂 hope you enjoyed it to the fullest. and also hope you are now full with inspiration too.
Oct 02, 2011 @ 07:57:48
Thank you , I have bought some sun back with me. We are enjoying an Indian summer just now, yesterday was the hottest day of the year here! I hope you are not too chilly.
Sep 24, 2012 @ 20:54:45
Wow. Life can be good, sometimes! 🙂
Sep 24, 2012 @ 21:29:32
Hi Noeleen yes it can, you are digging in to my old blogs here. It was a magical holiday . 😉