As I write this week’s blog, grey rain clouds loom overhead as it begins to rain once again. The air is as thick as a wet blanket and generally quite miserable, both rainy and humid – the worst combo of all in the summertime don’t you think?
The view from my front porch today... |
When I moved to Canada some twenty years ago I thought that I’d get used to the different weather patterns, but really not so much. When it’s miserable it’s completely miserable with constant rain and grey skies…
For the most part I’ve come to accept Canada as my new home, but for some reason this year I’ve been longing more and more for Australia. I’ve been feeling the loss of connection between my siblings and me more than ever without Dad who somehow would bring us back together. I don’t think this weather helps...
With weather like this I’ve been longing for the hot summer days of Australia, the arid landscapes and dry contours of my native land. Strangely if I were in Australia I’d be missing Canada so you really can’t win. One thing I’ve observed with my friends who have moved back to Australia from Canada is that almost universally they’ve all returned to Canada after a couple of years. You have to decide one way or the other; you can’t really keep connected unless you decide to fully commit to one place. Not that I was planning on going anywhere cos’ Zach and Sami are my first and only priority and they are here...
Bellagio at the end of the peninsula in Lake Como...did I say paradise? |
Not sure what it is – perhaps it truly is the “La Dolce Vita” or sweet life, as we would say.
I decided to rent the same apartment as last year in San Giovanni di Bellagio. The village itself is situated just 2km from Bellagio, hence the name. Its one of the ferry stops on the lake, but only for the slow old fashioned type ferries that chug their way back and forth across the lake languidly stopping at each little village. It’s going to be a time to slow right down and relax and catch some sunshine.
The apartment itself is a one bedroom, and has a good-sized kitchen and large living room it also comes with Wi-Fi, which is sweet! However, the “Pièce de résistance” is the huge vine covered, stone sun-deck overlooking the central village square. The deck is large enough to comfortably fit 15 – 20 people for an intimate cocktail party, or for a novice writer to catch some rays and create the next blockbuster novel. ☺
One of the other things I love about this apartment are the sound of the church bells as they begin their beautiful and haunting chimes each morning at 8:00 am. It’s truly magical when I’ve open up the large shutter windows and let the sounds just flow in…
Villages dot the coast of the lake with San Giovanni di Bellagio on the Western side of the peninsula |
This twelve-day retreat will allow me time to edit and where necessary rewrite the chapters for my upcoming book. In preparation for my trip to Italy, I gathered all of my content to date, and calculated the number of words that I’ve written - it came out at a healthy 120,000 words...
I need approximately 70,000 words for a book of between 220 – 240 pages so a lot of work still to be done with editing before I can provide it to the publisher for their first pass which will likely be after I return from Italy in mid August.
Seriously if the book is a wild success I’m throwing a party in San Giovanni di Bellagio next year! So who wants in???
T - the weather in Italy outside of summer sort of sucks, too. Anyway, get a bike this time, and ride!!! Walking is for pedestrians.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite country, too. There is sth about it - the food, the life style on the piazza, even I find the rain not as annoying as anywhere else. I am in for a party in San Giovanni :).. You should pay a visit to Sicily as well. Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteTerence, I concur on the weather and i am glad you are sojourning in my Homeland.. I too long for a trek in any small town to absorb the connection to a storied past.. Enjoy and i look forward to the stories.. I am in for the party and do get a bike!! Cheers
ReplyDeleteTerence, I concur on the weather and am glad you are sojourning in my Homeland. I too long for a walk in any small town to absorb the storied past of a vibrant culture. Look forward to catching up and hearing about it. Count me in for the party and do get a bike.. Giro Italia style.. Cheers Mate!!
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