Last week, after tunneling under the squat heft of Monte Bianco, and with the cloud-tangled peaks of its French facade in our wake, I watched two alpine cows tumble together in a meadow by the side of the road. The white of their bellies blurred with the brown of their backs, and it seemed thatContinue reading “A world unfolding”
Category Archives: Life
Memories of spring
I’ve written a poem, and as that’s something I rarely do, I thought I’d share it here. In the midst of this parched and listless summer, it’s a reminder of the soft, dewy spring. While I’m here, let me say that everything is good, even if the endless sun has found me impatiently hopping fromContinue reading “Memories of spring”
Saying goodbye
On our final night in Venice, we paid one last visit to Osteria Ruga di Jaffa. The owner, Alvise, gave us a bottle of sumptuous olive oil as a goodbye gift, sparking a discussion from the men at the bar about the best way to use such a treasure. Their parting words: “just please, pleaseContinue reading “Saying goodbye”
14 March
I should really be writing about natural health supplements, but I’m sitting outside a cafe with a coffee and a soft breeze in my hair, and spring is here (!) so the Ashwagandha can wait. Let me just set the scene, for future senile Alice if nobody else. A few floors up a caged songContinue reading “14 March”
The things I haven’t done
There are many things I haven’t done in Venice. Here are just a few: I haven’t written a novel My Italian is horrible My Venetian friends are nonexistent I haven’t ever managed to wake up early enough to go for a run at dawn These were all on my to-do list, but luckily I don’tContinue reading “The things I haven’t done”
There’s something in the air
If you put your head out the window of a Venetian apartment today, and inhale deeply enough – holding the breath in your throat and your eyes firmly shut – it feels like early morning in summer. There’s something in the air. I can’t put my finger on it. Something like salt and grass, andContinue reading “There’s something in the air”
Coffee: A Manual
The third and final instalment of Dom’s Treatise on Coffee: The Manual – your guide to becoming a moka pot pro. Last time I shared some of the reasons why I often reach for the moka pot when making coffee at home. Done right, it can get you damn close to a shot pulled forContinue reading “Coffee: A Manual”
Coffee: The Little Machine
Welcome to the second part of Dom’s treatise on coffee. Here he talks all things moka – the history, the design, and the reasons you should own one. Grab a coffee and get comfortable. “Prodotto in Italia!” The Italians have good reason to be proud of the contributions they’ve made to the world, which isContinue reading “Coffee: The Little Machine”
A New Year
It is New Year’s Day 2018, and I have many important things to tell you. The first is that New Year’s Eve in Venice is wonderful, and made even more wonderful by spontaneous cocktails at the Danieli and making friends with everyone who works at your favourite local osteria. Next year, you should come. ComeContinue reading “A New Year”
15 December
There are so many things to tell you about our life here in Venice. The things we’ve done, the things we do, the thing’s we’re planning. The wonderful food we’ve eaten, and the gentle rhythms of Venetian life. I could begin by telling you about how on a Friday we sometimes buy a bottle of redContinue reading “15 December”
To The Table 