Parked close to a coppice, on the banks of a low slow moving river about 30 minutes north of Lucca in Tuscany this campervan morning. Blue sky all around with promises of heat to come, surrounded by hills and villages and churches once more. A breeze blows along the valley and hillside, shimmering trees and the sound of wavy grass moving with the wind, which even has a heat attached to it. Colours of green, yellow and the white ash soil bleached in the sun. The birds sound as if they are conserving their energy this morning, the sounds are sparse and scattered. As close as close could be yesterday, humidity off the charts, dark rumblings and strong winds as Robert Fanney wrote :
“ I can hear your whisper and distant mutter. I can smell your damp on the breeze and in the sky I see the halo of your violence. Storm I know you are coming.”
And come it did, thunder and streaks of lightning closed the day followed by torrential rain and a wee break from heaviness and sultry nature of the temperatures. However it quickly returned once the storm had passed.
Into Lucca early doors and the place very much to ourselves for a while. Able to drink in the sites, early morning colours, sounds, smells, shouts and conversations of cleaners, bin men, early opening shop owners and waitresses. Wandering off the beaten track with an absence of tourists, bar me. An opportunity to soak up the underneath of the town, more realness, more dust, more life, more honesty. The more honest side of Lucca. Archways yesterday were the theme of the day. Archways through battlements and ramparts into the old city, they keep their secret well, the city only reveals itself once you step through the archway. Archways into narrow streets, archways opening up into large Piazzas, archways leading into basilicas, grand halls, shops, gardens, cafes and restaurants. Each leading to a different experience for the senses. Ornate or simple, pagan symbolism, renaissance brick work, carvings, messages, announcements, or just allowing you access. Archways heralding new journeys, new people, new sights and sounds. The quiet of the church, the chatter of a cafe, the colours of a shop, the smells of a bakery, the coolness of the shade. Each taking time to get accustomed to, before moving on to the next experience, an ever onward journey. As in reality as in life each experience leading to another archway leading to new more experiences, each taking their time to get accustomed too. Onwards out of Lucca and further into Tuscany. Lovely days people.
“ I came out of the storm, not the same person, but stronger, braver, and more resilient.” Shree Shambav.
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