Thursday, April 18, 2013

Spring at Last


Spring has finally arrived after an awful winter.  The Apennines  have suffered  badly from landslides. Lots of roads are closed or are badly damaged in the mountains.  Bianello near Quattro Castella one of my favourite places to take a walk at lunchtime is devastated.
Landslide, Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Spring has exploded, we have passed from winter to 23° almost summer temperatures in a week. I photographed the olive trees at Bianello against the  incredibly lush green grass.  
Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE
On Sunday I managed to find time for a good long walk in the foothills below the Apennines. I started from the castle at Montegibbio, MO.
Castello di Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO
Castello di Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO
Castello di Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO

Castello di Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO
Castello di Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO

Castello di Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO
Montegibbio castle  like lots of minor monuments in Italy is a bit run down, but all the same rather charming. The castle it seems is closed due to the recent earthquake. I love these minor monuments which Italy has in infinite abundance, one is usually the only visitor and the sense of the past is far stronger than in the overrun cities such as Florence and Pisa.  

 After I had finished looking at the castle, I walked along the crest of a hill towards Nirano before descending  down into the valley below the spectacular calanchi  that form Rio Chianca. In the 16th century  oil was extracted here for use in oil lamps.

Montegibbio,Sassuolo,MO

Rio del Petrolio,Sassuolo,MO

Rio del Petrolio,Sassuolo,MO

Rio del Petrolio,Sassuolo,MO
Rio Chianca, Sassuolo,MO
Rio Chianca, Sassuolo,MO
This whole walk was not along marked CAI footpaths so at least a couple of times footpaths that should of existed did not exist.

Next was a stiff 100 metre climb up to the ridge above the mud volcanoes at the Salse di Nirano.
Villa, Sassuolo,MO
Rio Chianca, Sassuolo,MO
Now it was time to return.  I took another ridge that passes through Villa which with stiff ups and downs closes the circle to Montegibbio.

One evening after work  I took a detour home passing the castle at Sarzano near Casina RE.  The castle has been recently restored, but this means that you cannot wander around inside it as you once could.
Cavandola, RE
Sarzano,Casina,RE

Sarzano,Casina,RE

Sarzano,Casina,RE
Sarzano,Casina,RE

Sarzano,Casina,RE
Another quick walk after work took me to the calanchi above Quattro  Castella. This surreal landscape is always interesting to photograph.

Bianello, Quattro Castella, RE

Calanchi, Bergonzano, Quattro Castella, RE

Calanchi, Bergonzano, Quattro Castella, RE

Calanchi, Bergonzano, Quattro Castella, RE

Calanchi, Bergonzano, Quattro Castella, RE

Calanchi, Bergonzano, Quattro Castella, RE

Calanchi, Bergonzano, Quattro Castella, RE
I am still exploring the possibilities of my newly adopted camera system.  I went to one of my favourite tower houses  at Cavazzone near Vezzano, RE . I quite like the way the newer sensor manages to capture the colour of the stonework. 
Cavazzone, Vezzano, RE

Cavazzone, Vezzano, RE