NIGEL'S RAMBLES: Another Year has Passed

The year started with a visit to Genova. The seaside out of season is always interesting, especially the Italian Riviera. We stayed in Quarto, where Garibaldi embarked with his "thousand" to start the reunification of Italy

Quarto, Genova

From the sea to the Appennines with some snow and ice at Cerreto Laghi.

Passo Cerreto, RE

Lago Pranda, RE

"I Ricinti" above Valbona are always a good place to do some photography

Monte Cusna from Valbona,RE

Valbona,RE

Monte Cusna from Valbona,RE

A return to the bridge by Calatrava in Reggio Emila

Ponte di Calatrava, Reggio Emilia

Also another photo session at the Ceramic Crown by Libeskind

Ceramic Crown, Casalgrande,RE

Ceramic Crown, Casalgrande, RE

Unwelcome anniversaries in Piazza in Reggio Emila

Reggio Emila

Looking at the sky at Bianello

Above the clouds on Monte Cavalbianco in Febuary

Monte Cavalbianco,RE

In March I climbed the bell tower of the Ghiara in Reggio Emila

Ghiara, Reggio Emilia

Took 3 pictures of the inside before being told "no photography allowed".

Ghiara, Reggio Emilia

Went to San Benedetto Po to see the inside of this fantastic monastery

San Benedetto Po, MN

At the end of March I came across the Rocca Di San Secondo, an unknown gem near Parma

San Secondo, PR

Spring means flowers, which I found on a walk near home in the foothills above Reggio

Borzano,RE

Spring met winter up at Lago Pranda

Passo Cerreto, RE

Lago Pranda, RE

Found Spring up at the Castello di Carpineti

Carpineti, RE

Found the "stone footballs" near Ramiseto. A curious geological formation.

Taviano,RE

Even places very near to home like the seemingly squalid little river Crostolo that flows through Reggio Emilia can be interesting to photograph.

Crostolo, Reggio Emilia

Revisited the Palazzo Ducale di Sassuolo where some more rooms have been opened. This is another hidden jewel of a place.

Palazzo Ducale, Sassuolo, MO

July is the time when I get some time to walk in the Apennines.

The first was an epic 12 hour hike from Abetone to Passo Croce Arcana and back along a rather brutish part of the 00 footpath.

Libro Aperto, MO

The second July outing was to Monte Sole near Bologna. A place were the worst second world war massacre of civilians in Western Europe took place in 1944. A sobering place to visit.

Monte Sole Marzabotto, BO

A classic walk for me is from Lago Santo Modenese to Lago Nero in the province of Pistoia. The Tosco Emilian Apennines at their most beautiful.

Lago Ballano, MO

Lago Nero, PT

I visited a place that had been on my bucket list for ages. Sirmione has the remains of a huge Roman villa set on a fantastic location on the south end of lake Garda.