I’m sure I’ve posted pics before but it was sensation. She (currently in Spain) roosted on an old pigeon house roof and foraged in newly harvested field beyond my garden. Made friends with a pheasant.
February 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
I’m sure I’ve posted pics before but it was sensation. She (currently in Spain) roosted on an old pigeon house roof and foraged in newly harvested field beyond my garden. Made friends with a pheasant.
#MosaicMonday Hollyhock (Althea) celebrated all over Ravenna for healing the sick due to Plague of Justinian 6th C. Well the half that didn’t die that is.
Frankincense also played a big medicinal part and the ‘tapped’ trees for resin are celebrated on the columns of San Vitale.
Frankincense also played a big medicinal part and the ‘tapped’ trees for resin are celebrated on the columns of San Vitale.
February 9, 2026 at 5:58 PM
#MosaicMonday Hollyhock (Althea) celebrated all over Ravenna for healing the sick due to Plague of Justinian 6th C. Well the half that didn’t die that is.
Frankincense also played a big medicinal part and the ‘tapped’ trees for resin are celebrated on the columns of San Vitale.
Frankincense also played a big medicinal part and the ‘tapped’ trees for resin are celebrated on the columns of San Vitale.
Really fell for John Russell, early Australian impressionist who apparently introduced colour to Matisse! Putting him forward for a little feature ☺️
February 5, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Really fell for John Russell, early Australian impressionist who apparently introduced colour to Matisse! Putting him forward for a little feature ☺️
And of course the Seurat featured in one of Waldy’s films - I can only see it whilst visualising its missing partner the other side of the river ! “Oi ! You over there wiv the ‘at”
February 4, 2026 at 9:47 PM
And of course the Seurat featured in one of Waldy’s films - I can only see it whilst visualising its missing partner the other side of the river ! “Oi ! You over there wiv the ‘at”
@bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social TY Bendor, travelled up to Nat Gallery today & dizzy with joy. So much increased understanding of all these paintings thanks to you and Waldy. Epic: 3 hours and 3 miles until eyes watered. ‘Stoned’ after medieval (where my heart lies) then gasping out loud into rooms TY
February 4, 2026 at 9:43 PM
@bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social TY Bendor, travelled up to Nat Gallery today & dizzy with joy. So much increased understanding of all these paintings thanks to you and Waldy. Epic: 3 hours and 3 miles until eyes watered. ‘Stoned’ after medieval (where my heart lies) then gasping out loud into rooms TY
Fantastic I live nearby & always look twice when digging.Sent pics of these into WSCC FO 2021 but no reply so I’ve sent to PAS this morning - motivation indeed ! Probably bits of old rock but just in case - they fit so nicely in the hand ! Great pics of the museum collection a veritable factory !
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Fantastic I live nearby & always look twice when digging.Sent pics of these into WSCC FO 2021 but no reply so I’ve sent to PAS this morning - motivation indeed ! Probably bits of old rock but just in case - they fit so nicely in the hand ! Great pics of the museum collection a veritable factory !
#FindsFriday Crown from Tindari, Sicily - Greek circa 400 bce
My pics from Palermo archaeology museum.
Love a gold crown I do.
My pics from Palermo archaeology museum.
Love a gold crown I do.
January 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
#FindsFriday Crown from Tindari, Sicily - Greek circa 400 bce
My pics from Palermo archaeology museum.
Love a gold crown I do.
My pics from Palermo archaeology museum.
Love a gold crown I do.
The wonderful apse at St Apollinaire at Classe squeaking in late for #MosaicMonday my pic well worth zooming in - depicts the time before a climate event destroyed crops and when plague set in.
December 30, 2025 at 1:13 AM
The wonderful apse at St Apollinaire at Classe squeaking in late for #MosaicMonday my pic well worth zooming in - depicts the time before a climate event destroyed crops and when plague set in.
600 years apart ! But here’s the 2 books.
December 24, 2025 at 6:32 AM
600 years apart ! But here’s the 2 books.
6th C cultural appropriation ! Arian KingTheodoric (L) renamed as Orthodox EmperorJustinian (R) at St Apollinaire Nuovo, Ravenna. Boo! #MosaicMonday
December 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
6th C cultural appropriation ! Arian KingTheodoric (L) renamed as Orthodox EmperorJustinian (R) at St Apollinaire Nuovo, Ravenna. Boo! #MosaicMonday
I was excited to discover that after his banishment Odo went to Palermo to his fellow Normans and is buried in Palermo Cathedral. (Somewhere!) pic: mine of the crypt.
December 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I was excited to discover that after his banishment Odo went to Palermo to his fellow Normans and is buried in Palermo Cathedral. (Somewhere!) pic: mine of the crypt.
#MosaicMonday - detail from early 12th C La Martorana church in Palermo built as an act of worship by George of Antioch, Admiral of Sicily.
December 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
#MosaicMonday - detail from early 12th C La Martorana church in Palermo built as an act of worship by George of Antioch, Admiral of Sicily.
TY encouraged me to see the first episode. Disappointed not to hear a mention of Galla Placidia,sister of Honorius, abducted by Alaric & later married to next Goth King Ataulf who then allied with Honorius. Daughter,sister wife & mother of Kings, Emperors and Regent in her own right.Tomb in Ravenna.
November 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
TY encouraged me to see the first episode. Disappointed not to hear a mention of Galla Placidia,sister of Honorius, abducted by Alaric & later married to next Goth King Ataulf who then allied with Honorius. Daughter,sister wife & mother of Kings, Emperors and Regent in her own right.Tomb in Ravenna.
Yes 5 days in Palermo exploring the Arab Norman unesco sites !
November 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Yes 5 days in Palermo exploring the Arab Norman unesco sites !
I was at Mon Réale in Sicily last month gazing at a mosaic of St Thomas a Becket. The cathedral was being built directly after Beckets canonisation by the Norman king William 11 of Sicily. Isn’t history just enthralling ! I also discovered Bishop Odo was buried in the Norman Palermo Cathedral.
November 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I was at Mon Réale in Sicily last month gazing at a mosaic of St Thomas a Becket. The cathedral was being built directly after Beckets canonisation by the Norman king William 11 of Sicily. Isn’t history just enthralling ! I also discovered Bishop Odo was buried in the Norman Palermo Cathedral.
so interesting to hear about the 13th C Westminster Retable, painted by a Spaniard and its rel’shp to Cosmati pavement. I’m just back from Palermo & its Arab-Norman fusion wondering if the octagonal motif is moorish. Also pictured the original floor at Mon Réale 12th C @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
so interesting to hear about the 13th C Westminster Retable, painted by a Spaniard and its rel’shp to Cosmati pavement. I’m just back from Palermo & its Arab-Norman fusion wondering if the octagonal motif is moorish. Also pictured the original floor at Mon Réale 12th C @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
#MosaicMonday (Norman) King Roger 11 of Sicily’s bedroom or dining room in the Norman Palace in Palermo. 12th C. One of many Arab/Norman UNESCO sites in Palermo. My pics 😎
October 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
#MosaicMonday (Norman) King Roger 11 of Sicily’s bedroom or dining room in the Norman Palace in Palermo. 12th C. One of many Arab/Norman UNESCO sites in Palermo. My pics 😎
#FunghiFriday Bignor/Sutton border, West Sussex
October 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
#FunghiFriday Bignor/Sutton border, West Sussex
I wonder if this is calathea - (mallow) celebrated in Ravenna mosaics as a healing plant used post meteor climate change in the ensuing plague ….. very distinctly pink tipped white flower …. 🧐 (yes that’s a fridge magnet!)
August 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I wonder if this is calathea - (mallow) celebrated in Ravenna mosaics as a healing plant used post meteor climate change in the ensuing plague ….. very distinctly pink tipped white flower …. 🧐 (yes that’s a fridge magnet!)
#MosaicMonday detail from Galla Placidia Mausoleum ceiling 5th C Ravenna but copied from earlier 5thC church in Rome.
August 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
#MosaicMonday detail from Galla Placidia Mausoleum ceiling 5th C Ravenna but copied from earlier 5thC church in Rome.
Great to see you @butserancientfarm.co.uk today! We had a fab time
August 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Great to see you @butserancientfarm.co.uk today! We had a fab time
#MosiacMonday ‘House of the Stone Carpets’ in Ravenna discovered under a church in 1993/4: mosaic floors 1-6th C. Very early daisy shape floor found under later but still early floors. Highly recommended to visit.
August 4, 2025 at 12:10 PM
#MosiacMonday ‘House of the Stone Carpets’ in Ravenna discovered under a church in 1993/4: mosaic floors 1-6th C. Very early daisy shape floor found under later but still early floors. Highly recommended to visit.
#TombTuesday the tomb of Theodoric, King of the Goths in Ravenna, Italy - 6th Century. Aurisina marble from Trieste with 270 ton monolithic dome which “has no equals in ancient or modern architecture” (UNESCO) bridges Roman and goth architectural styles.
July 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
#TombTuesday the tomb of Theodoric, King of the Goths in Ravenna, Italy - 6th Century. Aurisina marble from Trieste with 270 ton monolithic dome which “has no equals in ancient or modern architecture” (UNESCO) bridges Roman and goth architectural styles.