Island in the Sun
Just returned from the Italian island of Sardinia where every day, dawn to dusk, the sun shone brightly. Landing home again on terra firma, and confronted by a very green rain soaked land, we joked to one another about taking the return flight back!!! However, there is no place quite like home.
We in this northern hemisphere are programmed into our seasons. Imagine a world without Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. No snowdrops to watch magically shooting out of the ground during January or evenings spent sitting around a cosy fireside. What would it be like without the riot of russet leaves now beginning to crown our tree tops which will eventually swirl to the ground leaving us with carpets of gold for young and old alike to trample beneath their feet?
We did very little sight seeing
swam, walked, and read lots of books beneath the dappled shade of an old Olive Tree
Hello Rosemary, Vacations don't have to be hives of activity. Sometimes just entering into the local pace is worthwhile--you start to see things in the way the locals do.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - I must admit it was very good to take things at a slower pace - late breakfasts with no early morning wake-up calls. It was also lovely having time to catch up on our reading.
DeleteSometimes you just have to enjoy the time to take a hold and read indeed. Beautiful sunny! pictures. We are in the same northern hemisphere so it is dark and rainy too..:(
ReplyDeleteIt is not normally what we do, but it was good to have time to relax
DeleteSounds wonderful Rosemary. Lovely collage. Such vibrant colour in the Bougainvillea against a beautiful blue sky.
ReplyDeleteThe sky was a perfect blue backdrop for the entire time that we were there.
DeleteIdyllic! And that multicoloured church dome is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteLove the multi coloured ceramic domes in Italy, something that they have done for centuries, but I think that this one looked as if it was a fairly recent update.
DeleteI could manage that!!
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DeleteWhat a lovely place to relax and enjoy yourself. I hope you were treated to some great food too.
ReplyDeleteWe always enjoy Italian food and this was no exception.
DeleteI lived for many years very near the equator and missed the rhythm of seasons very much. It's nice to escape into the sunshine during the drearier parts of the years, but always lovely to come home to pale watery light.
ReplyDeleteA vacation of reading and relaxing sounds wonderful!
It is lovely to escape and get an extra dose of sunshine but like you I am firmly wedded to our seasons.
DeleteWelcome back, Rosemary. Taking a break from the home routine and doing your favorite things in a relaxed way in such a bright, warm, exotic place like Sardinia is a real luxury. Regarding your Comment,“Indian summer” is “koharu biyori” in Japanese literally meaning “small-spring days”.
ReplyDeleteYoko
We have been having a hectic time Yoko what with our recent travels to SA, and have also had lots of tasks done in our house, so we appreciated having this time to relax.
DeleteDear Rosemary, Sounds ideal. I also love the season and home is always best. Would love to see a few more pictures. Did you stay in an interesting place?
ReplyDeleteDear Gina - surprisingly for me but I took very few photos on this trip.
DeleteWe stayed in the northern part of the island in a quiet location. It was an interesting hotel which had small individual guest bungalows scattered within the coastal/garden landscape and had two different restaurants to choose from. It also had a fresh seawater pool, and a spa for those who wished.
You always stay in such nice places. Where did you stay in Sardinia? It's on our list of places to visit.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos as always.
Jean
Hello Jean - we stayed in a quiet location at the northern end of the island and flew from Bristol to the city of Oblia.
DeleteIf you wanted to be more central for visiting lots of places then the capital of Sardinia, Cagliari, would perhaps be best. Either way it is a good idea to hire a car for all or part of the time that you are there. We just travelled on the local buses as we didn't want to do too much, but if I returned I would hire a car.
Someone I know stays in Sardinia and its a fascinating island. Never been yet but have backpacked across neighbouring Corsica. Always fancied walking Sardinia end to end the same way but never time to fit in every dream :o)
ReplyDeleteGood place to relax.
There were quite a few youngsters on our flight who were obviously going to be walking and climbing the mountains with their rucksacks, crash helmets, ropes and crampons. It seems that it is a popular thing to do there.
DeleteHi Rosemary....
ReplyDeleteSounds and looks divine!
Nothing like lounging in the sun...reading...and a tiny bit of sight seeing...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
I know that this island in the sun would be right up your street Linda - hope you are well and lovely to hear from you.
DeleteWhat a beautiful spot for a quiet break - which I am sure you needed after that amazing trip to South Africa! How pretty is that dome, as if it is covered in candy drops. The colour suits the hot climate. I do envy you the distinctive four seasons you enjoy. Apart from cold for a couple of months in Winter, we don't notice much change apart from the ever-present heat! And the cycle of the plants, of course, although no 'Fall' of the leaves.
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia - our seasons can be so uplifting and inspiring - it is those drab, grey bits that we could do without. Fortunately they can be here today and gone tomorrow - glorious Autumn day today.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteBeing in a very relaxed, laid back environment with a wonderful flora and fauna is food for the soul.
We all need that to get away from the hectic of the world, of all the negativity and evil.
Feeling rejuvenated and ready to warm up to a colder season; at least for your surrounding.
We still continue to have kind of summery weather but nights get cooler since a week now.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - we have certainly returned home feeling very relaxed and ready for whatever may be thrown at us. For example yesterday my new integral fridge had it's matching kitchen cupboard door fitted, but what a mess the men made of it! However, I took it all in my stride and hope that when they return with the proper hinges all will be well.
Delete💕
DeleteThat looks and sounds like paradise, glad you had such a relaxing time. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah - we needed it
DeleteSounds like a perfect break. Just love the colours in the roof, and that sky!
ReplyDeleteXx
Loved the ceramic domes too.
DeleteWonderful photos! I totally agree about the changing seasons. I'm sure I would start to miss them if I lived somewhere where the changes are minor. If only our dark season could be shorter, not the 4-6 months we have to face up here...
ReplyDeleteMy son and his family lived in Norway for several years, and his wife found the long dark winters particularly hard. However, on the flipside the long light summer evenings were a bonus.
DeleteSounds perfect
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely way to extend our summer for a little longer.
DeleteIn Sardinia you did exactly what is best in Sardinia...enjoying the sun and the wonderful beaches and turquoise sea !
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed a very relaxing time and recharged our batteries.
DeleteWe love Sardinia and its beaches. We were there a few months ago for a dance competition.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
I am glad it is somewhere that you have enjoyed being too.
DeleteHello Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYour trip to Sardinia sounds like the perfect holiday. The weather co-oeprated for you. I agree with you that having the four distinct seasons is a blessing and holds us in suspense. We got churned up here with Hurricane Ophelia. Having lived for 25 years in Florida we dodged the hurricanes and only to come to Ireland and have one visit us. Our dog Spice Girl, who is a Floridian transplanted to Ireland is not amused.
Wishing you a great week Rosemary and thanks for visiting.
Helen xx
Hello Helen - how ironic is that - in the history of Ireland a hurricane affecting it must be almost unheard of. We heard the news about it whilst we were in Sardinia and found it hard to believe.
DeleteLovely to hear from you Helen♡
Hello Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect holiday, reading and relaxing under the olive tree. I loved seeing your wonderful photos, the brillant blue of the sky is lovely.
Welcome back and have a great week
hugs
Carolyn
Now we are back we do have sunshine but it is getting chilly so the heat in Sardinia gave us a much needed boost for the coming winter.
DeleteHello Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteSorry it's taken so long to get to read your posts.
The photos are lovely - and it's always good to have a rest as sight seeing can be tiresome at times.
Regards,
Margaret
Hello Margaret - it is unusual for us to just relax and take it easy, but after our hectic trip in South Africa we felt as if we needed it.
DeleteWhen I was a child I yearned for a roof tiled in bright colours like that. I'd seen them in Austria, occasionally, (oddly enough) but had never been to Sardinia at that time. IN fact, I still haven't been!
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