The extraordinary work of Renato Guttuso came from his hatred for social injustice and all abuses of power. He expressed his socialist ideal through a … [Read more...]
Fennel Pesto
A delightful stall in la Vucciria market, Palermo. If you look at the range of goodies above you'll see the tantalising jars of pesto including, to … [Read more...]
Sarde a beccafico
It's hardly surprising that many Sicilian recipes are based on sardines. Sardines, commonly found off the Sicilian coast, are cheap and easy to get … [Read more...]
Minestrone for Saint Francis Feast Day
This lovely statue of San Francesco d'Assisi is in Sorrento and I spent over an hour sitting on a bench admiring its wonderful lightness of form. … [Read more...]
Mangia at the Markets
A Sicilian Mercato isn't just a good spot to get yourself some food, it's an experience of extravagant proportions, a delight in itself. The market … [Read more...]
Palermo Opera House
The Opera House, Teatro Massimo, in Palermo is the largest in Italy. No, I didn't attend a performance although it certainly would have been … [Read more...]
A Day in Palermo
One of my great pleasures is people-watching in a strange city. Sicilians, particularly, have a wonderfully dramatic flair with their speech. Are they … [Read more...]
St John of the Hermits
San Giovanni degli Eremeti A strange name? It's a strange church. Would you believe this is a 12th-century Norman church? We're talking about … [Read more...]
Life from the Balcony in Palermo
My little perch on the balcony complete with potted palms Palermo greeted me with a beautiful full moon, yellow and ponderous over the Tyrrhenian … [Read more...]
The Phoenician City of Palermo
Palermo is close on 3,000 years old. I find that pretty hard to grasp. How do you come to terms with such antiquity as an Australian? European history … [Read more...]