Tuscany

We visited Tuscany between late April and early May in 2014, staying on the outskirts of Siena.  The weather was unseasonably cold, wet and windy, and so we did not see the countryside to advantage.  However, we were able to get to know Siena quite well and visited many small walled towns on the tops of hills, which were fascinating, thus more photographs of buildings than scenery.
Many of my photographs were taken in poor light and were very dull, so they required some ‘lifting’ in Photoshop.  For some reason, the images lose vibrance when uploaded to the website.
 
July 19, 2014
We visited so many small medieval towns that I cannot remember their names. This album is a miscellaneous collection of photographs of the places and some of the people as we saw them.

Typical lamp with wires flung across the narrow street

Flaking paint and Tuscan colours

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The gated town of Buonconvento

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Oh what a day!

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Churches everywhere

Security gates everywhere

Putting the world to rights - the same the world over

What is this rubbish pushed in my postbox?

Someone has to keep it clean

July 19, 2014
We visited so many small medieval towns that I cannot remember their names. This album is a miscellaneous collection of photographs of the places and some of the people as we saw them.

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Trees growing from the ruins

Do sit down!

Intricate plaster patterning on outside walls

Waiting for coffee

Measuring up

Job finished

Dining out - we ate here

Evidence of change everywhere

Volterra

Volterra rooftops - the old and the new

Electronic clutter and old lamps - but no doubt with electricity

July 13, 2014
We spent quite a lot of time in Siena, a very vibrant and busy city.  It was often too wet to take photographs.

Into the city through one of the gates

First view of the Square

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Always full of people here enjoying the sun towards the end of our second week

Looking at the view

Rhythmic patterns of windows

More regular windows and doors - and small square holes

Jacaranda blossom - It really was Spring!

Glimpses down the alleyways

Across the rooftops to an imposing church

July 07, 2014
The small medieval towns and Siena had narrow roads, not suited to motor traffic, although cars, particularly Police cars, zoomed around at some speed.  There were many narrow alleyways and archways, and everywhere the typical lamps on the walls.  I don’t remember where most of these images were taken.

Arches within arches

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Living in Siena

Glimpses to the surrounding countryside

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I love the tall suspended lamp posts in Siena

A mishmash of building materials

Hi arch in Volterra

Layers of Volterra

Getting around in Volterra

Parking in Volterra

Way in or out of Volterra

July 10, 2014
The shop windows and market stalls were colourful and inspiring.  I wish I had taken more photographs.

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Wonderfully attractive packets of foodstuffs

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Amazing displays of icecream

Cones - too good to eat!

Oh, what a pizza!

Tables on steps in an alleyway

Wild boar was commonly on the menu

Market stalls with so many bags and belts

..and sun glasses

July 29, 2014
We were fascinated by the doors and windows.  We saw some great posters, but somehow, I don’t seem to have taken as many images as I thought.

What a variety!

Siena window

The building materials are fascinating too...

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There was another door here once!

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July 20, 2014
The houses in most of the towns we visited were very tall and narrow.  The roads were very steep, and people must be very fit. Many of the buildings were festooned with washing lines and washing.  The buildings were so tall it would be very unfortunate if the washing blew off the line!

Tall houses and buildings around the cathedral in Siena

I can

Tall, narrow houses on steep hills are very common

The residents must be fit to climb up so high.

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Washing everywhere, this time against the walls

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Hanging from the balcony

Slung across the road

Even over the shop front.

You can

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This is my favourite with all the shadows

This was the place where washing was done historically

July 19, 2014
As the weather was frequently wet and dull, it was often difficult to take interesting images of the countryside.

Dull day but views of the countryside and small vineyards

Characteristic rows of trees skirted the driveways

Not the tripod trail view of Belvedere!

Another photographer after THE trees!

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Vineyards on the hillsides distinguish the countryside from our own

Lizards basked on warm walls

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Sculpture park near Siena