Buongiorno Venezia

Unlike an illustrious predecessor in 1858 I do not plan to throw my hat from the train window as we cross the viaduct in to Venezia Santa Lucia! (If you don’t know the story it is R Wagner obvs, look out for I Venti Erranti future musings possibly on this very subject.)

Cue the music…..

Last time I was here we were filming our scene in “King Ralph”. 9 hours in uniform, my arm was briefly a star keeping time, with Richard Griffiths, Peter O’Toole, Joely Richardson, John Goodman etc. All copies of the vhs video were worn out in those few seconds in the rental shop in Blandford.

First time I have noticed the switching from diesel power to electric at Crewe.

@rickturner.bsky.social Currently passing by the Shroppy heading to Crewe and on to Euston. Looking forward to The Floating Nomads latest on Friday! This no-fly-slow-travel is ok so far (delays and packed West coast) - but Eurostar and Frecciarossa beckons…..

Will be trying out (resurrecting) all the languages this week! Welsh now, Anglo Saxon later, French tonight, Italian tomorrow. Now if only there was some sort of alliance that meant no border controls and freedom of passage etc? #VeniceNoir

A surprise in the post today 🎁 and a first for @milesbsn.bsky.social and I… we need to brush up on our Sanskrit! #SoldMySoul 🎭

On Friday November 14 at 8pm, join Anna Mazzola, Lisa Hilton, Essie Fox, D.V. Bishop, Erin Kelly, Barbara Nadel, Tom Benjamin and Philip Gwynne Jones for an evening of Crime and Conversation at the beautiful Ca' di Dio hotel! Bookings and inquiries at [email protected]. #VeniceNoir

🎻#OTD 18 Oct 1706 BALDASSARE GALUPPI was born on Burano (Nr Venice) 🎭 One of the most loved composers of his day; known as the 'Father of Opera Buffa' although he contributed to several genres & deserves better recognition & more championing!🎧@guidltours.bsky.social with @milesbsn.bsky.social & me!

Currently exploring new -at least to me- fields of learning. “But unto us she hath a spell beyond Her name in story,…” sums it up I think? (Byron, Childe Harold.. Canto 4/IV)

Not long to go! Subscribe to our free newsletter here www.venicenoir.com/program/

Well now, what might be happening this Shocking Red November? Venice Noir, that’s what!

#OTD in September 1984 Luigi Nono's 'Promoteo' premiered in Venice, restaged in 2024 commemorating 40 years since the premiere - do you know it? @milesbsn.bsky.social & I walk in Nono's footsteps on our #MusiciansWalkingTourOfVenice available with the free to download @guidltours.bsky.social app

And it’s time for a….. VIEW FROM THE BASSOON SEAT!!

"Our country has a proud tradition of standing up for the underdog. Today, that means standing up to the bully Donald Trump and his poodle, Nigel Farage." @zackpolanski.bsky.social addresses the @ukstoptrump.bsky.social rally in Parliament Square.

#OTD September 1882, Richard Wagner & family arrived in Venice for the last time. We walk in his, & other composers' footsteps, in our fascinating #MusiciansWalkingTourOfVenice audio tour available in the #guidl app. Let @milesbsn.bsky.social & I transport you to Venice with @guidltours.bsky.social🎧

Looking forward to being back in Aberaeron tonight!! www.gwisgobookworm.co.uk/upcoming-eve...

1/2 I have always had a ‘problem’ writing, I am left-handed, was known as Spider when writing band parts out, so when I set out on my BSc(Open) 35 years ago I abandoned writing and went all PC (MSDoS 3 or so) crazy. The technology took over..

Becoming quite a “foody” in my old age

ciao

Very appropriate engine .. @katyashman.bsky.social

“Not all who wander are lost” off wandering… I wonder where?

and that missing Bellini? medici picture? etc @katyashman.bsky.social @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social @davidhewson.com

Remembering Nicolò Coccon born #OTD in Venice. Not one of the most well remembered or celebrated Maestri di cappella at San Marco, but he was prominent in the musical life of Venice into the late 1890s. In 1903 at his funeral in San Trovaso, one of his own settings of the Requiem Mass was performed.

Baptised #OTD August 6, 1619 in Venice, Barbara Strozzi composed some of the most beautiful music of the Baroque repertoire. We visit Santa Sofia & discover more about Strozzi & her world in our #MusiciansWalkingTourOfVenice audio tour of Venice, available on the free @guidltours.bsky.social app 🎶

Trump’s heading to Scotland this weekend and wants the next Open at his Turnberry course. I just told The R&A: DO NOT give it to him :x: Will you join me too? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/no...

Hear hear, well said Simon Calder youtube.com/watch?v=PUBI...

currently playing…… that chord after the Lento in the London… love the Contra part

Venice Noir UK launches with a reception at Harrogate Theakstons Crime tomorrow. But I'll be around with @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social and some of our authors if anyone wants to chat.

Two years ago, Marj Naudé made this clip for the TdFF about Puy Marie, the volcano along today’s TdF stage parcours ❤️

While riding over the Cantal volcano 🌋 - Europe’s largest, it’s time to tell the story how a volcanic eruption led to the invention of the bike! @vanhinsbergen.bsky.social @uugeo.bsky.social youtu.be/mLzFcPAZNAA?...

It’s a hard life…. not only do we now have somewhere else we have to visit but Spritz Etna and Birra Messina have to be sampled. Thanks @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social ……..excellent

Venice Noir is coming - read all about it. davidhewson.com/venice-noir-...

If you're Aberystwyth on Thursday evening I'll be in conversation with wonderful @sarahwardcrime.bsky.social , talking about our new books "The Magus of Sicily" and "Quiet Bones". Hope to see you there! www.waterstones.com/events/phili...

A massive thank you from Lizzie, David, Pete (who'll be there if he can be) and me. The response to this new venture has been overwhelming. Please sign up here (entirely for free) to make your support known. Let's get this up and running. neverstraysfar.com

A lovely thing happened this morning - I received the Mantovani biog today (2nd hand as wasn't available new) & tucked inside the dust jacket was a press clipping with the Magic of Mantovani Orchestra pictured (feat. @milesbsn.bsky.social!) A wonderful concert as I remember! #Mantovani120

Wow! Perfetto ……

The ninth anniversary of the Brexit referendum and with every passing year it's clear to me that was the moment first the UK, and then the world, began to fall apart. Anyone remember how happy and united we'd felt four years before during the London Olympics?

A Merry Midsummer’s Eve to you all from @milesbsn.bsky.social & me 🌅

Edward is in the house! View from the contra seat 2

View from the Contra seat 1 @edwardcontra.bsky.social is getting quite excited about four bars……

Lunch at Al Bagolo was/is so good there are no pictures! With @katyashman.bsky.social #Venice

Going to miss this view, even in the rain Venice never fails to inspire and motivate. #Venice

Enjoying a quiet Negroni (see previous) on the Grand Canal and then these boys arrive ……

And tonight’s colour is?

Afternoon wandering has taken us to new places and new people. As always and no matter how many times we come here it’s marvellous. #Venice

My first Sarde in saor, love it! Understand now why Fede orders it @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social ! Radicchio also very nice 👌 @katyashman.bsky.social

A morning’s wander…

And relax, lovely day thank you for all the good vibes. Now …. With @katyashman.bsky.social on the altana….