Yep, it's been a long time...

Hello world!

Motoring past the 15th century Palazzo Molin Erizzo on the Grand Canal.  Photo (c) Capturing Venice 2016

It's been a really long time since I've felt like writing...But here I am again. 

I've dusted myself off. 

I've got those sticky cobwebs out of my head. 

I've even dropped into Venice for a week-long trip that went way too fast.

And now I can feel that my heart is beating again.

I have so many new photos and discoveries to share with you. 

Let's start with this one: captured on the Alilaguna boat as it motored from Marco Polo airport down the Grand Canal as dusk fell over my beloved city. 

I managed to take the long road when I booked my trip, so it had taken me about 40 hours to get from Sydney to Venice. I was tired and crumpled. But - oh the joy of landing in Venice. 

I love how the Alilaguna speeds up as it exits the airport and the freshness of the lagoon air and wind after many hours on an airplane.  I love that thump of the motoscafo on the waves. I love putting my head up to the window and feeling the spray on my face. And then that stately journey down the Grand Canal toward San Marco...

Just looking at this photo has my feet wanting to run back to Venice.  

A big thank you to all of you, my dear readers for staying the course with me. It's good to be back. It's good to see you again ❤️. 

Looking up at San Vidal

I wonder how many times I've walked past this sculpture of San Vidal (San Vitale), on my way to and from the Accademia bridge?

Looking up at San Vidal and the campanile 

The church was founded in 1084, re-built in the twelfth century and again from 1696-1700.  The facade was finally completed from 1734-7.  The church has been used for concerts and exhibitions for as long as I can remember, and also contains a work by Carpaccio.

Looking at the side of San Vidal and the nizioletto

Corte Veniera, Castello near San Zanipolo

When I was last in Venice, I was trying to document all the places where I walked with as many photos as possible, including of the related nizioletti - so called 'little sheets' of white labels painted with street names and framed by a thick black border.

On my first morning, I walked from my accommodation at Alloggi Barbaria (you can read Fausto's terrific blog here) to nearby Campo San Zanipolo to the Rosa Salva bar for a warm pastry and excellent coffee and then explored the Corte Veniera nearby.  

Entry to Corte Veniera, Castello

Here's a glimpse of the Corte Veniera - it ends in a canal and has its own covered well-head.  

Corte Veniera, Castello

Corte Veniera, Castello

Calle del Verrocchio, Castello

I can't resist Verrocchio's statue of condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni (you can read more about this mercenary and his statue here).  I always enjoy looking up the horse, and enjoying the colours of the marble plinth.

Verrocchio's statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, outside SS Giovanni e Paolo

I really like trying to see as much of the detail of the horse as I can, from my vantage point at ground level (and I'm not very tall, so I'm sadly quite close to ground level!).

Verrocchio's statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, outside SS Giovanni e Paolo

I took a peek at the nearby Calle del Verrocchio to see what there was to see...

Street sign for Calle del Verrocchio

It was quite residential and quiet...

Looking down Calle del Verrocchio, Castello

I turned my back on the calle, and headed back to toward the campo and looked up to this fantastic view of Colleoni's statue.

Calle del Verrocchio, Castello

A lion and his little friend - Scuola Grande di San Marco

I was taken by the sight of this little pigeon and his fierce friend sitting companionably together on the facade of the Scuola Grande di San Marco, now Venice's hospital.

The facade of the Scuola Grande di San Marco in Castello

View from the Accademia bridge

Whenever I stand on the Accademia bridge, the first object that my eye will seek out is the dear, familiar, flat roofline of the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the 'unfinished palazzo' and home of my beloved Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Once I've had my fill, I'll let my attention wander to the graceful dome of the Basilica della Salute and the Dogana del Mar beyond.

And finally, I'll notice the brightly coloured patterns of the typically Venetian mooring posts.

View from the Accademia bridge