Daily Sketch No.43 Molazzana in the Rain, Tuscany

On the other side of the valley is the village of Molazzana which has good views of the valley and mountains behind Barga. What was interesting as I walked around the village was the amount of houses that had smoke coming from the chimneys. It is nearly May and people are lighting their fires to keep warm! Just shows you how unseasonally cold the weather has been. I sketched this view of the village looking from the cemetery in the car with the window open but rain managed to leak onto the paper (see the water marks in the sky area) but at least it is appropriate!

Daily Sketch No.42 Heavy Shower above Sommocolonia, Tuscany

Around 700 metres above Barga is the village of Sommocolonia. Walking around looking for possible view to sketch I came across these two striking cyprus trees in front of a group of buildings. The sky became dark and the heavens opened but at the same time the sun came out creating interesting shadows cast from the two trees.

Daily Sketch No.41 Pale Yellow House above Barga, Tuscany

Up on the hillside behind our house is a lovely pale yellow building which must have fantastic views of the whole valley below and the mountains beyond, although perched on the edge, exposed to the elements must be a bit hair-raising in winter!

Daily Sketch No.40 View from Piazza Cavalieri, PIsa, Tuscany

Pisa is around 1.5 hours drive south of Barga. Famous of course for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa is also a large University City and because of that it is more lively than Lucca. I like it a lot so if you go to Florence you must go to visit Pisa and not just the leaning tower. There are some magnificent buildings and piazza’s including Piazza Cavalieri where I sat to do this sketch looking out of the Piazza. The Knight’s Square (Piazza dei Cavalieri) is one of the most important landmarks in Pisa, and the second main square of the city. This square was the political centre in medieval Pisa. After the middle of 16th century the square become the headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St. Stephen. Now it is a centre of education, being the main house of the Scuola Normale di Pisa, higher learning institution part of the University.

Daily Sketch No.39 Catagnana in the Rain, Tuscany

A five minute drive from Barga is the hamlet of Catagnana dominated by the church of San Regolo. The drive up from the valley via several hairpin bends pass some lovely gardens and meadows of wild flowers. The sketch was done from the car due to rain again. A spell of good weather is forecast next week so a chance to work on the garden.

Daily Sketch No.38 Barga Giardino in the rain, Tuscany

Again, sketched this from the car due to heavy rain. Barga is split into two part - the medieval bit on the hill and Barga Giardino down below where many of the shops, cafes and banks are situated. Most of the buildings were built around the turn of the century.

Daily Sketch No.37 Loppia Church in the Rain, Tuscany

Loppia Church just below Barga is over 1000 years old I believe. The arrangement of buildings makes a lovely composition. Sketched this from the car again. When will we get some decent weather!