By Laura, on April 6th, 2013
Beautiful blues and greens in Amalfi on a sunny Saturday in April
It amazes me each spring just how quickly we can forget certain things. Dinner with the gas heater blazing by the table for warmth, the hot water bottle (or cat) sitting on my lap to keep my fingers warm enough to keep typing and that old “for the rain it raineth every day” attitude. But then one day I noticed that it has been several days since we’ve turned the heater on for dinner and my fingers are no longer so cold. It’s the sun – it makes us forget all those cold days of winter and look forward only to the warmth of spring.
This morning the sky was clear blue and after a busy week it was time to enjoy a walk in the sunshine. Much needed – both the break and the sunshine! Here’s what was happening in Amalfi this sunny Saturday morning in April.
Checking the nets
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Not sure where the swimmer for this gear got to ...
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All kinds of buses in Amalfi - the season has started!
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Signs of spring in the harbor of Amalfi
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Gorgeous colors of spring looking toward the Amalfi harbor
I love the brilliant green of the sea today. That peculiar color is a leftover from the bad weather the last few days. Here’s hoping that spring sticks this time and that we’re done with winter until next year!
By Laura, on March 29th, 2013
A beautiful Palm Sunday in Amalfi
Palm Sunday arrived last weekend with some much needed sunshine for the Amalfi Coast. We opened the windows in the morning and sat up a small table nearby to enjoy the warmth of the sun during breakfast. After that there was only one thing to do … go and enjoy the sunshine and the holiday atmosphere in Amalfi! Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year in Italy, and you can really feel that it’s festival time, especially when the weather is nice. A storm had just passed the night before and the sea was still rough with that bright turquoise color that comes with bad weather. But in Piazza Duomo it was all sunshine!
Up the steps of the Duomo
With all the bad weather the season has been slow getting started, but there were those first signs of the busy season already in the piazza. We climbed the stairs to see the Palm Sunday mass in the Duomo of Amalfi, which was standing room only.
Palm Sunday mass in the Duomo of Amalfi
Outside it felt like spring had finally arrived! The beach had a few families and brave souls wading into the rough water. There was a school group of kids from the UK and they all seemed busy drawing away on notepads. What a beautiful spot for an artistic moment!
The beckons visitors to the beach
The sunshine really was glorious and has been sorely missed this spring. You could feel the energy that the sun added to the lively Sunday morning atmosphere. Even the turtles in the fountain in Largo Scario were piled up enjoying the warmth of the sun!
Everyone ... even the turtles ... enjoying the sun!
We took a leisurely walk along the port to the pier were we spotted some rather desperate sunbathers who had found a warm spot to enjoy the sun. Behind the port it was protected from the breeze, and they had the entire area to themselves. Where there’s a will there’s a way!
Soaking up the sun in Amalfi
After another rainy week, the sun is out again today. We’re all willing that spring will finally come and we can dry out from a very rainy and cold winter on the Amalfi Coast. That reminds me … I’d better dig out my swimsuit!
By Laura, on March 10th, 2013
Things have been pretty quiet around here on Ciao Amalfi lately, and I apologize for the lack of updates! In some ways it’s quite natural as life slows down this time of year to savor a bit of quiet on the Amalfi Coast. After the buzz and celebrations of the holidays, the rest of January and February are very quiet months around here. This is the time of year to rest, enjoy a bit of holiday time and to mentally and physically prepare for the busy season ahead. Easter comes early this year at the end of March, which is usually the kick-off to the holiday season on the Amalfi Coast.
Despite the lovely quiet that I’ve been surrounded with, this year has gotten off to an extremely busy start. The days of full of the click click click of my fingers dancing across the keyboard trying to keep up with a rush of writing work. I love the way this work inspires and challenges me. I’m exceedingly grateful to be busy with work I love and to be working with people that bring joy into my life. (Although watching my husband relax during the winter season has made me seriously reconsider the value of seasonal work!)
As the weather improves and beckons me out with my camera again, there will be more life and activity on Ciao Amalfi. The new season is coming … and with it sunny days, lots to do and all the beauty of the Amalfi Coast to enjoy!
By Laura, on February 14th, 2013
Sunshine in Amalfi for Valentine's Day
After hearing the weather predictions for this week, we never expected such a glorious day with sunshine and bright blue skies for Valentine’s Day. What a pleasant surprise … the perfect setting for love! After lunch in Amalfi we were strolling along the port and I recalled an email a reader sent me last week about the best places to propose on the Amalfi Coast. It made me smile to think that somewhere along the coastline with this beautiful sunshine he was proposing to his girlfriend. I hope she said yes!
This boat should be called the S. Valentino!
Wishing you a very special day however you may be celebrating or not celebrating. Sunshine and warmth in the winter are always reasons to celebrate!
By Laura, on February 10th, 2013
Snowflakes and terracotta roof tiles
With just a few days left before Lasagna Eating Day … er, I mean … Carnevale, the temperatures have dropped and snow has arrived at high elevations on the Amalfi Coast. It snows so rarely here that it’s often a welcome surprise. This morning while we were having breakfast I noticed the snowflakes starting to fall outside. Is there anything better than being home, warm and enjoying a cup of tea and the newspaper while watching the snowflakes fall?
Morning snowflakes
They didn’t fall for long and the sunshine quickly melted the teeny bit of accumulation, but it was a happy sight while it lasted. Since it’s hard to capture the fleeting magic of snowflakes out the window, I’ll leave you with the image that welcomed us back to Naples yesterday evening. The snow atop Mt. Vesuvius was the first sign that the temperatures had dropped while we were away last week.
Mt Vesuvius in Naples with snow on the top
The weather is cold and we have to bundle up inside and out, but I’ve been enjoying these rare glimpses of winter’s beauty the last few days. Wishing everyone who is dealing with blizzards in America and big snow in Italy to stay safe and warm!
