Monthly Archives: April 2013

Sinners and Saints in Siracusa

Twenty years ago, Ortigia island was the red light district of Siracusa. Look past the cute, chi-chi boutiques and cafes that are there now and you can see why: it’s all narrow, winding streets and dark corners just made for … Continue reading →

by Kate Bailward Posted on April 24, 2013

Posted in Living Like a Maniac | Tagged caravaggio, chiesa di santa lucia alla badia, duomo, sicily, siracusa | Comments Off

There and back again

I left Sicily just before Easter, when there were stalls on every corner selling plaited palm fronds ready for Palm Sunday. At first I was sad to be missing Easter in Italy – it’s much more of a big deal … Continue reading →

by Kate Bailward Posted on April 17, 2013

Posted in Travelling Like a Maniac | Tagged sicily, train travel | 2 Comments

Italy Blogging Roundtable: Springing to Confusion

Sorry for the delayed posting this week, but it’s for a good reason, honest. Let me explain … Over the past two years I’ve read with interest as the five ladies of the Italy Blogging Roundtable have shared their stories … Continue reading →

by Kate Bailward Posted on April 10, 2013

Posted in Italy Blogging Roundtable, Living Like a Maniac | Tagged catania, italy blogging roundtable, somerset, spring | 10 Comments

Stay Tuned …

UK readers who grew up watching the BBC in the 60s, 70s and 80s will recognise this picture and understand what it means. For the benefit of my overseas and younger readers, however, it’s called Test Card ‘F’ and … Continue reading →

by Kate Bailward Posted on April 8, 2013

Posted in Living Like a Maniac | 1 Comment

Easter Day

The sun’s out and the clocks have gone forward, so everyone’s a bit discombobulated. Outside, Fat Cat leaps out of a flowerbed and into the air, then scoots across the lawn. Halfway over she freezes in a crouch and stares … Continue reading →