Some Exclamatory Evening

"Signs, signs, everywhere a sign..." on an otherwise peaceful evening yesterday

Out in the north lagoon authorities are emphatic about protecting the barene (mudflats) that are so important for tempering the force of tidal surges that threaten the city--though in this case the above signs specifically indicate submerged piles in the water on the borders of the barene. Boaters are not supposed to go ashore on the barene; they are also not supposed to blow past them at high speed, causing damaging wakes. In truth, the former restriction is heeded far more often than the latter.

For more on the importance of barene in the lagoon, and how they relate to Ruskin's ideal Venetian architecture, see: http://veneziablog.blogspot.it/2014/03/ruskins-irregularities.html.

The Picture of Contentment at Sant'Erasmo, and A View of Vignole

 

I've written  before that Venetians never appear more content--and sometimes even majestic--than when they are at the wheel or tiller of their own boat, no matter how modest it might be. The regal fellow poised on the prow of the small boat in the image above reminded me, however, that I'd neglected to note how intensely pleasant it is for their dogs, too.

Both the dog above and the house below were among the sights during last Saturday's boat ride to Sant'Erasmo, Venice's vegetable garden, and the largest island in the lagoon (though only sparsely populated). The farm we go to also maintains a regular series of weekly deliveries to a few locations in Venice; after signing up, you can even place your order online on their website (as you can read about in this piece: http://veneziablog.blogspot.it/2014/10/the-best-place-to-buy-vegetables-in.html).

You won't find better vegetables at better prices, and the weekly deliveries are quite convenient--though, if you happen to have your own boat there's much to recommend making the trip to the farm itself.  

Rower In This Afternoon's Glitter and Haze

I'm afraid that without my intending it, this has become a boating blog this month: every March post has featured an image of at least one. I'll return to a broader range of topics soon, but I just haven't had much time for the blog this month and for some reason in the little time I have had I've been coming across boats. But it's really the skyline in the above image that never fails to strike me from this perspective in the north lagoon: a fairy tale collection of shapes that in this afternoon's hazy sunlight took on an appropriately immaterial appearance--like something projected by one of those old fashioned magic lanterns that figure so prominently in Proust.

When the Whole Wide World Is Fast Asleep: Venice in the First Hour of This Morning

On a black night, with the moon already down, every light in the lagoon, no matter what its practical or necessary function might be--and including even those of a passing vaporetto!--seems to exist solely for the sake of spectacle.
 

Reading in the Open Air

Cozy on the Canal

Prepping for Spring, This Afternoon