Ripple in Still Water

A weekend of serendipitous syncronocity....Friday we took a train to Terracina, a small town about 100 kilometers down the cost.  The old town there is a labyrinth of mostly medieval construction, with ancient ruins scattered about.  We stayed at the top of the hill in a charming little villa on the hill, whick drops steeply down to the coast.  The girls and I went swimming in the ocean as soon as we got there...the water was sparkling clear and incredibly buoyant.  We ate fresh seafood, and then gelato (the best we've had yet, from the nicest, most loveable lady, who makes them all herself!) in the old town piazza, soaking in the deliciously quiet tranquility.  After cappuccino in the same piazza in the morning, we worked on a design-sketch project (you can see the site in the left hand side of the photo where the ancient column stumps are), and then took a bus to Sperlonga, another small town 20 minutes down the coast.  Syd, you would have loved this place!  All of the buildings are whitewashed, creating a compelling maze of reflected light and soft shadow as we climbed our way through narrow alleys and steep stairways.  Then we meandered along the coast to some ancient ruins, which were the remains of an emperor's summer retreat in a fantastic cave, which was the dining hall.  That night, back in Terracina, Tom had us over for dinner in his tower!  He and his wife renovated the very top of this tower, which has fantastic views of the surrounding area.  Today Karen and I decided to stay in Terracina longer, sketching and swimming, while the rest of the group headed back early.

Photos

1.  The water from the natural spring bubbles up from the sand, creating mysterious ripples (Sperlonga).

2.  Piazza in Terracina

3.  Sperlonga...this photo does not do any justice to the aura of light in this place...

4.  Sperlonga

5.  View from cave out to Sperlonga

6.  View from Tom's tower

7.  Ancient temple at the very top of the hill in Terracina (we went here this morning)