London Street Art, Dennis Severs House, Rediscovering Artillery Passage

1 December 2017

Redundant Medical report: Last Friday I got a flu shot. I told the nurse I was feeling a bit ‘off’ but we went ahead with it anyway. ‘Off’ in this case was a shakey, anxious feeling that I often get in the morning – from anxiety, from my PVCs, from low blood sugar, who knows!

Friday I didn’t do much. My arm was sore and I felt a bit tired. All normal reactions. That night my feet and hands were crampy – again, seemed normal for the situation. Saturday I relaxed and let it wash over me. Sunday morning I was supposed to meet Caroiine for a flower market and museum visit but she cancelled because she was ill. I was disappointed but by just after lunch I too was feeling ill.

I doubt it was the flu shot. I think I was already sickening for something and I remember now that crampy or cold feelings in my feet can often be a signal for me – no idea why. Monday and Tuesday I just stayed on the couch, Netflixing!  And I made a doll for Esmeralda, who had requested one like her – olive skin, almond eyes and colourful, but smaller than my usual dolls. She actually wanted a few different ones with different moods but I was unprepared for how much longer the smaller ones take so she’s getting one!

Esmeralda's doll
Esmeralda’s doll

Continue reading “London Street Art, Dennis Severs House, Rediscovering Artillery Passage”

Mini Jetlag and the Freud Museum

Wednesday, 22 November 7:14am

The view changes - our Robot posse
The view changes – our Robot posse

This time last week we were waking up in Torino and getting our lives back into two big and one little suitcase. We looked out and across to the Alps and to Superga.

Yes, today marks one week.

That first night I climbed into a bed made with icy sheets and woke the next morning earlier than I wanted. Mini jetlag! I remember our first weeks in Italy, napping on the couches after lunch and how luxurious and necessary it felt. No naps in London despite the fatigue.

What does it mean to ‘get back to normal’? I don’t think I’m there yet and, at any rate, being away means a strange compulsion to do something different now – only I’m not sure what.  Normal is not what I strive for but…

Normal life in Hackney?
Normal life in Hackney?

Blogging will be sporadic from now on…maybe.
Continue reading “Mini Jetlag and the Freud Museum”

Il Gran Balon, and the Concertino dal Balconcino

Sunday, 12 November (Day Fifty-six)

Today was il Gran Balon!

I thought I might buy a few things but this didn’t happen. I considered some lovely baskets and then, because they weren’t from Italy but Senegal, I decided against it. I had also thought about buying an old Barbie doll but I  have more stuff than I need so that didn’t go into my bag either. At this part of the trip I was being mindful of what might fit in the suitcase.

Gran Balon
Gran Balon

Then we went to the Concertino dal Baloncino. It takes place on the Via Mercanti, a lovely little lane in the centre of Turin.  There are some beautiful old shops along here and I was amused by one that sold only Tiramisu.

Tiramisu Shop
Tiramisu Shop
Shop along Via Mercanti
Shop along Via Mercanti

Continue reading “Il Gran Balon, and the Concertino dal Balconcino”

Moncalieri, and the mercato at Piazza Madam Cristina

Saturday, 11 November (Day Fifty-five)

Today we decided that we’d go Moncalieri. We’d seen a TV show where they were making tripe in the town square, and Liat had said she’d heard it was pretty. Saturday is a good day to travel to these little places since they will be a bit more lively than during the week during work hours.

To get to Moncalieri, we decided to do the whole journey by bus. We’d go to Piazza Madama Cristina in San Salvario and change to the longer bus ride up to Moncalieri.

At the piazza, we realised that we hadn’t yet checked this market out on a Saturday. one side has clothing and other merchandise and the other side has food. We headed for the food! And along the way we saw some curious sights.

Can you imagine this anywhere else?
Can you imagine this anywhere else?
Sign in San Salvario
Sign in San Salvario

It’s a quite lovely market. Much more compact than Porta Palazzo but I think the food looked a bit more fresh…or maybe it’s just the lack of confusion when there are so many less stalls.

Market at Madama Cristina
Market at Madama Cristina
Yellow lettuce
Yellow lettuce
Two kinds of artichokes
Two kinds of artichokes

The bus took us away from the city and past some very lovely hillside homes. And then we were there.
Continue reading “Moncalieri, and the mercato at Piazza Madam Cristina”

Santuaria della Consalata, Pingone, Burgheria and the Mozart hotel

Friday 10 November (Day Fifty-four)

Today Krish was going on a tour to Thales Aerospace and I stayed behind.  It was a lovely clear morning.

I stopped by the pasta shop to buy some ravioli. I feel like my Italian has halted and I need more practice! However, at least I can buy what I want and make myself understood. It’s vocabulary and fluency that I need to build.

I’ve decided to stop by the lovely little toy shop in the Quadrilatero and also visit the Santuaria della Consalata, since I had loved it on my very brief visit earlier.

The toy shop was chaotic as expected from the window and I had a lovely (English) chat with the owner about ‘Made in China.’ Bottom line, the items made in China are about a quarter of the price of those made in Italy, Germany or Czech. That’s a huge difference.

I went in to the Consolata and again was struck by how beautiful it was. There are several domed areas and each is different. Little chapels, a prayer area with confessionals, altars, an organ, balconies… This is a real treasure and, although I prefer plain, humble churches, this one has really caught my imagination. I wander around as quietly as I can among the people praying, and I light a candle to my mum and dad and whisper a silent thank you to them.

I head over to the little square at IV Marzo and treat myself to an ice cream. I choose lemon and sage (can’t taste the sage), and Crema d’uova. It’s delicious. I took a photo to show how very small the cups of gelato are. I haven’t ever wished they were bigger. It’s just enough for me.

Yes, I ate it all!

Up on the large dome at the Duomo that houses the shroud, I see they are hard at work, the orange construction vests contrasting with the grey of the dome and the scaffolding.

And then through the Porta Palatina, noticing the building near to the entrance. I’ve not looked at it as closely before and it’s apparently one of the oldest in the city.

Krish gets home and we have some ravioli and relax.
Continue reading “Santuaria della Consalata, Pingone, Burgheria and the Mozart hotel”