“Sitting watching the world go by” is something I love doing. Especially if it’s in a pavement café where I can simultaneously indulge in another passion, namely enjoying a great coffee or a tasty treat. And, where better in my book, than the pavement cafes, bars and restaurants of Italy, where there’s the best chance of proper coffee, fabulous food and eye-catching scenery.
Regular visitors to my blogs and people who know me will recognise some of the images in the short slideshow, and will be aware of our love of Italy and Italian food, and of the natural café culture. The images are a small selection of those taken over the years but serve, even in black and white, to remind us of the colour, atmosphere and feeling of being somewhere you like being.
As we reminisce of those moments and emerge from winter and lockdown cocoons , the images also help us look forward. After a time of restrictions we know that we will be returning to those and similar places once more…I can almost taste the coffee.
In the meantime, and whilst anticipation evolves into planning return visits, we can enjoy this time of year where Spring arrives with the promise of warmer and drier weather more conducive to al fresco imbibing.
Outdoor furniture is rescued from winter hibernation, gardens tided, patios refreshed and wine fridges restocked, giving us the opportunity to enjoy sitting outside. I might even need my sunglasses.
Do let me know if you share our love of the al fresco.
It has not escaped my notice that photos not dissimilar to the selection of my images in this slideshow appear in places like Caffé Nero ( other Italian coffee shops feature in our towns and cities but is their coffee better or their staff more personable? Do you share my favouritism?) . The point of these photos is to take you to those Italian streets and to create that feeling. I hope my photos have a similar effect; I know they do for me.
Enjoy the season for sitting outside !