The Rites of Spring

 Was the name given to the three days of partying here in Siena which came to an end when the last people left a week ago. I have been aware that I must put something down here, but have not had a moment to spare... But it is now or never! 

Was it fun? Yes.... Was it a success? I think I can truthfully, and without hesitation,  say yes! But it feels like rather a responsibility to have over thirty friends arriving from Sweden, the UK and France to celebrate together. People who represent different parts of my life, people who have never met each other before, but also whole sections that knew each other. It was a seemingly friction less encounter and many new friendships were formed... 

The party started at my flat on the Friday night already, continued on the Saturday at the ONDA Museum where I did my best at guiding the group of 22 who had managed to get up in time.

My old friend Viv arrived a few days earlier to help with the organizing and she was a great helper, getting stuck into making placement cards while I was painting the 'photo studio' back drop. She also made herself a card board machine gun (she was Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde) while she was at it:

On the day of the party we got up very early and collected ivy from a good spot close to the Porta Romana.

The ivy was mixed with garlands of fake flowers, but still looked pretty good I thought, here below with the placement card for 007, who was joined on one side by Pussy Galore and on the other by Miss Moneypenny:

                                                    

There was a wonderful selection of costumes, and people had really made an effort: Here a small taste  only:   

                                                The White King and Black Queen of Chess.

                                                                                  

                                                          Carmen and Toreador Escamillo

                                                             Leonardo and the Mona Lisa                            

                                                                     Dante and Beatrice

                                                                                     

                                                                Bonnie and Clyde

                                                                                 

                                                            A Musketeer and his sweetheart

                                             And there were many many more great outfits...

                                              I had fun with some Blues Brothers and Sisters:

                                                                                 

                                                     And of course we danced and danced: 

                                                                            

And the following day a bus took us deep into the Crete Senese, to one of my favourite places in the world: The Monte Olivieto Maggiore Benedictine Monastery, with its excellent restaurant Il Torre where we had a long, lingering lunch after the visit to the lovely frescoed gallery, painted by the Sienese painter Antonio Bazzi, called Il Sodoma. There was time for a Spritz in the sunshine first!