Going south, again!

I realize that this document might not be for everyone, but for those of you who will read through I hope you get an insight into how valuable this kind of journey is. I say this here as I can now see this from the perspective of having returned and found the inspiration gained to be immeasurable. It seems to me that it is only when we push ourselves into the unknown that we get to truly learn, learn about the process of the work we are tackling, learn about the environment we are inhabiting and most relevant, we learn about ourselves.

The drive south has been good with no hassle, the roads are clear and having stuck to the auto routes I make quick progress. I am about 400 miles from my destination and will be pushing it to get there in daylight so may as well take it easy and just trundle along. It will be good to get to the coast to get a swim in, though that will have wait until tomorrow.

3pm Sunday 7th

Swam in the cool sea - just a quick one as I want to get to Pietrasanta to find a place to sleep: as my van is my home for the next month it’s a worry to me that I don’t know where I’ll be able to park up.

6.15 pm

No beach sleeps, as everywhere is well covered by parking meters and beach restaurants (private beaches), except a space near Carrara where a few bigger touring vans are staying, though this does not feel right for me and is too far to be able to get into work every day. I leave the coast asI feel unable to see where I could rough camp here. Its all too built up and policed, and not at all what I want.

I am seeking the solitude and sanctuary of the hills and need to be within walking distance of the studio in Pietrasanta.

I head right into the town centre to find first the studio and look for a place to park up. I drive around the town twice on this sleepy Sunday evening and as the sun sets I end up taking a chance and head up into the hills right behind the old town’s fortifications.

As the hill climbs it becomes apparent that this road is for locals only and there are just a few houses dotted around. I pass Marco’s studio where I will be working tomorrow and climb steeply into the back hills of Pietrasanta.