Author: David

Roman ruins on the coastline of the Bay of Naples at Pozzuli. At one time they were considered by antiquarians to have originally been a temple: modern archaeology says a market.

An example of bradyeseism, slow motion seismic activity. At some stage oveer the past two millennia, these ruins were underwater for a long time, not because the sea level rose, but because the ground level was lowered.

Subsequently ground level rose again. The structure is now once again on (almost) dry land. But some of the stone shows its submerged history thorough the deep pitting which was caused by marine molluscs.

The Faraglioni, rocky islands just off the coast of the larger island of Capri. The islands are tiny and the vegetation is sparse, but it’s enough to support a unique species of lizard.

On the forecourt of Atocha, the mainline station in Madrid, a pool with a population of contented-looking map turtles. I hope they’re still there. Sitting and watching them for a few minutes is a relief from the hustle and bustle inside the station

Views of Mount Vesuvius. As seen from Capri; with parts of Naples’ city centre in the foreground, and the docks in the middle distance; and through the windows of one of the ferries between Naples and Capri.

Amid the residual stonework of the ancient Roman Forum, on ground trodden by crowds of tourists throughout the summer, grasses and wildflowers still thrive.

Modern buildings in Madrid and Rome, seen here in the first decade of the current century.  I guess that in the climates prevailing there, this elaborate greening of buildings would need a lot of irrigation and other maintenance. Are other new buildings still getting similar treatment?