July 2018

30 July-2 August. Florence. I at last visited Cappella Brancacci. The frescos by Masaccio and Filippino Lippi are stunning.

My first ascent of the Duomo, and the view from it.

Some of the 500 plants, including 130 flowering plant species identified, in Botticelli's Primavera.

Ponte Vecchio

23rd. Hosting a party from Chinese National Geographic, led by my old friend Jin-Shuo Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

5th-8th. Cornwall: first night at Constantine Bay, then a lovely Airbnb near Rosudgeon. We visited Padstow, Daymer Bay, St Enedoc's Church, Marazion, Prussia Cove, Porthoustock, Coverack, Gunwalloe and Loe Bar. Hummingbird hawk moth at Coverack.

5th. Barn owl at the Flax Bourton end of the A370 on my return from Woodchester. Hummingbird hawk moth flew through the garden.

4th. Ham Wall with Srini, Deepak and Gopi from Osmania University. 3 green sandpipers.