I was almost back to Rousay... but not quite. I had a weekend in Florence where I was looking at a rather amazing urban development site for some rather amazing people. We were being invited to dream out loud and we arrived into a dream-like Tuscan winter landscape.
We were staying for two nights at this beautiful hotel on the edge of the Torrigiani garden.
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An 18th Century Italian Walnut Bust
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I loved these antique terracotta armorials at the gates to the street - incredible.
We had a long day on site that first day, in basking sunshine, lunch sitting outside. The air was cold but the sun was hot. Just time to visit my favourite view in the whole of Florence, as dusk settled - the astonishing scale of Brunelleschi's great Dome seen from the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata. 
His serene facade for the Foundling Hospital to our left, perhaps my favourite early Renaissance building of them all, delicately making the leap from Gothic to classic.
In the garden of the Palazzo della Gherardesca (a.k.a. drinks at the Four Seasons Hotel).
The next morning was beautiful and crisp, frost on the ground.
We had a spare morning and headed to the Palazzo Pitti, to visit the Giardino di Boboli - always one of the highlights of a Florence visit, however short.
We were there early and no-one was really around, but the gates to the garden had opened about half an hour earlier.
I love the side elevation of the Palazzo with its tiny windows dotted completely at random (I'm sure I've taken this photo several times before).
And I actually really love this neoclassical Palazzina to the west. My kind of building!
The monkey fountain up at the highest part of the garden - dreamy mist on the hills.
Walking down the great avenue.
The limonaia, filled with lemon trees for the winter.
The Grotto.
Then we were on our way. I loved this tiny door to the side of a blocked up portal - carved out of wood to match the stucco next door.
Glorious light on the Arno.
Inside the Palazzo Corsini.
Back to the Duomo.
As the afternoon settled, there was not a breath of wind. Perfect reflections.
The garden of the Villa Corsini at sunset.
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And then I was home. Back to London, to the last two or three days of the year in the studio, and then - at last, really I couldn't wait - home to Rousay. Charlie and I spent a nice morning in Kirkwall before catching the 2.45pm ferry home. Here's the road to the ferry in the soft afternoon light.
The light these last few days has been wonderful. I'm writing on the solstice, the shortest day of the year; sunrise was at 9.06 this morning, sunset at 3.15pm. The morning light almost feels like a sunset at this time of the year.
We've had wind and rain and the clearest skies.
An incredible sense of stillness about the place now.
Charlie's veg garden is amazing and still grows despite the short daylight hours.
And soon the snowdrops will be here.
Golden light at sunset.
And this was this evening, the shortest day.
Light like a painting - the colours of Florence and Rousay are curiously connected at the moment.
Have a very peaceful Christmas. Just for a minute, the earth stands still.
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24 comments
The photos of the architectural of the buildings was so beautiful. Hard to imagine that Charlie’s garden is almost starting to come to life again. I see Nancy has grown quite a bit. The sunsets at your home were beautiful.
Ben, thank you for a fascinating blog The Boboli Gardens are a great attraction for me. Went there first as a student and then again more recently. Your outstanding photographs capture the magic of the gardens and the wonderful Palazzo Pitti with its slight shabbiness which somehow lends to its enchantment.
Your photographs are food for the soul. That mellow golden light in both Florence and Rousay is stunning! Such a joy to see. I have only ever visited Florence in the summer, I think I prefer the quietness of winter light. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you so much for your blog and your glorious pictures! Best wishes for a delightful and relaxing Christmas up in Rousay with Charlie and your lovely little band of dogs!
Always such wonderful photographs – thank you for sharing as you do. A very happy new year to you both.
Thank you Ben for sharing your beautiful photos. May you and Charlie have a healthy and successful new year. I look forward to seeing what you have planned for Westness.
Merry and a very happy Christmas and new year to you ,Charlie and the beautiful dog friends
I LOVE your blogs, Ben, but for some reason I am still not on your email list (numerous requests) so I hope maybe, hopefully, this request will go answered. Happy New Year to you and Charlie.
Seasons Greetings to you both, Ben and Charlie. A Christmas request resulted in two beautiful books arriving in the mail, Ruth Guildings The Bible of British, and of course, An English Vision. Both Beautiful. I’m now looking forward to a coffee at my side, a small longhaired Dachshund on my lap, and hours quietly pouring over the many pages. Heaven. Your blog photos and comments are a joy. Just like going on a short holiday, without leaving home. Best wishes to all.
Anita….. a Kiwi, in Tumut, a small country town in Australia.
Thank you for sharing the beauty and artistry in architecture and nature, ethereal at times! Merry Christmas to you and Charlie and the best of all good in 2026!
Ben I just love your photos, you seem to get the real sense of place so well. Happy Christmas to you, Charlie and the dogs. May 2026 be a good one for all.
A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND TO CHARLIE!! Thank you for another year of brilliant blogs with stunning photos! Rest and relax now Ben:). Wishing you both many new adventures all enjoyed in good health in 2026.
Such beautiful words and golden pictures. Merry Christmas to you, Charlie, and the dogs, from beneath a mountain of blankets in Ottawa Canada where the wind has flash frozen everyone and thing.
Lovely to see Florence again and those glorious buildings shown off in the magical sunshine, then home to your special part of the world. Merry Christmas from a slightly tempestuous summer in NZ! Jennie
Thanks for the lovely memories of Florence – we first visited more than 50 years ago, when it was less thronged. But rising early clearly pays rewards – thanks for the images of an ethereal city.
Thank you for taking us with you on your wonderful life!
A very happy Christmas to you & Charlie x
Good evening Ben
You do take the most beautiful photographs, thank you. I have visited the garden at Villa Torrigiani. It was quite lovely. Wishing you both a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cx
And a very Happy Christmas to you both. Enjoy the knowledge that you give so much – albeit second-hand – joy with your photographs.
Happy Christmas to you and yours. A peaceful and healthy new year 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎅🎅🎅🎅
Thank you. I love your blog. Beautiful photos of Florence (we were there in the spring) and we always love seeing your photos of home. Happy Christmas and thanks for sharing
Merry Christmas to you, Charlie and the dogs. May 2026 be a happy and healthy year for us all.
Karen B.
Marvellous outworldly images.
Merry Christmas to you from Northern France!
Thank you for all the joy you share with us through the year…Am reading your gentle inspiration at the sea in South Africa on one of the longest days here.
Merry Christmas
Warmly
Jean
Happy Christmas Ben and Charlie! Thank you for the Christmas cheer all year round.