The Secret Courtyard, Amalfi, Italy.

Oil on canvass. After a wonderful holiday in Amalfi a friend asked me to revive some of the memories we shared. As well as the sun and the sea, my memories are full of wine, olives and lemons. Lots of lemons. Some of the villas are built halfway up the steep hillsides that plunge into the sea. There is real emotional magic in places like this. They have stood for years, nurtured families, inspired music and art and provided havens for tired travellers.