The big names along the Amalfi Coast (in Italy) are Positano and Amalfi itself. These places are beautiful, glamorous, and expensive. The travel industry promotes them and includes them in almost all packages. I won’t be surprised if you haven’t heard of Maiori, a bit further down the Amalfi Coast.
Maiori has the longest beach along the Amalfi Coast. One of the most pleasurable activities is a stroll along the attractive lungomare (seafront). Hibiscus is expected along the Amalfi Coast, but I only encountered roses when walking along the Maiori seafront esplanade. I have seen more gorgeous roses before, but the experience was exceptional in Maiori. It reminded me of my stay in England 40 years ago, particularly when I worked at Mansfield General Hospital (MGH).
I cannot remember the name of the clerical staff in MGH. But then, it was 40 years ago, and many things have faded away. She was a charming Scottish lady (in her 60s then) and used to hum a lovely song. She asked me whether I had been to Picardy before, and I answered no. Furthermore, she said “Roses of Picardy” was a popular song British soldiers frequently sang in France during the Great War (World War I). Haydn Wood composed the music, and Frederick Weatherly wrote the lyrics. The song was released in 1916 and became one of the most famous songs during the war years. I have heard the song before, and suddenly, it acquired a new facet with added meaning.
Some of the bloodiest fighting in World War I occurred in Picardy. More than three million men fought in the battlefields in Picardy, and one million were wounded or killed, making the region one of the deadliest battlefields in human history. Today, we can still see the large number of cemeteries that mark former battlefields in Northern France.
Maiori is peaceful. I love it. I cannot but feel grateful for the good life I enjoy in retirement, including the simple joy that the roses in Maiori and the Roses of Picardy bring. Count your blessings, and keep counting.
To be continued: II Roses of Maiori and Rose Chan
Vince
Dr Vincent Chong is a retired Professor of Radiology at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
