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It’s Lambing Season in England

12 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in England, Food, Grasmere, Lake District, Travel, Uncategorized

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My very first trip to England, I managed to drive up to the Lake District.  It was April and gorgeous.  I didn’t understand what all this fuss about rainy England was about.  I had clear skies the entire trip. Maybe that’s why I have always looked on England so favorably. It was good from the start.

I saw fields of yellow as I made my way north after a gorgeous stay in London.  Even picking up my manual rental car in London that I had to shift with the “wrong” hand couldn’t sullen my mood. (Manual shift cars are standard in Europe unless you specify automatic–there were many Americans at the rental desk that Sunday morning arguing the point when they discovered they had not reserved an automatic)

Spring Lamb. Photo by me

The first time I saw Grasmere I was in love.  I got a tiny room at a lodge on the outskirts of town.  It meant a leisurely stroll along the fields to go to dinner in the village.  It was lambing season, and all the new born lambs were skipping and playing in the fields.  They were already marked with a bit of bright paint, I assume to identify their owner.  But as far as they were concerned, the world was theirs.

Ready for spring? Almost time for the lambs to appear. photo by me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must admit, I was a bit put off when I went to the restaurant in the village with a lovely view of the fields of lambs.  Of course, I should have guessed it was a mainstay on the menu that night.  Spring lamb.  A little too close for comfort.  I ordered the fish.

 

Happy Easter

08 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Burnham-on-Crouch, England, Sailing, Uncategorized

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It’s Easter.  And you know what that means…

The English sailing season officially begins!  There are intense calls on skype back and forth across the Atlantic discussing the pros and cons of the different races for the season…who has what boat…who might need a new set of sails…which crews are organizing for which races.

In honor of the beginning of the season, a photo of the "mates" from years gone by. Photo courtesy of My Beloved Brit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then there is the webcam down at the marina on the Crouch River at My Beloved Brit’s favorite racing spot. Each morning he can tune in to it and check the weather.  I have been hearing for weeks about boats being worked on, readied for the season.

He won’t make it over until May to join his mates, but I know he is feeling the excitement.  If it would only get a little warmer, it would all be perfect.

Cafes are always entertaining

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in entertainment, Travel, Uncategorized

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England has its pubs, which I love. The Paris equivalent is the outdoor cafe, with a distinct personality all their own.  There’s at least one on almost every busy corner in the city. Since the start of my visit, they all seem to be full, and the temperatures have been in the 50s to low 60s. But Parisians love sitting outside at the cafe watching the world pass by.

photo by me

This particular one I saw on my first full day in Paris.  It was right outside the Comedie-francais (France’s National Theater) and quite near the Louvre. A group of very talented musicians was entertaining the crowd with classical music while trying to sell their recordings.

Talented musicians. photo by me

They did attract a crowd, and it was quite a gathering of amazing talent on the street. They really were very good and stayed quite cheerful seeing that is was chilly outside.

photo by me

I am sure the cafe didn’t mind one bit.  Often you see street performers near a large open air cafe. Definitely a symbiotic relationship.

Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore are two of the most popular cafes on the Left Bank.  After winding through the little narrow streets near the Seine , I came across them both on this gorgeous wide Boulevard St. Germaine where they are located a block apart.

Les Deux Magots, the name comes from the two wooden statues of Chinese commercial agents (magots) that decorate the interior. Photo by me

They have had the reputation for decades of attracting a great literary and intellectual clientele, beginning with Ernest Hemingway in the 1920s and 30s, and existentialist philosophers and writers in the 50s, including Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Bouvier. You can just imagine the conversations that took place over a few drinks. The Sorbonne is nearby which can’t hurt cafes reputations for great thoughts occurring around their tables.

Cafe Flore is only a block away, but just as busy. Photo by me

One of the most charming cafes I saw was on Ile de la Cite, right around the corner from Notre Dame.  With just a few seats outside, it was none the less attracting a clientele that adored the sunshine under its wall of barely blooming wisteria.

A charming neighborhood cafe on Rue Chanoinesse, one of the oldest neighborhoods on Ile de la Cite. Racine lived here. Photo by me.

My favorite cafe to get coffee in the morning is just a short walk across from my hotel.  It looks empty now, but by lunch time it will be packed if it’s a nice day.

My favorite go to cafe located conveniently just in the Tuileries across the street. photo by me

The weather did turn warmer by noon, after a very chilly morning, so…

By noon the entire park was a mob scene. The temps shot up to 59 degrees! Photo by me.

And then there is this…

The MacDonald contribution to the cafe scene. This is right down the street from the first cafe near the Louvre, where the musicians were playing. photo by me.

Somehow it is just not the same thing at all.

Sad but true, it’s time to head home.  Luckily I have My Beloved Brit waiting for me at the airport tomorrow. That makes it bearable.

A Dream…Versailles

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, entertainment, paintings, Travel, Uncategorized

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Ever since I saw Sofia Coppola’s 2006 production, Marie Antoinette, I have dreamed of visiting Versailles.  For her movie, Coppola was given unprecedented access to the vast palace and grounds and it looked magnificent.

It was pretty grand in true life, although the billions of visitors made it a tad crowded. Nonetheless…

I wasn't alone wanting to see Versailles this morning. The palace was overrun with tourists speaking many languages. Photo by me

The Versailles Station after a ride through the "country" from Paris on the double decker train. Photo by me

Thank goodness I managed to catch an early train this morning from Paris. The 30 minute ride was very pleasant, and the ticket seller at the station actually was quite helpful. Luckily with internet, I had researched the excursion and sort of knew what I was doing.

I even managed to get through the gates of the Palace fairly easily despite the massive crowds.  Having the museum pass helped a lot I think.  The ticket lines were unbelievable.

And once inside I got to see this…

Inside Versailles. One of many spectacular chandeliers. Photo by me.

and this…

This bedroom might be a tad fussy for me, but you have to admire how they mixed prints. Photo by me.

 

And this…

Hall of mirrors. Photo by me

Enough of the gold and the crowds, I looked for an exit.

The corridors were lovely and mysterious. Where did they all go? Photo by me

I headed outside, and even though very little had even started blooming or budding “Le Jardins” were spectacular.

Versailles' back garden. Photo by me

I walked around the grounds for hours before escaping back to the Starbucks in town and the train home. Another day in Paradise.

Peace and quiet. The further I got from the Palace, the less crowded it became. This was still on the palace grounds. It went on forever. Photo by me.

I got back to the train station in Paris just in time to catch the last hour at the Museum d’Orsay. I managed to fit in their special exhibit, “Degas, et le nu” (Degas and the nude).

The main hall of Museum d'Orsay. Such a uniquely beautiful museum in an old train station. Photo by me

It was a spectacularly rich show including sketches, influences by other artists and final paintings, but no photography allowed so you’ll have to take my word for it. It even had one of Degas’s small sketch books on exhibit behind glass. Amazing.

The sun sets on Paris and the Museum d'Orsay. Photo by me

I walked back across the park for my last evening in Paris.

A final sailboat race on the fountain pond in the Tuileries. These are the first clouds I've seen all week. Rain tonight. Photo by me

I paused to watch a rousing game of boules. Photo by me

And finally crossed over to my hotel during rush hour. Photo by me

Good Night, Paris.

 

 

Taking a bite out of the Louvre

02 Monday Apr 2012

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I love this image of the new Apple store underneath the Louvre Museum in Paris.  Yes, that is the underside of the smaller I.M. Pei Louvre pyramid reflected in the store front window. This is at the “Carousel” entry to the museum.

Mac is everywhere, even the Louvre. Outside the packed store looking in.Photo by me

The inside of the Apple shop was just as crowded as the museum. There was barely standing room only. I did notice that most of the shops in Paris were extremely busy this week.  I hope this is a sign of good economic times for Europe this summer.

Although Dior near the Champs-Elysees did not look quite so busy.  Hmmmm.

Dior Couture on Avenue Montaigne. photo by me

 

 

Viva la France

31 Saturday Mar 2012

Posted by in Art, Travel, Uncategorized

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Paris, as I suspected, has survived very well with out me for the past four years. But it is so good to be back.

From my room you can see the Tuileries. photo by me

It is springtime here.  The forsythia is just starting.  The Tuileries is lovely. And of course, the art…the art is alive and well. The first thing I managed to do when I arrived at Charles deGaulle airport was to find the Paris Tourist Information desk and buy my 6 day museum pass.

The Tuileries across from my hotel are lovely in the morning before the crowds take over. phot by me

After too little sleep on a fully booked Air France flight (I never think of myself as large until I try to fit in to one of those seats over the course of an 8 hour flight), I managed to catch up on my rest some and headed out this morning for coffee in the Tuileries.

The view to the Musee d'Orsay, where many of the most famous Impressionist works are. Saving that for tomorrow. Photo by me

My new favorite coffee spot. It is so quiet in the morning. Photo by me

 

The thing I truly love about Paris is that there is art everywhere, and I mean everywhere…of course it is in the museums, but it is also in the parks, on the streets and in every store window.  Each is a little gem.

Of course, I hit the mother load this morning.  I went across the park to the Orangerie to see Monet’s waterlilies in natural light.  Spectacular.

Walking with my coffee through the park, I came upon these odd little sculptures Photo by me

It seems the pigeons love the art in Paris almost as much as I do.

Interesting how the pigeons in Paris love the art also.photo by me

Every statue seemed to have a pigeon on its head, and they didn't seem to mind one bit. photo by me

 

As a matter of fact, when I went in to the Louvre, the statues seemed quite upset that they didn't have pigeons on their heads. photo by me.

Hopefully more tomorrow, if the hotel internet connection be willing.

Paris in the Spring

29 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, Travel, Uncategorized

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I am on my way to Paris for a week, and will actually have five full days of art museums.  I had an air ticket left over from a trip I cancelled last summer that needed to be used or lost by April 5th, so My Beloved Brit generously suggested that I use it for a week of art on my own.  His attention span tends to be limited for too many museums, although he’s always willing to give it a try, and it was just too early and cold to use the ticket for our joint trip to England.

View over Paris at dusk, Benh Lieu Song, creative commons

So I am off, and I’ll try to keep you posted, internet in my Paris hotel be willing.  I’ve already researched buying my week long Museum Pass, and practiced my few phrases of   leftover high school French.

Let the adventure begin!

London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route Animation

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in England, London, Olympics, Uncategorized

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The 2012 Olympics are coming! This is a fun new video showing the route of the torch through Great Britain. Can you identify some of the spots?

8,000 people will carry the Olympic Flame through more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the UK. Lit in Greece, the torch arrives in the UK on May 18th, 2012 for the 70-day journey. Click here to see the map of where it will travel, and if it will come near you.

Mr. Darcy, easy as one two three

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in England, entertainment, movies, Uncategorized

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I am on the waiting list at my local library for the new bestseller Death Comes To Pemberley, a thrilling romp with the Pride and Prejudice characters. It was recently penned by the 91-year-old detective novelist P.D. James. I can only hope I am that active and creative at 91!

The novel is set at Pemberley 6 years after the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy, two of Jane Austen’s best-loved characters from her novel Pride and Prejudice. You can just never get too much of P&P.

Over the years there have been various tv and movie adaptations of the novel, each with its own engaging cast members. And of course, Mr. Darcy is one of the greatest male romance heroes of all times, and a popular choice to focus on.

Elliot Cowan as Mr. Darcy 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These were 4 very different Mr. Darcy’s on film… Peter Cushing in a 1952 TV version (can’t find a photo of him, sorry), Colin Firth in 1995, Matthew Macfayden in 2005 and Elliot Cowan in 2008 (in “Lost in Austen”, a 4 part British TV series).

Matthew MacFayden in the 2005 version

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite is the classic 6 hour BBC mini-series featuring Firth.  The story unfolds beautifully with the expansive time of the series, the costumes are appropriately lovely, and Colin Firth just hit the mark for me as the perfect Darcy.

Colin Firth in "one of the most unforgettable moments in British TV history." (The Guardian) From the BBC television series "Pride & Prejudice".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you get a chance, rent all you can and compare.  Meanwhile I’m waiting for my email from the library to see what P.D. James has to say.

Violets

19 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by in Gardens, Uncategorized

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This is a special time of year in the garden.  This week, the violets have bloomed, and I can’t resist bringing a small nosegay in to the house each day.

Don’t you just love spring.

In the garden, photo by me