Friday, May 15, 2009
On the Road to Albi -- SkyWatch Friday (my twenty-sixth) -- Our Spring 2009 Europe Holiday
I could tell it was going to be a nice day, not a cloud in France's big blue sky!
We were headed to Albi, France, to visit the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (link). I have a picture (print, copy) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (link) painted for my office and this would be an opportunity to see more of his original art.
I am glad we did because of the small things, being there with his associations, and seeing so many of his paintings in one sitting helped me appreciate this man still more.
My opinion of him? At first he painted fairly run-of-the-mill pictures of people. There may have been a slight impressionist leaning in some. Towards the end of his life he was so intrigued with dancers at the Moulin Rouge (Paris) and prostitutes that that was about all he painted. Well, he was still painting entertainment posters. I would like to have one of those or a copy.
I never did figure out what the fields of yellow were. The plants were about height of yellow clover but they were courser and bushier. Anyway they matched the colors of the old John Deere tractor.
The tractor was decoration for the middle inside the turn-about. I went around twice to get the better picture. Of course the road was one way. How could a person miss with nice blue signs like this?
Finally we got to Albi. Parking was going to be a problem, but they must have known we were coming and saved this Handicap parking place just for me. I always travel with my hanging Texas Handicap Parking Permit.
We had fun. I will write more of our Spring 2009 Europe Holiday later.
We were headed to Albi, France, to visit the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Museum (link). I have a picture (print, copy) Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (link) painted for my office and this would be an opportunity to see more of his original art.
I am glad we did because of the small things, being there with his associations, and seeing so many of his paintings in one sitting helped me appreciate this man still more.
My opinion of him? At first he painted fairly run-of-the-mill pictures of people. There may have been a slight impressionist leaning in some. Towards the end of his life he was so intrigued with dancers at the Moulin Rouge (Paris) and prostitutes that that was about all he painted. Well, he was still painting entertainment posters. I would like to have one of those or a copy.
These are pictures we took at a pull-out along the way. We were staying in Caunes-Minervois (link) which is a short drive from Carcassonne, France. At first there were a lot of grape fields which soon gave way to pastures with cows and sheep.
Then we hit the mountains. From the pictures you might guess were in West Virgina, U.S.A. We would next go down into this little town, Mazamet (link), to the market. Thursday (April 23, 2009) was market day for Mazamet. Sorry, no pictures, we were to busy eating our food and shopping.
Then we hit the mountains. From the pictures you might guess were in West Virgina, U.S.A. We would next go down into this little town, Mazamet (link), to the market. Thursday (April 23, 2009) was market day for Mazamet. Sorry, no pictures, we were to busy eating our food and shopping.
I never did figure out what the fields of yellow were. The plants were about height of yellow clover but they were courser and bushier. Anyway they matched the colors of the old John Deere tractor.
The tractor was decoration for the middle inside the turn-about. I went around twice to get the better picture. Of course the road was one way. How could a person miss with nice blue signs like this?
We had fun. I will write more of our Spring 2009 Europe Holiday later.
Other Participants and How to Have Your Own Skywatch
Labels: France, Holiday Posts, Our Spring 2009 Europe Holiday, SkyWatch Friday, Travel
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Our Spring 2009 Europe Holiday -- Etretat, France -- Ruby (Red) Tuesday --
I received a prayer request for Jeffrey; "he is 58; and battling more than one potentially terminal disease." I am praying for him, will you please join me, thank you. (link for more information)
I call these the RED GIRLS. We were on our way to the beach at Etretat, France. They were stopped ahead of us at the traffic light. Of course we went around them after the light turned and the road was clear, they were extremely slow pedaling along enjoying being observed.
Our mission was to climb the trail up to the top of this ridge. These are the alabaster cliffs that the line the coast along the English Channel here.
Things below looked small when we got to the top. I was puffing a little and thanking my Cardiologist for my stents. At the center top is a nice golf course across the way
The RED GIRLS on the bicycles finally got up here in their own time (no picture).
While we were up there the fog came in off the English Channel. You can't see the golf course any more. The rental boats came scurrying in too.
I thought I had a shot of a nice painting by Claude Monet of the cliffs but I guess it didn't take. The original was under glass there on a stone on the beach. He visited here quite often for some of his sea scenes.
Traffic leaving town was fierce so we stopped at this little pizza place for supper. We might not have stopped there but for the cat's invitation.
After supper traffic had pretty well cleared out and we could head back to Honfleur (France) where we were staying.
In the morning we had driven over to Rouen where Joan of Arc had been burned at the stake. There was a neat shrine over there. That will be another post.
Things below looked small when we got to the top. I was puffing a little and thanking my Cardiologist for my stents. At the center top is a nice golf course across the way
The RED GIRLS on the bicycles finally got up here in their own time (no picture).
While we were up there the fog came in off the English Channel. You can't see the golf course any more. The rental boats came scurrying in too.
I thought I had a shot of a nice painting by Claude Monet of the cliffs but I guess it didn't take. The original was under glass there on a stone on the beach. He visited here quite often for some of his sea scenes.
Traffic leaving town was fierce so we stopped at this little pizza place for supper. We might not have stopped there but for the cat's invitation.
After supper traffic had pretty well cleared out and we could head back to Honfleur (France) where we were staying.
In the morning we had driven over to Rouen where Joan of Arc had been burned at the stake. There was a neat shrine over there. That will be another post.
Click the Ruby Tuesday button for Mary's Ruby Tuesday post list.
Mary is in charge there, you can see more or post your own from there.
Labels: France, Holiday Posts, Our Spring 2009 Europe Holiday, Places, Ruby Tuesday, Store Windows, Travel, Weather
_1891.jpg){kind=link}