Thanks Claude!

Admired Monet’s famous water lily series at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in NYC some time ago and fell in love with the soft, subtle light the artist had managed to capture. Later to learn the man had actually painted over 250 variations of those lilies, the outcomes now scattered across the globe. How fortunate to be able to view the actual source of that inspiration?

Yet it’s just a garden, a 20130528-165445.jpgtad larger than average but just a garden. Similar flora busily blossoming right under our noses in our own country…in our parks, over the neighbor’s fence, on window ledges, by the side of the road, heck even doing their bit in old tyres turned into swan shaped planters so frequent to the central west and many a Nana’s back yard. And all thanks to folk who share the same passion as Monet did. But how often do we take the time to appreciate a gardener’s efforts? I make a note to take the time to do so from now on.

Seasonally dependent, reliant on just the right weather mix (the waterlilies were yet to open due to unseasonably cold weather), bud to bloom to wither so rapid, fleeting. Thank goodness Monet was inspired to capture the beauty of his Giverny garden for us all to enjoy, all year round.

Thanks Claude

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The Cosy Cote Canal

Looking for a cosy, quaint B&B in Bruges? Beautifully appointed, tastefully decorated, each suite lovingly decorated in the colors of the owner’s favorite Wedgwood.

Cote Canal - Bruges
Cote Canal – Bruges

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On Monasteries and Falafels…

Mont Saint-Michel – a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey surrounded by a small village at the foot of its walls – is really quite a technical feat considering it was built between the 11th and 16th centuries with granite that had to be floated across a kilometer of exceptionally powerful oceanic tides. Bordering Normandy and Brittany, the island has held strategic fortifications and since the eighth century AD, has been the seat of the monastery from which it draws its name.

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Interestingly, the structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it. On top God, the abbey and monastery, below this the Great Halls, then stores and housing, and at the bottom, outside the walls, fishermen and farmers housing. Well you all know your place now don’t you! And that’s your history lesson for the day.20130525-161456.jpg
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Eight plus hours there and back plus three on the island making for a huge day with a very chilly wind factor but worth the effort just to see Fifi’s face when ever corner turned revealed yet another bunch of cobblestone steps. Then she discovered the art of hitching a ride on Pixi’s coat tails!

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Arrived back foot sore and weary and just managed to stagger to L’as du Fallafel on rue des Rosiers to share a Falafel. Purported to be the best in town (the Marais is the Jewish district after all) and substantiated by satisfied grins as we made our way around the corner to home and bed.

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