tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35218760195433589122024-03-13T02:10:53.833+00:00Magpie SalmagundiMagpie Salmagundi is a collection of facts, quotations, recipes, images, news to divert and entertain.magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-88432920299508865052017-03-08T11:39:00.000+00:002017-03-10T17:41:28.700+00:00ThessalonikiOkay, Cheri and Hans-Jörg. Here are the long-promised highlights of our trip to Greece in February 2016, just in time to provide a few tips for your visit this month. More photos than text, as usual, since I'm not getting more ambitious as I approach seventy: this is the quick, bare-bones approach.<br />
<br />
First some scenes you'll encounter simply by wandering around the city:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFHbS7KjFcY/WI85G5TJPDI/AAAAAAABV28/GNhRspAnFTQV3fYCWHUkeKP9zwmxiEhhACPcB/s1600/20160210_105930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFHbS7KjFcY/WI85G5TJPDI/AAAAAAABV28/GNhRspAnFTQV3fYCWHUkeKP9zwmxiEhhACPcB/s400/20160210_105930.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The White Tower </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGcOEQurHAw/WI85G-jbSPI/AAAAAAABV28/u-D3h3YuMn0EuTwiWpSJhgUBaDrkIF3qQCPcB/s1600/20160210_110325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hGcOEQurHAw/WI85G-jbSPI/AAAAAAABV28/u-D3h3YuMn0EuTwiWpSJhgUBaDrkIF3qQCPcB/s400/20160210_110325.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yadyNM9ndMY/WI85G7YlPQI/AAAAAAABV28/JPbY7Fm6h9UOZB6co7rMm8v8-RFOm66LwCPcB/s1600/20160210_111806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yadyNM9ndMY/WI85G7YlPQI/AAAAAAABV28/JPbY7Fm6h9UOZB6co7rMm8v8-RFOm66LwCPcB/s400/20160210_111806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlD6LBB7P8k/WI85G6d024I/AAAAAAABV0I/mdHVOPNP8PQiffSGzdZ_06RhoRZPyETPACPcB/s1600/20160211_102346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlD6LBB7P8k/WI85G6d024I/AAAAAAABV0I/mdHVOPNP8PQiffSGzdZ_06RhoRZPyETPACPcB/s400/20160211_102346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mount Olympus in background.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhX_YSAU1Ss/WI85G-u-K2I/AAAAAAABV0I/0MuW509AQKIi5DvT69s6-ZvQQyjKl934wCPcB/s1600/20160211_102811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhX_YSAU1Ss/WI85G-u-K2I/AAAAAAABV0I/0MuW509AQKIi5DvT69s6-ZvQQyjKl934wCPcB/s400/20160211_102811.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBh717C-PBE/WI85G-NrXxI/AAAAAAABV0I/-ADAlBHyM_82GND5hJWSIerX16HwROQ2wCPcB/s1600/20160211_105813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBh717C-PBE/WI85G-NrXxI/AAAAAAABV0I/-ADAlBHyM_82GND5hJWSIerX16HwROQ2wCPcB/s400/20160211_105813.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4M2SAqiO3U/WI85G92aSmI/AAAAAAABVzQ/3wt10P5nWAcePpsWAgZ5j0PSoEEJyadQwCPcB/s1600/20160211_110740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4M2SAqiO3U/WI85G92aSmI/AAAAAAABVzQ/3wt10P5nWAcePpsWAgZ5j0PSoEEJyadQwCPcB/s400/20160211_110740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uClUO9lHVDM/WI85G8nxKWI/AAAAAAABVzQ/HTWQo_bhqecOaV_PkCkOCPzt7i8-bUHGQCPcB/s1600/20160211_110812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uClUO9lHVDM/WI85G8nxKWI/AAAAAAABVzQ/HTWQo_bhqecOaV_PkCkOCPzt7i8-bUHGQCPcB/s400/20160211_110812.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmY4iECdbkc/WI85G02LuqI/AAAAAAABVzQ/Erq3zQuadBsulis-SYtJAF7p4nLm76LAQCPcB/s1600/20160211_110847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmY4iECdbkc/WI85G02LuqI/AAAAAAABVzQ/Erq3zQuadBsulis-SYtJAF7p4nLm76LAQCPcB/s400/20160211_110847.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_exrjnXrs/WI85G3FF2UI/AAAAAAABVzQ/crYY_1AhUu0L3Z0ZZlYvql7xK_kh154HwCPcB/s1600/20160211_122336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_exrjnXrs/WI85G3FF2UI/AAAAAAABVzQ/crYY_1AhUu0L3Z0ZZlYvql7xK_kh154HwCPcB/s400/20160211_122336.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPsW5TO7Z4w/WI85G_2JQRI/AAAAAAABVzQ/cvvmObnJ3jMVPSYXX5ktuFEUKeCIl4YHQCPcB/s1600/20160211_125626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPsW5TO7Z4w/WI85G_2JQRI/AAAAAAABVzQ/cvvmObnJ3jMVPSYXX5ktuFEUKeCIl4YHQCPcB/s400/20160211_125626.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVk5PDfLbto/WI85G_-rjiI/AAAAAAABVzQ/Jx2CamiRf4AWM1hBmZpoM7oe6gd8HOhfACPcB/s1600/20160211_131003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVk5PDfLbto/WI85G_-rjiI/AAAAAAABVzQ/Jx2CamiRf4AWM1hBmZpoM7oe6gd8HOhfACPcB/s400/20160211_131003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSkvyCJwHww/WI85G4ib0kI/AAAAAAABVzQ/MSccz5femAYS7ooWJhrMLZFRKfO5aWP0ACPcB/s1600/20160211_131108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSkvyCJwHww/WI85G4ib0kI/AAAAAAABVzQ/MSccz5femAYS7ooWJhrMLZFRKfO5aWP0ACPcB/s400/20160211_131108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKH7eafple4/WI85G0ZgOSI/AAAAAAABVzQ/j1L2_P_5IVAUn32tMo99_Sk2W-mVmw4eACPcB/s1600/20160211_131215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKH7eafple4/WI85G0ZgOSI/AAAAAAABVzQ/j1L2_P_5IVAUn32tMo99_Sk2W-mVmw4eACPcB/s400/20160211_131215.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Some of the treats in store for you at the fabulous Archaeological Museum:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA8bU9HgB6E/WI85GyyO74I/AAAAAAABV28/JelG-7Xz3W0ob5n5vgmYZ8EA6zDlrJiiQCPcB/s1600/20160210_112507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vA8bU9HgB6E/WI85GyyO74I/AAAAAAABV28/JelG-7Xz3W0ob5n5vgmYZ8EA6zDlrJiiQCPcB/s400/20160210_112507.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IV2waX-d22I/WI85G3Q06yI/AAAAAAABVyg/DAMJaYVBDv8zczXCG6pxB7QHdP-nyhMkwCPcB/s1600/20160210_121403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IV2waX-d22I/WI85G3Q06yI/AAAAAAABVyg/DAMJaYVBDv8zczXCG6pxB7QHdP-nyhMkwCPcB/s400/20160210_121403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lnkpvUuNq7I/WI85G2Kv5xI/AAAAAAABV28/M2AXLvMKU8Q48njEoalNKTXOkNA6dkbrwCPcB/s1600/20160210_113735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lnkpvUuNq7I/WI85G2Kv5xI/AAAAAAABV28/M2AXLvMKU8Q48njEoalNKTXOkNA6dkbrwCPcB/s400/20160210_113735.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CB_U-Q8NI-U/WI85G_KMRUI/AAAAAAABV28/eoFHanFIY0Axh00sxgnqE6KfYmSMy81JwCPcB/s1600/20160210_114818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CB_U-Q8NI-U/WI85G_KMRUI/AAAAAAABV28/eoFHanFIY0Axh00sxgnqE6KfYmSMy81JwCPcB/s400/20160210_114818.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPsrCsDveMU/WI85G1NKftI/AAAAAAABV14/j60vu-FBgP4cm0NGXHEJ0XEM0fu1zGsRACPcB/s1600/20160210_115548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPsrCsDveMU/WI85G1NKftI/AAAAAAABV14/j60vu-FBgP4cm0NGXHEJ0XEM0fu1zGsRACPcB/s400/20160210_115548.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUIx6Nw23_8/WI85Gw-JE0I/AAAAAAABV14/j-HMLApsk6Qd7C5LjVji7G1CKOV5HVEeQCPcB/s1600/20160210_120625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUIx6Nw23_8/WI85Gw-JE0I/AAAAAAABV14/j-HMLApsk6Qd7C5LjVji7G1CKOV5HVEeQCPcB/s400/20160210_120625.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSbqVwo3OzM/WI85G-YAzVI/AAAAAAABV14/FUDeaUQqK8oMYeXwNoMp8Ktx4F9U9eAGgCPcB/s1600/20160210_121109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSbqVwo3OzM/WI85G-YAzVI/AAAAAAABV14/FUDeaUQqK8oMYeXwNoMp8Ktx4F9U9eAGgCPcB/s400/20160210_121109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXkflG1qGtU/WI85G9jUaaI/AAAAAAABV14/cIFZrwImfFIWLwmi1UujYDd6J-ceaioTACPcB/s1600/20160210_122113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXkflG1qGtU/WI85G9jUaaI/AAAAAAABV14/cIFZrwImfFIWLwmi1UujYDd6J-ceaioTACPcB/s400/20160210_122113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdRFDOMLe_0/WI85G1PZcZI/AAAAAAABV14/fcuWPtM4cwUv6ompLk1vWZ_yHXgaoWTeQCPcB/s1600/20160210_122138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdRFDOMLe_0/WI85G1PZcZI/AAAAAAABV14/fcuWPtM4cwUv6ompLk1vWZ_yHXgaoWTeQCPcB/s400/20160210_122138.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fpbsrV9mvcE/WI85G0lvD6I/AAAAAAABV14/RVRds196Q7cvhTxbri71ydvQpsFsQk95ACPcB/s1600/20160210_122313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fpbsrV9mvcE/WI85G0lvD6I/AAAAAAABV14/RVRds196Q7cvhTxbri71ydvQpsFsQk95ACPcB/s400/20160210_122313.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbwqU55-GZY/WI85G_d_1AI/AAAAAAABV14/cU6qft4zWQo0XfSasnTFVLYP5fqbvwYHACPcB/s1600/20160210_123016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbwqU55-GZY/WI85G_d_1AI/AAAAAAABV14/cU6qft4zWQo0XfSasnTFVLYP5fqbvwYHACPcB/s400/20160210_123016.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-czdzqVBg1Xc/WI85G11dL-I/AAAAAAABV1E/9Cde0841MyY1S4x4HJmdr3CeJ1JKhP-pACPcB/s1600/20160210_123837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-czdzqVBg1Xc/WI85G11dL-I/AAAAAAABV1E/9Cde0841MyY1S4x4HJmdr3CeJ1JKhP-pACPcB/s400/20160210_123837.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IhxQUNPVyI/WI85G67LEKI/AAAAAAABV1E/gloewndDhMs1V2UOin4Jx_AT7MS_zmKEQCPcB/s1600/20160210_123927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IhxQUNPVyI/WI85G67LEKI/AAAAAAABV1E/gloewndDhMs1V2UOin4Jx_AT7MS_zmKEQCPcB/s400/20160210_123927.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQfmJPDBl64/WI85G8HwDJI/AAAAAAABV1E/yXIfLV-LzxE6KW8DCaTI3GIEMJw9AtEtwCPcB/s1600/20160210_125038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQfmJPDBl64/WI85G8HwDJI/AAAAAAABV1E/yXIfLV-LzxE6KW8DCaTI3GIEMJw9AtEtwCPcB/s400/20160210_125038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OPkLvMlYoSE/WI85G_-RsjI/AAAAAAABV1E/fvmLhbjliBk3-SC1jD8hHsh-4IWMLxodQCPcB/s1600/20160210_125145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OPkLvMlYoSE/WI85G_-RsjI/AAAAAAABV1E/fvmLhbjliBk3-SC1jD8hHsh-4IWMLxodQCPcB/s400/20160210_125145.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1dkjBn053I/WI85G5geEdI/AAAAAAABV1E/Sbk8EMab3J4TiHlGGHwrKvczZ1ZRX68cACPcB/s1600/20160210_130022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i1dkjBn053I/WI85G5geEdI/AAAAAAABV1E/Sbk8EMab3J4TiHlGGHwrKvczZ1ZRX68cACPcB/s400/20160210_130022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvZHzV-m-ZI/WI85G-kcsOI/AAAAAAABV1E/3ZoSeLXVxxMnAAbTfeCc1PEV29Jb8nJzgCPcB/s1600/20160210_130740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IvZHzV-m-ZI/WI85G-kcsOI/AAAAAAABV1E/3ZoSeLXVxxMnAAbTfeCc1PEV29Jb8nJzgCPcB/s400/20160210_130740.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
From a special exhibition on modern migration, reminiscent of narratives in Victoria Hislop's <i>TheThread:</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTwMknVcGnI/WI85G-639yI/AAAAAAABV1E/WL1gzb60XlQpuwEWUh2H_PLaLOgoWo7agCPcB/s1600/20160210_131509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTwMknVcGnI/WI85G-639yI/AAAAAAABV1E/WL1gzb60XlQpuwEWUh2H_PLaLOgoWo7agCPcB/s400/20160210_131509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SaZowFbIfpY/WI85G4G_D7I/AAAAAAABV1E/5vPwThGFvuk6qYFuhbW4a2QkhcEnH8XSQCPcB/s1600/20160210_131540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SaZowFbIfpY/WI85G4G_D7I/AAAAAAABV1E/5vPwThGFvuk6qYFuhbW4a2QkhcEnH8XSQCPcB/s400/20160210_131540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVZM7w2Hglo/WI85G05dsPI/AAAAAAABV1E/T-EvVBqeRTk97DnrViCO3P0imn-wYMB8gCPcB/s1600/20160210_131430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVZM7w2Hglo/WI85G05dsPI/AAAAAAABV1E/T-EvVBqeRTk97DnrViCO3P0imn-wYMB8gCPcB/s400/20160210_131430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Museum of Byzantine Culture:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RRoRmoE5yA/WI85G3UCyFI/AAAAAAABV0I/MlY-c_LYja0S6yXVasGX9IhpVan2tgZzQCPcB/s1600/20160210_145309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RRoRmoE5yA/WI85G3UCyFI/AAAAAAABV0I/MlY-c_LYja0S6yXVasGX9IhpVan2tgZzQCPcB/s400/20160210_145309.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihXivXqIGIw/WI85G9iB8aI/AAAAAAABV0I/ZwZAgfroEXkASQRaO29EEMQgAVhN8rjqgCPcB/s1600/20160210_145414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihXivXqIGIw/WI85G9iB8aI/AAAAAAABV0I/ZwZAgfroEXkASQRaO29EEMQgAVhN8rjqgCPcB/s400/20160210_145414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNgMuCd5qA0/WI85G7_XycI/AAAAAAABV0I/XuW3E5z0Pwk8_reBO77wmetLrFtTz9NpQCPcB/s1600/20160210_145422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tNgMuCd5qA0/WI85G7_XycI/AAAAAAABV0I/XuW3E5z0Pwk8_reBO77wmetLrFtTz9NpQCPcB/s400/20160210_145422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlUhsct41CQ/WI85G7IpYsI/AAAAAAABV0I/XtC5-iySlqw3Csp9VsiPpvrqTuYra8WtQCPcB/s1600/20160210_145659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlUhsct41CQ/WI85G7IpYsI/AAAAAAABV0I/XtC5-iySlqw3Csp9VsiPpvrqTuYra8WtQCPcB/s400/20160210_145659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcSasPYRYBQ/WI85G367QII/AAAAAAABV0I/IYyPFxpfN-sSo_rba26FE8SpBb6dUrgIgCPcB/s1600/20160210_143841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcSasPYRYBQ/WI85G367QII/AAAAAAABV0I/IYyPFxpfN-sSo_rba26FE8SpBb6dUrgIgCPcB/s320/20160210_143841.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyVqxuhgUVk/WI85Gzh-INI/AAAAAAABV0I/lp0iig5L9C04K_9oPxigR7e51KHZO_ZsACPcB/s1600/20160210_142624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyVqxuhgUVk/WI85Gzh-INI/AAAAAAABV0I/lp0iig5L9C04K_9oPxigR7e51KHZO_ZsACPcB/s400/20160210_142624.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOjnPeYD3kc/WI85GxzJrYI/AAAAAAABV0I/QhJYm4ZbDb80IhvRPdAL70NSoSkrcThywCPcB/s1600/20160210_143558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOjnPeYD3kc/WI85GxzJrYI/AAAAAAABV0I/QhJYm4ZbDb80IhvRPdAL70NSoSkrcThywCPcB/s400/20160210_143558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc9odW1fyb0/WI85GxYOZeI/AAAAAAABV0I/sHC4vW7V-bA6Juoh7ubl9lGTEoBMmP8kQCPcB/s1600/20160210_143730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lc9odW1fyb0/WI85GxYOZeI/AAAAAAABV0I/sHC4vW7V-bA6Juoh7ubl9lGTEoBMmP8kQCPcB/s400/20160210_143730.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Jewish Museum, where we did not take photos, is a wonderful testament to the enduring culture of Sephardic Jews, who fled to Greece from Ferdinand and Isabella's Spain, struggled and thrived, only to find themselves in the twentieth century confronting Nazi occupation. Here are a few pictures gathered on the internet (mostly from TripAdvisor): </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="300" src="https://nl.tracesofwar.com/upload/1813120213205949.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The museum is housed in one of the few Jewish buildings that survived the great fire of 1917, formerly owned by both the Bank of Athens and a Jewish newspaper publisher.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://www.inthessaloniki.com/media/k2/items/cache/a522a6005d1cb428ea34ef1769cd7452_XL.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki costume" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0d/bb/3c/cf/jewish-museum-of-thessaloniki.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki" src="http://data1a.greekguide.com/c/900x599-0/companies/907/139459505_1426521633.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki wall of names" src="http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/b027066e4c6e4e0cbb7788ae6a79b5e9/the-wall-of-names-in-the-holocaust-memorial-museum-lists-the-76000-bfm6k7.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also have no photos from the spectacular site at the tomb of Phillip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. This unique tumulus museum is in Vergina, about an hour and a half outside of Thessaloniki. As I've said before, you really mustn't leave without seeing this. Truly extraordinary. The website gives you a good sampling of the treasures on display but can't, of course, capture the magic of the up-close-and-personal experience.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
https://www.aigai.gr/en/explore/museum/royal/grave/of/philip/aiges/vergina</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="234" src="https://www.aigai.gr/sites/default/files/styles/explore_carousel/public/Prosopsi%20Panorama%20cropped%20small.jpg?itok=6iMdZjmd" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="234" src="https://www.aigai.gr/sites/default/files/styles/explore_carousel/public/General%20view%20towards%20the%20end%20of%20the%20exhibition.jpg?itok=IoH6kO7Z" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="234" src="https://www.aigai.gr/sites/default/files/styles/explore_carousel/public/Tafos%20Alexandrou%20D%20klini.jpg?itok=Are7b0Eh" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's it. Enjoy! See you on the 25th.<br />
<br />
PS While you won't be visiting this refugee camp outside Thessaloniki, it is a sad signifier of contemporary events. Poor Syria. Poor Greece, trying to cope with the people whom countries like the UK (and Trump's US, of course), in contrast to Germany, refuse to help.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/06/prisoners-of-europe-the-everyday-humiliation-of-refugees-stuck-in-greece-migration">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/06/prisoners-of-europe-the-everyday-humiliation-of-refugees-stuck-in-greece-migration</a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-39577576072287021282015-12-06T12:32:00.002+00:002015-12-06T12:35:18.915+00:00BlauwBefore a full year has gone by, I really must post photos, however blurred, of the fabulous dinner we had at this excellent Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam for my birthday last February. Our friend Louise is back in the Netherlands for the winter, so I'm overcoming my inertia just in case she does make the trip from Haarlem to sample what is lauded as the finest Indonesian cuisine in the country. Warning: be sure to make an advance booking.<br />
<br />
After nine months I don't remember what we ordered, only that everything was delicious. Here's a link to the menu: http://restaurantblauw.nl/menukaart-amsterdam/#6<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nsZuj7_LQg/VmLfUr6A5tI/AAAAAAABRL4/V2xyieINNvA/s1600/20150225_193046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nsZuj7_LQg/VmLfUr6A5tI/AAAAAAABRL4/V2xyieINNvA/s400/20150225_193046.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvp4rHMVEzA/VmLfY6gbDbI/AAAAAAABRMY/TdHca4TUh_o/s1600/20150225_200222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvp4rHMVEzA/VmLfY6gbDbI/AAAAAAABRMY/TdHca4TUh_o/s400/20150225_200222.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lajc2k9ckw/VmLfgkTQZ8I/AAAAAAABRMo/MVw1eY1hVdQ/s1600/20150225_200250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lajc2k9ckw/VmLfgkTQZ8I/AAAAAAABRMo/MVw1eY1hVdQ/s400/20150225_200250.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_kGM4PS3CU/VmLfirx2nxI/AAAAAAABRNE/Lpfmoz8cW08/s1600/20150225_201139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_kGM4PS3CU/VmLfirx2nxI/AAAAAAABRNE/Lpfmoz8cW08/s400/20150225_201139.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbLkpIIr7d8/VmLfjR78vtI/AAAAAAABRM8/vNJwUj1l0CQ/s1600/20150225_201210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbLkpIIr7d8/VmLfjR78vtI/AAAAAAABRM8/vNJwUj1l0CQ/s400/20150225_201210.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_3m6naKgDI/VmLfkILTAKI/AAAAAAABRNI/u8xaw490LPg/s1600/20150225_203505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0_3m6naKgDI/VmLfkILTAKI/AAAAAAABRNI/u8xaw490LPg/s400/20150225_203505.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4H3jB-qAm4/VmLfkiEBd3I/AAAAAAABRNQ/60qQxB9agZM/s1600/20150225_203521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4H3jB-qAm4/VmLfkiEBd3I/AAAAAAABRNQ/60qQxB9agZM/s320/20150225_203521.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmJicdDIbd4/VmLfmUBV7QI/AAAAAAABRNg/dFAHfq4O1nU/s1600/20150225_203542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmJicdDIbd4/VmLfmUBV7QI/AAAAAAABRNg/dFAHfq4O1nU/s400/20150225_203542.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai8QVynVfCI/VmLfnwBcsII/AAAAAAABRNw/nc7U53OtyZI/s1600/20150225_213858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ai8QVynVfCI/VmLfnwBcsII/AAAAAAABRNw/nc7U53OtyZI/s400/20150225_213858.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next day — Dutch wit provides an opportunity to resurrect our rusty Latin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNV37e0aN6g/VmNy5yItnVI/AAAAAAABROw/DV9I1Dg9t94/s1600/20150226_134001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNV37e0aN6g/VmNy5yItnVI/AAAAAAABROw/DV9I1Dg9t94/s400/20150226_134001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-30207250544033090152014-11-19T14:09:00.001+00:002014-11-19T14:11:47.530+00:00une église rupestreFor some unknown reason, the editors of the Michelin Green Guide have chosen to overlook this troglodyte church, the high point of our trip (in our 2002 edition anyway). Perhaps villagers in tiny Vals, though, would prefer not to be overrun by rubberneckers like us — even if most tourists would be pleased to drop several euros into the<i> tronc</i>, a clearly-marked donation box, for such a memorable experience. Michael happened by accident upon a reference to this little gem on an Ariège Pyréenées tourism website under a catch-all category for quirky minor attractions. Here's a link to the most detailed account of a visit to L'Eglise de Vals we've found online:<a href="http://www.ariege.com/patrimoine/eglisedevals/info.html"> http://www.ariege.com/patrimoine/eglisedevals/info.html</a><br />
<br />
At first glance the medieval church merely seems an imposing building for an isolated village, Enter the wooden door at its base, though, and you're led into chambers carved into pebbly conglomerate. Michael and I are left unmoved by the splendor of many cathedrals, but this sort of hard-won simplicity, a testament to faith literally moving a hillside, if not mountains, commands respect.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="225" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4Gop_SKEKqI/VGyg8D0LC4I/AAAAAAAA_JI/t0fcFKIaYU0/w1522-h857-no/P1110556.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoAPQweqtck/VGygczjEdyI/AAAAAAAA_HU/DeB-UG8ARn8/s1600/P1110537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoAPQweqtck/VGygczjEdyI/AAAAAAAA_HU/DeB-UG8ARn8/s1600/P1110537.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bstFUMtzN4/VGyg0h79fQI/AAAAAAAA_Ik/A4tdLjcnQak/s1600/P1110551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bstFUMtzN4/VGyg0h79fQI/AAAAAAAA_Ik/A4tdLjcnQak/s1600/P1110551.JPG" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRljDjNt8RI/VGygyysa18I/AAAAAAAA_Ic/Enn8_NLcVBI/s1600/P1110550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRljDjNt8RI/VGygyysa18I/AAAAAAAA_Ic/Enn8_NLcVBI/s1600/P1110550.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJZKnVSIAac/VGygeeKJCLI/AAAAAAAA_Hc/ey1Odk_yI5o/s1600/P1110538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJZKnVSIAac/VGygeeKJCLI/AAAAAAAA_Hc/ey1Odk_yI5o/s1600/P1110538.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKfn_hCbg4E/VGyggyq649I/AAAAAAAA_Hk/MyP5loUBSOY/s1600/P1110539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKfn_hCbg4E/VGyggyq649I/AAAAAAAA_Hk/MyP5loUBSOY/s1600/P1110539.JPG" height="207" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8i7zzmVRDug/VGygjLffkuI/AAAAAAAA_Hs/AxNV3uvguEk/s1600/P1110540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8i7zzmVRDug/VGygjLffkuI/AAAAAAAA_Hs/AxNV3uvguEk/s1600/P1110540.JPG" height="367" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nMf-5CjGS4/VGyglYtATwI/AAAAAAAA_H0/FC0n6EuM2Zs/s1600/P1110543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nMf-5CjGS4/VGyglYtATwI/AAAAAAAA_H0/FC0n6EuM2Zs/s1600/P1110543.JPG" height="400" width="177" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDPL2jxYXUE/VGygoEe415I/AAAAAAAA_H8/VO1chtCWbTQ/s1600/P1110545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HDPL2jxYXUE/VGygoEe415I/AAAAAAAA_H8/VO1chtCWbTQ/s1600/P1110545.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NjdCNIhj-I/VGygqs97gJI/AAAAAAAA_IE/VA1ql8hSRqI/s1600/P1110546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NjdCNIhj-I/VGygqs97gJI/AAAAAAAA_IE/VA1ql8hSRqI/s1600/P1110546.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Hf6909nLJI/VGygtZxjFnI/AAAAAAAA_IM/JFmrgWBJZFg/s1600/P1110548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Hf6909nLJI/VGygtZxjFnI/AAAAAAAA_IM/JFmrgWBJZFg/s1600/P1110548.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz1qfQgeqFA/VGygwSKHY8I/AAAAAAAA_IU/zR-tTLv7TLs/s1600/P1110549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz1qfQgeqFA/VGygwSKHY8I/AAAAAAAA_IU/zR-tTLv7TLs/s1600/P1110549.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR5IjLKl0zc/VGyg5SqZ-UI/AAAAAAAA_I4/9qs_EfWb5M8/s1600/P1110554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR5IjLKl0zc/VGyg5SqZ-UI/AAAAAAAA_I4/9qs_EfWb5M8/s1600/P1110554.JPG" height="400" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFVJczlJE9A/VGyg68b0x9I/AAAAAAAA_JA/jT_QfYw-Zqo/s1600/P1110555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFVJczlJE9A/VGyg68b0x9I/AAAAAAAA_JA/jT_QfYw-Zqo/s1600/P1110555.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From the sublime to the quotidian: how the French living in small villages like this still manage to enjoy fine meats and foie gras.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmebTUBVmbg/VGyg2ZlhwJI/AAAAAAAA_JQ/k7aNJv7QOwY/s1600/P1110552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmebTUBVmbg/VGyg2ZlhwJI/AAAAAAAA_JQ/k7aNJv7QOwY/s1600/P1110552.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0bQh9LIubc/VGyg3yjlWnI/AAAAAAAA_Iw/5phJaRnTnK0/s1600/P1110553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0bQh9LIubc/VGyg3yjlWnI/AAAAAAAA_Iw/5phJaRnTnK0/s1600/P1110553.JPG" height="400" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-72957061464526337902014-11-19T12:11:00.000+00:002014-11-19T12:13:14.497+00:00In and around Mirepoix (day one) First stop, unplanned, was Fanjeaux:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BhgzxmIZgQQ/VGtpRrfT3tI/AAAAAAAA-_0/lz79iqdKJXI/s1600/P1110366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BhgzxmIZgQQ/VGtpRrfT3tI/AAAAAAAA-_0/lz79iqdKJXI/s1600/P1110366.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Les Halles — 16th/17th century</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDZALuw8t6E/VGtpVWlQDZI/AAAAAAAA-_8/WTvYlnryKHo/s1600/P1110377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NDZALuw8t6E/VGtpVWlQDZI/AAAAAAAA-_8/WTvYlnryKHo/s1600/P1110377.JPG" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkWrCnztxqQ/VGtpX49n2BI/AAAAAAAA_AE/xvJ33Qjoy5Y/s1600/P1110392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkWrCnztxqQ/VGtpX49n2BI/AAAAAAAA_AE/xvJ33Qjoy5Y/s1600/P1110392.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqzBRE_mRPs/VGtpZRkKBSI/AAAAAAAA_AM/SbeckiBYLD0/s1600/P1110397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqzBRE_mRPs/VGtpZRkKBSI/AAAAAAAA_AM/SbeckiBYLD0/s1600/P1110397.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdWQIYB5O1I/VGtPd_0j4PI/AAAAAAAA-_o/qA25_emH9l4/s1600/P1110391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WdWQIYB5O1I/VGtPd_0j4PI/AAAAAAAA-_o/qA25_emH9l4/s1600/P1110391.JPG" height="400" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Escapee from "The Little Shop of Horrors."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mirepoix itself:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="225" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y3d_c8eXxCA/VGt6t41oSCI/AAAAAAAA_Cc/eRRmO7T6hLo/w1522-h857-no/P1110411.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFUW9sQ6xa0/VGtxh8_dIEI/AAAAAAAA_Ak/flGLvgIptXQ/s1600/P1110413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFUW9sQ6xa0/VGtxh8_dIEI/AAAAAAAA_Ak/flGLvgIptXQ/s1600/P1110413.JPG" height="216" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MSkwEtkuVE/VGtxj8V2D3I/AAAAAAAA_As/bI27ZltmJQU/s1600/P1110415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MSkwEtkuVE/VGtxj8V2D3I/AAAAAAAA_As/bI27ZltmJQU/s1600/P1110415.JPG" height="208" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkEdxZ4S-TE/VGtxopZOLkI/AAAAAAAA_A8/hqa71s761DU/s1600/P1110422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkEdxZ4S-TE/VGtxopZOLkI/AAAAAAAA_A8/hqa71s761DU/s1600/P1110422.JPG" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEFRdIh3Lio/VGtxmJt-feI/AAAAAAAA_A0/ZhFRpdoeVZU/s1600/P1110421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEFRdIh3Lio/VGtxmJt-feI/AAAAAAAA_A0/ZhFRpdoeVZU/s1600/P1110421.JPG" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWjDAtEh9rg/VGtxqRikmEI/AAAAAAAA_BE/f-Ko8Q6079Q/s1600/P1110425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWjDAtEh9rg/VGtxqRikmEI/AAAAAAAA_BE/f-Ko8Q6079Q/s1600/P1110425.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qknyB6Ds2bU/VGtxsCBMVzI/AAAAAAAA_BM/FcXi4iI6K5Y/s1600/P1110434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qknyB6Ds2bU/VGtxsCBMVzI/AAAAAAAA_BM/FcXi4iI6K5Y/s1600/P1110434.JPG" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr8ohfSYt2A/VGtxtkEHz8I/AAAAAAAA_BU/L6XLjnbtRLw/s1600/P1110440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr8ohfSYt2A/VGtxtkEHz8I/AAAAAAAA_BU/L6XLjnbtRLw/s1600/P1110440.JPG" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lagarde:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="268" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f6OTqVjmmSA/VGt_0U8bxFI/AAAAAAAA_DM/dZYHLnJkruU/w1275-h857-no/P1110450.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like every museum we had wanted to see in the Ariège-Pyrénées, the château was fermé: the downside of being tourists in November. This is a photo from a poster in the village.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="276" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RLd7yC4ulTs/VGt_f3qK2gI/AAAAAAAA_C0/wbLTRtJ_fj0/w1242-h857-no/P1110453.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J3mJ1xugiNk/VGt_iCcx6xI/AAAAAAAA_C8/8_5ZLW_oNCA/w482-h856-no/P1110460.JPG" width="225" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="225" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3zTytjopWRM/VGt_jqsWnKI/AAAAAAAA_DE/XeYqM3SWe9w/w1522-h857-no/P1110464.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Camon, one of "les plus beaux villages de France":<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZIgghK-GTI/VGvxPVUSXXI/AAAAAAAA_EI/-TqYx1rtRs8/s1600/P1110475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZIgghK-GTI/VGvxPVUSXXI/AAAAAAAA_EI/-TqYx1rtRs8/s1600/P1110475.JPG" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of the beautiful inhabitants (for Kate).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QE0LHq_xupk/VGyAUcTNU-I/AAAAAAAA_E0/-3ry1NOUfWU/s1600/P1110467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QE0LHq_xupk/VGyAUcTNU-I/AAAAAAAA_E0/-3ry1NOUfWU/s1600/P1110467.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgfKJLyOjm8/VGyBBB6AVVI/AAAAAAAA_HE/InsxFETtzBo/s1600/P1110513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgfKJLyOjm8/VGyBBB6AVVI/AAAAAAAA_HE/InsxFETtzBo/s1600/P1110513.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9LQSs3aIuE/VGyA-IjmxxI/AAAAAAAA_G8/c3Wnph-p5-4/s1600/P1110510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9LQSs3aIuE/VGyA-IjmxxI/AAAAAAAA_G8/c3Wnph-p5-4/s1600/P1110510.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
La Maison aux Symboles: triangle represents the trinity, the star hope, and the sacred heart christian charity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VHZhdBhlOU/VGyA24kML_I/AAAAAAAA_Gc/fSOpD9bcGOA/s1600/P1110501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VHZhdBhlOU/VGyA24kML_I/AAAAAAAA_Gc/fSOpD9bcGOA/s1600/P1110501.JPG" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggomkNx3Kwc/VGyA66MpiqI/AAAAAAAA_Gs/1AzuoKLiLRw/s1600/P1110505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ggomkNx3Kwc/VGyA66MpiqI/AAAAAAAA_Gs/1AzuoKLiLRw/s1600/P1110505.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUhQxDaSEKU/VGyAdUXwLGI/AAAAAAAA_FM/jSsjItCun80/s1600/P1110483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUhQxDaSEKU/VGyAdUXwLGI/AAAAAAAA_FM/jSsjItCun80/s1600/P1110483.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqbxOqB1kLw/VGyA8zsDvfI/AAAAAAAA_G0/Vq5rbwfpKak/s1600/P1110506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqbxOqB1kLw/VGyA8zsDvfI/AAAAAAAA_G0/Vq5rbwfpKak/s1600/P1110506.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mL4qohF7IXQ/VGyAfpEslRI/AAAAAAAA_FU/E1rGm6BflWo/s1600/P1110489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mL4qohF7IXQ/VGyAfpEslRI/AAAAAAAA_FU/E1rGm6BflWo/s1600/P1110489.JPG" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4Q6VUa_eHg/VGyAki3zuKI/AAAAAAAA_Fk/DkGYHGwBw4k/s1600/P1110492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4Q6VUa_eHg/VGyAki3zuKI/AAAAAAAA_Fk/DkGYHGwBw4k/s1600/P1110492.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Po8vxWUwpEE/VGyAm2VHkmI/AAAAAAAA_Fs/xT-pBly09W4/s1600/P1110493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUJi2h5h3oo/VGyAsCmhRqI/AAAAAAAA_F8/coh1NxosAu4/s1600/P1110495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUJi2h5h3oo/VGyAsCmhRqI/AAAAAAAA_F8/coh1NxosAu4/s1600/P1110495.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A crack in the château-abbaye wall, which reveals . . .</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2XOBW4c3SY/VGyAu4LlbxI/AAAAAAAA_GE/w2e5COvzIdw/s1600/P1110496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2XOBW4c3SY/VGyAu4LlbxI/AAAAAAAA_GE/w2e5COvzIdw/s1600/P1110496.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
. . . a secret garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UxwtuNwWhA/VGyApbo_TtI/AAAAAAAA_F0/b8SeZIJoOO0/s1600/P1110494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8UxwtuNwWhA/VGyApbo_TtI/AAAAAAAA_F0/b8SeZIJoOO0/s1600/P1110494.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4VsCffrCo/VGyAYsvkV_I/AAAAAAAA_E8/PnCj2XsSTaQ/s1600/P1110470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bG4VsCffrCo/VGyAYsvkV_I/AAAAAAAA_E8/PnCj2XsSTaQ/s1600/P1110470.JPG" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V89rJfg3aCg/VGyAbTeRxZI/AAAAAAAA_FE/DiI3iUH1JEg/s1600/P1110480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V89rJfg3aCg/VGyAbTeRxZI/AAAAAAAA_FE/DiI3iUH1JEg/s1600/P1110480.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RA2aevqVBRc/VGyAhrxxBzI/AAAAAAAA_Fc/b0Sd60ptr1Y/s1600/P1110490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RA2aevqVBRc/VGyAhrxxBzI/AAAAAAAA_Fc/b0Sd60ptr1Y/s1600/P1110490.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
Note the chrysanthemums, placed on graves on November 1st, la fête de la Toussaint.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-4658914709448786392014-11-18T14:10:00.005+00:002014-11-18T16:33:16.741+00:00le gui<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Mistletoe on the road from Mirepoix to Vals. This was a repeat experience as we continued to drive: must be one of the main sources for Christmas bunches in local <i>pépinières.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaEwHp1cp7Q/VGtP_jFn4LI/AAAAAAAA-_g/Q4BYA-U5n7Q/s1600/P1110534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaEwHp1cp7Q/VGtP_jFn4LI/AAAAAAAA-_g/Q4BYA-U5n7Q/s1600/P1110534.JPG" height="400" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj5QY8tZg6w/VGsujwcEbWI/AAAAAAAA--w/4FeMAIr2Afk/s1600/P1110535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj5QY8tZg6w/VGsujwcEbWI/AAAAAAAA--w/4FeMAIr2Afk/s1600/P1110535.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-thtNokKXn5g/VGsumLg79jI/AAAAAAAA--4/0VwgV86JkcI/s1600/P1110536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-thtNokKXn5g/VGsumLg79jI/AAAAAAAA--4/0VwgV86JkcI/s1600/P1110536.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-32105252492765151032014-08-18T11:53:00.002+01:002014-08-18T12:01:17.530+01:00New research indicates my blog is misnamedI'm not sure whether to thank Michael or not for coming across this.<br />
<br />
from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28797519<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #999999; color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">16 August 2014 </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><br />
</span><br />
<h3 style="clear: both; color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 34px; margin: 3px -160px 13px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; width: 623px;">
<span style="background-color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">
Magpies 'don't steal shiny objects'</span></h3>
<span class="byline byline-photo" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(216, 216, 216); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #505050; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 62px; line-height: 16px; margin: -1px -160px 21px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 12px; position: relative;"><img alt="Roger Harrabin" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49353000/jpg/_49353261_007788859-1.jpg" style="-webkit-user-select: none; border: 0px; float: left; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px 8px 0px 0px; position: relative; top: 2px;" /><span class="byline-name" style="display: block; font-size: 1.231em; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: #999999;">By Roger Harrabin</span></span><span class="byline-title" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #999999;">BBC environment analyst</span></span></span><br />
<div class="caption full-width" style="clear: both; color: #505050; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; position: relative;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><img alt="Magpie" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/76971000/jpg/_76971666_186965081.jpg" height="351" style="-webkit-user-select: none; border: 0px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0px; position: relative;" width="624" /></span></div>
<div class="story-feature related narrow" style="clear: right; color: #505050; display: inline; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px -160px 16px 16px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: 144px;">
<a class="hidden" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28797519#story_continues_1" style="color: #4a7194; font-weight: bold; left: -5000px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; top: -5000px;"><span style="background-color: #999999;">Continue reading the main story</span></a><br />
<h2 style="border-bottom-color: rgb(216, 216, 216); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(216, 216, 216); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-size: 1.231em; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 11px 0px 12px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">
Related Stories</span></h2>
<ul class="related-links-list" style="border-top-style: none; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 8px 0px 0px;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: auto;"><a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28018869" rel="published-1404169700931" style="background-color: #999999; color: #4a7194; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Public asked to spot clever birds</a></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: auto;"><a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8408233.stm" rel="published-1260811189000" style="background-color: #999999; color: #4a7194; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Octopus snatches coconut and runs</a></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 8px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: auto;"><a class="story" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7316384.stm" rel="published-1206711849000" style="background-color: #999999; color: #4a7194; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Why are magpies so often hated?</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">Magpies do not steal trinkets and are positively scared of shiny objects, according to new research.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">The study appears to redeem the myth of the “thieving magpie”, which pervades European folklore.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">It is widely believed that magpies have a compulsive urge to steal sparkly things for their nests.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">But Exeter University scientists show that the birds are actually nervous of such objects, presumably because they are novel and may prove dangerous.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">The study involved a pile of shiny items (metal screws, small foil rings, and a small rectangular piece of aluminium foil), and a pile of the same objects covered with matt blue paint.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">Researchers placed mounds of edible nuts just 30cm away from each of the collected objects. In 64 tests during feeding, magpies picked up a shiny object only twice - and discarded it immediately.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">The birds essentially ignored or avoided both shiny and blue objects, and often fed less when they were present.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><br />
Lead author Dr Toni Shephard said: “We did not find evidence of an unconditional attraction to shiny objects in magpies. Instead, all objects prompted responses indicating neophobia – fear of new things.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><br />
“We suggest that humans notice when magpies occasionally pick up shiny objects because they believe the birds find them attractive, while it goes unnoticed when magpies interact with less eye-catching items. It seems likely that the folklore surrounding them is a result of cultural generalisation and anecdotes rather than evidence.”</span></div>
<span class="cross-head" style="color: #505050; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.231em; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 16px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: #999999;">Righting old wrongs</span></span><br />
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">The scientists – psychologists from the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) - undertook the study after an internet search uncovered just two published accounts of magpies actually stealing shiny things: a missing engagement ring found in a nest in 2008, and a magpie in Rochdale stealing keys, coins, and a spanner from an automotive garage a year earlier.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">Dr Shephard told BBC News: "Some birds do use eye-catching objects in the nest after mating occurs, like black kites, to warn off potential predators. But we had already looked inside a dozen magpie nests and not seen any shiny objects. So, I was not expecting magpies to use objects for this purpose."</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">The test may challenge the Collins English Dictionary definition of the magpie as "a person who hoards small objects".</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">It may prompt calls for a belated revision of the libretto of Rossini's opera La Gazza Ladra (The thieving magpie), which features a servant girl sentenced to death for a series of silver thefts actually committed by a magpie.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">It may upset, too, the publishers of The Tintin comic The Castafiore Emerald, in which a prized gem is stolen by a magpie.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">But the research is not conclusive – yet. Due to the nature of the test with fixed feeding stations, the scientists could only assess "married" magpies that inhabit a set territory. Single magpies without a steady partner are less predictable in their feeding habits.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helmet, Freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 18px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto;">
<span style="background-color: #999999;">So maybe, just maybe, it is bachelor birds wanting to woo potential mates with silver rings that have sullied the birds’ name.</span></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-65483355846131015292014-07-19T16:13:00.004+01:002014-08-08T07:06:41.611+01:00Travels with Myrna G<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HfpgANROLM/U8qLqQUbBEI/AAAAAAAA4x8/0Rln9ZfbwYs/s1600/20140705_181833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HfpgANROLM/U8qLqQUbBEI/AAAAAAAA4x8/0Rln9ZfbwYs/s1600/20140705_181833.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
For the record:<br />
<br />
Sunday, 22 June — Myrna arrives via taxi from Heathrow before midnight.<br />
<br />
23 June — No sign of jet lag. After crossing and recrossing Millennial Bridge, we go to Matisse cut-out exhibition at Tate Modern. Quick lunch at Albion. Walk along South Bank to the London Eye, where I chat with Donna (her daughter's charming South African sister-in-law) while Myrna enjoys the aerial view. The two of them head off for Selfridges (Myrna has been watching "Mr Selfridge") and a 9 pm dinner at Ottolenghi in Islington.<br />
<br />
24 June — Morning at British library. Lunch outdoors at Eat. Link up with Donna to see "Julius Caesar" at the Globe. Simple dinner at home for the four of us, foraged from Tas and Borough Market; only raspberry sorbet and pecan lace cookies homemade.<br />
<br />
25 June — Myrna and Donna visit Natural History Museum. In the evening Myrna and I off to "Forbidden Broadway" at the Menier Chocolate Factory.<br />
<br />
26 June — Kew. Myrna's vegetable stir-fry for dinner.<br />
<br />
27 June — Train to Edinburgh. Myrna patiently teaches me how to use my new smartphone. Check into our first Airbnb flat (on the canal) and walk past Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Mile. Tour St Giles Cathedral. Indulge at Fudge Kitchen. Excellent vegetarian dinner at David Bann, recommended by taxi driver. [Don't forget — owners of flat are young architects from Belarus; wife now has website for her children's clothing designs: http://www.sardinababy.com/]<br />
<br />
28 June — National Museum of Scotland. Greyfriars kirkyard. Return to Royal Mile to leave first of Charles's rocks at Dunbar Close, a lovely little garden found by accident previous day. Lunch in outdoor courtyard of new age café. Museum of Childhood. See Holyrood from outside only, annual closure for royal access. Samosas++ from grocery near flat for dinner.<br />
<br />
Sunday, 29 June — Brunch at Loudons Bakery and Café. Take bus tour from New Town to Queensferry, catching boat through Firth of Forth to Inchcolm Island; wonderful ruined abbey, sea glass beach with pulverized-shell sand. Myrna picks winning tombola ticket for bottle of wine at small Lifeboat festival (with pipers) when we disembark in Queensferry. Myrna to botanic gardens ("better than Kew") while I dawdle in Edinburgh neighborhoods we haven't seen. Meet back at flat for quick leftover dinner before leaving to see "Chef" at cinema near flat.<br />
<br />
30 June — Michael flies in, gets rental car at airport, drives to flat to pick us up and then on to our Glasgow Airbnb rental. Lunch at the Willow Tea Rooms provides first glimpse of the work of Charles Rennie Macintosh before sad sight of fire-damaged School of Art.Wander around city admiring massive Victorian buildings. Track down site of 18th-century tobacco exchange. Myrna discovers Pringle of Scotland for tartan gifts, Michael astounding selection of whisky at The Good Spirits Co. Bottle he enjoyed every last drop of: Kilkerran, Glengyle Distillery, Campbelltown, aged in sherry wood. Dinner sourced at M&S on Sauchiehall Street.<br />
<br />
1 July — 25 degrees C!! Take tube to university area, where Michael first needs to have a scratched eye tended to while I introduce Myrna to Waitrose (revisited for dinner pizzas) and we again fail to find a bakery with oatcakes like those made on Cape Breton Island. The Hunterian Art Gallery (surprise collection of Whistler paintings, memorabilia) and wonderful Mackintosh House, then "A Play, A Pie and A Pint" at Oran Mor (a short adaptation of "Hamlet" with a terrific Ophelia, Adura Onashile). Back to Hunterian to tour the archaeological and scientific exhibits at the museum — first admiring a number of very fine kilts since it happened to be graduation day at the university. Lunchtime play, discovered by Myrna online, was far better than the touring National Theatre production of "One Man, Two Guvnors" in the evening. How could it possibly have won awards? Even Michael didn't think it was particularly funny, so this wasn't just an American sense of humor failure. The King's was a fine old theatre, though. Before dinner and play, Myrna visits the Museum of Piping while we return to Mackintosh House, try some of Glasgow's famous Italian ice cream at a shop set up by mid-20th-century immigrants, revisit Waitrose for dinner pizza. Meet up outside at pub next to piping museum, where Michael chats to another delightful Scot, this one planning to vote "no" in the referendum, unlike the charming young man in the whisky shop, who will be casting a "yes" ballot.<br />
<br />
2 July — To Smiddy House in Spean Bridge via Luss (picturesque village of cottage gardens on Loch Lomond), Dunstaffnage Castle, good pub lunch at The Lorne in Oban, our first torrential rain (so no panoramic views of Glencoe), and a second memorable visit to the West Highland Museum in Fort William. A fascinating wing on WWII commandos had been added since Michael and I were there when Iain and Kate were small. The "secret" anamorphic portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie is still on display, though the reproduction we bought three decades ago is no longer available, much to the staff's dismay. Smiddy's and its restaurant, Russell's, were both excellent. Mustn't forget to provide comment on booking.com. Our only bed-and-breakfast night with no cooking facilities.<br />
<br />
3 July — First stop is the Commando Memorial outside Spean Bridge. Next is geological, the "Parallel Roads" of Glen Roy, visited by both Darwin and Agassiz. Pull-off at scenic stream, waterfall, overlook. Myrna's first glimpse of shaggy Highland cattle in field. Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore: school, shop, train station, tailor's, homes, barn from various periods. Loch Duntelchaig (suggested by "yes" voter in Glasgow whisky shop — don't get to his other recommendations, Loch Ruthven and Dores Inn), Loch Ness. When we get to Inverness, Myrna and I beetle off to M&S for dinner ingredients. I forget to buy orange juice; Michael is not impressed.<br />
<br />
4 July — No barbecue or fireworks, just misty rain. Morning cruise in Moray Firth: Myrna is able to add dolphins to the seals we spotted in the Firth of Forth. Drive to Cromarty on the Black Isle to see restored birthplace of Hugh Miller. Wonderful thatch made from reeds, open at end; spectacular garden sculpture by Helen Denerley. In an antique store with many temptations Michael buys <i>The Old Red Sandstone </i>and <i>Testament of the Rocks, </i>not first editions but satisfyingly old copies with leather and marbled paper covers. Pub lunch. Tour old parish church, a finalist in the 2006 "Restoration Village" competition that was awarded a 2007 Heritage Fund grant. Sand collection from Cromarty beach. Atmospheric Kirkmichael cemetery with ruined church on north side of Black Isle. When we get back to Inverness, Myrna checks out castle looking over town. Later Michael and I opt for dinner out at a traditional Scottish restaurant, which turns out to be fully booked. Instead have a delightful meal at Riva, an Italian restaurant far better than we were expecting. Dessert was particularly good: iced white chocolate marquis with balsamic strawberries and a delicate tuile made with egg whites and powdered sugar.<br />
<br />
5 July — Culloden Visitor Centre, state-of-art tribute to brutal battle. Serendipity again: groups of girls in tartan performing Highland Fling. Ruins of Elgin Cathedral. Banff Bay "gold" sands, followed by lunch at Duff House (no time to enjoy a tour of this Georgian estate). "Pink" sands next at Cruden Bay. Arrive in the granite city of Aberdeen just in time to get the makings for dinner from Sainsburys and the Co-op since Myrna and I miss the M&S right off the high street until we're returning. For the best, though. On our way back we pass a memorable stout, red-haired piper, who plays "Flower of Scotland" as we hang around after depositing our pound coins. Check out Prince of Wales pub after dinner but no live music that Saturday evening.<br />
<br />
Sunday, 6 July — To Union Street Gardens (smaller version of Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens, west of Waverley Station and the Walter Scott monument), a lovely stretch of green threatened with redevelopment. Fine statue of William Wallace above. We had seen many statues during our trip — Scott, Adam Smith, James Watt, John Knox, Robert the Bruce, the obligatory Victoria and Albert — but this was the first of "Braveheart." Myrna and I walk down and up to Dunnottar Castle, but the steps are too much for Michael's knees. He has to rely on my photos, including those of quite an amazing puddingstone outcrops. Take a peek at the gardens of Crathes Castle before boarding the Deeside steam railway. High point was watching the engineer cook bacon and eggs on a coal shovel thrust into the furnace. Hurried lunch afterwards in mediocre old-school hotel pub in Banchory, but cheered up by dramatic moors as we continue on our way. Drive through beautiful city of St Andrews on to Donald Trump's ostentatious and controversial golf resort. After a few abortive attempts to get down to the beach, manage this at Kingsbarn, where Myrna places her last rock right before a rainbow appears on the horizon. On to another Airbnb flat in Edinburgh and a good dinner overlooking the Leith at The King's Wark, a pub dating from the 15th century.<br />
<br />
7 July — Myrna has her last morning run in Scotland, this time along the Leith. Michael takes off for Siccar Point while Myrna and I take advantage of Waverley Station's left luggage service for a last walk down the Royal Mile before taking the train back to London. We return to Fudge Kitchen, visit the Gladstone Tenement (Thomas Gladstone, not William, and a prosperous merchant's house, not the sort of tenement that one conjures up from NYC experience). A cup of tea and terrific shortbread at Forsyth's Tea Room, managed by lovely woman with a cloud of violet hair and the most melodious of Scottish accents. The train deposits us home an hour or so before Michael arrives by plane. Takeout Indian meal, reliably delicious, from the Mango Tree.<br />
<br />
8 July — Having gone for several early morning Scottish runs, Myrna gets to put on her sneakers and pound the path along the Thames for the first time. We then spend the day at the British Museum, before Myrna joins Donna for a farewell meal at the Young Vic with teacher friends.<br />
<br />
9 July — Back to Ohio.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-12878114059248442332014-05-12T09:03:00.002+01:002014-05-12T09:49:50.761+01:00NYC itinerary<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we'll undoubtedly forget:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13 March - picked up by Kate at Kennedy, driven to West Village; dinner at The Diner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14 March - Kalustyan's market on Lexington; Williamsburg foodie tour (The Bagel Store, pizza, Mable's BBQ ribs, Bedford cheese, Handsome Dan's candy, Mast Brothers chocolate, OddFellows ice cream); excellent dinner at Coppelia, pan-Latin restaurant in West Village</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15 March - Astro Galaxy of Gems (and minerals) on 5th Ave; Ireland-France Six Nations rugby at Dempsy's pub; MoMath; dinner at La Carbonara, WV (Joe D's recommendation)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16 March - Green Flea (Kate buys pressed tin and wood trunk); Madison Square Garden ice hockey, Rangers vs Sharks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17 March - stroll from WV through Soho, Nolita, Tribeca; 8th Ave to Bleecker Street to Spring Street etc; Dominique Ansel Bakery (no cronuts left but the DKA, —Dominique's Kouign Amann — was delicious); cast iron architecture; Merchant's House Museum; Cooper Union; NYU bookshop; order pizza for dinner via Seamless</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18 March - Brooklyn. Grand Army Plaza; lunch at Cheryl's Global Soul; storytelling class with Andrew; Ethiopian meal at Ghenet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19 March - Ground Zero memorial pool; National Museum of the American Indian in the Alexander Hamilton Custom House; Fraunces Tavern for lunch; Vietnam War Memorial; Barrio restaurant in WV for very good dinner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 March - mw to Washington DC for screening of "Sand Wars" at documentary festival; cjw to Lansdale</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15 April - return to NYC from Lansdale</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16 April - Center for Book Arts; discover Fairway Market; walk the High Line (part off-limits because of ice)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17 April - Brooklyn. ICS at 25 Elm Street, 5th floor; lunch with Kate and Jean at Building on Bond; Brooklyn Museum (Judy Chicago plates, civil rights era exhibition); dinner at the Brew Inn in Greenpoint</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18 April - lunch at Parc with fabulous bread from Balthazar on Spring & Broadway; Tenement Museum, Sweatshop Workers tour, 97 Orchard Street; my gifts from Kate: ChikaLicious Dessert Bar and Il Laboratorio; Porto Rico Importing Company coffee vendors; Union Square market</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19 April - Chinese artist Xu Bing's phoenixes at St John the Divine; lunch with Adam, Christina and Arianna at Henry's; the real Little Italy, Arthur Avenue, the Bronx; beer hall in market; glass of red wine in Albanian restaurant;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> dinner at Trattoria Zero Otto Nove (wine purchases incl. Brunello on hold for our return to NYC from shop next door - great staff - while waiting to be seated)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 April - Brooklyn. Park Slope flea market; meet Larry and Lou near Brooklyn Bridge for Barge Music piano (Orli Shaham, Jonathan Feldman, Rita Sloan, Skiko Ohashi, in honor of Herbert Stessin); Larry's exhibition at Sunny's in Red Hook; dinner at The Good Fork</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21 April - stroll across Central Park; Guastavino tile exhibition at City Museum; Grand Central Station to see Guastavino vaults at the Oyster Bar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22 April - High Line again, this time with Kate; lunch at classic Empire Diner; Kennedy and return to London</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-81559557467663828912014-05-09T12:58:00.001+01:002014-05-09T13:29:19.090+01:00A grand day out: 18 April 2014 <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew that Kate had a surprise in mind for our last Friday in New York City, but I had no idea how special it would be. She has always been a giver of memorable gifts and is now resuming that role after a couple of years of grad school penury.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael had already received his present, a rack of engraved test tubes, each filled with a sand that Kate had collected from the five boroughs of NYC, plus Long Island. For the LI sand, she had taken herself out to Port Washington, written up in this post on her father's blog: http://throughthesandglass.typepad.com/through_the_sandglass/2009/02/building-new-york-the-long-island-sandminers.html.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAHCOLOK3As/U2yduFrwQVI/AAAAAAAA1lM/aB21vO1BNmc/s1600/P1100128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAHCOLOK3As/U2yduFrwQVI/AAAAAAAA1lM/aB21vO1BNmc/s1600/P1100128.JPG" height="400" width="383" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before the surprise — surprise<u>s</u> as it turned out — we took one of the various tours available at the Tenement Museum. Our guide was an exuberant young Nigerian-American woman, with equally exuberant hair, who was herself the daughter of immigrants. Sobered by the reality of crowded family life in a tiny apartment that was also the workplace of the father and his dressmaking staff, we then walked several blocks to what would be an afternoon of gastronomic indulgence. Different times, different lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given her mother's liking for sweets, Kate had reserved three places at a dessert bar, an institution I didn't even know existed. Here are a few photos of the eponymous owner of ChikaLicious at work:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eh5-1aRsahc/U2sq6tX2FGI/AAAAAAAA1g0/y0x8aQFldF0/s1600/P1100021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eh5-1aRsahc/U2sq6tX2FGI/AAAAAAAA1g0/y0x8aQFldF0/s1600/P1100021.JPG" height="400" width="261" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKXTMV5Z4fE/U2sq-mQh8aI/AAAAAAAA1hU/Qp2nCehahVg/s1600/P1100025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKXTMV5Z4fE/U2sq-mQh8aI/AAAAAAAA1hU/Qp2nCehahVg/s1600/P1100025.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Abx81E8duMU/U2srEVhgdUI/AAAAAAAA1h8/wcJWf2b6C0E/s1600/P1100031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Abx81E8duMU/U2srEVhgdUI/AAAAAAAA1h8/wcJWf2b6C0E/s1600/P1100031.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLksUAddDD0/U2srHjuXJ4I/AAAAAAAA1iU/b2tu3h2cqsc/s1600/P1100034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLksUAddDD0/U2srHjuXJ4I/AAAAAAAA1iU/b2tu3h2cqsc/s1600/P1100034.JPG" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We chose three different wine pairings, so that we could maximize our sampling. First, though, an amuse-bouche arrived, combining the flavors of star anise and espresso.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMbK7TFWIi4/U2sq7gomKmI/AAAAAAAA1g8/XZ-jQYZK8Y4/s1600/P1100022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMbK7TFWIi4/U2sq7gomKmI/AAAAAAAA1g8/XZ-jQYZK8Y4/s1600/P1100022.JPG" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate ordered White Chocolate Mousse on Fresh Starfruit Carpaccio with Pink Grapefruit Sorbet and Poppy Seed Puff, which came with Quady Essensia Orange Muscat, 2011.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfflgs1Ecec/U2srAzZtsiI/AAAAAAAA1hk/JvgRca5RrVg/s1600/P1100027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfflgs1Ecec/U2srAzZtsiI/AAAAAAAA1hk/JvgRca5RrVg/s1600/P1100027.JPG" height="291" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had Warm Chocolate Tart with Pink Peppercorn Ice Cream and Red Wine Sauce, served with Churchill Grand Reserve Port.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgfR3arOOQk/U2srB6blgAI/AAAAAAAA1hs/9PPnlqXJmEk/s1600/P1100028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgfR3arOOQk/U2srB6blgAI/AAAAAAAA1hs/9PPnlqXJmEk/s1600/P1100028.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiSQURyr8Zg/U2srDG8YXZI/AAAAAAAA1h0/1-MrX4_p_64/s1600/P1100029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiSQURyr8Zg/U2srDG8YXZI/AAAAAAAA1h0/1-MrX4_p_64/s1600/P1100029.JPG" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael sipped a 2012 La Spinetta Moscato d'Asti as he tucked into Brown Sugar Panna Cotta with Granny Smith Apple Sorbet and Calvados Agar-Agar Gelée.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JE-0QJJcAZY/U2sq_8Z0o7I/AAAAAAAA1hc/CsecmQSYnK8/s1600/P1100026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JE-0QJJcAZY/U2sq_8Z0o7I/AAAAAAAA1hc/CsecmQSYnK8/s1600/P1100026.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPVHNatTtsw/U2sq8rgu_XI/AAAAAAAA1hE/cfJrQSKzX40/s1600/P1100023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPVHNatTtsw/U2sq8rgu_XI/AAAAAAAA1hE/cfJrQSKzX40/s1600/P1100023.JPG" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A fellow pilgrim to this dessert mecca ordered the other dish I'd been tempted by, Pineapple Banana Tartare with Vanilla Anglaise on Crispy Kataifi with coconut sorbet.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eS8tgubLkyE/U2srFtZIb9I/AAAAAAAA1iE/c9WdJoa7Av8/s1600/P1100032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eS8tgubLkyE/U2srFtZIb9I/AAAAAAAA1iE/c9WdJoa7Av8/s1600/P1100032.JPG" height="312" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a further demonstration of her culinary skills, Chika served up a final plate of petits fours for the three of us to share.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEicx2NqsdE/U2srGc2zrjI/AAAAAAAA1iM/s5jaiiHsN94/s1600/P1100033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FEicx2NqsdE/U2srGc2zrjI/AAAAAAAA1iM/s5jaiiHsN94/s1600/P1100033.JPG" height="287" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who would have guessed that behind this simple exterior awaited such sophisticated delights? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRqWJTr8Llg/U2srI6cOpCI/AAAAAAAA1ic/8S9MgYwiFpI/s1600/P1100035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRqWJTr8Llg/U2srI6cOpCI/AAAAAAAA1ic/8S9MgYwiFpI/s1600/P1100035.JPG" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought we were then wending our way home, but it turned out there was another destination en route, Il Laboratorio, home to some of the best sorbet I've ever eaten. In for a penny, in for a pound, I had the whopping four-flavor sampler. After a taste of Michael's sorbet at ChikaLicious, my first choice was a green apple, accompanied by tangerine, orange and lemon ginger. All were superb, exactly the icy, emulsifier-free sorbets I like best. Husband and daughter were more abstemious. Michael had salted caramel and chocolate ice creams, Kate chocolate chili ice cream and cucumber sorbet. Overstuffed though we all were, we couldn't resist sharing one more unusual offering, black sesame seed ice cream, as delicious as all the rest.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4lcMAVbnI/U2srphjGyRI/AAAAAAAA1jk/dn4MzTp9bBQ/s1600/P1100048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf4lcMAVbnI/U2srphjGyRI/AAAAAAAA1jk/dn4MzTp9bBQ/s1600/P1100048.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImMbWQTP3N0/U2srncHkRyI/AAAAAAAA1jU/-SCF1_vMMvw/s1600/P1100045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImMbWQTP3N0/U2srncHkRyI/AAAAAAAA1jU/-SCF1_vMMvw/s1600/P1100045.JPG" height="341" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you, Katharine!!!!!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-92075336045201150012014-05-08T07:36:00.000+01:002014-05-09T13:23:26.015+01:00Belphegor's prime<span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.189714431762695px;">I</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.189714431762695px;">n his review of Alex Bellos's new book on numbers, Simon Singh chooses one (not mentioned in the book) as his favorite. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.600000381469727px; line-height: 15.189714431762695px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.189714431762695px;"><span style="color: #660000;">"All prime numbers are special, because they have no other numbers that will divide into them (except 1 and the number itself), but 1,000,000,000,000,066,600,000, 000,000,001 is particularly special because of its demonic structure. It is named in honour of Belphegor, one of the seven princes of hell, in order to acknowledge that the number contains 666 (the so-called Number of the Beast) at its heart and has 13 unlucky zeros on either side."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #073763;">
<span style="line-height: 15.189714431762695px;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/04/alex-through-the-looking-glass-review-bellos-maths-demon">http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/04/alex-through-the-looking-glass-review-bellos-maths-demon</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.189714431762695px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: #999999;">Singh has also suggested that the math boffins who work on "The Simpsons" see their way to including Belphegor's prime in an episode:</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1537690828" style="background-color: #073763;"> </a></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 15.189714431762695px;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24724635" style="background-color: #073763;">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24724635</a></span></span></span>magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-70599819313930085492014-03-04T06:42:00.000+00:002014-04-29T10:10:20.644+01:00Roman glass in Larnaka's Pierides MuseumWe were lured to this gem of a museum by the photo of a Roman glass fish in Andrew and Myrna's Eyewitness guide to Cyprus. Thank you for the loan of the book, dear friends. Glass has always had a seductive power over us; without this lure we might have missed what was one of the most stunning glass collections we've ever seen. At the end of this post, I'll include some of the other highlights of the museum. Labels were thin on the ground and hard to read, so the images of objects — neolithic or Roman or Byzantine or modern — aren't identified.<br />
<br />
Here are the family benefactors whose antiquarian enthusiasm powered the conversion of their home into a museum. I won't attempt to pronounce on the looting controversy that rages whenever private collectors trump archaeologists in their acquisitions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyL4c_ByrLc/UxVqcxH8fLI/AAAAAAAAw3w/_Q1to7ECMDQ/s1600/DSC05198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iyL4c_ByrLc/UxVqcxH8fLI/AAAAAAAAw3w/_Q1to7ECMDQ/s1600/DSC05198.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ml6JqF5T2RE/UxVya-CKhrI/AAAAAAAAw7M/m0_7UGU-J0E/s1600/DSC05202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ml6JqF5T2RE/UxVya-CKhrI/AAAAAAAAw7M/m0_7UGU-J0E/s1600/DSC05202.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The whimsical fish:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnKttVeu218/UxVp5LJ0y7I/AAAAAAAAw2o/gihOhWVzlJ0/s1600/DSC05168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnKttVeu218/UxVp5LJ0y7I/AAAAAAAAw2o/gihOhWVzlJ0/s1600/DSC05168.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Roman glass in all its translucent glory (some overlap here since both Michael and I were snapping away):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RD1dowyWkWM/UxVp5_D1J7I/AAAAAAAAw2w/N-yrCvz9QfY/s1600/DSC05169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RD1dowyWkWM/UxVp5_D1J7I/AAAAAAAAw2w/N-yrCvz9QfY/s1600/DSC05169.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gk8YzNHVz4/UxVp6_SdxhI/AAAAAAAAw24/NVnlMPn74qY/s1600/DSC05183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gk8YzNHVz4/UxVp6_SdxhI/AAAAAAAAw24/NVnlMPn74qY/s1600/DSC05183.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf-lRMxgLJU/UxVp7uAPdqI/AAAAAAAAw3A/3CHfYV0EW5s/s1600/DSC05184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf-lRMxgLJU/UxVp7uAPdqI/AAAAAAAAw3A/3CHfYV0EW5s/s1600/DSC05184.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2743ZODxa8/UxVp8reUIAI/AAAAAAAAw3I/Dq-yppl0M10/s1600/DSC05186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2743ZODxa8/UxVp8reUIAI/AAAAAAAAw3I/Dq-yppl0M10/s1600/DSC05186.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--wBh7GBO9pc/UxVp9Pupg_I/AAAAAAAAw3Q/WZt0ov8yjl4/s1600/DSC05187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--wBh7GBO9pc/UxVp9Pupg_I/AAAAAAAAw3Q/WZt0ov8yjl4/s1600/DSC05187.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NnlLXc-w9Q/UxVp-Aq1F2I/AAAAAAAAw3Y/h5EAnFY-2ak/s1600/DSC05188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6NnlLXc-w9Q/UxVp-Aq1F2I/AAAAAAAAw3Y/h5EAnFY-2ak/s1600/DSC05188.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AIEUqhtoEQ/UxVp_Ay4IOI/AAAAAAAAw3g/oitG47qlUiA/s1600/DSC05189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--AIEUqhtoEQ/UxVp_Ay4IOI/AAAAAAAAw3g/oitG47qlUiA/s1600/DSC05189.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0QPZjWy92Q/UxVp__pAROI/AAAAAAAAw3o/7hQjhYkThUM/s1600/DSC05190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0QPZjWy92Q/UxVp__pAROI/AAAAAAAAw3o/7hQjhYkThUM/s1600/DSC05190.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vgwz8vSsbOE/UxVqqFzww4I/AAAAAAAAw34/C29_blN00DQ/s1600/P1090466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vgwz8vSsbOE/UxVqqFzww4I/AAAAAAAAw34/C29_blN00DQ/s1600/P1090466.JPG" height="217" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYWtqY2EPEU/UxVqrMuKg8I/AAAAAAAAw4A/Y75kcht-cj4/s1600/P1090467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OYWtqY2EPEU/UxVqrMuKg8I/AAAAAAAAw4A/Y75kcht-cj4/s1600/P1090467.JPG" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7CFZIxIDUE/UxVqr0cLRpI/AAAAAAAAw4I/OriXt-Ffj1c/s1600/P1090468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7CFZIxIDUE/UxVqr0cLRpI/AAAAAAAAw4I/OriXt-Ffj1c/s1600/P1090468.JPG" height="191" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fy-HrXWu9k/UxVqsliSSlI/AAAAAAAAw4Q/O78pRuL2RaM/s1600/P1090469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fy-HrXWu9k/UxVqsliSSlI/AAAAAAAAw4Q/O78pRuL2RaM/s1600/P1090469.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34fTwDqLa-w/UxVqttw--gI/AAAAAAAAw4Y/sWSPTT0PWXw/s1600/P1090470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34fTwDqLa-w/UxVqttw--gI/AAAAAAAAw4Y/sWSPTT0PWXw/s1600/P1090470.JPG" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5tJCBcab7I/UxVquRvW1VI/AAAAAAAAw4g/GzAJTZJnvPs/s1600/P1090471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5tJCBcab7I/UxVquRvW1VI/AAAAAAAAw4g/GzAJTZJnvPs/s1600/P1090471.JPG" height="268" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZXN_CXqcKY/UxVqvRcwjZI/AAAAAAAAw4o/YLEGoIH-bPU/s1600/P1090472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZXN_CXqcKY/UxVqvRcwjZI/AAAAAAAAw4o/YLEGoIH-bPU/s1600/P1090472.JPG" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCqLE7gkPh8/UxVqweSMmCI/AAAAAAAAw4w/z6ba1DsE-VY/s1600/P1090473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCqLE7gkPh8/UxVqweSMmCI/AAAAAAAAw4w/z6ba1DsE-VY/s1600/P1090473.JPG" height="400" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DG4-I0mFsQ/UxVqxSukf8I/AAAAAAAAw44/NCRKYajwToE/s1600/P1090474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DG4-I0mFsQ/UxVqxSukf8I/AAAAAAAAw44/NCRKYajwToE/s1600/P1090474.JPG" height="326" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9f-nuHwXy4g/UxVqyKB0XYI/AAAAAAAAw5A/Vj9ufE3b-PU/s1600/P1090476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9f-nuHwXy4g/UxVqyKB0XYI/AAAAAAAAw5A/Vj9ufE3b-PU/s1600/P1090476.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CegEzejniKg/UxVqy_wqzdI/AAAAAAAAw5I/teh03wO7HZc/s1600/P1090477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CegEzejniKg/UxVqy_wqzdI/AAAAAAAAw5I/teh03wO7HZc/s1600/P1090477.JPG" height="196" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rFSG1d8xuo/UxVqz4w0exI/AAAAAAAAw5Q/IftpWysaV60/s1600/P1090478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8rFSG1d8xuo/UxVqz4w0exI/AAAAAAAAw5Q/IftpWysaV60/s1600/P1090478.JPG" height="192" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C65aPxv4IGs/UxVq04KIf0I/AAAAAAAAw5Y/sihy2TI2oDU/s1600/P1090479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C65aPxv4IGs/UxVq04KIf0I/AAAAAAAAw5Y/sihy2TI2oDU/s1600/P1090479.JPG" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Four fabulous close-ups taken by Myrna and Andrew on their last visit to Larnaka:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OREyhb_w4LE/U19rlFsp7zI/AAAAAAAA1Uw/kHkkBjscLBw/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OREyhb_w4LE/U19rlFsp7zI/AAAAAAAA1Uw/kHkkBjscLBw/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+1.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djlGqiW0Rlg/U19rlkMIsII/AAAAAAAA1U4/oy8CRIV0HmY/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djlGqiW0Rlg/U19rlkMIsII/AAAAAAAA1U4/oy8CRIV0HmY/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+2.jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_sOk0TsgKI/U19rmA_bQrI/AAAAAAAA1VA/UeCJILrrrwM/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_sOk0TsgKI/U19rmA_bQrI/AAAAAAAA1VA/UeCJILrrrwM/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+3.jpg" height="400" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkZ0L9_cfHs/U19rm_OlB_I/AAAAAAAA1VI/jppmPj81Q3M/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QkZ0L9_cfHs/U19rm_OlB_I/AAAAAAAA1VI/jppmPj81Q3M/s1600/blue+Roman+glass+-+Myrna+-+4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Other highlights that took our fancy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HS6kctAWFuk/UxVvbpBF_QI/AAAAAAAAw5k/KBsbbZCmfNo/s1600/DSC05170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HS6kctAWFuk/UxVvbpBF_QI/AAAAAAAAw5k/KBsbbZCmfNo/s1600/DSC05170.JPG" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9Kx6kGCPVM/UxVvchH0pDI/AAAAAAAAw5s/Fs_jC7gF1xc/s1600/DSC05171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G9Kx6kGCPVM/UxVvchH0pDI/AAAAAAAAw5s/Fs_jC7gF1xc/s1600/DSC05171.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AanlkLFfDa4/UxVve10jSLI/AAAAAAAAw50/OvQwV2rw6zs/s1600/DSC05172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AanlkLFfDa4/UxVve10jSLI/AAAAAAAAw50/OvQwV2rw6zs/s1600/DSC05172.JPG" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xVGtBHuiB1E/UxVvf3x_RGI/AAAAAAAAw58/AiMpXAU4zpI/s1600/DSC05173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xVGtBHuiB1E/UxVvf3x_RGI/AAAAAAAAw58/AiMpXAU4zpI/s1600/DSC05173.JPG" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24gMxqvWJOQ/UxVvg37weWI/AAAAAAAAw6I/TXQ1j3l3N4o/s1600/DSC05174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24gMxqvWJOQ/UxVvg37weWI/AAAAAAAAw6I/TXQ1j3l3N4o/s1600/DSC05174.JPG" height="400" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBituq-otkQ/UxVvhvjvytI/AAAAAAAAw6M/oP72NRIPMXk/s1600/DSC05175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBituq-otkQ/UxVvhvjvytI/AAAAAAAAw6M/oP72NRIPMXk/s1600/DSC05175.JPG" height="400" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--E95YDSFOT0/UxVviQvSCDI/AAAAAAAAw6U/56KV_qXq-Ms/s1600/DSC05176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--E95YDSFOT0/UxVviQvSCDI/AAAAAAAAw6U/56KV_qXq-Ms/s1600/DSC05176.JPG" height="400" width="242" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-4dcV29Tw8/UxVviyYh_PI/AAAAAAAAw6c/jdonSvLUT8E/s1600/DSC05177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-4dcV29Tw8/UxVviyYh_PI/AAAAAAAAw6c/jdonSvLUT8E/s1600/DSC05177.JPG" height="400" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOahUB8aW10/UxVxFhIbsVI/AAAAAAAAw64/tkOOotD-Nws/s1600/DSC05180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOahUB8aW10/UxVxFhIbsVI/AAAAAAAAw64/tkOOotD-Nws/s1600/DSC05180.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifh9hG3Gx2U/UxVxGob8oyI/AAAAAAAAw7A/x-W5inNumBE/s1600/DSC05181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ifh9hG3Gx2U/UxVxGob8oyI/AAAAAAAAw7A/x-W5inNumBE/s1600/DSC05181.JPG" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwUfuKf6mNU/UxVzHhLy4ZI/AAAAAAAAw7U/Rh0ktPUfHhI/s1600/DSC05200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwUfuKf6mNU/UxVzHhLy4ZI/AAAAAAAAw7U/Rh0ktPUfHhI/s1600/DSC05200.JPG" height="400" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wz5OcDxC4E0/UxVxDNXRHSI/AAAAAAAAw6o/Yz970JBl5XI/s1600/DSC05178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wz5OcDxC4E0/UxVxDNXRHSI/AAAAAAAAw6o/Yz970JBl5XI/s1600/DSC05178.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8ZTW8xx_gk/UxVxE2ICOEI/AAAAAAAAw6w/9yiskdzqDv8/s1600/DSC05179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8ZTW8xx_gk/UxVxE2ICOEI/AAAAAAAAw6w/9yiskdzqDv8/s1600/DSC05179.JPG" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Note school group (very well-behaved!) in background.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjV4rGvYVjw/UxVzZFmEkjI/AAAAAAAAw8M/JiCl76BvjNU/s1600/DSC05199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cjV4rGvYVjw/UxVzZFmEkjI/AAAAAAAAw8M/JiCl76BvjNU/s1600/DSC05199.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gB0U9IUtZo0/UxVzaAbC8fI/AAAAAAAAw8U/ZyOthamssVk/s1600/DSC05201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gB0U9IUtZo0/UxVzaAbC8fI/AAAAAAAAw8U/ZyOthamssVk/s1600/DSC05201.JPG" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5Cs5ERf36I/UxVzUJibPLI/AAAAAAAAw7s/MT3fT28zZEc/s1600/DSC05193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5Cs5ERf36I/UxVzUJibPLI/AAAAAAAAw7s/MT3fT28zZEc/s1600/DSC05193.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xlhsLF4toM/UxVzVeJP63I/AAAAAAAAw70/NDaiXfGLN-U/s1600/DSC05194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7xlhsLF4toM/UxVzVeJP63I/AAAAAAAAw70/NDaiXfGLN-U/s1600/DSC05194.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jy3SL5eAvCc/UxVzRZElR4I/AAAAAAAAw7c/CB4iXqEZcoI/s1600/DSC05191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jy3SL5eAvCc/UxVzRZElR4I/AAAAAAAAw7c/CB4iXqEZcoI/s1600/DSC05191.JPG" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0frUeHoCFI/UxVzSizHvmI/AAAAAAAAw7k/mBRgb46heI8/s1600/DSC05192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0frUeHoCFI/UxVzSizHvmI/AAAAAAAAw7k/mBRgb46heI8/s1600/DSC05192.JPG" height="316" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2wcM_JSFL4/UxVzWoPF_fI/AAAAAAAAw78/qZ4BCvGnqCk/s1600/DSC05195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2wcM_JSFL4/UxVzWoPF_fI/AAAAAAAAw78/qZ4BCvGnqCk/s1600/DSC05195.JPG" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EEUhOOAlnQ/UxVzXwD4D9I/AAAAAAAAw8E/FRIMLWJDkng/s1600/DSC05196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EEUhOOAlnQ/UxVzXwD4D9I/AAAAAAAAw8E/FRIMLWJDkng/s1600/DSC05196.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-69185629401121346682014-02-05T08:44:00.003+00:002014-02-05T08:46:37.722+00:00Familiar vehicle in unfamiliar settingKate's pick-up (named after Dean Moriarty in <i>On the Road</i>) outside Central Park on 4 Feb 2014. As she wrote on Facebook,<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> "<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;">After a day of doing home visits and wheelchair deliveries on the back roads of Manhattan, the Bronx and Throggs Neck I must say Dean did his job yet again. He deserved a nice view of snow covered Central Park..."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEJ1rJhk_Vo/UvH4PV7VFhI/AAAAAAAAuT4/tBlpYMqkUj4/s1600/Dean+in+Central+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEJ1rJhk_Vo/UvH4PV7VFhI/AAAAAAAAuT4/tBlpYMqkUj4/s1600/Dean+in+Central+Park.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.940000534057617px;"><br /></span>magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-5511877659961652832014-01-15T13:18:00.001+00:002014-01-15T13:18:12.729+00:00Philip Larkin's "Born Yesterday"<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" dir="ltr" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><div align="left">
<span style="font-family: bookman old style, Times New Roman, Times;"></span><table style="height: 81px; width: 427px;"><tbody>
<tr><td height="77" width="55"><span style="font-family: bookman old style, Times New Roman, Times;"><img alt="larkin.jpg (5177 bytes)" height="130" oldref="images/larkin.jpg" src="http://www.martinamisweb.com/pre_2006/images/larkin.jpg" width="72" /></span></td><td height="77" width="377"><span style="font-family: bookman old style, Times New Roman, Times;"><blockquote>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Born Yesterday</span></div>
<div align="left">
For Sally Amis</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
</blockquote>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: bookman old style, Times New Roman, Times;"><div align="left">
Tightly-folded bud,<br />I have wished you something<br />None of the others would:<br />Not the usual stuff<br />About being beautiful,<br />Or running off a spring<br />Of innocence and love -<br />They will all wish you that,<br />And should it prove possible,<br />Well, you're a lucky girl.<br /><br />But if it shouldn't, then<br />May you be ordinary;<br />Have, like other women,<br />An average of talents:<br />Not ugly, not good-looking,<br />Nothing uncustomary<br />To pull you off your balance,<br />That, unworkable itself,<br />Stops all the rest from working.<br />In fact, may you be dull -<br />If that is what a skilled,<br />Vigilant, flexible,<br />Unemphasised, enthralled<br />Catching of happiness is called.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
From <a href="http://www.martinamisweb.com/pre_2006/yesterday.htm">http://www.martinamisweb.com/pre_2006/yesterday.htm</a></div>
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-67645981483146764522014-01-14T15:35:00.003+00:002014-01-14T15:35:50.087+00:00Tom Stoppard on what it means not to be freeFrom <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/oct/11/tom-stoppard-pen-pinter-lecture">http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/oct/11/tom-stoppard-pen-pinter-lecture</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">. . . Until I read Isaiah Berlin, I didn't know I could put a name to each: positive freedom and negative freedom. I had little reverence for positive freedom, the proactive freedom promised by a centralised state; freedom from unemployment, say, or freedom from exploitation by private landlords; or from vulgarity by newspapers, for that matter. Such freedom was concomitant with the withdrawal of negative freedom whose value, I thought then and think now, cannot be overstated: autonomous freedom, the freedom to think for oneself, to use one's discretion, to name things for what they are and not for what they purport to be, to apply common sense, and common humanity.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">As it happened, positive freedom in the USSR meant empty shops, rubbish goods and rubbish lives for millions, but that was not the point for me, that was not the dystopia. The horror was the loss of personal responsibility, of personal space in the head, the loss of autonomy, of the freedom to move freely, and the ultimate Orwellian nightmare which is not to know what you have lost. In Nadezhda Mandelstam's memoirs she tells of a group of friends discussing the case of a one-legged war veteran who was given the special privilege of moving his abode across the country, so as to live closer to his sister. The group of friends wondered whether such permission would have been granted in the west. Mrs Mandelstam explained to them that in the west anybody could live anywhere, even if they had <em style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">two </em>legs. They couldn't get their heads round it. They were intelligentsia, and they didn't know what was lost. I was much struck by that story in Mrs Mandelstam's book. It was the touchstone of totalitarianism for me. I kept it in my pocket like a pebble to remind me of what we had to fear, to defend against, and it was also a rock on which I founded my sense of comfortable national superiority.</span></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-43287369884471677952014-01-14T10:22:00.002+00:002014-01-14T10:31:18.253+00:00A familiar liff<br />
From Jon Canter's <i>Guardian </i>tribute to Douglas Adams:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/aug/09/afterliff-douglas-adams-jon-canter">http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/aug/09/afterliff-douglas-adams-jon-canter</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Your party of 12 finishes its meal. The bill is passed to the one among you who's the best at mental arithmetic. "Twenty-six pounds each, including service!" they shout – to which, inevitably, someone responds "Does that include service?" Then another inevitable thing happens. You all place notes and coins in the middle of the table. Some of you remove notes and coins as change. Then a volunteer counts the assembled money. Logically, since you've each put in 26, there has to be £312. But there isn't. There just isn't. Instead, there's a bodmin, as defined by </span><em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Meaning of Liff</em><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> as Bodmin (n.) The irrational and inevitable discrepancy between the amount pooled and the amount needed when a large group of people try to pay a bill together after a meal.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The article continues:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;"><em style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Meaning of Liff</em> (1983) was a comic dictionary written by <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/douglasadams" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="More from the Guardian on Douglas Adams">Douglas Adams</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/apr/11/interview-john-lloyd-comedy-producer" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">John Lloyd</a>, who invented hundreds of such "liffs" – a liff being a common experience, feeling, situation, object or kind of person for which no word existed. Liff, as all Dundonians will tell you, is also a hamlet north-west of Dundee. But to Adams and Lloyd, who recycled place names for all their definitions, Liff was just one of those "spare words which spend their time doing nothing but loafing about on signposts". And so Bodmin stopped loafing about on signposts in Cornwall and went to work as a universally recognisable group-dining experience which now, at last, had a name.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">In the winter of 1989, Adams hired a house on Palm Beach, just north of Sydney, and invited Lloyd and various friends to join him. I was one of those friends, having known both men since we were students in the early 70s. The two men got down to writing their sequel, <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Deeper Meaning of Liff</em>. Or rather, they didn't. Instead, Douglas, a famous procrastinator, enjoyed various friendly conversations with his various friends. After much cajoling by Lloyd, a man of discipline as well as talent, Douglas sat by the pool looking miserable and occasionally writing things down – which is virtually the dictionary definition of comedy writing. (Apart from the bit about the pool, of course, which only applies to comedy writers as successful as Douglas.)</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Was I just going to sit there, storing up anecdotes about their liff-writing crisis? No. As a comedy writer myself, I lobbed in the odd liff. Gribun (n.) The person in a crisis who can always be relied on to make a good anecdote out of it. <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Deeper Meaning of Liff</em> duly came out in 1990 and the UK editions of the two books have sold nearly 400,000 copies. But the two men, sadly, won't be writing any more. In 2001, when he was 49, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/may/15/guardianobituaries.books" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Douglas died of a heart attack</a>.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Last summer I recieved an email from Lloyd, now the Baftastic producer of Not the Nine O'Clock News, Blackadder, Spitting Image and QI. He asked me to co-write a new volume of liffs. It would be called – with an affectionate nod to our absent friend – <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Afterliff</em>. He told me he'd like it to embody "the spirit of Douglas". I was overwhelmed. Douglas was a departed genius. Capturing his spirit would be like trying to emulate Freddie Mercury. Could I hit the high notes in Bo Rhap? Could I wear the white vest? Could I do that thing he did with the mic without poking myself in the eye? Then I calmed down. This was nothing like replacing Freddie Mercury in Queen. This was like stepping into your ex-flatmate's rather large shoes. It was weird but it was destiny. I thought about it, for just under a second, and said yes.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">As a flatmate, the 6'5" Douglas did everything on an epic scale, from buying Coca-Cola (in crates) to making 13 successive phone calls on the subject of the new Paul Simon LP. And then there were the baths. The baths! Sometimes he was in there for an hour and a half. If he wasn't in the bath, he was getting out the bath, or planning to go back in. It's a miracle he didn't shrink. That bathroom door, shut against me. Who hasn't had a flatmate like that? On my first day at the liff wordface, I saw, in a gazetteer of French place-names, Beaucroissant. A spirit-of-Douglas liff hit me like a towel. (You may recall, from <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Hitch‑Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy</em>, that a towel not only provides warmth "as you bound across the cold moons of Jaglan Beta". You can also "wet it for use in hand-to-hand combat".) Of course. The towel-obsessed Douglas was a Beaucroissant (n.) A male flatmate who spends all his time in the bathroom.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">The Big Man, as John and I always call him – with our devastating writerly insight – was a beguiling mix of the macro and the micro, a cosmic thinker frequently stranded between <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The End of the Universe</em> and the end of the sentence, which he couldn't quite bring himself to write. Brampton Bierlow (n.) The chuntering noises made by an old photocopier to let you know it's thinking about doing something. "Thinking about doing something": in its pathos and its bathos, its putting off of the thing it's meant to do – in his case, write – that's as Douglas as bath-steam.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">The old photocopier, though, is not Douglas. The man was fascinated by new technology, new ways of generating and disseminating information. He'd want <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Afterliff</em> to define those 2013 tootgarooks who never once feel fowey as they stare at the sorrento. (Tootgarook (n.) One who retweets praise about himself; Fowey (adj.) Filled with self-loathing and despair after six hours surfing the internet; Sorrento (n.) The thing that goes round and round as a YouTube video loads.) But it's not just the content that's evolved for an interactive age. The methodology has too. Liffmaster Lloyd has adopted and adapted liffs from Douglas's website h2g2.com, from his own website qi.com, from listeners to the Radio 4 programme <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Meaning of Liff at 30</em>, from competitions run by Douglas's brother James to raise money for <a href="http://www.savetherhino.org/" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Save the Rhino</a>. Who knows? Next year, we might be sourcing them at Glastonbury. If John and I went out for a meal with everyone who's contributed to <em style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Afterliff</em>, there'd be the most humungous bodmin.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;"><br /></span></div>
<img alt="DOUGLAS ADAMS" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/GUARDIAN/Pix/pictures/2013/8/7/1375871863081/DOUGLAS-ADAMS-008.jpg" data-pin-description="The Big Man … Douglas Adams pictured at home in Santa Barbara in 2000. Photograph: Dan Callister/Getty Images" height="276" itemprop="contentUrl representativeOfPage" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="460" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The Big Man … Douglas Adams pictured at home in Santa Barbara in 2000. Photograph: Dan Callister/Getty Images</span><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-25278992625976752642014-01-13T16:18:00.002+00:002014-01-13T16:19:16.696+00:00Tech talkTom Chatfield in the <i>Guardian, </i>17 April 2013:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/apr/17/tom-chatfield-top-10-internet-neologisms">http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/apr/17/tom-chatfield-top-10-internet-neologisms</a><br />
<br />
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<strong style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">1. Avatars</span></strong></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">This word for our digital incarnations has a marvellously mystical origin, beginning with the Sanskrit term <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/apr/17/www.carylmatrisciana.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126:hind.." style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">avatara</a>, describing the descent of a god from the heavens into earthly form. Arriving in English in the late 18th century, via Hindi, the term largely preserved its mystical meaning until <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/data/book/fantasy/9780241953181/snow-crash" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel Snow Crash</a> first popularised it in a technological sense.</span></div>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Fusing notions of virtual world-building and incarnation, it's the perfect emblem of computers as a portal to a new species of experience.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">2. Hashtags</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">In 1920s America, the # sign served as a shorthand for weight in pounds (and they still call it the pound sign). It was first brought to a wider public thanks to its adoption by telephone engineers at Bell Labs in the 1960s as the generic function symbol on their new touch-tone phones – and if you're looking to sound clever, you could call it an "<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/dec/08/hash-symbol-twitter-typography" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">octothorpe</a>", the tongue-in-cheek term coined at Bell to describe it. It's on Twitter, though, that hashtags have really come into their own, serving as a kind of function code for social interaction #ifyoulikethatkindofthing.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">3. Scunthorpe problems</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Computing can be as much combat as collaboration between people and machines, and the Scunthorpe problem is a perfect example. Entirely innocent words can fall victim to machine filth-filters thanks to unfortunate sequences of letters within them – and, in Scunthrope's case, it's the second to fifth letters that create the difficulty. The effect was labelled in honour of the town in 1996, when AOL temporarily prevented any Scunthorpe residents from creating user accounts; but those who live in Penistone, South Yorkshire – or people with surnames like Cockburn – may be equally familiar with algorithms' censorious tendencies.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">4. Trolling</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Although the archetypical emblem of an online troll is of a grinning bogeyman, the word can be traced back to the Old French verb troller, meaning to wander around while hunting. "Trolling" entered English around 1600 as a description of fishing by trailing bait around a body of water, and it was this idea of baiting the unwitting that led to the idea of online "trolling", where experienced net users would simulate naivety in order ensnare the naive. The noun "troll", meanwhile, does refer to a wide class of monstrous Nordic creatures: a sense that has dovetailed neatly with the increasingly viciously art of trolling.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">5. Memes</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Richard Dawkins coined the term "meme" in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene as a shortening of the Ancient Greek term mimeme ("an imitated thing"). He designed his new word to sound like "gene", signifying a unit of cultural transmission. Little did he know that his term would become one of the most iconic of online phenomena, embodying the capacity of the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/internet" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="More from the Guardian on Internet">internet</a> to itself act as a kind of gene-pool for thoughts and beliefs – and for infectious, endlessly ingenious slices of time-wasting.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">6. Spam</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">The most enduring gift of British comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus may prove to be a digital one: the term "spam". The key episode, first broadcast in 1970, featured a sketch called "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="">SPAM</a>": the brand name used since 1937 by the Hormel Foods Corporation as a contraction of the phrase spiced ham. Set in a cafe where almost every single item on the menu featured spam, the sketch culminated in a chorus of Viking warriors drowning everyone else's voices out by chanting the word "spam". A satirical indictment of British culinary monotony, it took on a second life during the early 1980s, when those who wished to derail early online discussions copied out the same words repeatedly in order to clog up a debate. Inspired by Python, the word spam proved a popular way of doing this. "Spamming" came to describe any process of drowning out "real" content – and the rest is repetitive history.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">7. LOLs</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">If you type "LOL" or "lol", you're not literally "laughing out loud". You're offering a kind of stage direction: dramatizing the process of typing. It sounds simple, but this is part of a radical change in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/language" style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="More from the Guardian on Language">language</a>. For the first time in history, we're conducting conversations through written words (or, more precisely, through typing onto screens). And in the process we're expending immense effort on making words and symbols express the emotional range of face-to-face interactions. Yet it's all, also, performance; a careful crafting of appearances that can bear little resemblance to reality.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">8. Meh</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">There's a special place in my heart for the supremely useful three letters of "meh", which express an almost infinitely flexible contemporary species of indifference. In its basic exclamatory form, it suggests something along the lines of "OK, whatever". As an adjective, it takes on a more ineffable flavour: "it was all very meh". You can even use it as a noun: "I stand by my meh." Apparently first recorded in a 1995 episode of The Simpsons, some theories trace meh back to the disdainful Yiddish term mnyeh. Its ascent towards canonical status, though, embodies a thoroughly digital breed of boredom.</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">9. Cupertinos</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">Also known as "auto-correct errors", a Cupertino error occurs when your computer thinks it knows what you're trying to say better than you do. The name comes from an early spell checker program, which knew the word Cupertino - the Californian city where Apple has its headquarters - but not the word "cooperation". All the cooperations in a document might thus be automatically "corrected" into Cupertinos. Courtesy of smartphones, Cupertinos today are a richer field than ever – a personal favourite being my last phone's determination to transform "Facebook" into "ravenous".</span></div>
<h2 style="background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; clear: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 2px 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">10. Geeks</span></h2>
<div style="background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 13px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;">"Geek" arrived in English from Low German, in which a geck denoted a crazy person; in travelling circuses, the geek show traditionally involved a performer biting off the heads of live chickens. By 1952, the sense of a freakishly adept technology enthusiast had appeared in science fiction maestro Robert Heinlein's short story "The Year of the Jackpot" ("the poor geek!" being the phrase) – and by the 1980s it had become a common label for socially awkward children obsessed with new technological devices. As this generation of tech-savvy youngsters provided the first generation of internet millionaires, and then billionaires, the unthinkable happened: geeks became cool (not to mention chic) – and ready to inherit the earth.</span></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-34088362484848132682014-01-11T09:13:00.000+00:002014-01-11T09:16:36.727+00:00Don't take criticism too seriouslyGreat story about renowned architect Richard Rogers, the opening for a <i>Guardian </i>interview by Nicholas Wroe:<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/richard-rogers" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="More from the Guardian on Richard Rogers">Richard Rogers</a><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">'s 1958 student report from the Architectural Association School exhibited a remarkable level of consistency: Elementary Construction; Concrete Design; Specifications & Materials … he failed them all. As his tutor concluded, Rogers "has a genuine interest in and a feeling for architecture, but sorely lacks the intellectual equipment to translate these feelings into sound building. His designs will continue to suffer while his drawing is so bad, his method of work so chaotic and his critical judgment so inarticulate."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/jul/11/richard-rogers-arts-interview">http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/jul/11/richard-rogers-arts-interview</a>magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-360699756987085872014-01-05T12:29:00.000+00:002014-01-11T09:18:23.463+00:00Réveillon 2013/14With toasts to what we hope will be a year where all surprises are good surprises, here's how we celebrated.<br />
<br />
Only one star course on New Year's Eve, an osso bucco to take advantage of the beautiful veal shanks available across the border at Tramuntana in Spain. We again made our Christmas lemon pasta, this time with spaghetti instead of linguini.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCEFcHU9luc/UsgreFeeBYI/AAAAAAAAVG4/KrQzdlvVtfo/s1600/P1080757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCEFcHU9luc/UsgreFeeBYI/AAAAAAAAVG4/KrQzdlvVtfo/s400/P1080757.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1g-_jtIk9Y/Usgr0UZoBzI/AAAAAAAAVHQ/SSBIwJd8TQw/s1600/P1080761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1g-_jtIk9Y/Usgr0UZoBzI/AAAAAAAAVHQ/SSBIwJd8TQw/s400/P1080761.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-N_PWgJiGY/Usgr2pJCKwI/AAAAAAAAVHY/QbixKEZixHQ/s1600/P1080763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D-N_PWgJiGY/Usgr2pJCKwI/AAAAAAAAVHY/QbixKEZixHQ/s400/P1080763.JPG" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Osso bucco recipe, with gremolata </span></b><br />
from <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/8828/osso+bucco">http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/8828/osso+bucco</a>. We used jellied veal stock instead of beef, fresh tomatoes instead of canned, eliminated the tomato paste, and added white wine and basil.<br />
<br />
<div -18.0pt="" .5pt="" 0cm="" 1.0pt="" 3.0pt="" border-bottom:="" border:="" margin-left:="" margin-right:="" mso-border-bottom-alt:="" mso-element:="" none="" padding:="" para-border-div="" solid="">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">60g butter</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">4 tablespoons olive oil</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2 carrots, cut into small cubes</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">3 sticks of celery, cut into small
cubes</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2 onions, finely chopped</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">3 cloves garlic, crushed</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">3/4 cup plain flour, seasoned</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">8 veal shanks (about 1.5kg)</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1 tablespoon tomato paste</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">800g diced Italian tomatoes in juice</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2 cups beef stock</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2 bay leaves</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div .5pt="" 0cm="" 1.0pt="" border-bottom:="" border:="" mso-border-bottom-alt:="" mso-element:="" none="" padding:="" para-border-div="" solid="">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #2c63ab; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Gremolata<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
white
<br />
<div -18.0pt="" .5pt="" 0cm="" 1.0pt="" 3.0pt="" border:="" margin-left:="" margin-right:="" mso-border-bottom-alt:="" mso-element:="" none="" padding:="" para-border-div="" solid="">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">finely grated rind of 2 large lemons</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">2 cloves garlic, finely chopped</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; padding: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped</span><span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div .5pt="" 0cm="" 1.0pt="" 6.0pt="" border:="" mso-border-bottom-alt:="" mso-element:="" none="" padding:="" para-border-div="" solid="">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Heat 20g butter and 2 tablespoons oil
in a frying pan. Add carrots, celery, onions and garlic. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove to an ovenproof dish.Place seasoned flour into a plastic bag. Toss, two
shanks at a time, in flour. Shake off excess and place on a plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Preheat oven to 200°C. Melt remaining
butter and oil in a frying pan over high heat. Brown both sides of veal in 2 to
3 batches. Place on top of vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Add tomato paste, tomatoes, beef
stock, thyme and bay leaves to pan. Bring to the boil, stirring. Reduce heat to
medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over vegetables and veal. Cover roasting
dish with lid or foil. Transfer to oven and bake for 1 1/2 hours to 1 3/4 hours
until veal is tender.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: none; line-height: 10.8pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #30291d; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">To make gremolata: Mix ingredients
together. Sprinkle over veal and serve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
New Year's Day began with Michael's mousseline omelette with strawberries, a breakfast
speciality since we first had a sweet omelette for dessert in Indian Village, Detroit, forty years ago.
Obligatory accompaniment, as with our Christmas French toast: bubbly and orange juice.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9MIYdNUxUk/Usgr51tUbWI/AAAAAAAAVHg/tuXyQROAdgU/s1600/P1080764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V9MIYdNUxUk/Usgr51tUbWI/AAAAAAAAVHg/tuXyQROAdgU/s400/P1080764.JPG" height="346" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Several hours later, we were ready to eat yet again. I'm not the fan of raw oysters that Michael is, so he searched for and found a recipe that even I loved:</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Crispy Oysters with Mango Sauce and Red Horseradish</span> </span></b>(<a href="http://hogislandoysters.com/node/234">http://hogislandoysters.com/node/234</a>). [We used a just-add-water tempura mix from Tramuntana that worked beautifully. Skipped the horseradish. The spicy mango sauce on its own was perfect (another keeper of a recipe).]<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">from the Hog
Island Oyster Lover's Cookbook, by Jairemarie Pomo</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></h1>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hot, hot, and sweet is the best description for chef Bobby Flay's
Southwestern oyster appetizer. The mango sauce balances the snappy chili
horseradish that tops each delectable cornmeal-crusted oyster. It's more than
just a combination of wonderful spices: The colors in each shell look like a
New Mexico sunset.</span></em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If you can't find fresh horseradish, prepared horseradish is fine,
drain off some of the liquid. The mango sauce is so good that I've actually
seen people lick the bottom of the shell to get the last drop. </span></em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">| Makes 20 oysters; serves 4 as a hearty appetizer |</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mango Sauce</span></u></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1
ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">3
tablespoons fresh lime juice<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">3
tablespoons coarsely chopped red onion<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2
cloves garlic, coarsely chopped<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1
teaspoon Tabasco sauce<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1/4
cup canola oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Salt
and freshly ground pepper, to taste<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
a food processor, combine all the sauce ingredients except the salt and
pepper. Process until smooth, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper
to taste.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Red Horseradish</span></u></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1/4
cup freshly grated horseradish<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1
tablespoon chili powder<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
a small bowl, combine the horseradish and chili powder; stir to blend.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Oysters</span></u></strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">20
small Hog Island Sweetwaters (Pacific) oysters, shucked and drained, cupped
bottom shells reserved<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">3/4
cup yellow cornmeal<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1
tablespoon cayenne pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1/4
teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1/4
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1/2
cup canola oil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1
tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely minced<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Preheat
oven to 250 D Fahrenheit. Scrub and shuck the oysters. Place oysters in a
shallow bowl, set aside. Preserve the bottom oyster shells. Scrub, rinse
and dry the shells and place on baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes
to preheat the shells, which will be used to serve the oysters.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, cayenne, salt, and pepper and blend well.
Drop 10 oysters at a time into the cornmeal and, using your hands, gently toss
to coat. Shake off the excess coating and put the oysters on a plate.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
a medium saute pan or skillet, heat the canola oil until shimmering. Fry
10 oysters at a time for 30 seconds on each side or until lightly browned. Be
careful not to overcook. Transfer cooked oysters to paper towel to drain.
Repeat steps with remaining oysters.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Spoon
1 teaspoon mango sauce into each warmed shell. Place a cooked oyster on
top of the sauce. Top with 1/4 teaspoon of the red horseradish and sprinkle
with the minced cilantro. Serve immediately.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRU39WkTUnQ/UsgsA59pYhI/AAAAAAAAVH4/HwRPiaBrUrU/s1600/P1080767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRU39WkTUnQ/UsgsA59pYhI/AAAAAAAAVH4/HwRPiaBrUrU/s400/P1080767.JPG" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvhs-ARnKiU/Usgr-ya4JBI/AAAAAAAAVIQ/iSvAHva2vxU/s1600/P1080766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vvhs-ARnKiU/Usgr-ya4JBI/AAAAAAAAVIQ/iSvAHva2vxU/s400/P1080766.JPG" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Below is the magic tempura mix that we'll buy again. Can't be reused, though. A few nights later we tried some raw vegetables with a steak fondue (our new pot, center of table, was used on New Year's for a classic cheese fondue, accompanied by mushrooms stuffed with tapenade and pâté). Failure. The refrigerated batter slipped right off.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YF8x-p5gaFM/UsgsCQ00K5I/AAAAAAAAVIA/G8CCBrtjQU4/s1600/P1080768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YF8x-p5gaFM/UsgsCQ00K5I/AAAAAAAAVIA/G8CCBrtjQU4/s400/P1080768.JPG" height="381" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For dessert, cookies and the syrup from Kate's Moroccan pears with saffron and rhubarb that we had at last Christmas Eve's pull-out-all-the-stops dinner. Frozen for a year, this became a fabulous granita.</div>
</div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-6498567675672242382014-01-04T16:54:00.001+00:002014-01-05T07:43:57.545+00:00Haute homemade (not!)Oh dear. Michael and I were feeling quite pleased with ourselves for having actually chopped, stirred, grilled,and roasted over the holidays. Then I read this <i>Guardian </i>piece by Genevieve Fox on the "tyranny of haute homemade" — <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/14/whats-happened-to-home-cooking-from-scratch">http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/14/whats-happened-to-home-cooking-from-scratch</a>. No sherry vinegar pearls on our table, much less smoked butter with a Saturn-ring surround of the same jelly. Three and a half hours of our lives saved!<br />
<br />
For a far more modest spread, here are some of the best recipes Michael found for Christmas Eve, plus a photo of our Picard main course for Christmas Day. I'll write up New Year's in a separate post. I did the baking — florentines with candied cranberries and orange peel, pecan lace cookies, lemon cheese tarts — but otherwise was pretty much just the sous chef for my enterprising husband<br />
<br />
The main source of inspiration this year was <i>Bistro Cooking </i>by Patricia Wells, an American expat who divides her time between Paris and Provence. In addition to having been an <i>International Herald Tribune </i>restaurant critic for more than twenty-five years, she was for a while also the only American food writer on the <i>L'Express</i> staff.<br />
<br />
As usual on the 24th, we started with lightly sautéed foie gras. Since the selection of exotic fruit at Carrefour was minimal, I made a simple compote of dried figs poached in red wine with a few spices, which also went well with the traditional fig loaf the supermarket did stock as well as the surprisingly uninteresting sliced squares that dominate the bakery section.<br />
<br />
Our holiday luxury was excellent lobster tails from Picard, grilled and served with a simple crème fraîche and tomato sauce. The side dishes, both destined to be long-term family favorites, came from <i>Bistro Cooking. </i>They're easy to make and delicious.<br />
<br />
<b>Le Procope's Pasta with Lemon, Ham, and Black Olives</b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">, pages 68-69 (thanks to Malvasia Bianca for putting this shortened form of the recipe </span><a href="http://malvasiabianca.org/archives/2007/06/pasta-procope/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">online</a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">). We used Iberico ham instead of prosciutto and could only find dried thyme.</span>
<br />
<div style="color: #111111; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', 'Bitstream Sans Vera', Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.625px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice<br />
salt to taste<br />
1/2 cup olive oil<br />
8 oz prosciutto<br />
1/2 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted<br />
2 tsp freshly snipped thyme<br />
grated zest of 2 lemons<br />
black pepper to taste<br />
1 pound thin pasta (capellini, angel hair, etc.) <br />
Mix lemon juice, salt, olive oil in a small bowl. Combine everything else. (Except for the pasta, of course!) Cook the pasta, mix everything together.<br />
<br />
<b>Layered Vegetable Gratin</b>, pages 83-84<b> </b>[<i>gratin</i> simply in the sense that the vegetables are cooked in a shallow, oven-proof dish; you don't need to be this precise — we made it again with leftover aubergine, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes, no weighing, again excellent]<br />
<br />
2 small onions, each weighing about 4 ounces (125 g)<br />
2 small eggplants, each weighing about 10 ounces (300 g)<br />
4 small zucchini, each weighing about 4 ounces (125 g)<br />
5 small tomatoes, each weighing about 3 ox (90 g)<br />
1 garlic clove, peeled<br />
2 teaspoons fresh thyme [again, we had to use dried]<br />
Salt<br />
1/4 cup (6 cl) extra-virgin olive oil<br />
<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).<br />
2. Wash the vegetables, and peel the onion. Cut vegetables into thin rounds.<br />
3. Generously rub the bottom of a shallow 5-cup (1.25l) gratin dish with the garlic. Sprinkle with some of the thyme. Add the sliced onion in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt to taste and more of the thyme. Drizzle on some of the olive oil. Continue layering in this manner with the eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes, sprinkling each layer with salt, thyme, and oil. Cover securely with aluminum foil. Bake until the vegetables are very soft and tender, about 1 hour. Serve immediately.<br />
Yield: 4 servings.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K66ksP5jUd0/UsgrL10FzzI/AAAAAAAAVFw/j8X99lekBkk/s1600/P1080746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K66ksP5jUd0/UsgrL10FzzI/AAAAAAAAVFw/j8X99lekBkk/s400/P1080746.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syIFBO7F8TU/UsgrP05NS6I/AAAAAAAAVGA/dCvMkhRV99o/s1600/P1080749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-syIFBO7F8TU/UsgrP05NS6I/AAAAAAAAVGA/dCvMkhRV99o/s400/P1080749.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lvWregQdil8/UsgrSKAnt6I/AAAAAAAAVGI/3plFupoxKXA/s1600/P1080750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lvWregQdil8/UsgrSKAnt6I/AAAAAAAAVGI/3plFupoxKXA/s400/P1080750.JPG" width="378" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrQGmotqmBw/UsgrTzXivOI/AAAAAAAAVGQ/_lcqxFhVR5o/s1600/P1080751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrQGmotqmBw/UsgrTzXivOI/AAAAAAAAVGQ/_lcqxFhVR5o/s400/P1080751.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
On Christmas Day, we were far less ambitious. France's extraordinary frozen food chain, Picard, provided canette farcie (duckling with a stuffing of cèpes, flavored with Armagnac), rosaces de pomme de terre (rounds of crispy scalloped potatoes), creamed leeks, and creamed spinach. The only bit of cooking I did was traditional cranberry sauce and a very interesting variant on red currant sauce I found <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/red-currant-sauce-329737?oc=linkback">online</a>. We'll be having this again, too:<br />
<br />
<b>Red currant sauce</b><br />
300 g red currants<br />
150 g brown sugar<br />
3 tablespoons malt vinegar [I used red wine vinegar]<br />
Directions:<br />
1. Combine ingredients in medium saucepan.<br />
2. Start cooking over medium temperature and lower after a while to maintain a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.<br />
3. Cook for around 20 mins. [I used fresh currants but frozen would also work.]<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwZvaguVXZY/UsgrVhrsicI/AAAAAAAAVGY/J_Yklq9XwN4/s1600/P1080753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwZvaguVXZY/UsgrVhrsicI/AAAAAAAAVGY/J_Yklq9XwN4/s400/P1080753.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
During all this eating, we were enjoying fabulous weather. No snow, no floods, unlike many of our friends in the US and UK. Here's a view of Canigou from our patio, presiding over the holiday landscape:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e79PwPX9I2k/UsgrcfUkBBI/AAAAAAAAVGw/iF9O0UkTRss/s1600/P1080756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e79PwPX9I2k/UsgrcfUkBBI/AAAAAAAAVGw/iF9O0UkTRss/s400/P1080756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-40914477121090901602013-10-06T15:15:00.002+01:002014-01-05T07:33:02.961+00:0067!! — Day 4From Mende, in the Lozère, back home to Laroque des Albères, Pyrénées Orientales, via the Tarn and Aveyron départements.<br />
<br />
Our first stop on the way to the Gorges du Tarn was a disappointment. The village of Sainte-Enimie is quite pretty with its old stone houses but decidedly touristy. What was memorable is the grim legend behind the town's name. Enimie was a princess who, wishing to dedicate herself to Christ, prayed to be rescued from marriage to a suitor chosen by her father. The answer to her prayers was unusual: she contracted horribly disfiguring leprosy. Marriage pressure gone, she was then cured by the waters of a local spring and went on to found a convent.<br />
<br />
The canyon formed by the Tarn River, flanked on either side with crags topped by <i>causses (</i>verdant limestone plateaus) and villages clustered near the shore, offers the sort of magnificent scenery that's difficult, for us anyway, to capture with a camera.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCGLwaqBwUs/UlFF4AXiLII/AAAAAAAAOc4/RLm53siEHU0/s1600/P1080331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCGLwaqBwUs/UlFF4AXiLII/AAAAAAAAOc4/RLm53siEHU0/s400/P1080331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ig4N7MBni4/UlFF6OQCekI/AAAAAAAAOdA/QkCxEAJLTec/s1600/P1080332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ig4N7MBni4/UlFF6OQCekI/AAAAAAAAOdA/QkCxEAJLTec/s400/P1080332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ODHLdr7i3s/UlFGBPr4LdI/AAAAAAAAOdY/KRmJCC7zHcs/s1600/P1080335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ODHLdr7i3s/UlFGBPr4LdI/AAAAAAAAOdY/KRmJCC7zHcs/s400/P1080335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb7iFvFi4lM/UlFGCWTtBbI/AAAAAAAAOdg/Kc7d4aF3s1E/s1600/P1080337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb7iFvFi4lM/UlFGCWTtBbI/AAAAAAAAOdg/Kc7d4aF3s1E/s400/P1080337.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L7r9psy1l3w/UlFGDfJ9grI/AAAAAAAAOdo/1Q_GxJPIjec/s1600/P1080338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L7r9psy1l3w/UlFGDfJ9grI/AAAAAAAAOdo/1Q_GxJPIjec/s400/P1080338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40SLpGsBR2w/UlFGGINadLI/AAAAAAAAOeA/s_FETujGV_Y/s1600/P1080341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40SLpGsBR2w/UlFGGINadLI/AAAAAAAAOeA/s_FETujGV_Y/s400/P1080341.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Detail from photo above.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4-zTnrlLB4/UlFGFcKZKUI/AAAAAAAAOd4/v0DpskQnGsY/s1600/P1080340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4-zTnrlLB4/UlFGFcKZKUI/AAAAAAAAOd4/v0DpskQnGsY/s400/P1080340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1p1cFSXzEI/UlFGIDiXaMI/AAAAAAAAOeQ/Seg8zQF_wDc/s1600/P1080345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i1p1cFSXzEI/UlFGIDiXaMI/AAAAAAAAOeQ/Seg8zQF_wDc/s400/P1080345.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InGb8InDoDs/UlFGJNTnA8I/AAAAAAAAOeY/8FPutQvSbZI/s1600/P1080346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InGb8InDoDs/UlFGJNTnA8I/AAAAAAAAOeY/8FPutQvSbZI/s400/P1080346.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kF0QoP-I3K0/UlFGKP5JjRI/AAAAAAAAOeg/MLoI-E9-pKk/s1600/P1080347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kF0QoP-I3K0/UlFGKP5JjRI/AAAAAAAAOeg/MLoI-E9-pKk/s400/P1080347.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A sad memorial like this is found in most French villages. So many names for such a tiny place.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XxaaGC7qYk/UlFGLGpUlgI/AAAAAAAAOeo/1Q-ExnDZFEo/s1600/P1080349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XxaaGC7qYk/UlFGLGpUlgI/AAAAAAAAOeo/1Q-ExnDZFEo/s400/P1080349.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A <i>chausse.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ruy_THIap8/UlFF14XwRqI/AAAAAAAAOcw/uIGcWg3e7EA/s1600/P1080330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ruy_THIap8/UlFF14XwRqI/AAAAAAAAOcw/uIGcWg3e7EA/s400/P1080330.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--l7Z7oF1yJ8/UlFGN9Tqd5I/AAAAAAAAOe4/6aP3hdExVME/s1600/P1080352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--l7Z7oF1yJ8/UlFGN9Tqd5I/AAAAAAAAOe4/6aP3hdExVME/s400/P1080352.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
How anyone gets to this hamlet of well-maintained stone houses on the other side of the river we haven't a clue. There were no roads visible, no bridge, and a sign on this cable prohibited use for anything but goods. Could the residents really do all their to-ing and fro-ing by canoe?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCMUYR7HFNU/UlFGR5rRVHI/AAAAAAAAOfY/-OFNhULqjug/s1600/P1080356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCMUYR7HFNU/UlFGR5rRVHI/AAAAAAAAOfY/-OFNhULqjug/s400/P1080356.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIVTy__j0qU/UlFGSiqqyAI/AAAAAAAAOfg/7uk1HCQR2Tc/s1600/P1080357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIVTy__j0qU/UlFGSiqqyAI/AAAAAAAAOfg/7uk1HCQR2Tc/s400/P1080357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another <i>chausse.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWIIG-vlpzk/UlFGTpvRPVI/AAAAAAAAOfo/gMVK63c9t1w/s1600/P1080359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWIIG-vlpzk/UlFGTpvRPVI/AAAAAAAAOfo/gMVK63c9t1w/s400/P1080359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">We had our lunchtime picnic in the Gorges de la Jonte, a favorite destination of J-F's father.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-Ma82cW4LE/UlFGUrlkftI/AAAAAAAAOf4/ctyE1_71O0I/s1600/P1080362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-Ma82cW4LE/UlFGUrlkftI/AAAAAAAAOf4/ctyE1_71O0I/s400/P1080362.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCIG57ElktI/UlFGVWE6gAI/AAAAAAAAOgA/0vSLFQMiUaM/s1600/P1080363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCIG57ElktI/UlFGVWE6gAI/AAAAAAAAOgA/0vSLFQMiUaM/s400/P1080363.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hardly worth doing, but if you look very closely here or enlarge the photo, you can see two dots in the sky that are the soaring eagles who watched us eat. There wasn't a sea like the one in Tennyson's poem, but<a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174589"> his words </a>certainly fit this setting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldEE3hxRLHo/UlFGWS_AWSI/AAAAAAAAOgI/4dK9yd8elPw/s1600/P1080366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldEE3hxRLHo/UlFGWS_AWSI/AAAAAAAAOgI/4dK9yd8elPw/s400/P1080366.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
From spectacles of nature to a marvel that's manmade. A few years ago we crossed the Millau Viaduct with Alan Smith on our way to the volcanic region of the Auvergne. In fact, despite our Garmin on this trip, I did find occasion to quote Alan's Yoda-like pronouncement that "There are many roads" when my navigational skills were once again shown to be deficient. Michael decided that the bridge would be even more impressive viewed from below. He was right. This 4-part Megastructures video shows what an amazing engineering feat building Norman Foster's design was: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4ZNMEpsocY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4ZNMEpsocY</a>; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWrmelbagLA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWrmelbagLA</a>; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FXtQf9M88o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FXtQf9M88o</a>; .<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPM79xM5mIY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPM79xM5mIY</a>. [Despite the pronunciation of Millau here, our neighbors in France say "mee-yoh."] A minute or two is missing at the end of part 4, but the dramatic union of the two sides has already been celebrated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEV8rb0o0-Y/UlFW3BOmDuI/AAAAAAAAOgY/r-eoKhc8q1g/s1600/P1080369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEV8rb0o0-Y/UlFW3BOmDuI/AAAAAAAAOgY/r-eoKhc8q1g/s400/P1080369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgkM6yhzxLM/UlFW5cyjoZI/AAAAAAAAOgg/wJakrarX7_8/s1600/P1080370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgkM6yhzxLM/UlFW5cyjoZI/AAAAAAAAOgg/wJakrarX7_8/s400/P1080370.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKMM9uLWuBU/UlFW8IlqlDI/AAAAAAAAOgo/2PXhlI7KqrM/s1600/P1080371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKMM9uLWuBU/UlFW8IlqlDI/AAAAAAAAOgo/2PXhlI7KqrM/s400/P1080371.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPC7lpSlW5g/UlFW-uzwUbI/AAAAAAAAOgw/RexxRR00LuM/s1600/P1080374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPC7lpSlW5g/UlFW-uzwUbI/AAAAAAAAOgw/RexxRR00LuM/s400/P1080374.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was cutting edge to traditional as we next toured a Roquefort factory in the cheese-making town of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, our last stop before getting on the motorway to head home. The romantic though no doubt apocryphal story behind the discovery of the blue cheese process has a young shepherd accidentally leaving his cheese and rye bread in a cave where he had rendezvous-ed with his sweetheart (or abandoned his lunch when he spied her in a distant field, depending on which variation of the tale you prefer). When he eventually returned to retrieve the food, <i>voilà!</i> — the distinctive blue veining had transformed his ordinary cheese into something very special. Michael, however, would think that delicious ewe's milk cheese was spoiled by the invasion of <i>Penicillium roqueforti</i>. Blue cheese is not his favorite.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6jw-ByeQsc/UlFmTBwWGlI/AAAAAAAAOio/qBrJMHQxn3A/s1600/P1080399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w6jw-ByeQsc/UlFmTBwWGlI/AAAAAAAAOio/qBrJMHQxn3A/s400/P1080399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znwZlrbLle4/UlFmSNCXUBI/AAAAAAAAOig/V729DGX52aw/s1600/P1080398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znwZlrbLle4/UlFmSNCXUBI/AAAAAAAAOig/V729DGX52aw/s400/P1080398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fractures in the rock like this (<i>fleurines</i>), open to the outside, provide the unique air circulation in the damp, cool caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfs1deMSNM8/UlFmFBmZntI/AAAAAAAAOhA/YORAB_F8Afg/s1600/P1080375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfs1deMSNM8/UlFmFBmZntI/AAAAAAAAOhA/YORAB_F8Afg/s400/P1080375.JPG" width="331" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SH6syM3ROxE/UlFmG0Vnr0I/AAAAAAAAOhI/U8Jq39jJ1kA/s1600/P1080376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SH6syM3ROxE/UlFmG0Vnr0I/AAAAAAAAOhI/U8Jq39jJ1kA/s400/P1080376.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKV2lbiXTLQ/UlFmJ_TgfFI/AAAAAAAAOhc/LDAy9jfUSNY/s1600/P1080379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKV2lbiXTLQ/UlFmJ_TgfFI/AAAAAAAAOhc/LDAy9jfUSNY/s400/P1080379.JPG" width="233" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8EdBQn09XdE/UlFmI1Eo4-I/AAAAAAAAOhQ/mlGfk_lcjdI/s1600/P1080378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8EdBQn09XdE/UlFmI1Eo4-I/AAAAAAAAOhQ/mlGfk_lcjdI/s400/P1080378.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lJo_xOX6sQ/UlFmKdr7D6I/AAAAAAAAOho/xoWVsu0kAXE/s1600/P1080383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lJo_xOX6sQ/UlFmKdr7D6I/AAAAAAAAOho/xoWVsu0kAXE/s400/P1080383.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our guide through the 150-year-old <i>caves</i> of RoquefortSociété. Her enunciation was so precise that even I could understand more than my usual "blahblah maintenant blahblahblah on doit blah" etc.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6wy0Hm5878/UlFmOdz7zbI/AAAAAAAAOh4/lU6l_jK7Ou0/s1600/P1080388a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J6wy0Hm5878/UlFmOdz7zbI/AAAAAAAAOh4/lU6l_jK7Ou0/s400/P1080388a.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More photos of photos from the old days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcwaSYbW_Rw/UlFmPhl5a9I/AAAAAAAAOiA/ZRT2_dQgQJI/s1600/P1080389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcwaSYbW_Rw/UlFmPhl5a9I/AAAAAAAAOiA/ZRT2_dQgQJI/s400/P1080389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaP8KymTgek/UlFmQCRIzfI/AAAAAAAAOiM/N5Fmnq4Qv7o/s1600/P1080391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DaP8KymTgek/UlFmQCRIzfI/AAAAAAAAOiM/N5Fmnq4Qv7o/s400/P1080391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sije_402uc/UlFmQttvC4I/AAAAAAAAOiQ/czmlstrgL00/s1600/P1080392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sije_402uc/UlFmQttvC4I/AAAAAAAAOiQ/czmlstrgL00/s400/P1080392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <i>dégustation</i> following the tour.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfQqvYyb0PM/UlFmRGn9wWI/AAAAAAAAOiY/MYkYLCTMngo/s1600/P1080395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfQqvYyb0PM/UlFmRGn9wWI/AAAAAAAAOiY/MYkYLCTMngo/s400/P1080395.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A <i>rond-point </i>(roundabout, traffic circle) honoring the sheep whose milk is the basis for the livelihood of most local residents.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJNL0qXIEDk/UlFmUjOixuI/AAAAAAAAOiw/RUij5M00Ea8/s1600/P1080401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJNL0qXIEDk/UlFmUjOixuI/AAAAAAAAOiw/RUij5M00Ea8/s400/P1080401.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4kjhfOkX9Y/UlFmVyE69OI/AAAAAAAAOjI/ZXsy3vfQ9Xo/s1600/P1080402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K4kjhfOkX9Y/UlFmVyE69OI/AAAAAAAAOjI/ZXsy3vfQ9Xo/s400/P1080402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-53258064877155948552013-10-05T16:11:00.001+01:002014-01-05T07:36:17.811+00:0067!! — Day 3Domaine de Blancardy (Moules et Baucels, Hérault) to Hôtel de France (Mende, Lozère)<br />
<br />
After purchasing several bottles of Domaine de Blancardy wine, we checked out and headed for the Musée Cévenol in Le Vigan. It didn't open until 10, so we spent about a quarter of an hour looking at the nearby 12th-century bridge and the old buildings crowded up against the river.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itVwXHebj70/Uk_7idPT5KI/AAAAAAAAOUg/fUMIlyTDW2U/s1600/P1080272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itVwXHebj70/Uk_7idPT5KI/AAAAAAAAOUg/fUMIlyTDW2U/s400/P1080272.JPG" width="340" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zklYl6X_COY/Uk_7kPtg-iI/AAAAAAAAOUo/0zB5bsUnuys/s1600/P1080273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zklYl6X_COY/Uk_7kPtg-iI/AAAAAAAAOUo/0zB5bsUnuys/s400/P1080273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VP5kqjZBGk/Uk_7Xz7di1I/AAAAAAAAOTw/uiOw1h6PX9w/s1600/P1080266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VP5kqjZBGk/Uk_7Xz7di1I/AAAAAAAAOTw/uiOw1h6PX9w/s400/P1080266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ps3vhkN_jo/Uk_7fKxZfHI/AAAAAAAAOUQ/tXXeHMfHNnE/s1600/P1080270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ps3vhkN_jo/Uk_7fKxZfHI/AAAAAAAAOUQ/tXXeHMfHNnE/s400/P1080270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I122AerlseU/Uk_7ZUaTAfI/AAAAAAAAOT4/qs2hM-AT9J8/s1600/P1080267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I122AerlseU/Uk_7ZUaTAfI/AAAAAAAAOT4/qs2hM-AT9J8/s400/P1080267.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4IvxUBEodE/Uk_7biY_jMI/AAAAAAAAOUA/Raf9x3k9Dp4/s1600/P1080268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4IvxUBEodE/Uk_7biY_jMI/AAAAAAAAOUA/Raf9x3k9Dp4/s400/P1080268.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMd7_yLW4Zc/Uk_7gxQjqXI/AAAAAAAAOUY/52WAYXauZBo/s1600/P1080271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMd7_yLW4Zc/Uk_7gxQjqXI/AAAAAAAAOUY/52WAYXauZBo/s400/P1080271.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not old but so attractively weathered.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV4Ax80qvQk/Uk_7SdtaZZI/AAAAAAAAOTY/RoHHRCrKY5o/s1600/P1080263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xV4Ax80qvQk/Uk_7SdtaZZI/AAAAAAAAOTY/RoHHRCrKY5o/s400/P1080263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The museum itself was superb. After the first room we were informed by the charming woman who let us in that photos were forbidden, otherwise there would be far more displays of rural crafts pasted below. I'm particularly sorry not to have any record of the exquisitely patterned silk stockings in the collection. The Cévennes was discovered to be an ideal spot to grow mulberry trees in the 18th century, and silk weaving peaked around 1850. The industry was rescued by Pasteur when disease attacked the silkworms, but imported and synthetic silk finished off the manufacturing that survived. The area seems to have been cursed. A deadly fungus destroyed chestnut trees (now magnificently thriving) and phylloxera hit the vineyards. Even with two world wars removing far too many young males from the census rolls, it's still surprising to read that the population of the Cévennes in 1968 was only 30% of what it had been in the mid-19th century.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rE2JQoGmUQc/Uk_7VuZbCBI/AAAAAAAAOTo/bu15R14HEfU/s1600/P1080265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rE2JQoGmUQc/Uk_7VuZbCBI/AAAAAAAAOTo/bu15R14HEfU/s400/P1080265.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An ingenious idea for letting light into buildings — presumably only those without roof insulation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlkqxhHdONw/Uk_7lVzpmrI/AAAAAAAAOUw/QLknHS4IDPg/s1600/P1080275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nlkqxhHdONw/Uk_7lVzpmrI/AAAAAAAAOUw/QLknHS4IDPg/s400/P1080275.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A forge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhEWBXJBRko/Uk_7nmNEA5I/AAAAAAAAOVA/AKAws1gZYbI/s1600/P1080277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhEWBXJBRko/Uk_7nmNEA5I/AAAAAAAAOVA/AKAws1gZYbI/s400/P1080277.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Clay pipes like those we find broken bits of when mudlarking along the Thames.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbzixSebxrU/Uk_7omOIfII/AAAAAAAAOVI/hi6EHeVxajI/s1600/P1080278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbzixSebxrU/Uk_7omOIfII/AAAAAAAAOVI/hi6EHeVxajI/s400/P1080278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lathe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiHmgk51fyQ/Uk_7pgFCTYI/AAAAAAAAOVQ/YwL1apmsE4k/s1600/P1080279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiHmgk51fyQ/Uk_7pgFCTYI/AAAAAAAAOVQ/YwL1apmsE4k/s400/P1080279.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two-man saw.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_2t5h5qSpo/Uk_7qtP8ebI/AAAAAAAAOVY/VBC1lQDuFYk/s1600/P1080280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_2t5h5qSpo/Uk_7qtP8ebI/AAAAAAAAOVY/VBC1lQDuFYk/s400/P1080280.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndPC5KXzqfA/Uk_7u-pXclI/AAAAAAAAOVo/lSuky007ckQ/s1600/P1080282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndPC5KXzqfA/Uk_7u-pXclI/AAAAAAAAOVo/lSuky007ckQ/s400/P1080282.JPG" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wpd3tgj1hA4/Uk_7sJCtVxI/AAAAAAAAOVg/P6V4wFvaOtM/s1600/P1080281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wpd3tgj1hA4/Uk_7sJCtVxI/AAAAAAAAOVg/P6V4wFvaOtM/s400/P1080281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We liked this evocative way of showing a craftsman at work without a mannequin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pBPTYyyRkpg/Uk_7xVWYRuI/AAAAAAAAOVw/cBXwSWM0Mcw/s1600/P1080283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pBPTYyyRkpg/Uk_7xVWYRuI/AAAAAAAAOVw/cBXwSWM0Mcw/s400/P1080283.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three ways of working with natural materials.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSi1vtyr5Sc/Uk_7yTWgWyI/AAAAAAAAOV4/FDCz7WcCqt8/s1600/P1080284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XSi1vtyr5Sc/Uk_7yTWgWyI/AAAAAAAAOV4/FDCz7WcCqt8/s400/P1080284.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Huge bellows.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpyy1RanfHE/Uk_7zwdT7kI/AAAAAAAAOWA/mw5sxAE1ZfI/s1600/P1080285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpyy1RanfHE/Uk_7zwdT7kI/AAAAAAAAOWA/mw5sxAE1ZfI/s400/P1080285.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wooden hives, as shown in photo of photo that follows.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBymuJ8_Uqc/Uk_72V8An4I/AAAAAAAAOWI/Y8Fn5iu0dH4/s1600/P1080286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBymuJ8_Uqc/Uk_72V8An4I/AAAAAAAAOWI/Y8Fn5iu0dH4/s400/P1080286.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0XIeELCxzU/Uk_73SdhwoI/AAAAAAAAOWQ/WcWE4vhobjw/s1600/P1080288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0XIeELCxzU/Uk_73SdhwoI/AAAAAAAAOWQ/WcWE4vhobjw/s400/P1080288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ah. A solution. Even though I dutifully pocketed my camera after being gently warned, here are some silk stocking images via a booklet titled <i>Au fil de la soie </i>that we bought at this gem of a museum.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpmgWTY1P8Y/UlAZKEsJx1I/AAAAAAAAObQ/pq8cKLNL3ao/s1600/P1080405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpmgWTY1P8Y/UlAZKEsJx1I/AAAAAAAAObQ/pq8cKLNL3ao/s400/P1080405.JPG" width="277" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOrKk_O3uKE/UlAZMPFoqMI/AAAAAAAAObY/pAkvpB8Iqow/s1600/P1080406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOrKk_O3uKE/UlAZMPFoqMI/AAAAAAAAObY/pAkvpB8Iqow/s400/P1080406.JPG" width="172" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUQJE0SYtGA/UlAZsrtl_XI/AAAAAAAAObg/vnArfwqNuPs/s1600/P1080407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUQJE0SYtGA/UlAZsrtl_XI/AAAAAAAAObg/vnArfwqNuPs/s400/P1080407.JPG" width="160" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhNayW4nwYA/UlAZuKDnt2I/AAAAAAAAObo/wN_7X8tAu_I/s1600/P1080408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhNayW4nwYA/UlAZuKDnt2I/AAAAAAAAObo/wN_7X8tAu_I/s400/P1080408.JPG" width="168" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNVByDAiMe4/UlAZv7i0I2I/AAAAAAAAObw/CkK8-JyxQAw/s1600/P1080409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNVByDAiMe4/UlAZv7i0I2I/AAAAAAAAObw/CkK8-JyxQAw/s400/P1080409.JPG" width="346" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYqJBqqzFpU/UlAZydg0tII/AAAAAAAAOb4/IZxjk5HaaCo/s1600/P1080410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYqJBqqzFpU/UlAZydg0tII/AAAAAAAAOb4/IZxjk5HaaCo/s400/P1080410.JPG" width="346" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PfJqZjOMuE/UlAZ064AeTI/AAAAAAAAOcA/6aZfTnmWmmM/s1600/P1080411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PfJqZjOMuE/UlAZ064AeTI/AAAAAAAAOcA/6aZfTnmWmmM/s400/P1080411.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6PZrdNV3N8/UlAZ3tcaYpI/AAAAAAAAOcI/2sVPauLsOgE/s1600/P1080413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r6PZrdNV3N8/UlAZ3tcaYpI/AAAAAAAAOcI/2sVPauLsOgE/s400/P1080413.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is one of the many old silk factories that we passed while driving. We had wondered what all these dilapidated buildings with their many windows once housed. This was on the edge of a town, Le Mazel, but many others suddenly appeared, splendidly isolated, in the middle of hectares of what is now uninhabited forest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-enKAvZVbRrE/Uk_8Beuh6nI/AAAAAAAAOWw/rpzkuvocucw/s1600/P1080292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-enKAvZVbRrE/Uk_8Beuh6nI/AAAAAAAAOWw/rpzkuvocucw/s400/P1080292.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Silk factory seems to be in process of restoration, perhaps as offices and/or apartments.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqfflZUZKhE/Uk_79kB0ljI/AAAAAAAAOcU/hEomxZr-198/s1600/P1080291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqfflZUZKhE/Uk_79kB0ljI/AAAAAAAAOcU/hEomxZr-198/s400/P1080291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We then drove through Florac to our next hotel in Mende, another excellent discovery on booking.com. The disappointment en route was our first bad weather, rain and fog obscuring the view, so we didn't bother to drive up Mont Aigoual, one of the must-sees Michael had marked on our map of Languedoc-Roussillon (which extends to parts of the Midi-Pyrénées region).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKB-h_ppr3U/Uk_8yKsK5xI/AAAAAAAAObA/zb8_vJfyjuM/s1600/P1080329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKB-h_ppr3U/Uk_8yKsK5xI/AAAAAAAAObA/zb8_vJfyjuM/s400/P1080329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The town itself was well worth wandering through despite the drizzle. The roofing stones laid in a fish scale pattern are typical of the region.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6e80xqX8m9U/Uk_8hWku61I/AAAAAAAAOZI/2KwRGUqOkBE/s1600/P1080313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6e80xqX8m9U/Uk_8hWku61I/AAAAAAAAOZI/2KwRGUqOkBE/s400/P1080313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNqKo0nl66c/Uk_8oBSOA1I/AAAAAAAAOZ4/tqgjEFpC7gU/s1600/P1080319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNqKo0nl66c/Uk_8oBSOA1I/AAAAAAAAOZ4/tqgjEFpC7gU/s400/P1080319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiD5skQHaoQ/Uk_8KnEd1xI/AAAAAAAAOXQ/y-863Me0HOI/s1600/P1080297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiD5skQHaoQ/Uk_8KnEd1xI/AAAAAAAAOXQ/y-863Me0HOI/s400/P1080297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--p9NGAZb3nE/Uk_8NV34d6I/AAAAAAAAOXY/7ctVL4RbyE4/s1600/P1080298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--p9NGAZb3nE/Uk_8NV34d6I/AAAAAAAAOXY/7ctVL4RbyE4/s400/P1080298.JPG" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3e0Bf7CM4Z0/Uk_8Pvk70MI/AAAAAAAAOXg/0Ry-zoTzv9I/s1600/P1080299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3e0Bf7CM4Z0/Uk_8Pvk70MI/AAAAAAAAOXg/0Ry-zoTzv9I/s400/P1080299.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5DDL2E91ks/Uk_8Rc0D87I/AAAAAAAAOXo/VL3P1Jxlj1g/s1600/P1080300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5DDL2E91ks/Uk_8Rc0D87I/AAAAAAAAOXo/VL3P1Jxlj1g/s400/P1080300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjivHyfFtoY/Uk_8UG9it0I/AAAAAAAAOXw/P26tRiFb5Ck/s1600/P1080301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gjivHyfFtoY/Uk_8UG9it0I/AAAAAAAAOXw/P26tRiFb5Ck/s400/P1080301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brHJR0VFcg8/Uk_8apjgzEI/AAAAAAAAOYQ/VxpVhtpEyQg/s1600/P1080305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brHJR0VFcg8/Uk_8apjgzEI/AAAAAAAAOYQ/VxpVhtpEyQg/s400/P1080305.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTbfGYdGSbc/Uk_8bhXkfJI/AAAAAAAAOYY/H9ugf5HLHX0/s1600/P1080307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTbfGYdGSbc/Uk_8bhXkfJI/AAAAAAAAOYY/H9ugf5HLHX0/s400/P1080307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41CVm_pXbiU/Uk_8csmX7DI/AAAAAAAAOYg/OlbNIFzdRp8/s1600/P1080308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41CVm_pXbiU/Uk_8csmX7DI/AAAAAAAAOYg/OlbNIFzdRp8/s400/P1080308.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSEQOCd5ZCE/Uk_8dKlBTDI/AAAAAAAAOYo/u3xsG-l_E1c/s1600/P1080309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSEQOCd5ZCE/Uk_8dKlBTDI/AAAAAAAAOYo/u3xsG-l_E1c/s400/P1080309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our gastronomic guide to the south of France recommended this bakery, but it didn't highlight a feature we had never encountered before: a 24-hour bread dispenser of loaves far, far different from a US supermarket baguette. Reminded us of the rotisserie rabbits available outside a deli in Bordeaux, another first.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSjdrWjf2jw/Uk_8Y0MaQjI/AAAAAAAAOYI/-1TGV49zXHM/s1600/P1080304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TSjdrWjf2jw/Uk_8Y0MaQjI/AAAAAAAAOYI/-1TGV49zXHM/s400/P1080304.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXcNivdfLV8/Uk_8VesDcAI/AAAAAAAAOX4/dmi1Es37LHU/s1600/P1080302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WXcNivdfLV8/Uk_8VesDcAI/AAAAAAAAOX4/dmi1Es37LHU/s400/P1080302.JPG" width="230" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here, to emphasize the difference in convenience food between France and the US/UK, is the Bordeaux <i>lapin roti</i> vending machine<i>.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTlUxnaC-os/UlEYMmMqUJI/AAAAAAAAOcg/S4b9Fnt3WPc/s1600/P1060633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gTlUxnaC-os/UlEYMmMqUJI/AAAAAAAAOcg/S4b9Fnt3WPc/s400/P1060633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
Back to Mende. We're not sure why so many nails and other metal bits were embedded in these beams above doorways. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufSuOOLQVL0/Uk_8ejEKe5I/AAAAAAAAOY4/dJZB75dOhlw/s1600/P1080311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufSuOOLQVL0/Uk_8ejEKe5I/AAAAAAAAOY4/dJZB75dOhlw/s400/P1080311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXOXPH14hs4/Uk_8gtm_37I/AAAAAAAAOZE/lfTUMZP9qbc/s1600/P1080312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gXOXPH14hs4/Uk_8gtm_37I/AAAAAAAAOZE/lfTUMZP9qbc/s400/P1080312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Narrowest street in the town.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCBp2X95LtM/Uk_8dpDPX2I/AAAAAAAAOYw/5CqwJXKt3LI/s1600/P1080310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCBp2X95LtM/Uk_8dpDPX2I/AAAAAAAAOYw/5CqwJXKt3LI/s400/P1080310.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-mzhfxELaQ/Uk_8iau5AzI/AAAAAAAAOZQ/SnM7qAD0a58/s1600/P1080314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-mzhfxELaQ/Uk_8iau5AzI/AAAAAAAAOZQ/SnM7qAD0a58/s400/P1080314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4g9pHpX-kYM/Uk_8mG231II/AAAAAAAAOZo/MVFLneTY4RY/s1600/P1080317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4g9pHpX-kYM/Uk_8mG231II/AAAAAAAAOZo/MVFLneTY4RY/s400/P1080317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And, just because we like it, more rust.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7tW4Zwq5-8/Uk_8lsmcj1I/AAAAAAAAOZg/fR6OaEfoOPU/s1600/P1080316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s7tW4Zwq5-8/Uk_8lsmcj1I/AAAAAAAAOZg/fR6OaEfoOPU/s400/P1080316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dinner that night was superb.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The amuse-bouche.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cH0fjREtYRg/Uk_8qYR4J-I/AAAAAAAAOaM/KzplV_1a0hM/s1600/P1080321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cH0fjREtYRg/Uk_8qYR4J-I/AAAAAAAAOaM/KzplV_1a0hM/s400/P1080321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My seafood soup, Michael's foie gras.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6pdgluD29Q/Uk_8rWPdhZI/AAAAAAAAOaQ/zISmujdXcV4/s1600/P1080322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6pdgluD29Q/Uk_8rWPdhZI/AAAAAAAAOaQ/zISmujdXcV4/s400/P1080322.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ79rl7Fr-k/Uk_8sZx8LwI/AAAAAAAAOaY/DxOtwKus3WM/s1600/P1080323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJ79rl7Fr-k/Uk_8sZx8LwI/AAAAAAAAOaY/DxOtwKus3WM/s400/P1080323.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My duck, Michael's lamb.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pX51m7kLvCU/Uk_8tvqyomI/AAAAAAAAOag/U0dAWx-vpGo/s1600/P1080324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pX51m7kLvCU/Uk_8tvqyomI/AAAAAAAAOag/U0dAWx-vpGo/s400/P1080324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqYsS_1JRjQ/Uk_8uvOBNlI/AAAAAAAAOao/KH-kgGbPSyY/s1600/P1080326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqYsS_1JRjQ/Uk_8uvOBNlI/AAAAAAAAOao/KH-kgGbPSyY/s400/P1080326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most memorable of all, for a dessert lover like me, the crême brulée on a crispy base and the hotel's signature Grand Marnier soufflé.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJW515rdwjY/Uk_8vs16ijI/AAAAAAAAOaw/4cBCS2cgINk/s1600/P1080327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJW515rdwjY/Uk_8vs16ijI/AAAAAAAAOaw/4cBCS2cgINk/s400/P1080327.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ09-MvkMog/Uk_8weCFamI/AAAAAAAAOa4/Mqe3T3oskkk/s1600/P1080328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZ09-MvkMog/Uk_8weCFamI/AAAAAAAAOa4/Mqe3T3oskkk/s400/P1080328.JPG" width="368" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-33043086804389712772013-10-04T17:18:00.002+01:002014-01-05T07:40:12.218+00:0067!! — Day 2Hérault to Gard and, luckily, back again, no thanks to the driver who decided to pass on a blind curve and was suddenly driving straight towards us on our way home. Experience has taught Michael to stay way over to the right on mountain bends in France and proceed with caution. It was a matter of inches. As he said, it seemed for an instant that 67 was as old as he would ever get.<br />
<br />
Our destination was Alès, where, after an obligatory visit to what turned out to be a disappointing market (great bread "au lin," though, made with flaxseed), we headed in the direction of a huge slag heap that dominated the town. The first day we had gone down into a cavern of stalactites and stalagmites, the second we descended into a mine that had formerly been a training school. Chthonic activities very appropriate for a geologist's birthday.<br />
<br />
A surfeit of photos, taken with Jean-François in mind, whose family toiled as miners in the Cévennes and Tunisia. Even without that inducement to snap away, the rusted machinery would have been a compelling subject.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4A3W_uvipw/Uk7Y0x2p8nI/AAAAAAAAONo/casgnhZ0nis/s1600/P1080134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4A3W_uvipw/Uk7Y0x2p8nI/AAAAAAAAONo/casgnhZ0nis/s400/P1080134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4qoKkyLLgM/Uk7Y3F0rqbI/AAAAAAAAONw/NNR7SUKeWGg/s1600/P1080135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F4qoKkyLLgM/Uk7Y3F0rqbI/AAAAAAAAONw/NNR7SUKeWGg/s400/P1080135.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr5djxO-OXI/Uk7Y4y92ZtI/AAAAAAAAON4/CiLZXu2qlcw/s1600/P1080137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr5djxO-OXI/Uk7Y4y92ZtI/AAAAAAAAON4/CiLZXu2qlcw/s400/P1080137.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-ai_qV-iAA/Uk7Y7igSIjI/AAAAAAAAOOA/U4gvPOIDUFs/s1600/P1080139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-ai_qV-iAA/Uk7Y7igSIjI/AAAAAAAAOOA/U4gvPOIDUFs/s400/P1080139.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4e-txVfZPQ/Uk7Y9zbw-II/AAAAAAAAOOI/5Iyd9g7Eqcs/s1600/P1080140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4e-txVfZPQ/Uk7Y9zbw-II/AAAAAAAAOOI/5Iyd9g7Eqcs/s400/P1080140.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYg8AyuF-cY/Uk7ZBGC0yVI/AAAAAAAAOOQ/Twjr-8vNme8/s1600/P1080141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYg8AyuF-cY/Uk7ZBGC0yVI/AAAAAAAAOOQ/Twjr-8vNme8/s400/P1080141.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hE7JASaJVFs/Uk7ZD_H33RI/AAAAAAAAOOY/weVQwit_qm4/s1600/P1080142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hE7JASaJVFs/Uk7ZD_H33RI/AAAAAAAAOOY/weVQwit_qm4/s400/P1080142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Uzqz_lwSUs/Uk7ZF0PjrkI/AAAAAAAAOOg/g4f5EM6wW2M/s1600/P1080143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Uzqz_lwSUs/Uk7ZF0PjrkI/AAAAAAAAOOg/g4f5EM6wW2M/s400/P1080143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWLDlalU554/Uk7ZHttSqZI/AAAAAAAAOOo/YAEKC4rRr3c/s1600/P1080145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWLDlalU554/Uk7ZHttSqZI/AAAAAAAAOOo/YAEKC4rRr3c/s400/P1080145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0jnNzpGjB0/Uk7ZKAAk7wI/AAAAAAAAOOw/AyMCuAdoDWc/s1600/P1080146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0jnNzpGjB0/Uk7ZKAAk7wI/AAAAAAAAOOw/AyMCuAdoDWc/s400/P1080146.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvONpuzoFJk/Uk7ZMzoP1YI/AAAAAAAAOO4/2KtZCk67apg/s1600/P1080147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvONpuzoFJk/Uk7ZMzoP1YI/AAAAAAAAOO4/2KtZCk67apg/s400/P1080147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEghSFIUMm4/Uk7ZOBtMawI/AAAAAAAAOPA/GDM3YQbLp2g/s1600/P1080148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEghSFIUMm4/Uk7ZOBtMawI/AAAAAAAAOPA/GDM3YQbLp2g/s400/P1080148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNRfEuXrF0E/Uk7ZSUfn1-I/AAAAAAAAOPQ/rC9ojZwBuiM/s1600/P1080150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNRfEuXrF0E/Uk7ZSUfn1-I/AAAAAAAAOPQ/rC9ojZwBuiM/s400/P1080150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TiZCpge5OM/Uk7ZVqp2HDI/AAAAAAAAOPY/Plmqqmj0sEQ/s1600/P1080156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TiZCpge5OM/Uk7ZVqp2HDI/AAAAAAAAOPY/Plmqqmj0sEQ/s400/P1080156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPR8YLduyR8/Uk7ZXWnHtpI/AAAAAAAAOPg/k-RBObfaxA4/s1600/P1080161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CPR8YLduyR8/Uk7ZXWnHtpI/AAAAAAAAOPg/k-RBObfaxA4/s400/P1080161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiyhpDRWr94/Uk7ZZOz0ubI/AAAAAAAAOPo/GPnkgKDqcd0/s1600/P1080176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiyhpDRWr94/Uk7ZZOz0ubI/AAAAAAAAOPo/GPnkgKDqcd0/s400/P1080176.JPG" width="328" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_VjeeG1y_g/Uk7ZbF9q6OI/AAAAAAAAOPw/0w9lbCfXDKw/s1600/P1080177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q_VjeeG1y_g/Uk7ZbF9q6OI/AAAAAAAAOPw/0w9lbCfXDKw/s400/P1080177.JPG" width="376" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WbGxjoGRdk/Uk7ZjdDDX0I/AAAAAAAAOQI/qvYIYEpNduE/s1600/P1080187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WbGxjoGRdk/Uk7ZjdDDX0I/AAAAAAAAOQI/qvYIYEpNduE/s400/P1080187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Llpj9_zkuS0/Uk7ZnXari0I/AAAAAAAAOQY/M4SPhX3ylIw/s1600/P1080191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Llpj9_zkuS0/Uk7ZnXari0I/AAAAAAAAOQY/M4SPhX3ylIw/s400/P1080191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_1g2BymPYw/Uk7ZpGAXrrI/AAAAAAAAOQk/0kg0MNcdPgw/s1600/P1080198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_1g2BymPYw/Uk7ZpGAXrrI/AAAAAAAAOQk/0kg0MNcdPgw/s400/P1080198.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
St Barbara, patron saint of miners and geologists. Michael was reminded of the annual St Barbara's Day celebration at Harvard back in 1968, when he was determined to walk out over the recumbent bodies of the American grad students, lying in pools of bourbon. That's how he always tells the tale, anyway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjQnSbK9iy4/Uk7Zp3O6GrI/AAAAAAAAOQo/JDq_g8d5UAI/s1600/P1080201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjQnSbK9iy4/Uk7Zp3O6GrI/AAAAAAAAOQo/JDq_g8d5UAI/s400/P1080201.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The canary in the mine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUGgjR32kTs/Uk7Zrmt-8OI/AAAAAAAAOQw/PZTIpCsnn6I/s1600/P1080214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QUGgjR32kTs/Uk7Zrmt-8OI/AAAAAAAAOQw/PZTIpCsnn6I/s400/P1080214.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Horses were also kept in stalls below ground.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hIYL7aJpvU/Uk7crD4aHvI/AAAAAAAAORU/OGrZCQQ5ZDA/s1600/P1080222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hIYL7aJpvU/Uk7crD4aHvI/AAAAAAAAORU/OGrZCQQ5ZDA/s400/P1080222.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dL0EthujbKs/Uk7ZuWChGJI/AAAAAAAAOQ4/lE8iRANxZTU/s1600/P1080220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dL0EthujbKs/Uk7ZuWChGJI/AAAAAAAAOQ4/lE8iRANxZTU/s400/P1080220.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JWs5f6-6Pko/Uk7ZwxashoI/AAAAAAAAORA/Zmu8rBZ1HgY/s1600/P1080225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JWs5f6-6Pko/Uk7ZwxashoI/AAAAAAAAORA/Zmu8rBZ1HgY/s400/P1080225.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_40eqNK2Ow/Uk7cxIn5lSI/AAAAAAAAORc/L4fwdXuSQAI/s1600/P1080218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f_40eqNK2Ow/Uk7cxIn5lSI/AAAAAAAAORc/L4fwdXuSQAI/s400/P1080218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEfw-KV1Uc0/Uk7c7FHHweI/AAAAAAAAORk/a4D4m9Uza30/s1600/P1080230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEfw-KV1Uc0/Uk7c7FHHweI/AAAAAAAAORk/a4D4m9Uza30/s400/P1080230.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
We then drove home on a circuitous route through impressively forested mountains, the sort of scenery that we can never capture properly in photos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOneNozDJUc/Uk7Z0JtaRNI/AAAAAAAAOSA/7uEGh7riR4E/s1600/P1080234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOneNozDJUc/Uk7Z0JtaRNI/AAAAAAAAOSA/7uEGh7riR4E/s400/P1080234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1aGJKhKM6Vk/Uk7ekLu2JbI/AAAAAAAAORw/qWPKrfj3BzU/s1600/P1080235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1aGJKhKM6Vk/Uk7ekLu2JbI/AAAAAAAAORw/qWPKrfj3BzU/s400/P1080235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rW5E5DREysY/Uk7ey9nz5bI/AAAAAAAAOR4/pDFoChuSOx0/s1600/P1080236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rW5E5DREysY/Uk7ey9nz5bI/AAAAAAAAOR4/pDFoChuSOx0/s400/P1080236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzgQkllhY0Y/Uk7ffUtpenI/AAAAAAAAOSI/get14jGXhFQ/s1600/P1080237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzgQkllhY0Y/Uk7ffUtpenI/AAAAAAAAOSI/get14jGXhFQ/s400/P1080237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
St-Germain-de-Calberte, a small village famous for being visited by Robert Louis Stevenson on his <i>Travels with a Donkey </i>journey in the Cévennes and for its heroic and successful hiding of 42 Jews during the Occupation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IahM9SBvPqQ/Uk7fhm2aMNI/AAAAAAAAOSQ/yj5ApYHgg-c/s1600/P1080238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IahM9SBvPqQ/Uk7fhm2aMNI/AAAAAAAAOSQ/yj5ApYHgg-c/s400/P1080238.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4miNuzWo4ow/Uk7fjT7eIjI/AAAAAAAAOSY/EqIu5ptTg2I/s1600/P1080239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4miNuzWo4ow/Uk7fjT7eIjI/AAAAAAAAOSY/EqIu5ptTg2I/s400/P1080239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When we returned to our hotel, we found that two couples had arrived on four fabulous Harleys.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDhYMbttuSA/Uk7pwDatNqI/AAAAAAAAOSo/pN8c9LKKK44/s1600/P1080248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDhYMbttuSA/Uk7pwDatNqI/AAAAAAAAOSo/pN8c9LKKK44/s400/P1080248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ag1I96q_Zc/Uk7pyIpQ2jI/AAAAAAAAOSw/LJw6IZ1shmI/s1600/P1080249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ag1I96q_Zc/Uk7pyIpQ2jI/AAAAAAAAOSw/LJw6IZ1shmI/s400/P1080249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXnY4vGyd80/Uk7pzF8BkfI/AAAAAAAAOS4/VU7US2ej2aE/s1600/P1080250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXnY4vGyd80/Uk7pzF8BkfI/AAAAAAAAOS4/VU7US2ej2aE/s400/P1080250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lp48H3pdAt0/Uk7p0DpQr5I/AAAAAAAAOTA/HoGcuq2trcw/s1600/P1080251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lp48H3pdAt0/Uk7p0DpQr5I/AAAAAAAAOTA/HoGcuq2trcw/s400/P1080251.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Delicious trout for dinner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVhlxE8LFxI/Uk7qOBzb2-I/AAAAAAAAOTI/2rxtUqM4SdQ/s1600/P1080247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVhlxE8LFxI/Uk7qOBzb2-I/AAAAAAAAOTI/2rxtUqM4SdQ/s400/P1080247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-81263300879924650792013-10-03T15:04:00.002+01:002013-10-03T15:04:47.410+01:00lombok2<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
More photos of palm sugar production as a cottage industry on Lombok. Our guide looked for smoke in the forests and then headed for the place where the plume arose.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4TGpkpVWHs/TyfBy-oRexI/AAAAAAAAKVE/9-srapYLtgM/s1600/DSC00185.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4TGpkpVWHs/TyfBy-oRexI/AAAAAAAAKVE/9-srapYLtgM/s400/DSC00185.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMuBoWTg2qE/TyfBzCvAF4I/AAAAAAAAKVQ/d86B741i6DY/s1600/DSC00187.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMuBoWTg2qE/TyfBzCvAF4I/AAAAAAAAKVQ/d86B741i6DY/s400/DSC00187.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERUsolF8GII/TyfBzp1qc1I/AAAAAAAAKVc/prEvvMhWWXw/s1600/DSC00194.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ERUsolF8GII/TyfBzp1qc1I/AAAAAAAAKVc/prEvvMhWWXw/s400/DSC00194.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L67mnirLMEg/TyfBz9ZPOcI/AAAAAAAAKVo/DSCNa_N3m2o/s1600/DSC00195.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L67mnirLMEg/TyfBz9ZPOcI/AAAAAAAAKVo/DSCNa_N3m2o/s400/DSC00195.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hixmDkfLar0/TyfB0TyH6WI/AAAAAAAAKVw/1Ewn4BXvHsg/s1600/DSC00196.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hixmDkfLar0/TyfB0TyH6WI/AAAAAAAAKVw/1Ewn4BXvHsg/s400/DSC00196.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ejZiZm86bc/TyfB0gaC3UI/AAAAAAAAKWA/3yeA-zMekKU/s1600/DSC00197.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ejZiZm86bc/TyfB0gaC3UI/AAAAAAAAKWA/3yeA-zMekKU/s400/DSC00197.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BR7zauN-IW0/TyfB1SLvvHI/AAAAAAAAKWM/2YINFec9psc/s1600/DSC00200.JPG"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbvecxJGZuQ/TyfB1qTtNQI/AAAAAAAAKWc/D0PohR1Lacs/s1600/DSC00201.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbvecxJGZuQ/TyfB1qTtNQI/AAAAAAAAKWc/D0PohR1Lacs/s400/DSC00201.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-129518334622265682013-10-03T15:02:00.003+01:002013-10-03T15:02:52.171+01:00lombok1<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Publishing photos that were sitting in my draft file for Marie-Claire and Justin, who will be heading for Bali and Lombok next month. This is a hard-working family making palm sugar in the Lombok forests. Lombok 2 will follow.</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4CGJeVh37c/TySdRzeLEmI/AAAAAAAAKTc/iP-Dn8Ui6Es/s1600/P1010104.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4CGJeVh37c/TySdRzeLEmI/AAAAAAAAKTc/iP-Dn8Ui6Es/s400/P1010104.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9n7fMKMWYQ/TySdSCeLvZI/AAAAAAAAKTk/gYVGEkIA-vs/s1600/P1010105.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L9n7fMKMWYQ/TySdSCeLvZI/AAAAAAAAKTk/gYVGEkIA-vs/s400/P1010105.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcNDHrhj0Vg/TySdSdXtpII/AAAAAAAAKT0/ELfAT7MfRpw/s1600/P1010108.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcNDHrhj0Vg/TySdSdXtpII/AAAAAAAAKT0/ELfAT7MfRpw/s400/P1010108.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_c85X2enic/TySdTVH2CSI/AAAAAAAAKUA/pN5PY2SW7wU/s1600/P1010111.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_c85X2enic/TySdTVH2CSI/AAAAAAAAKUA/pN5PY2SW7wU/s400/P1010111.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXgsRW6-Ibo/TySdTiRVGxI/AAAAAAAAKUQ/0YSQHzWwWTc/s1600/P1010112.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXgsRW6-Ibo/TySdTiRVGxI/AAAAAAAAKUQ/0YSQHzWwWTc/s400/P1010112.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0kJsY-UZWU/TySdUcFLgCI/AAAAAAAAKUY/k3ks1IJU2d8/s1600/P1010113.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0kJsY-UZWU/TySdUcFLgCI/AAAAAAAAKUY/k3ks1IJU2d8/s400/P1010113.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdEChHq1r_Y/TySdUsTOPNI/AAAAAAAAKUo/yta7xExujUE/s1600/P1010115.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdEChHq1r_Y/TySdUsTOPNI/AAAAAAAAKUo/yta7xExujUE/s400/P1010115.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521876019543358912.post-9736781095675341912013-10-02T14:04:00.001+01:002014-01-05T07:43:00.059+00:0067!! — Day 1I promised Michael that I would post an account of the trip to the Cévennes that we made for his birthday on this neglected blog. There are, amongst thousands of photos sitting in Picasa, hundreds from our February visit to Lisbon and our May rendezvous with Claudia & Michael F. in northern Spain. I doubt even the chosen few will ever see the light of online day. I will, however, make good on this promise, despite having mysteriously and frustratingly lost everything I had in draft form yesterday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3az9EMkEaiU/UkwWI2gUuYI/AAAAAAAAOFs/xZVkM7nBFnY/s1600/P1080121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3az9EMkEaiU/UkwWI2gUuYI/AAAAAAAAOFs/xZVkM7nBFnY/s400/P1080121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birthday dinner, 16 Sept 2013</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
16 September — Laroque des Albères to Domaine Blancardy, Pyrénées Orientales to Hérault</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First stop, in honor of Fotini, was Grotte de Clamouse. Not only was she an enthusiastic visitor to the cavern her parents took her to when they were living in Bordeaux, she impressed her grandfather no end by licking the mineral specimens he introduced her to in London.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-x8RmIm20g/UkwbchqOIzI/AAAAAAAAOF4/2sckiJv9Uys/s1600/P1080009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-x8RmIm20g/UkwbchqOIzI/AAAAAAAAOF4/2sckiJv9Uys/s400/P1080009.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcAvL5zNJUw/UkwzueAgw5I/AAAAAAAAOG4/LlOi7W6l8cQ/s1600/P1080027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcAvL5zNJUw/UkwzueAgw5I/AAAAAAAAOG4/LlOi7W6l8cQ/s400/P1080027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzAVqRkpj4g/UkwbnAKFinI/AAAAAAAAOGA/9rpxh47pIRc/s1600/P1080010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzAVqRkpj4g/UkwbnAKFinI/AAAAAAAAOGA/9rpxh47pIRc/s400/P1080010.JPG" width="372" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9GtaRJ5Loo/Ukwb2zLEwHI/AAAAAAAAOGQ/gjzr5GT9V18/s1600/P1080013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n9GtaRJ5Loo/Ukwb2zLEwHI/AAAAAAAAOGQ/gjzr5GT9V18/s400/P1080013.JPG" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-ht0BzRTYI/UkwcELNIdHI/AAAAAAAAOGY/J4rHhXW6qwc/s1600/P1080021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B-ht0BzRTYI/UkwcELNIdHI/AAAAAAAAOGY/J4rHhXW6qwc/s400/P1080021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unusual crystals of aragonite in addition to the usual calcite.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WYIPETWkaY/UkwcU8QxdnI/AAAAAAAAOGg/vGfx1RkPmFw/s1600/P1080028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WYIPETWkaY/UkwcU8QxdnI/AAAAAAAAOGg/vGfx1RkPmFw/s400/P1080028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bad photo through glass, but I had to include this because the creature reminded us of the "hoooman feeesh" pointed out to us in Postojna Cave about forty years ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6kCyNUPdoB8/Uk2CsEqx1oI/AAAAAAAAOL4/WvDkz5aaCnQ/s1600/P1080008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6kCyNUPdoB8/Uk2CsEqx1oI/AAAAAAAAOL4/WvDkz5aaCnQ/s400/P1080008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even though we knew the "Désert" in this place name was used in the old sense of wild rather than arid land, Michael was keen to see where the town's eponymous founder (c.755-812) had built a remote monastery and an abbey to house a splinter from the "True Cross" given to him by Charlemagne. The cloisters were disappointing, not surprising since most of the original columns are now displayed in NYC's Cloisters Museum. The last photo shows the forbidding countryside that surrounds this picture-book pretty village. Like <i>Sand, </i>Michael's new book on deserts leads us to destinations we would otherwise have missed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JO0b_u6JxY/Ukw1mCH55YI/AAAAAAAAOHc/ulKpHYDfkSo/s1600/P1080097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9JO0b_u6JxY/Ukw1mCH55YI/AAAAAAAAOHc/ulKpHYDfkSo/s400/P1080097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raVoajC7kE0/Ukw321mx3QI/AAAAAAAAOHo/PVeQvygaTZw/s1600/P1080054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raVoajC7kE0/Ukw321mx3QI/AAAAAAAAOHo/PVeQvygaTZw/s400/P1080054.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Y2OOO9ix0/Ukw39gWG2SI/AAAAAAAAOHw/SZvI_Yg_eUE/s1600/P1080056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-Y2OOO9ix0/Ukw39gWG2SI/AAAAAAAAOHw/SZvI_Yg_eUE/s400/P1080056.JPG" width="277" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkOa3fnXIy0/Ukw4GKYAPeI/AAAAAAAAOH4/9c8IPVrQvfg/s1600/P1080060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkOa3fnXIy0/Ukw4GKYAPeI/AAAAAAAAOH4/9c8IPVrQvfg/s400/P1080060.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeqRXeiGzPE/Ukw4bN5_vZI/AAAAAAAAOIA/wYWNmvrlrG4/s1600/P1080064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yeqRXeiGzPE/Ukw4bN5_vZI/AAAAAAAAOIA/wYWNmvrlrG4/s400/P1080064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Note the <a href="http://www.caminoways.com/blog/2013/04/03/the-scallop-shell-and-the-camino-de-santiago/">scallop shell</a> on the wall, a sign that pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela in Spain would be welcomed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1grV2xkoGDc/Ukw4n5zqwhI/AAAAAAAAOII/Zm9Zjc6nxJA/s1600/P1080065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1grV2xkoGDc/Ukw4n5zqwhI/AAAAAAAAOII/Zm9Zjc6nxJA/s400/P1080065.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Les chardons </i>(thistles) are supposed to bring good luck. The dried versions are also used to predict weather, depending on how perky their points are.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uOAJgeAouh4/Ukw4-_2u8qI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/wLWaVFiLpqo/s1600/P1080070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uOAJgeAouh4/Ukw4-_2u8qI/AAAAAAAAOIQ/wLWaVFiLpqo/s400/P1080070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNhxQ56vU9k/Ukw6ZSsTccI/AAAAAAAAOI0/xIAr2xXESHY/s1600/P1080077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNhxQ56vU9k/Ukw6ZSsTccI/AAAAAAAAOI0/xIAr2xXESHY/s400/P1080077.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gosHfQ2Z4o/Ukw58rwIhzI/AAAAAAAAOIc/cWNC40Bqg1k/s1600/P1080072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7gosHfQ2Z4o/Ukw58rwIhzI/AAAAAAAAOIc/cWNC40Bqg1k/s400/P1080072.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YcE8YFZG74/Ukw6VtTdZ7I/AAAAAAAAOIs/O42Ihv9bCiA/s1600/P1080075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6YcE8YFZG74/Ukw6VtTdZ7I/AAAAAAAAOIs/O42Ihv9bCiA/s400/P1080075.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcOh2gCRnlU/Ukw6lNTdnmI/AAAAAAAAOI8/HpY2AkcqaFc/s1600/P1080080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcOh2gCRnlU/Ukw6lNTdnmI/AAAAAAAAOI8/HpY2AkcqaFc/s400/P1080080.JPG" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2LuHBCenIA/Ukw6rYj3EQI/AAAAAAAAOJE/IRsKGoF3Cak/s1600/P1080082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2LuHBCenIA/Ukw6rYj3EQI/AAAAAAAAOJE/IRsKGoF3Cak/s400/P1080082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKtiPBCDtW0/Ukw6wGsLGwI/AAAAAAAAOJM/C2Y3vbgR_tc/s1600/P1080083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EKtiPBCDtW0/Ukw6wGsLGwI/AAAAAAAAOJM/C2Y3vbgR_tc/s400/P1080083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A glance inside at the old stone arches typical of the village. I couldn't convince Michael to choose a birthday gift at either the very good and reasonable mineral shop or the blacksmith's.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5gtmWTJqww/Ukw67yKZXFI/AAAAAAAAOJU/DQSJsI3pdQM/s1600/P1080085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5gtmWTJqww/Ukw67yKZXFI/AAAAAAAAOJU/DQSJsI3pdQM/s400/P1080085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Le forgeron.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQp0uVpanbw/Uk2U-RJKcfI/AAAAAAAAOMI/zVpZMRfHz5g/s1600/P1080050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQp0uVpanbw/Uk2U-RJKcfI/AAAAAAAAOMI/zVpZMRfHz5g/s400/P1080050.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVXLDWnNAew/Ukw7BcAteoI/AAAAAAAAOJc/rQW8Q9O5pBI/s1600/P1080086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVXLDWnNAew/Ukw7BcAteoI/AAAAAAAAOJc/rQW8Q9O5pBI/s400/P1080086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Note the ubiquitous satellite dishes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr88iqUJ-6A/Ukw7ORlICdI/AAAAAAAAOJk/O7DDDGQ90R0/s1600/P1080088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr88iqUJ-6A/Ukw7ORlICdI/AAAAAAAAOJk/O7DDDGQ90R0/s400/P1080088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8wh88mKy9s/Ukw7SPk9UQI/AAAAAAAAOJs/J1AJXp694VQ/s1600/P1080089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8wh88mKy9s/Ukw7SPk9UQI/AAAAAAAAOJs/J1AJXp694VQ/s400/P1080089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLTdniVWILg/Ukw7aDviaaI/AAAAAAAAOJ0/QdIc00sqEP4/s1600/P1080091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLTdniVWILg/Ukw7aDviaaI/AAAAAAAAOJ0/QdIc00sqEP4/s400/P1080091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhgXt8x9cLc/Ukw7fmZodhI/AAAAAAAAOJ8/a-PAtZ0kHGo/s1600/P1080095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xhgXt8x9cLc/Ukw7fmZodhI/AAAAAAAAOJ8/a-PAtZ0kHGo/s400/P1080095.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Next stop was the 11th-century church in St-Martin-de-Londres, another limestone/sandstone village that was also home to an irresistibly cute cat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmXqCsTKFJw/UkxLE7R26NI/AAAAAAAAOKM/jdGdmBv68EI/s1600/P1080100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmXqCsTKFJw/UkxLE7R26NI/AAAAAAAAOKM/jdGdmBv68EI/s400/P1080100.JPG" width="348" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3hzBRXrRv0/UkxLGxWSzbI/AAAAAAAAOKU/49-5ovIcFCo/s1600/P1080101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3hzBRXrRv0/UkxLGxWSzbI/AAAAAAAAOKU/49-5ovIcFCo/s400/P1080101.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z59ctGpKWEQ/UkxLI9oNZ7I/AAAAAAAAOKc/CFK9OqwVu50/s1600/P1080102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z59ctGpKWEQ/UkxLI9oNZ7I/AAAAAAAAOKc/CFK9OqwVu50/s400/P1080102.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azfUXJdtydQ/UkxLLLhlzJI/AAAAAAAAOKk/onryG6nbARM/s1600/P1080103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azfUXJdtydQ/UkxLLLhlzJI/AAAAAAAAOKk/onryG6nbARM/s400/P1080103.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QO7dzPbNqIw/UkxLSYWna2I/AAAAAAAAOLM/l_VxduPP39s/s1600/P1080112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QO7dzPbNqIw/UkxLSYWna2I/AAAAAAAAOLM/l_VxduPP39s/s400/P1080112.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These stained glass windows reminded us immediately of Juan's geometric artwork.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dpMgZVrA_E/UkxLMZVlNnI/AAAAAAAAOKs/wxIkQZ-zRFQ/s1600/P1080106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dpMgZVrA_E/UkxLMZVlNnI/AAAAAAAAOKs/wxIkQZ-zRFQ/s400/P1080106.JPG" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32QkjnJqUcY/UkxLNrR3VAI/AAAAAAAAOK0/teqqSSRRT88/s1600/P1080107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-32QkjnJqUcY/UkxLNrR3VAI/AAAAAAAAOK0/teqqSSRRT88/s400/P1080107.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvUdcxMG9Tc/UkxLPF6h3XI/AAAAAAAAOK8/zz49hpgrc9U/s1600/P1080108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvUdcxMG9Tc/UkxLPF6h3XI/AAAAAAAAOK8/zz49hpgrc9U/s320/P1080108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4q_9bMQcfbY/UkxLQrBXqYI/AAAAAAAAOLE/G5RMS-GzeeU/s1600/P1080110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4q_9bMQcfbY/UkxLQrBXqYI/AAAAAAAAOLE/G5RMS-GzeeU/s400/P1080110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We spent this night and the next at Domaine de Blancardy, billed as an "Auberge de Charme," which it turned out to have in abundance. Alain Martial is the vigneron and his wife, Laure, oversees the kitchen in this restored manor house. Oh dear. I just discovered when googling that the estate is for <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-40360816.html/svr/3104;jsessionid=9DF87900F3C264D6D72149959571E3C3">sale</a>, price tag 9.5 million euros. Michael had better buy up some of their terrific Syrah asap.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nov_VsdPdKM/Uk6Q_2AEnxI/AAAAAAAAOMs/ju_7C5NlAlc/s1600/P1080118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nov_VsdPdKM/Uk6Q_2AEnxI/AAAAAAAAOMs/ju_7C5NlAlc/s400/P1080118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had chosen an inexpensive room in the annex on booking.com, but though small, it was attractive and comfortable.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLtwKQKQELg/Uk6O8_sOxWI/AAAAAAAAOMY/C4R_367juWQ/s1600/P1080113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLtwKQKQELg/Uk6O8_sOxWI/AAAAAAAAOMY/C4R_367juWQ/s400/P1080113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Annex. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PyF0Cy6-BnY/Uk6T9Qbb36I/AAAAAAAAONY/aLPvb1oxh1A/s1600/P1080245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PyF0Cy6-BnY/Uk6T9Qbb36I/AAAAAAAAONY/aLPvb1oxh1A/s400/P1080245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx7GHX-xASQ/Uk6Q-KXTabI/AAAAAAAAOMk/cvlbpT7fDF4/s1600/P1080117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hx7GHX-xASQ/Uk6Q-KXTabI/AAAAAAAAOMk/cvlbpT7fDF4/s400/P1080117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Foie gras for Michael, pissaladière for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52hDAzvVVCk/Uk6RBYGUr4I/AAAAAAAAOM0/qwlhxpTpN60/s1600/P1080122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52hDAzvVVCk/Uk6RBYGUr4I/AAAAAAAAOM0/qwlhxpTpN60/s400/P1080122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The birthday boy had duck with morels; my main course was a casserole of local lamb.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUERUoafXuY/Uk6RCvo9JoI/AAAAAAAAOM8/Jhq-yfOMP_0/s1600/P1080125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUERUoafXuY/Uk6RCvo9JoI/AAAAAAAAOM8/Jhq-yfOMP_0/s400/P1080125.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shared dessert.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo58Q6aGOjU/Uk6REC4v0WI/AAAAAAAAONE/j1Zp6vGsELQ/s1600/P1080127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fo58Q6aGOjU/Uk6REC4v0WI/AAAAAAAAONE/j1Zp6vGsELQ/s400/P1080127.JPG" width="373" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Inspiration: a succulent garden like this would be perfect on our lower level patio.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl0xXKxxno0/Uk6T5irFqpI/AAAAAAAAONQ/hilOUpYQcOA/s1600/P1080242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl0xXKxxno0/Uk6T5irFqpI/AAAAAAAAONQ/hilOUpYQcOA/s400/P1080242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
magpiemomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14565556805814206396noreply@blogger.com0