tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14535735507951605462024-02-21T07:48:07.421-08:00Journeying Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-71994903013866660032020-01-12T00:35:00.000-08:002020-01-12T00:35:14.520-08:00Vannes<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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mjHu6fyN2dqyBs44j-1L73nxVrwp_hw88hKFQDvAy4RUHF4sgHNUuHgtSMoZo_vw4jmkYdc0UAxzMRZFln-3cFdemHzK2YjGqglyx1NRR-D1FK4-JurCHuYaDvkimfB5f3HLKeThs7Vj/s1600/20200112_082028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mjHu6fyN2dqyBs44j-1L73nxVrwp_hw88hKFQDvAy4RUHF4sgHNUuHgtSMoZo_vw4jmkYdc0UAxzMRZFln-3cFdemHzK2YjGqglyx1NRR-D1FK4-JurCHuYaDvkimfB5f3HLKeThs7Vj/s320/20200112_082028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunrise is after 8:00am - today a busy start to the day. I have never heard a plane since I have been here so it's kind of surprising there's so much action going on up there up there.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So just a few photos of the medieval town centre in Vannes. It's a pleasure to get around the pedestrianised streets. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw9WO_9EZ3YaWaO-4D2IJEYPQDvnoY6gI0aAZ38-x_KViNvOx2k5JokoK28KighdQUiSeA7yItPBgsYekyRjLQ0GIK7K6A-1bJ4PeQhgz7CIx01FlM-twEQUsIo88ZJ-WJkJTMmt1Unoq/s1600/20200110_211618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivw9WO_9EZ3YaWaO-4D2IJEYPQDvnoY6gI0aAZ38-x_KViNvOx2k5JokoK28KighdQUiSeA7yItPBgsYekyRjLQ0GIK7K6A-1bJ4PeQhgz7CIx01FlM-twEQUsIo88ZJ-WJkJTMmt1Unoq/s320/20200110_211618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtBVkEfwYvSgsA-bjnhX2vv0DtObtcdKkoA7EDF5OaozgKBHCB4qNkAPzobDcS02xkEkTJMZ2VpXnG3fAcprBtcPt6jYbNw1s3EESzzRWiU4bq-xTPONAvSaEQpHDCalj0uxeCs1EmZqh/s1600/20200108_205006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtBVkEfwYvSgsA-bjnhX2vv0DtObtcdKkoA7EDF5OaozgKBHCB4qNkAPzobDcS02xkEkTJMZ2VpXnG3fAcprBtcPt6jYbNw1s3EESzzRWiU4bq-xTPONAvSaEQpHDCalj0uxeCs1EmZqh/s320/20200108_205006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is Vannes and His Wife, keeping an eye on </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
what's going on. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyCwKVnCxY1q3mcpt0FTlRGPWfTmGE5Bczrlv5kNByl5ut3E6YjhSH7pDHOvqQHthPsJ2mrTe8jtqPENXXlvrYLM-rI-Jc2FNIZS4pie-AFobWX6UW8FBzG_XifWgy8Af_7bx-rQbwjwm/s1600/20200105_124435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyCwKVnCxY1q3mcpt0FTlRGPWfTmGE5Bczrlv5kNByl5ut3E6YjhSH7pDHOvqQHthPsJ2mrTe8jtqPENXXlvrYLM-rI-Jc2FNIZS4pie-AFobWX6UW8FBzG_XifWgy8Af_7bx-rQbwjwm/s320/20200105_124435.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsrI3yZxJtCiypYnSi577Sb1htENdhZ1do7xHg4vwotb3bZ_5Dbhfh9gSHb8f_gx0AYCtl21CQC4l6b2FoHqAX0MUEOGYJGWDfVoPyraGMrvz17fMx9duyReDKj1FPLS023g0z3jFDCbk/s1600/20191225_144948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsrI3yZxJtCiypYnSi577Sb1htENdhZ1do7xHg4vwotb3bZ_5Dbhfh9gSHb8f_gx0AYCtl21CQC4l6b2FoHqAX0MUEOGYJGWDfVoPyraGMrvz17fMx9duyReDKj1FPLS023g0z3jFDCbk/s320/20191225_144948.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I keep being attracted to walled towns. <br />
My walk into Vannes is down through a park, across the stone bridge and through a gate in the walls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sQSlMTiY3C1iEiJsrgY-1wJrzlXh1BHFKOvlRaAgKIe9ENJPPWdROiLiKhXROROZ5jmqjqQwAQzNlFHnqbFyGiorUHwMEK1_lq1g4ZubTlMOA8L0qoDpiYQE2BzqLmLn_muAUaMJLm1O/s1600/20200105_123418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sQSlMTiY3C1iEiJsrgY-1wJrzlXh1BHFKOvlRaAgKIe9ENJPPWdROiLiKhXROROZ5jmqjqQwAQzNlFHnqbFyGiorUHwMEK1_lq1g4ZubTlMOA8L0qoDpiYQE2BzqLmLn_muAUaMJLm1O/s320/20200105_123418.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original town hall, no longer used as such, replaced by an eye-sore of a more modern building up the road. There's a brass monkey on the lion's plinth. It's a gift from a twinned town and has real character. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VLH8K8GAUhfU1baR2krCPxtHvUNgwxc0r4fL5GpWMAReFx7G9Xn3iMkLmAuyfUXXUCt_Cl_Lve3fBxKWTv8HxEI-v1waQNIiSidDR-ttBYq0NNMSFDSGBLVAycDtWa1A3pz_NQ7q_4pq/s1600/20200110_212530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VLH8K8GAUhfU1baR2krCPxtHvUNgwxc0r4fL5GpWMAReFx7G9Xn3iMkLmAuyfUXXUCt_Cl_Lve3fBxKWTv8HxEI-v1waQNIiSidDR-ttBYq0NNMSFDSGBLVAycDtWa1A3pz_NQ7q_4pq/s320/20200110_212530.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a primary school opposite the town hall. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbhfeC89XqzC5eTbh8vpfPNot2PC0GN3y5RQMnY3p1l_3q1gbUkhhzN7p1WDiEAAX4cEHnJzfTQLhg2P8b_ykAdfWDsyWz9VN14X3StrXf1DpCxy4GuYcOqDtWRhU6A5dGooKdqv7xB5x/s1600/20191225_131126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbhfeC89XqzC5eTbh8vpfPNot2PC0GN3y5RQMnY3p1l_3q1gbUkhhzN7p1WDiEAAX4cEHnJzfTQLhg2P8b_ykAdfWDsyWz9VN14X3StrXf1DpCxy4GuYcOqDtWRhU6A5dGooKdqv7xB5x/s320/20191225_131126.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this home is right over the road from my studio apartment which is in a 70s style block. I really love the way the stone gatehouse has been renovated. <br />
Major house envy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-25572527653239918522020-01-11T23:55:00.002-08:002020-01-11T23:55:49.860-08:00Around Vannes - ElvenFifteen km from Vannes, the trip by local bus is great value. Remains have been found here of settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. For some reason I loved it from the moment I got off the bus.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJ_ZIRpAKmBk8sooVnHvMyobUMM46apdOUdXCEBO0rgV69IKRUz9hKG_swMq2UGrCrOsxnX93YUdsMETYpwr0RzYg5BF46eUmdprhlvaWCYB9xTaKTeCBonPS9aoPIVfjlUmHjqWUrXcQ/s1600/20200110_211918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJ_ZIRpAKmBk8sooVnHvMyobUMM46apdOUdXCEBO0rgV69IKRUz9hKG_swMq2UGrCrOsxnX93YUdsMETYpwr0RzYg5BF46eUmdprhlvaWCYB9xTaKTeCBonPS9aoPIVfjlUmHjqWUrXcQ/s320/20200110_211918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The market stalls in the main place were being packed up. Everything closes up over the lunch period, so I joined the workmen at a cheery Lebanese place and ordered a mixed mezze plate. Modern blocks of flats are being built around thevillage centre so the days of this being a quiet village of 2000 inhabitants are changing.<br />
<br />
The village centrepiece is the Chapelle Sainte Anne.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARSjrRcixWnLU7sJ72xlYDud_AwHtfgNV6wFOcy2iiGY6T14uV9tCHTWI6gqXWyBxLPWJKFP0eny7l4oHF5TIsaI8L9UqpjiRLM1wpCdU_oiUEiwiL-yqJd778N4it167z8jenvTGsWIM/s1600/20200110_212319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARSjrRcixWnLU7sJ72xlYDud_AwHtfgNV6wFOcy2iiGY6T14uV9tCHTWI6gqXWyBxLPWJKFP0eny7l4oHF5TIsaI8L9UqpjiRLM1wpCdU_oiUEiwiL-yqJd778N4it167z8jenvTGsWIM/s320/20200110_212319.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlquDsolO5nO6725VGAvI_l5UkWIgYOTMCOJsoXZ7NxJuDPtRKJySMw3XivsrN_5CkSEIhve71cGa3Aq6KrOXdzTI5kOzIRlrDeaxhHhtfHsU4xOhD6lrenbXqNShU7ibZJT9InkwbxFWF/s1600/20200110_212407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlquDsolO5nO6725VGAvI_l5UkWIgYOTMCOJsoXZ7NxJuDPtRKJySMw3XivsrN_5CkSEIhve71cGa3Aq6KrOXdzTI5kOzIRlrDeaxhHhtfHsU4xOhD6lrenbXqNShU7ibZJT9InkwbxFWF/s320/20200110_212407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhfoY0-8cGL_-_L4gKPCVXGhpQSWyGyB-cfBPTS5SLQlX_XTOakKiUIZpHVGm0oY4lz6phpRPPSL3JSAxk7CEvEwbsa8XG2TwdwFnb18BuJS35tj2efgo1v7M7BQqe79XdI_GJno2Q5-O/s1600/20200110_212125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhfoY0-8cGL_-_L4gKPCVXGhpQSWyGyB-cfBPTS5SLQlX_XTOakKiUIZpHVGm0oY4lz6phpRPPSL3JSAxk7CEvEwbsa8XG2TwdwFnb18BuJS35tj2efgo1v7M7BQqe79XdI_GJno2Q5-O/s320/20200110_212125.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stained glass windows are beautiful, very modern-looking. They tell the story of Sainte Anne's life. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8X_ggw-57s_EMrD3C0EqIhtsdoWND2gQJdAZp_W9vCIqMOMp_3daUmPIU7JFr1gPHp4s9OWGh_hogfnOV3MHQKYHaI5Pd-mAh15IazjJz4YyPJ7tvL7Lh-3RwPII1zD4A_nekN_jiIoa/s1600/20200110_212050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8X_ggw-57s_EMrD3C0EqIhtsdoWND2gQJdAZp_W9vCIqMOMp_3daUmPIU7JFr1gPHp4s9OWGh_hogfnOV3MHQKYHaI5Pd-mAh15IazjJz4YyPJ7tvL7Lh-3RwPII1zD4A_nekN_jiIoa/s320/20200110_212050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICSQaprpBtS4o1Sao_G9zMLmRyad8bSapXvEkVtl14-jnsOBcw9cP_n38UYho6s981RmCYfjVtzCvVagAqMH3fXWy3VaD8Beca1sJDUysjxFX1zSWrLe3VuMOWFDV6_z6atTva0Xz4mFG/s1600/20200110_211948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICSQaprpBtS4o1Sao_G9zMLmRyad8bSapXvEkVtl14-jnsOBcw9cP_n38UYho6s981RmCYfjVtzCvVagAqMH3fXWy3VaD8Beca1sJDUysjxFX1zSWrLe3VuMOWFDV6_z6atTva0Xz4mFG/s320/20200110_211948.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My photos of stained glass never capture the glow and sumptuousness of the colours. The chapel has been restored over the years but parts of it are twelfth century.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvdG3zNt8e4VMUBEJyeVOMuSTj0A4ILmYSNkK5yubWMLCbyMdvOqEYZiFntZvwfI6cN04BlYrapjsJaZmY-qsK7zkInqLXml2CkhQ7Nt9Uj5E-Js6aENLRB68PKDrNT9b7R8-SkdndcM6/s1600/20200110_211736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvdG3zNt8e4VMUBEJyeVOMuSTj0A4ILmYSNkK5yubWMLCbyMdvOqEYZiFntZvwfI6cN04BlYrapjsJaZmY-qsK7zkInqLXml2CkhQ7Nt9Uj5E-Js6aENLRB68PKDrNT9b7R8-SkdndcM6/s320/20200110_211736.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
A project just waiting to happen. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4N9zRMGg9C_leKDNB_S6GIoNwoEwFZ0HqdyMvGCUqP1HFQbAZkdCaXVLGAEVpiilijQGfmKRI-iqQOExr9e3VxxW-rzi__rv0RefdXc2hHc-5Y7RyURGAF4O4xORgKMkji16ucIft2Jr/s1600/20200110_211844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4N9zRMGg9C_leKDNB_S6GIoNwoEwFZ0HqdyMvGCUqP1HFQbAZkdCaXVLGAEVpiilijQGfmKRI-iqQOExr9e3VxxW-rzi__rv0RefdXc2hHc-5Y7RyURGAF4O4xORgKMkji16ucIft2Jr/s320/20200110_211844.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagine! So me. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-73550463867285709422019-12-25T09:12:00.001-08:002019-12-25T09:12:58.612-08:00Christmas Day, 2019. BrittanySunrise in Brittany at the time of the solstice is not until after 8.00am. I have been in Vannes a week now and this is the first day of sunshine. I go for a long walk with Thomas Cromwell. Sort of. I'm listening to the audiobook of Wolf Hall. I have already read it, and although I usually never reread books, I'm really enjoying this, maybe because it was a little difficult first time around. I have very little knowledge of English history and after finishing Hilary Mantel's followup book, Bring Up the Bodies, I'm better prepared to appreciate the detail, her lightness of touch relative to the import of the historical trajectory.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtcIFowI_Mw8667pPBZwcjxNbiQdjmUfxzUEVt5JVX0mZQSHOiSlMgoCUysDq0zJNVn2qOVDLiPweMS2tCnkybeUcRAHd3YFUK6TiLA5I_HuhKGTJbmjgICHghhphhAiw9G5SoO0JT6BB/s1600/20191225_151532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtcIFowI_Mw8667pPBZwcjxNbiQdjmUfxzUEVt5JVX0mZQSHOiSlMgoCUysDq0zJNVn2qOVDLiPweMS2tCnkybeUcRAHd3YFUK6TiLA5I_HuhKGTJbmjgICHghhphhAiw9G5SoO0JT6BB/s200/20191225_151532.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Santa even has a little sack on his back, filled with tiny knitted presents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ivCmxSkBCrzydD5ZAf795fhqVP0SGYCGAAxN3lpOKMJ0yqyp_meMOMmmKxKY7YEG5cMh4ioJjPoNj_b8qaTIVqY76NuF6IurYjnMPth4gU8xauqUJBIJ_IHCy5ZrSxvLQhqdB5E80SCz/s1600/20191225_151424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ivCmxSkBCrzydD5ZAf795fhqVP0SGYCGAAxN3lpOKMJ0yqyp_meMOMmmKxKY7YEG5cMh4ioJjPoNj_b8qaTIVqY76NuF6IurYjnMPth4gU8xauqUJBIJ_IHCy5ZrSxvLQhqdB5E80SCz/s320/20191225_151424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Sypy7klZ6xuRjziOVoigtjc3Oz9gxJrQhTfDoIlD8A5PozKQCKg9hkOgXPHCoZ1wH0idt7WuMYvCxUD7to8WXB6WrtNHzRVCi2_6cIzOBTc6D2jsa8QIOcbTg6xulsDMYmCxaaEhesU/s1600/20191225_151457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Sypy7klZ6xuRjziOVoigtjc3Oz9gxJrQhTfDoIlD8A5PozKQCKg9hkOgXPHCoZ1wH0idt7WuMYvCxUD7to8WXB6WrtNHzRVCi2_6cIzOBTc6D2jsa8QIOcbTg6xulsDMYmCxaaEhesU/s320/20191225_151457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Vannes is at the tip of the largest harbour in France, the Gulf of Morhiban. My walk starts at the port of Vannes and follows a canal along to the harbour. The tides here are quite huge.<br />
<br />
<br />
Past the town I follow a waterside path down a peninsula.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb_UD85vhhfrV0zXsaXTTLxEDVMhyphenhyphenhits19HIJYItTt-5JgL86Y2ySibf45ZxXX_gN6qAxUQ0pOWsRLrDfbdVSsWKd4soe3uGwFANKXxJTGR3g27eSICLUlrwTewfU_RAdtLKpxE7-7Kl/s1600/20191225_151346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb_UD85vhhfrV0zXsaXTTLxEDVMhyphenhyphenhits19HIJYItTt-5JgL86Y2ySibf45ZxXX_gN6qAxUQ0pOWsRLrDfbdVSsWKd4soe3uGwFANKXxJTGR3g27eSICLUlrwTewfU_RAdtLKpxE7-7Kl/s320/20191225_151346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAM8Ue53PfEenLpno4LA-duFM281VsOdVzgtKhhyphenhyphenG5Xn9QLhsFWKTeYdlO_7rjyJuQlZ0KU8VdXuzP5Y6hBxULxIMGf2wrm5c1QWqacFrT5qNc88zqgRnsRvGFmLVvclczr9UpyXdoF1G/s1600/20191225_151118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAM8Ue53PfEenLpno4LA-duFM281VsOdVzgtKhhyphenhyphenG5Xn9QLhsFWKTeYdlO_7rjyJuQlZ0KU8VdXuzP5Y6hBxULxIMGf2wrm5c1QWqacFrT5qNc88zqgRnsRvGFmLVvclczr9UpyXdoF1G/s320/20191225_151118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuzy5vkol-joJOQBOAyvhXkl4wKOzzcDEKDbIfeKsm4yM9rUbGbD6vjXr4_pQ6GnlAX7EX74GGd815TRjkg2TCPSGzzyHMf6VP2WvWoZpOqsyLeR3xDsBJWCq_GJs5O5o75HNZkDLEf3X/s1600/20191225_150818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuzy5vkol-joJOQBOAyvhXkl4wKOzzcDEKDbIfeKsm4yM9rUbGbD6vjXr4_pQ6GnlAX7EX74GGd815TRjkg2TCPSGzzyHMf6VP2WvWoZpOqsyLeR3xDsBJWCq_GJs5O5o75HNZkDLEf3X/s320/20191225_150818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At the small bay where I stop for bread and cheese I amuse myself by picking up all the bits of plastic I can find. Bottle tops, plastic corks, straws, sea-worn packets, those stringy bags that I buy onions in.<br />
<br />
Shadows are long even at midday.<br />
<br />
On the other side of the peninsula there's a wide estuary and church bells are ringing out from the settlement on the other side. Parts of the path are under water, so I cut across though farmland and then follow a quiet road back towards town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ID2c9W_kZL80SKuTZRcR5cZH4Lxu0hKFg8ZmREUgTrjozrAX2UktVeehSt4w5VsIRMHWrYZLVz5dLZD0ywSdDi3jXZjCMzy5e2Vuzi0qJbPwk_PLfiYXYhYGN2HqQb89EQp7rqqdBbfg/s1600/20191225_150541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ID2c9W_kZL80SKuTZRcR5cZH4Lxu0hKFg8ZmREUgTrjozrAX2UktVeehSt4w5VsIRMHWrYZLVz5dLZD0ywSdDi3jXZjCMzy5e2Vuzi0qJbPwk_PLfiYXYhYGN2HqQb89EQp7rqqdBbfg/s320/20191225_150541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeevyLhYLYS6njnAEN8oWbW99MgHsNng6FkdhIzgFvkEDktQJC2OsdSbUOG1PKs7EG5F0MeTA-GtNfgt1cQt-0HZp6ilIjShwRbggat1qSdG7s9YzR3SDRmn_i2-yD5gttK3FjFiLe6iu/s1600/20191225_150403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeevyLhYLYS6njnAEN8oWbW99MgHsNng6FkdhIzgFvkEDktQJC2OsdSbUOG1PKs7EG5F0MeTA-GtNfgt1cQt-0HZp6ilIjShwRbggat1qSdG7s9YzR3SDRmn_i2-yD5gttK3FjFiLe6iu/s320/20191225_150403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bi5K7IeELRfCj73MXALWMrbRovz70wnHSV8ZFkc7h0MybwdkSwixchq40mlHtARRk1sVXtYEhe4ToP-tS61G1l5UPpHzpF7dcyrza9eqGMs0ADPnEk99ZjiElW3W0KCfF4uqlaqIC1Rt/s1600/20191225_150235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bi5K7IeELRfCj73MXALWMrbRovz70wnHSV8ZFkc7h0MybwdkSwixchq40mlHtARRk1sVXtYEhe4ToP-tS61G1l5UPpHzpF7dcyrza9eqGMs0ADPnEk99ZjiElW3W0KCfF4uqlaqIC1Rt/s320/20191225_150235.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
A bit up the road there's a cemetery, the tidiest cemetery and the best-tended graves I have ever seen. What does this say about the people of Vannes?<br />
<br />
What it says about me is that I'm a heartless lowlife thief, because I steal some leucodenron flowers from the grave of a beloved departed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ih63b6UrvIy0GhyphenhyphenvFCljp5wgBnQDep7zu6-0EuSalMixx_jiQwkmDAqwKBrlv2lYthzJFVzctzLKbgu4VYmadf3kEJ0qEkfuUXjX1OYQhkupSE0FUe3GMxB-gPZY84bODm80Uyl1Ss41/s1600/20191225_150203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ih63b6UrvIy0GhyphenhyphenvFCljp5wgBnQDep7zu6-0EuSalMixx_jiQwkmDAqwKBrlv2lYthzJFVzctzLKbgu4VYmadf3kEJ0qEkfuUXjX1OYQhkupSE0FUe3GMxB-gPZY84bODm80Uyl1Ss41/s400/20191225_150203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Ah well.<br />
<br />
Back at the Port of Vannes and the sun is still shining and the good people of Vannes are out at the only two places open this Christmas afteroon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzQuCXzX8fCqUAs2yXoULzf3g655-QxqzOWFCXcaiRPf63MVUowQyYfC7-kM03YrLdhhgCb5YF6F0H_NEjqT2efNVDoADU68A9L2iW8E2ueCo29s3Tt_sbaadFXOxdvdkLymADQeJd6_s/s1600/20191225_150030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzQuCXzX8fCqUAs2yXoULzf3g655-QxqzOWFCXcaiRPf63MVUowQyYfC7-kM03YrLdhhgCb5YF6F0H_NEjqT2efNVDoADU68A9L2iW8E2ueCo29s3Tt_sbaadFXOxdvdkLymADQeJd6_s/s320/20191225_150030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TUGFZcJjkjHUNGa6nu5bdn77W4lkiYoVg7oATqSofxFb9hv2XIArx2c531y_n6k6nZT6VmLVboGmE7ZeSwTHovZFrk4loXu_Gz-HpGtnua4bpdZK2seZRPu8X_QmqV4hGYp6oGe4exnM/s1600/20191225_145927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TUGFZcJjkjHUNGa6nu5bdn77W4lkiYoVg7oATqSofxFb9hv2XIArx2c531y_n6k6nZT6VmLVboGmE7ZeSwTHovZFrk4loXu_Gz-HpGtnua4bpdZK2seZRPu8X_QmqV4hGYp6oGe4exnM/s320/20191225_145927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm trying to read this French thriller about an ageing translator who becomes a drug mule, but there's so much colloquial language I'm struggling with it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-30251720800080175282019-06-23T00:28:00.000-07:002019-06-23T00:28:08.054-07:00Liberty of London - homage, part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrYlrqD4u3OfXB-tzieVhWLiBN7kMhjI78F3rye-8bGFWz5j2o8EW1AUi4D-UjxoHxPTTJlSP3m588n9JlVq7LntPqPWz_TP83KIOJx-x7gsD0RdKQpESbHVCba3WIICnre0unBV8zsmu/s1600/20190622_135941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrYlrqD4u3OfXB-tzieVhWLiBN7kMhjI78F3rye-8bGFWz5j2o8EW1AUi4D-UjxoHxPTTJlSP3m588n9JlVq7LntPqPWz_TP83KIOJx-x7gsD0RdKQpESbHVCba3WIICnre0unBV8zsmu/s320/20190622_135941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I9evM3ZDBPamn8u0cGhKDl0QU3_up7SxzDUUmZ7A8UaB-1OiFlo27s-mNoUNxTThODy93irxQB5PXe6aGulyvvj8paM4Er-k8bpBFJCUeKDier_V_UdghY3WJHvsO74iJJnhi6FzeBHt/s1600/20190622_134705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6I9evM3ZDBPamn8u0cGhKDl0QU3_up7SxzDUUmZ7A8UaB-1OiFlo27s-mNoUNxTThODy93irxQB5PXe6aGulyvvj8paM4Er-k8bpBFJCUeKDier_V_UdghY3WJHvsO74iJJnhi6FzeBHt/s320/20190622_134705.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b0xrvf5s-uUSYi-hqSImE0RoAbyaxL06CdNSNwTgLeTkGtKO3D3h88028yGi03i_bvkzF6UCH5uXir_ZEKlEI5ouS0LeBOZwlpVxEFfkvoZ18t5FttaJmev_a7SuxnJDYi4LMx5Io5xE/s1600/20190622_140205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6b0xrvf5s-uUSYi-hqSImE0RoAbyaxL06CdNSNwTgLeTkGtKO3D3h88028yGi03i_bvkzF6UCH5uXir_ZEKlEI5ouS0LeBOZwlpVxEFfkvoZ18t5FttaJmev_a7SuxnJDYi4LMx5Io5xE/s320/20190622_140205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5JGHXeeTILjlOeUZylniE1VwMjcQpHnugPJODcP-SJm8D7xDOuz2oGGtu7zdoIlEOoyUahHHhyphenhyphenTEXrTPe_NJVur4cX8FsemLNDOhaikEG6OgnCqhwpjlnkwwKAKZ7RDhWLgye6gnaQ8V/s1600/20190622_135128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5JGHXeeTILjlOeUZylniE1VwMjcQpHnugPJODcP-SJm8D7xDOuz2oGGtu7zdoIlEOoyUahHHhyphenhyphenTEXrTPe_NJVur4cX8FsemLNDOhaikEG6OgnCqhwpjlnkwwKAKZ7RDhWLgye6gnaQ8V/s320/20190622_135128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt_gVKi2S5mf0ipTBEljI0KrCocOTYAi0TZjLowHRBbqRFy1yoH6hBj6X7wbP0jZY5-GDQu7oz1rfl1Z7cBhH71KQze1uw_gWWdHmJKHNs_7-AzVmzWAmIJIn9qr6FykiqRkbw9IOKOJw/s1600/20190622_135005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt_gVKi2S5mf0ipTBEljI0KrCocOTYAi0TZjLowHRBbqRFy1yoH6hBj6X7wbP0jZY5-GDQu7oz1rfl1Z7cBhH71KQze1uw_gWWdHmJKHNs_7-AzVmzWAmIJIn9qr6FykiqRkbw9IOKOJw/s320/20190622_135005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDNCyejw0XBXVqa1eQ366BWsGIiUr6BKsZ2eYbwEcAGP_IRPqk16_SE4910hinvjetCaEh5_Ih6sMtwtsvduq1c_i_uCfT1z8BbMGGvU0ZaXNhlZiFe9eHVGFNARMK50T4t_-XKAyx0UC/s1600/20190622_115806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDNCyejw0XBXVqa1eQ366BWsGIiUr6BKsZ2eYbwEcAGP_IRPqk16_SE4910hinvjetCaEh5_Ih6sMtwtsvduq1c_i_uCfT1z8BbMGGvU0ZaXNhlZiFe9eHVGFNARMK50T4t_-XKAyx0UC/s320/20190622_115806.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-71280188266649559432019-06-23T00:22:00.000-07:002019-06-23T00:22:43.928-07:00Let's go to Liberty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe58Xo6nrU8SsVArCSz-Le7n82Ll-UrqQQG6fnGy3l9ZsNtA6i-BMfzcM1OXqQ4nSITTqy_vnG7RlBadH69gmD4O3Ndr0346XiaFOZHvWeTuQMDGd3yx3y6Jue1oPhxPACHeai_mGSU4T/s1600/20190622_140646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe58Xo6nrU8SsVArCSz-Le7n82Ll-UrqQQG6fnGy3l9ZsNtA6i-BMfzcM1OXqQ4nSITTqy_vnG7RlBadH69gmD4O3Ndr0346XiaFOZHvWeTuQMDGd3yx3y6Jue1oPhxPACHeai_mGSU4T/s320/20190622_140646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iJhsLlx_UjY1WnU6lmZSJPooPVYg894ZmkJ9XGn1H1OLnnOXdzHvlSKkayzD_YBBvxyz3Ttei4ex_o0t3HOZJFJzSl4FapCIaeCBWCW2nZLR5ldD1ZSskZSFt-1J_A0wL8sgiTEw1f9N/s1600/20190622_140504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iJhsLlx_UjY1WnU6lmZSJPooPVYg894ZmkJ9XGn1H1OLnnOXdzHvlSKkayzD_YBBvxyz3Ttei4ex_o0t3HOZJFJzSl4FapCIaeCBWCW2nZLR5ldD1ZSskZSFt-1J_A0wL8sgiTEw1f9N/s320/20190622_140504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Liberty of London is a place of homage to be visited every time I am in London.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDjchdHb6xQcsGloDK_GBRy6eEhsIxRwbpJHjyrcyXAW1WPlQJy31gfAjmzl3tR2n46YIikdZRIkgBIJG8GD1Dfw8-lg7qwhQwxLIYLJ7XUQk-p2ckHfqUVX2ibcb-0gFlBMX8E-Tsfzm/s1600/20190622_140717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDjchdHb6xQcsGloDK_GBRy6eEhsIxRwbpJHjyrcyXAW1WPlQJy31gfAjmzl3tR2n46YIikdZRIkgBIJG8GD1Dfw8-lg7qwhQwxLIYLJ7XUQk-p2ckHfqUVX2ibcb-0gFlBMX8E-Tsfzm/s320/20190622_140717.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I just wish I'd worn a swishy frock. My cycling shoes and cargo pants let me down for a few hours here.<br />
<br />
The summer sale was on. And I managed to not leave entirely empty-handed.<br />
<br />
I came across a trunk of decorator velvet sample swatches though. And I was allowed to take some - enough to make a laptop sleeve if I can manage that by hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEI7qMEE75xbROd-rEJFFEhE0S1a8gohF1OPa4X53ELq718xL-cve3pe5x2m3XzeoDmo-LZpzBzdnOQdIouEjAX_2JTgSD47s2hvoxdq9gOjQ9AlFIyesHF1wskcq1ClnktF5_lRfZYaE/s1600/20190622_135752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEI7qMEE75xbROd-rEJFFEhE0S1a8gohF1OPa4X53ELq718xL-cve3pe5x2m3XzeoDmo-LZpzBzdnOQdIouEjAX_2JTgSD47s2hvoxdq9gOjQ9AlFIyesHF1wskcq1ClnktF5_lRfZYaE/s200/20190622_135752.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v1OWz9o5-2UhnQFuK33j3TaVKKoybtCpPt403VBf-lN_VVA3l4u12crrZrP9IhgrbtJTQc5dJ8xeMyyXpZy79IRoMvRuC7u9eHKTwzN38i9dFKiOlAtn7ryk-67YK4ShdeWu1FsUNv5o/s1600/20190622_140259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6v1OWz9o5-2UhnQFuK33j3TaVKKoybtCpPt403VBf-lN_VVA3l4u12crrZrP9IhgrbtJTQc5dJ8xeMyyXpZy79IRoMvRuC7u9eHKTwzN38i9dFKiOlAtn7ryk-67YK4ShdeWu1FsUNv5o/s200/20190622_140259.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81kj_cdgWqiw66CPUFjdmCTDpddZOYR677GKIInBSIXNcErsB5dZzAVlQqcns3LihVE3bc_QI42zQulA14i4_pM71Hmc-uCjki5hWzxUWYU9cuxORST4Lw-GoL4NC5UTTCPKf5T_6fLh1/s1600/20190622_140330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81kj_cdgWqiw66CPUFjdmCTDpddZOYR677GKIInBSIXNcErsB5dZzAVlQqcns3LihVE3bc_QI42zQulA14i4_pM71Hmc-uCjki5hWzxUWYU9cuxORST4Lw-GoL4NC5UTTCPKf5T_6fLh1/s200/20190622_140330.jpg" width="200" /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_OSq4R29O5eiWi3NnoGisuRXGqm8ybJBH3lvxsmIMDbKYWdffkcPyDikAs-6TQkOU12nO7cVX0aCTp1kpmUJoRWzkzCJdoKcImYsxvxzDvyH2Ihsv764YwuXfDnIQhg8wlUqKaNE7R4s/s1600/20190622_140437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_OSq4R29O5eiWi3NnoGisuRXGqm8ybJBH3lvxsmIMDbKYWdffkcPyDikAs-6TQkOU12nO7cVX0aCTp1kpmUJoRWzkzCJdoKcImYsxvxzDvyH2Ihsv764YwuXfDnIQhg8wlUqKaNE7R4s/s320/20190622_140437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The vision for founding the store was for it to be an emporium laden with luxuries and fabrics from distant lands. It was built in the 1920s, at the height of the fashion for all things Tudor. You can see the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement sitting beautifully with the mock-Tudor. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISll-tUmPEfWFHxBf12oZLY1aadic2C6DImSLT9hu8-Uyz6IGXQEb2WErij_rcsD6Hqi60OYqlXDJuYzgloca4zVhLM0-bRAo00GyGhkjA99LUxGxukK06NxFmfH0XJIgxkH5ynwztKxV/s1600/20190622_135422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISll-tUmPEfWFHxBf12oZLY1aadic2C6DImSLT9hu8-Uyz6IGXQEb2WErij_rcsD6Hqi60OYqlXDJuYzgloca4zVhLM0-bRAo00GyGhkjA99LUxGxukK06NxFmfH0XJIgxkH5ynwztKxV/s320/20190622_135422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglygrMLSStTfG6KZo5UuqXIzHSZ8YOwynBugz0T_0gixrUX5qwsG8gcHOOjo49CW6Ev8kKmCpNsYkLW2WXxir07f4EB1b1lkm829yf7nukBwK3BSOYKgZ9iIw5An8ahu7sGuqTNqB3c4g/s1600/20190622_135618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglygrMLSStTfG6KZo5UuqXIzHSZ8YOwynBugz0T_0gixrUX5qwsG8gcHOOjo49CW6Ev8kKmCpNsYkLW2WXxir07f4EB1b1lkm829yf7nukBwK3BSOYKgZ9iIw5An8ahu7sGuqTNqB3c4g/s320/20190622_135618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XtkAZJhc0hIzSWhQEx4KTDj0DgdSyPuq0baW9NgBrj8JSBP0ttPlix7SWpA6YJ04YP2bPgKH3R9aodQnzF6ssKXkRE_gPQYpqwfye3WIeu0EdtEb4FGRrFIjJTexlyDelxAUT_fJHUMu/s1600/20190622_135313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XtkAZJhc0hIzSWhQEx4KTDj0DgdSyPuq0baW9NgBrj8JSBP0ttPlix7SWpA6YJ04YP2bPgKH3R9aodQnzF6ssKXkRE_gPQYpqwfye3WIeu0EdtEb4FGRrFIjJTexlyDelxAUT_fJHUMu/s320/20190622_135313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQliif_XEQnFlW4IrNnZSVph07Mb0IkWL5XTwUW_OwGael_AExXbzAsnf99cbUPRxUK3kEPE_MwrdWQpVUCPr0vY70-hlfjeO9O4E9aMfxyvaZyqS98Qjs3-qPlMGoA5h8niWbe0rsUgEI/s1600/20190622_134552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQliif_XEQnFlW4IrNnZSVph07Mb0IkWL5XTwUW_OwGael_AExXbzAsnf99cbUPRxUK3kEPE_MwrdWQpVUCPr0vY70-hlfjeO9O4E9aMfxyvaZyqS98Qjs3-qPlMGoA5h8niWbe0rsUgEI/s320/20190622_134552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not a lot more to say, just more of my photos.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHweNDyAN1EPKsSP52JfR5zFYc3rMn0_cC_JIKacgu7QEa5V3JSjBRrQxIUts2RdmbzfSGrjDu8Ih1_Fno-JTkKnKuUIp69oQnWUUOy3cMUSoQ7e86uFf4BG8wOF-A0ArIou7QNPOkTmua/s1600/20190622_140407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHweNDyAN1EPKsSP52JfR5zFYc3rMn0_cC_JIKacgu7QEa5V3JSjBRrQxIUts2RdmbzfSGrjDu8Ih1_Fno-JTkKnKuUIp69oQnWUUOy3cMUSoQ7e86uFf4BG8wOF-A0ArIou7QNPOkTmua/s320/20190622_140407.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIDSFCu2YhX6QLXqvI4OC7XiCU8ydcBYOAW8paGxHSkEFrzWIoxxHdgbegNZUFTdqo8N_bPIJ2oRf_bKitdJJJgG5Q5ZDA5gSwvwvtkDzPFrEqsPuzeq8gWiUoJYWs1vnAGdnsE_f9mW3/s1600/20190622_140015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIDSFCu2YhX6QLXqvI4OC7XiCU8ydcBYOAW8paGxHSkEFrzWIoxxHdgbegNZUFTdqo8N_bPIJ2oRf_bKitdJJJgG5Q5ZDA5gSwvwvtkDzPFrEqsPuzeq8gWiUoJYWs1vnAGdnsE_f9mW3/s320/20190622_140015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURtQV7QUfEEg1xWO0c1dnPtyI3uPX50l3Lm42LhklOUY9_w8AnrR7B73HJFRiewEgrtA29OztrdJr4yPDZP6C9QsxP4sLkwybFNbOP34oFB7l11SP0O8KbeQNnqg3GeKm-POWcUSlituM/s1600/20190622_135903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURtQV7QUfEEg1xWO0c1dnPtyI3uPX50l3Lm42LhklOUY9_w8AnrR7B73HJFRiewEgrtA29OztrdJr4yPDZP6C9QsxP4sLkwybFNbOP34oFB7l11SP0O8KbeQNnqg3GeKm-POWcUSlituM/s320/20190622_135903.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrwFKPjCVVBz_X7GOAOEXtsfrSRO8TQo9VVoOHHDtZ6ZemQ9RJF9pqN2DR6x5KtX9d1UeCB6hRS2ic8-Zn9loidyQty04Nx5Hr4o7QGeEIuxgN6ZmLeLB7inghlDEWMVSfxCqErDVQ34i/s1600/20190622_135350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrwFKPjCVVBz_X7GOAOEXtsfrSRO8TQo9VVoOHHDtZ6ZemQ9RJF9pqN2DR6x5KtX9d1UeCB6hRS2ic8-Zn9loidyQty04Nx5Hr4o7QGeEIuxgN6ZmLeLB7inghlDEWMVSfxCqErDVQ34i/s320/20190622_135350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVTKXW49WqjdIZ65gm4CoNqWaSdUHZRzA26p9PMBm1FgiLFBaXT9DWGjICP6QtFfzhfWx71z-D5d85tnB3QZA27ycqxeZnrETfRLj_ApLcz87w-d_8ZO8JKSUSRnHtmlNzaG9YkWRXR3G/s1600/20190622_135543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVTKXW49WqjdIZ65gm4CoNqWaSdUHZRzA26p9PMBm1FgiLFBaXT9DWGjICP6QtFfzhfWx71z-D5d85tnB3QZA27ycqxeZnrETfRLj_ApLcz87w-d_8ZO8JKSUSRnHtmlNzaG9YkWRXR3G/s320/20190622_135543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWBW_PvOJfyQ19GEHSHVQ6064ISlhEW1PRpTNXrrxFPmh1KWDMIkL7mmHwQK_sphWPHAv2Cvwe5PMqeasX6NwM4RAR-be0s6pfNZ5hlFlYOtujl7FNFu49hyphenhyphenYDo1puG3QNjgUsaUCeoW9/s1600/20190622_135202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWBW_PvOJfyQ19GEHSHVQ6064ISlhEW1PRpTNXrrxFPmh1KWDMIkL7mmHwQK_sphWPHAv2Cvwe5PMqeasX6NwM4RAR-be0s6pfNZ5hlFlYOtujl7FNFu49hyphenhyphenYDo1puG3QNjgUsaUCeoW9/s320/20190622_135202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlrnQhTAhxL83WazYS4zQrQvzrcPp4T1zyf82uOGTXpBRB7aZ4lOBtXO2BD68KxazA694VehguZEKGbsyA4ic3972Pqyy6E3dNP9yNudD3765qHzzACjxJe9Ava33vgakE7afxuAv36bY/s1600/20190622_134818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlrnQhTAhxL83WazYS4zQrQvzrcPp4T1zyf82uOGTXpBRB7aZ4lOBtXO2BD68KxazA694VehguZEKGbsyA4ic3972Pqyy6E3dNP9yNudD3765qHzzACjxJe9Ava33vgakE7afxuAv36bY/s320/20190622_134818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB67kCy2VJd7fnjPF79SYPm2qy4kt2jssu0JUtxh83z9N-frTvraZSCcnT7jSk5p9LYNCleAhMjsY9Lv3Wtzi_vp0BfXiA-lTNI2-Ybbf3rvGTWs2gPRxmNPT7AlOo5cHolFdakVu5U3eX/s1600/20190622_135046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB67kCy2VJd7fnjPF79SYPm2qy4kt2jssu0JUtxh83z9N-frTvraZSCcnT7jSk5p9LYNCleAhMjsY9Lv3Wtzi_vp0BfXiA-lTNI2-Ybbf3rvGTWs2gPRxmNPT7AlOo5cHolFdakVu5U3eX/s320/20190622_135046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-53518560278647295392019-05-27T01:01:00.002-07:002019-05-27T01:01:56.357-07:00Sauntering around SalisburyMy blog posts are all out of order at the moment and erratic in content as well. Only a bad workman blames the tools so no excuses for not doing better on my tablet, but I'm looking forward to getting my laptop back soon. Bear with, as they say.<br />
<br />
At my flouncy and flowery B&B (plastic flowers) I start each day with baked beans, greasy mushrooms and a couple of fried eggs with toast and tea.<br />
<br />
That set me up for a walk out to Old Sarum, where the original Salisbury Cathedral was built in the thirteenth century. Little is left but it's a lovely site managed by English Heritage. It is like a Maori hill fort, with circles of fortification around the hilltop. There's a good view from Old Sarum to the current cathedral, which boasts the tallest spire in England.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vt1wAy9MC3sIRVRl0WAthcJFa0em3YXetknLeSWAP-Z3-xKXMeQIqRkvxSCFRg6e_xWfE1OiKBJXe2TIfBzDjXViNPAXEYVQjzCRgOEwIjkCL0a6DEvKEtr5ugeKMuUevEqG00ggh55R/s1600/20190525_152553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vt1wAy9MC3sIRVRl0WAthcJFa0em3YXetknLeSWAP-Z3-xKXMeQIqRkvxSCFRg6e_xWfE1OiKBJXe2TIfBzDjXViNPAXEYVQjzCRgOEwIjkCL0a6DEvKEtr5ugeKMuUevEqG00ggh55R/s320/20190525_152553.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">So I wasn't even going to go in to the Cathedral, being slightly underwhelmed by the exterior and slightly wary of the £6.50 'donation' for admission. C'mon, pay up. Drawn in more by the promise of cloisters than by the opportunity to see a version of the original Magna Carta,</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">in I went. And was nabbed at the door by a pair of enthusiastic greeters, keen to set me off in the right direction while giving me a good earful of details about successive building restorations and which bits of stained glass could be said to original, about</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">which they disagreed between themselves for a while. I extracted myself with some difficulty, only to be caught a bit further on by one of them, who then insisted on explaining the shallow foundations. Apparently the water table is measured daily by plunging</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">a simple dip stick down through a special tile in the floor, and if there's any variation beyond 3 to 4 feet, adjustments are made via a system of gates and weirs on the nearby River Avon. As long as the level is stable, the foundations of the Cathedral are</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">protected from disintegration. Very interesting but distracting. For the clean lines and proportions of the structure itself were arresting enough and I was most happy to prowl around alone.</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio8UvWhzcbaTo-9DMVh3VHHbNjwJZFPBrF7tYERv5HqXJKKwQopwhh2E0XqGN-0nSED7fZkzOrrFL7O2bhAztAZjIfEYKueSVgaO5dF-HUbKvDJP_Jrf6O-e3mJIBWQBdrxMU-xdycHon/s1600/20190525_134340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio8UvWhzcbaTo-9DMVh3VHHbNjwJZFPBrF7tYERv5HqXJKKwQopwhh2E0XqGN-0nSED7fZkzOrrFL7O2bhAztAZjIfEYKueSVgaO5dF-HUbKvDJP_Jrf6O-e3mJIBWQBdrxMU-xdycHon/s200/20190525_134340.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral clock doesn't have a face. It rings a bell on the hour, but that has been turned off except for ringing out at 11.00am on Tuesdays and Thurdays.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5ct28TXbT4Hw9B4moi2_8Vwh_e3JoVBi6ASzufhIGJGd1rXoAXWGNBTsO1KovMDSmiHHMGiFHE4c_vXxT_uKcMElKULfuBf0vGIY4ElpN8UM2hEtpK17brrgd8ywbvGiuP-vYJ0SFJLZ/s1600/20190525_134030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5ct28TXbT4Hw9B4moi2_8Vwh_e3JoVBi6ASzufhIGJGd1rXoAXWGNBTsO1KovMDSmiHHMGiFHE4c_vXxT_uKcMElKULfuBf0vGIY4ElpN8UM2hEtpK17brrgd8ywbvGiuP-vYJ0SFJLZ/s640/20190525_134030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officially my favorite Cathedral (for now)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">As well as the army of Greeters, art installations are a thing here. Currently it is Gaia, which really suits the space.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLda-ZPbzbTigW0GFnPn6SlnOucD5elTGDY5hgmTjCC_kR0rH_ERkgMgQZEGr3HXRqeLUuFaE6d9BuOoEC_5tFRxo8-KSSKcrd8_zr_sa2hMHgHjEMVWxGX87o-sH6lHdpQMmrSBxCOfcw/s1600/20190525_134129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLda-ZPbzbTigW0GFnPn6SlnOucD5elTGDY5hgmTjCC_kR0rH_ERkgMgQZEGr3HXRqeLUuFaE6d9BuOoEC_5tFRxo8-KSSKcrd8_zr_sa2hMHgHjEMVWxGX87o-sH6lHdpQMmrSBxCOfcw/s400/20190525_134129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"><br /></span>
<br />
I was told there's a fifteenth century Library downstairs with over 10,000 books. "We have a wonderful librarian" the Greeter told me. "She's really lovely".<br />
<br />
You can do a tour that ends with tea and scones, but at £22.00 I'm passing on that, sadly.<br />
<br />
I love cloisters, and Salisbury's didn't disappoint.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg397FYoIM-byQpmmHPzkgWzS-gUvLPntZwopWrL0E_q5P02jD84KIaU90gj8V_sTu0Xl3DZq0mwhJGq9GFr9qNkOEmimwzWKVy4YH8ZA5uPDomdydjaAkjnWqxqmhiMGcThURhfJ9782Nb/s1600/20190525_133856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg397FYoIM-byQpmmHPzkgWzS-gUvLPntZwopWrL0E_q5P02jD84KIaU90gj8V_sTu0Xl3DZq0mwhJGq9GFr9qNkOEmimwzWKVy4YH8ZA5uPDomdydjaAkjnWqxqmhiMGcThURhfJ9782Nb/s320/20190525_133856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLbaj9Q5H2m0F5GYHj9LBO0Ci8TMQ3zSskxwXNLlNXWMA-dOCFZyIVhPAA5AdCpuBnAVZuszavHWmTm0FrXDIpDSZyTTJcfOlIab9J4sHe1N4GzLbkcwCbYndX8BLJ_St_3j9n8zwJcbL/s1600/20190525_133759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLbaj9Q5H2m0F5GYHj9LBO0Ci8TMQ3zSskxwXNLlNXWMA-dOCFZyIVhPAA5AdCpuBnAVZuszavHWmTm0FrXDIpDSZyTTJcfOlIab9J4sHe1N4GzLbkcwCbYndX8BLJ_St_3j9n8zwJcbL/s320/20190525_133759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaisUrmoFM9bnNyXAP23mLzgtaZA7H0riQlH923fTFE8x7issPjHUnWSQOHQzIJXN9-WIYQY1TB0LrOxc40L89-jQADDfYcACsdBwwdNVKwzWNqOZv2pulOmbeN8xxA6Je0tbimkpNva4/s1600/20190525_132757_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaisUrmoFM9bnNyXAP23mLzgtaZA7H0riQlH923fTFE8x7issPjHUnWSQOHQzIJXN9-WIYQY1TB0LrOxc40L89-jQADDfYcACsdBwwdNVKwzWNqOZv2pulOmbeN8xxA6Je0tbimkpNva4/s320/20190525_132757_001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjlQxlFhaXkHThyphenhyphen8maoGSAFqxUm8nODZbK9jZ2wTS2dQpoOKu0M6lFJDlR_0NHAR4-Ksr88GM-VUOc_g90O1ZaQyByGaUbnZeTsmucR5wvaxkIRYIHVyz9BIMnTx15pJ9Yo-OaBNQGrlL/s1600/20190525_133518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjlQxlFhaXkHThyphenhyphen8maoGSAFqxUm8nODZbK9jZ2wTS2dQpoOKu0M6lFJDlR_0NHAR4-Ksr88GM-VUOc_g90O1ZaQyByGaUbnZeTsmucR5wvaxkIRYIHVyz9BIMnTx15pJ9Yo-OaBNQGrlL/s320/20190525_133518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Posted while taking tea in the gardens outside the Salisbury Museum, sitting under a sun umbrella with views of the cathedral.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWSfskUpTYaRI_eMp4v31PagqjJk7IbOgjubikZBS3azNgkv_muN2Pw5JjTNlnc7XI8XKFXQp1vnm9kDK6F2-bWWqXLPtTFvOm4dBMNzYYyMmXx0GTL0i-wKFDYaWKtiFuHsOflUgurZo/s1600/20190525_152657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWSfskUpTYaRI_eMp4v31PagqjJk7IbOgjubikZBS3azNgkv_muN2Pw5JjTNlnc7XI8XKFXQp1vnm9kDK6F2-bWWqXLPtTFvOm4dBMNzYYyMmXx0GTL0i-wKFDYaWKtiFuHsOflUgurZo/s640/20190525_152657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-48745610715957939812019-05-26T03:35:00.000-07:002019-05-26T03:35:15.334-07:00About Candes <div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
At the turn of the century, there were around 90 people living in Candes. Each house had a barn, land, and it's own bread oven. Sometimes these ovens are like an extension on the side of the house. The area where Nicholas is establishing a grove of Japanese maple trees was a free-standing bread oven. There's a similar one in the nearby village of Comiac. Comiac would have had shops, where<span> </span>now there's only the cafe, which sells lunches, a few token supplies and povides postal services. This venture is sensibly subsidised by the state. The main reason is that workers in the area have somewhere for lunch. Lunch being a meal of great importance across France and heaven forbid having to take a sandwich from home to eat on the job! The communual bread oven is fired up by the men once a month.<span> Men's business.</span><br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6AecZEliAZ-lZWj7KWvSqn9ehr5N-ltaVClNrwCpD16I4NHM4oSONiwzHcxDpu8zYS9jxr9bEAe7-1nOWU4b-l241foeTKOCivbdS5AgAx-7rRgM2HHcPf46ZYCqONfPrXlhaCPeHxjC/s1600/20190508_095814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6AecZEliAZ-lZWj7KWvSqn9ehr5N-ltaVClNrwCpD16I4NHM4oSONiwzHcxDpu8zYS9jxr9bEAe7-1nOWU4b-l241foeTKOCivbdS5AgAx-7rRgM2HHcPf46ZYCqONfPrXlhaCPeHxjC/s320/20190508_095814.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The add-on with the small roof is the bread oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Nicholas had done a lot of work to make his house, built in 1780, habitable, but he doesn't stay there over winter. One of the other houses has been beautifully modernised by a Dutch couple who live mostly in Spain and come for the summer. Sadly several other houses are already in danger. The house behind Nicholas' has a steep slate roof. Each of the pieces of slate (lors) is attached with a large plug like a bolt that goes through into the roof beams. Every now and again one of the lors falls off so not a good house to walk past on a windy day. </span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-63430dzXQ6euJ7abYEgLsdpjOuG_KmyfDo02B7qjA8znQoKBh8WvFZ_LdymWtjFYNV8AQA85FSFZToYohPaNduNprFnbD2Wf44A3GCgHQlBLgYtTkYlbwFMwinPXblSgqLVotvWBlhAn/s1600/20190427_150034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-63430dzXQ6euJ7abYEgLsdpjOuG_KmyfDo02B7qjA8znQoKBh8WvFZ_LdymWtjFYNV8AQA85FSFZToYohPaNduNprFnbD2Wf44A3GCgHQlBLgYtTkYlbwFMwinPXblSgqLVotvWBlhAn/s320/20190427_150034.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the barns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwRJo1iwfNARPcfTzUvZ78dgmPvVj0wLhlpd5ou_YvNzutI0RB6-HjwOIf5hONLADBgV5QlYwnHGRps788seqUUerbnLZ0R2Jkd8oYHNvitV_IhxAFkTyWONiuM5jitZDmGHEBteRS845/s1600/20190427_143634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwRJo1iwfNARPcfTzUvZ78dgmPvVj0wLhlpd5ou_YvNzutI0RB6-HjwOIf5hONLADBgV5QlYwnHGRps788seqUUerbnLZ0R2Jkd8oYHNvitV_IhxAFkTyWONiuM5jitZDmGHEBteRS845/s400/20190427_143634.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicholas has added the porch to his house. The building behind is Sousou's place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tacked onto the back of Nicholas's house is a room that he uses as a woodshed. This used to be the pigsty. Upstairs (next to my bedroom) previous owners had installed an indoor toilet. It's a little cupboard off the main room with a stone bench that has a hole in it - basically an indoor long-drop. The waste would have dropped down into the area that was the pig pen. Quite an efficient system I guess. </span></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31H8On-nTXVwffMOiNTCTmKdcznGODfJ2t-hmbEoh40mJuthYuPMem3gWQ7rD4b9zMFYrG_xwHsEaWrXkKarNMy_eKgAR2tZ_9g3ptmef0hyWrOa3nlYTDMHznIPRCIoSUf_7HItyjQ8g/s1600/20190502_115714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31H8On-nTXVwffMOiNTCTmKdcznGODfJ2t-hmbEoh40mJuthYuPMem3gWQ7rD4b9zMFYrG_xwHsEaWrXkKarNMy_eKgAR2tZ_9g3ptmef0hyWrOa3nlYTDMHznIPRCIoSUf_7HItyjQ8g/s320/20190502_115714.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSzm4qBgUgao6ExmXbkpYNjegZQH0rPN8KrgNq5ZOGvqWF4Y-T2JLGaXkI4jlhB1bzbo55yOraDDBqU9FYBqXt8Yo9nZH-ckJtD4fw-4KnnSEUVvgryFHu2OQrQQMlsqLHK-zRobnGxtf/s1600/20190427_145530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSzm4qBgUgao6ExmXbkpYNjegZQH0rPN8KrgNq5ZOGvqWF4Y-T2JLGaXkI4jlhB1bzbo55yOraDDBqU9FYBqXt8Yo9nZH-ckJtD4fw-4KnnSEUVvgryFHu2OQrQQMlsqLHK-zRobnGxtf/s320/20190427_145530.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 254px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<br /></div>
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 102px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"></span><span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 203px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"></span><br />
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
These weeks Nicholas has been planting vegetables and digging beds for his potato crop, while I have been pulling out mountains of stinging nettles, and weeding around the irises, baby Japanese maple trres, hydrangeas, rose buses and peonies. For a couple of<span> </span>days we sat inside by the fire, rained out of the garden. We also did some walks around the neighbourhood, following tracks through the woods, often marked by mossy stone walls built who knows how long ago.<span> </span></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-75699923798468153092019-05-25T23:55:00.000-07:002019-05-25T23:55:26.555-07:00Two weeks in paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQycldQ8hbsHnBO5S3vX6aHM44JNsBgZMs9krdGjaPnlkHyCEzfSdzSWTT8iRwYDF7g_rtk1GMVRPD38xi1vj05aMV2eY6MLhJLsiaks2x9VtICAeRujpmShJuXLYYGCF_q1Za6yMySWUj/s1600/20190427_153031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQycldQ8hbsHnBO5S3vX6aHM44JNsBgZMs9krdGjaPnlkHyCEzfSdzSWTT8iRwYDF7g_rtk1GMVRPD38xi1vj05aMV2eY6MLhJLsiaks2x9VtICAeRujpmShJuXLYYGCF_q1Za6yMySWUj/s1600/20190427_153031.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01wqWIPCQbln-rIC0lmpFY3eg15AIMc6BGSNlItfh_XL6s72mL6fxoFhvQNjq8zKuqM2suNQW20a1M2etdDiNaB5Trb4ng_iq9HuytjeT9eRKTkXTxhX96ATT1aZiuy8FfJN2kR2ovuY3/s1600/20190502_115747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01wqWIPCQbln-rIC0lmpFY3eg15AIMc6BGSNlItfh_XL6s72mL6fxoFhvQNjq8zKuqM2suNQW20a1M2etdDiNaB5Trb4ng_iq9HuytjeT9eRKTkXTxhX96ATT1aZiuy8FfJN2kR2ovuY3/s1600/20190502_115747.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMCY9UP103gKbYefM0N_HuaymC7z4UqwYxj5hAYntgzjcTFMujj7hrzxEf3J-zZtvGfcX8beSebHCWu7hePswMEdjQieBps5dVR4fMCvCXSJEXevVPzPwcLJZtPdilQRNmIiXd-WUZMcO/s1600/20190508_095155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMCY9UP103gKbYefM0N_HuaymC7z4UqwYxj5hAYntgzjcTFMujj7hrzxEf3J-zZtvGfcX8beSebHCWu7hePswMEdjQieBps5dVR4fMCvCXSJEXevVPzPwcLJZtPdilQRNmIiXd-WUZMcO/s1600/20190508_095155.jpg" /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ig25tUc-F8-qyGTWBXHlTfKOwXZtEJizYX4CW2wR5kOxOxr-3ZnzQg8RWeNEVat7au7bMrhB1YW3WP0rirIotk_JfUN6AMgYPzapMjXnrZcKySAJZx_pECgNs1lCetNRf0KWjr_Ut42a/s1600/IMG_20190502_121207_305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ig25tUc-F8-qyGTWBXHlTfKOwXZtEJizYX4CW2wR5kOxOxr-3ZnzQg8RWeNEVat7au7bMrhB1YW3WP0rirIotk_JfUN6AMgYPzapMjXnrZcKySAJZx_pECgNs1lCetNRf0KWjr_Ut42a/s1600/IMG_20190502_121207_305.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
I stayed with Nicholas in Candes, in the locale of Comiac, in the Lot region, close to the Dordogne.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO5XL3x9iwwUk86F0sW9MXdhAPfoNKuZYWF47gEgvoYWU5kUtFEbpHdI-xms-zE0HRNzKPPs14Zb2ho29BN6MDkfXqIxa5U4tFDTsSbuhnP4wviz-NxatVz-VnN59z83AasX_IZ1iEbPH/s1600/20190502_120439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO5XL3x9iwwUk86F0sW9MXdhAPfoNKuZYWF47gEgvoYWU5kUtFEbpHdI-xms-zE0HRNzKPPs14Zb2ho29BN6MDkfXqIxa5U4tFDTsSbuhnP4wviz-NxatVz-VnN59z83AasX_IZ1iEbPH/s320/20190502_120439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
Candes is hard to find on a map. It's a tiny hamlet with one permanent resident, Sousou. Since her husband died she has lived alone in the large house next to Nicholas. Her nephew checks up on her and a district nurse calls in morning and evening. On Fridays the butcher comes by in his van. At the turn of the century, there were around 90 people living in Candes. Each house had a barn, nearby land, a bread oven, maybe a pig pen or a hen run. Comiac, 2 km away, would have had shops, where now there's only the cafe, which sells lunches, a few token supplies and povides postal services. It is subsidised by the state. The Comiac communual bread oven is fired up by the men once a month and there are community gatherings in the town hall. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
Nicholas had done a lot of work to make his house, built in 1780, habitable, but he doesn't stay there over winter. One of the other houses has been beautifully modernised by a Dutch couple who live mostly in Spain and come for the summer.</div>
<br />
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
These weeks Nicholas has been planting vegetables and digging beds for his potato crop, while I have been pulling out weeds. For a couple of days we sat inside by the fire, rained out of the garden. We also did some walks around the neighbourhood, following tracks through the woods, often marked by mossy stone walls built who knows how long ago. </div>
<br />
Here are some more photos I took around Candes. It is such a pity many these residential and agricultural buildings are not being cared for.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_R3Hbbh2N5d5JjGSiU34X6z-_3o5VvHCS1jD_eo3iQUW8bwVm4T6wrTufXhsd0UTR5CAUTZStgRy5r-bYXf0kjJJkUcWHrQY6QTtowkwI3pUpsn-uXr42YiI0xx4XWfGlmk79ZboF90-/s1600/20190508_172716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_R3Hbbh2N5d5JjGSiU34X6z-_3o5VvHCS1jD_eo3iQUW8bwVm4T6wrTufXhsd0UTR5CAUTZStgRy5r-bYXf0kjJJkUcWHrQY6QTtowkwI3pUpsn-uXr42YiI0xx4XWfGlmk79ZboF90-/s320/20190508_172716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88G-XepP_1-0MknQllw0MqxUz0W6kVrjOSdHr2b02GZcfeKLyupmo-Nb4TWyCqtO8oaljjK0WqKedGHEW0WpTzYbf6pulzCxUqxUDfoLLpKR3USkcGCij7pofExKJnTl_l4egF8fjlpg8/s1600/20190508_172554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88G-XepP_1-0MknQllw0MqxUz0W6kVrjOSdHr2b02GZcfeKLyupmo-Nb4TWyCqtO8oaljjK0WqKedGHEW0WpTzYbf6pulzCxUqxUDfoLLpKR3USkcGCij7pofExKJnTl_l4egF8fjlpg8/s320/20190508_172554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MjUueVJtMF50EkEZSb4bXLp32sCx-RT5qSL87B2IoxnVLqmc-MAhfgbbYddQ1Sq3yGAUezg9HGrRrGn1xV1BN-1BN7C6vkLLEeV3vzRRcIQbGjToT5yS_2qF8GfUdcI5vqnaFPOzm3eH/s1600/20190502_120519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MjUueVJtMF50EkEZSb4bXLp32sCx-RT5qSL87B2IoxnVLqmc-MAhfgbbYddQ1Sq3yGAUezg9HGrRrGn1xV1BN-1BN7C6vkLLEeV3vzRRcIQbGjToT5yS_2qF8GfUdcI5vqnaFPOzm3eH/s320/20190502_120519.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCfCO3Knq3uafkZVDW8oh-o_w7wDxucElCWdNIBa1tyFmiMF7KlelU3gtlkBuoyYvaMk7k6-Xs-oBaoxhY0Yj920y9okt3XH06eXmdhqI_PmPcU2YFaiQg-y6U6v4tjv-uu7koOEwPDsQ/s1600/20190502_115938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCfCO3Knq3uafkZVDW8oh-o_w7wDxucElCWdNIBa1tyFmiMF7KlelU3gtlkBuoyYvaMk7k6-Xs-oBaoxhY0Yj920y9okt3XH06eXmdhqI_PmPcU2YFaiQg-y6U6v4tjv-uu7koOEwPDsQ/s320/20190502_115938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO5qOWzuzBn6YEXSOruALVx9oavE2b5y_3LmY4NWZvFAvz4OcWXV9MZpyB-5GHwTI66rUVlOSYlkSRP5XaSDaI4HUdt8m0texWgCVW2t0H90f3ZOIZ5nZrF15ZiCXPs2vrXy_nsVHP5hX/s1600/20190427_154203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipO5qOWzuzBn6YEXSOruALVx9oavE2b5y_3LmY4NWZvFAvz4OcWXV9MZpyB-5GHwTI66rUVlOSYlkSRP5XaSDaI4HUdt8m0texWgCVW2t0H90f3ZOIZ5nZrF15ZiCXPs2vrXy_nsVHP5hX/s320/20190427_154203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: , "helveticaneue"; font-size: 16px; height: 76px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"></span><span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: , "helveticaneue"; font-size: 16px; height: 51px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"></span><br />
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<span id="OutlookSignature"></span><br />
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span id="OutlookSignature">Get <a href="https://aka.ms/ghei36" style="color: #0072c6;">Outlook for Android</a></span></div>
<span id="OutlookSignature">
</span></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-61273238298369035672019-05-25T23:45:00.001-07:002019-05-25T23:45:53.265-07:00Return to Candes after 3 years, April 2019<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCI41VaQPFsZgSb8GlzUs_kemSNiTAjlOrJL7cr4fu0jtFfpynn55yiFVdmjYeHRj-mUfrrZAylOjjeo3qzQBxCagRhtDc_sU2E7pY2QRZXkqddBv-8rZvmXxtYZr6ihdSZk65-tzMdeA/s1600/20190427_072717_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCI41VaQPFsZgSb8GlzUs_kemSNiTAjlOrJL7cr4fu0jtFfpynn55yiFVdmjYeHRj-mUfrrZAylOjjeo3qzQBxCagRhtDc_sU2E7pY2QRZXkqddBv-8rZvmXxtYZr6ihdSZk65-tzMdeA/s200/20190427_072717_001.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from 'my' bedroom in Nicholas's<br />
house </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQBnd1mKoTufoToplYvkjX9OVPX0jc7YRhcPKIqTQ0sS_Pr3QhLZzPINiGjKzL_uHBsTVY2sar54W28tjek8P6GZq7zy_RBTf-PFdczMtVATio5EZv31FLxZRRiA6YZrSgSk7kd_PvqTm/s1600/20190427_160728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQBnd1mKoTufoToplYvkjX9OVPX0jc7YRhcPKIqTQ0sS_Pr3QhLZzPINiGjKzL_uHBsTVY2sar54W28tjek8P6GZq7zy_RBTf-PFdczMtVATio5EZv31FLxZRRiA6YZrSgSk7kd_PvqTm/s320/20190427_160728.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the house. Wisteria, lilac, clematis, roses - with a kiwi berry vine </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I visited Nicholas three years ago and was very happy to have the opportunity to go back again. He's had the roof retiled recently, completed the bathroom- there's even a flush toilet now - and he's done a lot more planting. He has another old barn now, and some of the stone walls have been repaired.<br />
<br />
Candes is a tiny hamlet near Comiac in the Lot Region. Comiac has a cafe but for shopping, it's a trip down the hill to Bretenoux or Saint-Céré, 20 minutes via narrow winding roads.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIv25kIZBZmpnu39g5Ib_BY_qg-S3DQep-FMrn2B0TYLkbjNPnCBDkDi2yAofMJfgY-IEwNQCObaaDjWCvF4RBj5ec8luaNVXSYC8HRu6i0AIZmFelb4TMIUnrw06sdPNhyHY3Fgqd2C9/s1600/20190427_153913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIv25kIZBZmpnu39g5Ib_BY_qg-S3DQep-FMrn2B0TYLkbjNPnCBDkDi2yAofMJfgY-IEwNQCObaaDjWCvF4RBj5ec8luaNVXSYC8HRu6i0AIZmFelb4TMIUnrw06sdPNhyHY3Fgqd2C9/s320/20190427_153913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In a borrowed pair of gumboots, a scavanged men's jumper and think gardening gloves I got to work on the nettles, filling barrow after barrow with them, revealing all the irises along the walls just about ready to flower. I pulled weeds from around the peonies, also just coming into bloom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXajPuqS0siAgSL7bxMJSNAgv1ImRN8Xp4y_SKZ6kKfzFXQWjhKSjj34NCWQxkU9VbwfVaOxWC4pyx3lDylGMsib_5g-J33wN7ZCw4e7ZSAVaqvh8bC9HSBE7Cjxo2tezTkYINj528ib2J/s1600/20190512_091038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXajPuqS0siAgSL7bxMJSNAgv1ImRN8Xp4y_SKZ6kKfzFXQWjhKSjj34NCWQxkU9VbwfVaOxWC4pyx3lDylGMsib_5g-J33wN7ZCw4e7ZSAVaqvh8bC9HSBE7Cjxo2tezTkYINj528ib2J/s320/20190512_091038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPb-edvu5kySEZTw_0iJp5CGd5P-Bb5sHtTkHvEVLLM3ZsnRRgX9w-mRD781CocFu6IXonM4ua5H2OxFOCnwQ2hEUKzPLjzt0o4AxiHei0nufFhdZUtOHk5mZbT77SXcXtU5anazgoGoN/s1600/20190512_090528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPb-edvu5kySEZTw_0iJp5CGd5P-Bb5sHtTkHvEVLLM3ZsnRRgX9w-mRD781CocFu6IXonM4ua5H2OxFOCnwQ2hEUKzPLjzt0o4AxiHei0nufFhdZUtOHk5mZbT77SXcXtU5anazgoGoN/s320/20190512_090528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicholas - in the Japanese maple walled garden.<br />I cleared a mountain of weeds, but<br />there's still so much blackberry in there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On sunny days we'd have lunch in the garden, but it was just as nice on wet days being inside with the fire going and a big pot of soup on the hob. <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkZ4KAtycHjZI9hPwNVq0mXKdcWbxzUV8cR4yo8Oz46gqr5LZzawqMWjEmY-hjjiMR4EJbiPBOep60FkD9CdjoPvn5pFxk7qbLYIT_fU4sduxf-9AiiNH6ISeSgv-jPoCZ2k7DqXIQAsJ/s1600/20190427_143634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkZ4KAtycHjZI9hPwNVq0mXKdcWbxzUV8cR4yo8Oz46gqr5LZzawqMWjEmY-hjjiMR4EJbiPBOep60FkD9CdjoPvn5pFxk7qbLYIT_fU4sduxf-9AiiNH6ISeSgv-jPoCZ2k7DqXIQAsJ/s320/20190427_143634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H6Zsy2D_64uiP6VkWhVV7aMl9vkKqXDszEg57Nu2hyJKNhYtlgA5X-KOtzf_9eyYPc5-JRYBZBoQ9r_fTNZE25-D6hltguchpBqxCvoAL1-6RQUX5sy5OblVTx2AxsQBCGCeU5GBxD8P/s1600/20190427_143334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H6Zsy2D_64uiP6VkWhVV7aMl9vkKqXDszEg57Nu2hyJKNhYtlgA5X-KOtzf_9eyYPc5-JRYBZBoQ9r_fTNZE25-D6hltguchpBqxCvoAL1-6RQUX5sy5OblVTx2AxsQBCGCeU5GBxD8P/s400/20190427_143334.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SYvY_LHFUZgZf-LhRTi7YZF-nEgNMgFoaAEWLnflVDuuJWSbjYIYtQy7NiiuLF_iI9AinNHKbc5qTE5Yjs-JZW4lXXZzv_yJjqWVuBQN7bVreyE_7lxP3u-5icmB3VYBOHYjyt2Y2D9b/s1600/20190512_090644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SYvY_LHFUZgZf-LhRTi7YZF-nEgNMgFoaAEWLnflVDuuJWSbjYIYtQy7NiiuLF_iI9AinNHKbc5qTE5Yjs-JZW4lXXZzv_yJjqWVuBQN7bVreyE_7lxP3u-5icmB3VYBOHYjyt2Y2D9b/s320/20190512_090644.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The broad beans were up but they were being attacked by moles.<br />Hence the bottles on stakes - they are meant to vibrate in the ground and keep pests away.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-46610851024370527172019-05-24T12:21:00.000-07:002019-05-24T12:21:23.762-07:00Days out by bus - Shaftesbury<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxoQopE2ocU1cEXaNBr31tkjHljrIpNpP8QnlWmn_8U_Fwy8rDwwzUXfbUocAtJ1MhCQdaU7r1e2pcURwZYEtmR3J5CutVaex8tBB4fuMUks67q1k5GwTUZ3nRrYG4kVW6QP0YsZ0oCT8/s1600/20190524_135951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxoQopE2ocU1cEXaNBr31tkjHljrIpNpP8QnlWmn_8U_Fwy8rDwwzUXfbUocAtJ1MhCQdaU7r1e2pcURwZYEtmR3J5CutVaex8tBB4fuMUks67q1k5GwTUZ3nRrYG4kVW6QP0YsZ0oCT8/s200/20190524_135951.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;">Shaftesbury is a small market town in Dorset with a history going back to Saxon times. The town is one of the highest in the county at the breathtaking altitude of 750 feet, and on a reasonable day you are lucky to enjoy views over Thomas Hardy’s Blackmore Vale.</span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;">It is an hour on the bus from Salisbury, winding through hamlets along the Chalke valley where most of England's watercress is grown. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXubVi1RxjXh-l7UbHhLd2QZeN8IUpvdAJtFIJgBUcdGs9WHZ_Nt6rQTMtV493Y5a4GAUyMIQzmJnRPhyphenhyphentXyU8yvYq_m-xXZ1NaMxLDUXvoAmGBM9HBkd1YC7RQnqa9asSUv1L8Qp4fRz/s1600/20190524_135750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXubVi1RxjXh-l7UbHhLd2QZeN8IUpvdAJtFIJgBUcdGs9WHZ_Nt6rQTMtV493Y5a4GAUyMIQzmJnRPhyphenhyphentXyU8yvYq_m-xXZ1NaMxLDUXvoAmGBM9HBkd1YC7RQnqa9asSUv1L8Qp4fRz/s320/20190524_135750.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdelRtQW_AtfwXAgOv0BrOBc4-IG203kF-JSdoglh92UQOXozIb-pL0pNCxIj2-wgdyDw8Y3KL_4nH6nPucG0Q42_obuYlJeLRthoKjg-kCOoC-YwaFIq-1tM0jZOrUd3OsFiXHFbenx1/s1600/20190524_135609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdelRtQW_AtfwXAgOv0BrOBc4-IG203kF-JSdoglh92UQOXozIb-pL0pNCxIj2-wgdyDw8Y3KL_4nH6nPucG0Q42_obuYlJeLRthoKjg-kCOoC-YwaFIq-1tM0jZOrUd3OsFiXHFbenx1/s320/20190524_135609.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="auto" style="color: black; direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<br /></div>
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
Alfred the Great, later King Alfred, established an abbey here for his daughter. In medieval times the Abbey attracted pilgrims who came for blessings at the shrine of St Edward. It's wealth and power grew, but in 1539 it was closed and completely ransacked, one of the last monastries to be d<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;">estroyed during Henry VIII's time.</span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;"> Now there's a walled garden on the site and a small museum run by volunteers.</span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OaYxqwSGHS2lF6_5fyqFy590m51LgTdbAb7ae68GoCkdy6s9Se0Wp_u9r7L47BOEq4JpF2sJOmgorXktDw1cfo49ULY4WhAMgpQqct4svY0T3RXpqe_0yTiWofClXDSUVm78af_cCi8f/s1600/20190524_135846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OaYxqwSGHS2lF6_5fyqFy590m51LgTdbAb7ae68GoCkdy6s9Se0Wp_u9r7L47BOEq4JpF2sJOmgorXktDw1cfo49ULY4WhAMgpQqct4svY0T3RXpqe_0yTiWofClXDSUVm78af_cCi8f/s320/20190524_135846.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 76px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"></span><br />
<div dir="auto" style="direction: ltr; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 25.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform-origin: 0px 0px; transform: scale(0.99982);">
Calendars and bread adverts have made one street in Shaftesbury famous - Gold Street. </div>
<span class="outlook-overflow-scaling" data-outlook-overflow-scale="0.999820476467876" style="color: #212121; display: block; font-family: -apple-system, HelveticaNeue; font-size: 16px; height: 51px; overflow: hidden; width: 619px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ0tPZ6o4qlg-_RnsfPi7kJHxS9fpnTUhJ9WHvXMvVWQmW5sVpAnQmCQCj_k9ZbrA86gH1gJCQ0KuNQDrKnZZWC4zkx98-C7TtK6iUzGSpofw4SgXo2fkEa-YR8iXIoM95F_IWpdZKIVx/s1600/20190524_195150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ0tPZ6o4qlg-_RnsfPi7kJHxS9fpnTUhJ9WHvXMvVWQmW5sVpAnQmCQCj_k9ZbrA86gH1gJCQ0KuNQDrKnZZWC4zkx98-C7TtK6iUzGSpofw4SgXo2fkEa-YR8iXIoM95F_IWpdZKIVx/s320/20190524_195150.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In 1973 Ridley Scott used Gold Street in an advertisement for Hovis Bread. This ad was voted as Britain's all-time favorite TV ad. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuotqJ-Liybn9VHXCaIQo_z5pqfd-kv-4aJ9SBn9CYuk6fZVmbadtWjnz5q5agLCzibBum3fxEHzUi5h_MK541_7z7bM3fNtiie4xxXYI_OoDj5Mdq3atfRlp8-98LAOCqyTGjRdL_pgQs/s1600/20190524_195047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuotqJ-Liybn9VHXCaIQo_z5pqfd-kv-4aJ9SBn9CYuk6fZVmbadtWjnz5q5agLCzibBum3fxEHzUi5h_MK541_7z7bM3fNtiie4xxXYI_OoDj5Mdq3atfRlp8-98LAOCqyTGjRdL_pgQs/s320/20190524_195047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-9115039214442058842019-04-25T00:44:00.001-07:002019-04-27T07:20:24.486-07:00Now and ThenI started to dream of Carcassonne during my time in Dunedin when I was obsessed with the idea of living in a boat on the canals of England. Reading everything I could find about canal boat life, I borrowed a random audiobook from the local library called Narrow Dog to Carcassonne<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5SyY69Fd6qq1Yu-dRwXlVIKG5rlNCPnaxucYHVXVX1vxLRI846ITtKqjoYZ5A3noY5IEySLiV6QStVrG3VbycOcM53TsWvh-gbsUT6-s4NdgsAjzg14GcPWrTe5nOZ8_CbXCdPOqvxGJ/s1600/20190424_215400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5SyY69Fd6qq1Yu-dRwXlVIKG5rlNCPnaxucYHVXVX1vxLRI846ITtKqjoYZ5A3noY5IEySLiV6QStVrG3VbycOcM53TsWvh-gbsUT6-s4NdgsAjzg14GcPWrTe5nOZ8_CbXCdPOqvxGJ/s400/20190424_215400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walled hilltop city of Carcassonne overlooking the Garronne River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's a laugh-out-loud tale about a couple of pensioners who with their whippet Jim decide to take their narrowboat across the Channel and all the way down through France to the town of Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFeoQARCa9GQzQAcitcqnikV0PqjaG3m3irEtC3LEV7D1cgq44BxNxbGfSVhDfvfavitpBaiMO5l7dQrgG_19mJZOSzoO6flWODjtcbUIoHjbv8RqykFyJK-ZVyZbuVcQ56_rgNKRdjb3/s1600/20190425_092415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFeoQARCa9GQzQAcitcqnikV0PqjaG3m3irEtC3LEV7D1cgq44BxNxbGfSVhDfvfavitpBaiMO5l7dQrgG_19mJZOSzoO6flWODjtcbUIoHjbv8RqykFyJK-ZVyZbuVcQ56_rgNKRdjb3/s400/20190425_092415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canal du Midi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For now just a couple of pics from the town outside the city walls<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUKmMb3wyvbonrWP9IReSrEOEE5C3W_7sa6ELZO9pUpf-tGWEGeZ11hgG5Ns4dl7ISL9guIi_oChMD7mM4_4EgBKlmfm7nyvUWxBSzhD-ZIC3Gn0D4m7P8ybtCJDtBtvtHq7z4TU6Qg5I/s1600/20190424_120435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUKmMb3wyvbonrWP9IReSrEOEE5C3W_7sa6ELZO9pUpf-tGWEGeZ11hgG5Ns4dl7ISL9guIi_oChMD7mM4_4EgBKlmfm7nyvUWxBSzhD-ZIC3Gn0D4m7P8ybtCJDtBtvtHq7z4TU6Qg5I/s320/20190424_120435.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TZPsvccERJoCcjMeBvCK_mQohvNuLbrQD9FgSXIE56aXInGVzuP27pWkty7Ge-rulXg7ebxYHgKB-rcwxyKHfx5n-I7ZZR5vF6bXlS6Lwn0QATKWoyCkLkKGSJ6ag2HkBdg1lI7lS90p/s1600/20190424_220453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TZPsvccERJoCcjMeBvCK_mQohvNuLbrQD9FgSXIE56aXInGVzuP27pWkty7Ge-rulXg7ebxYHgKB-rcwxyKHfx5n-I7ZZR5vF6bXlS6Lwn0QATKWoyCkLkKGSJ6ag2HkBdg1lI7lS90p/s320/20190424_220453.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
Cool!<br />
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-49051785253736514792019-04-23T08:05:00.000-07:002019-04-23T08:05:37.245-07:00Easter Monday in Toulouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChOlFllBnMfEGe9CJvCU9ixSb4sXk7glwc3gzytrOpwc_0u6GYQqLk_LGRWFMaqcr9wTbHMX6Wmra0N-VmqzaqytbSCoh0PeQutJQieVF6VKOLJu8nbykkdIwdTFh_-hOk99TNW2Y8ExT/s1600/20190423_092939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChOlFllBnMfEGe9CJvCU9ixSb4sXk7glwc3gzytrOpwc_0u6GYQqLk_LGRWFMaqcr9wTbHMX6Wmra0N-VmqzaqytbSCoh0PeQutJQieVF6VKOLJu8nbykkdIwdTFh_-hOk99TNW2Y8ExT/s200/20190423_092939.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcoZ0eya7sNZlF1QTmZz9wRfKvLYUtJ0IErnRF5ebaSsKHBWRkig0oS_kEfLAliHkySLXp9ZRn8Sgid7h7ckw38iMi4qREsYPE8OMYupJ8ayggc3WavHK4y2tCBcJlpHPaU1tcAaFTtib/s1600/20190423_145048_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcoZ0eya7sNZlF1QTmZz9wRfKvLYUtJ0IErnRF5ebaSsKHBWRkig0oS_kEfLAliHkySLXp9ZRn8Sgid7h7ckw38iMi4qREsYPE8OMYupJ8ayggc3WavHK4y2tCBcJlpHPaU1tcAaFTtib/s200/20190423_145048_001.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
First things first. Walnut bread and coffee.<br />
<br />
Easter is such a tasteful affair in France. Not a hot cross bun in sight, let alone a goji berry and avocado vegan number. Not a chance that a French choclatier would adulterate their marshmellow with chocolate. Even foil is used discretely. And supermarkets do not even try to sell easter eggs, sensibly leaving it to the experts.<br />
<br />
It's all wandering and window shopping in Toulouse on Easter Monday. Churches are about the only places open but even there business seems a bit slow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Ed3S67FywZZyr2ajz0iN497xAdT8FU57QSmm-caVtWrbRl7gsXS7zEsfuRb42MlPYZWuyiFFkh83cYut0AOxebqa28Nj0A6ANYuhVcFYTGvdwsLjnZDgEscVUouGIiHruM7e6gAFhHD/s1600/20190423_093739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98Ed3S67FywZZyr2ajz0iN497xAdT8FU57QSmm-caVtWrbRl7gsXS7zEsfuRb42MlPYZWuyiFFkh83cYut0AOxebqa28Nj0A6ANYuhVcFYTGvdwsLjnZDgEscVUouGIiHruM7e6gAFhHD/s320/20190423_093739.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Basilica Saint-Sernin. A way-point on<br />the chemin de Compostelle, built in the 11th<br />Century, listed by UNESCO. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg40DtsM0ZUarzW6GvgUPP8nNEeZso8aC3YS1kFHzs5T5J6v3RVVy9RZ5h7gd7FArmq9Y7UqoZp1mvy5g8YZjpoqHxW-GeUnoKPPpuIajG3I2JeEOplk2dhWj1_b_fElPNragfy0yInUV/s1600/20190423_093943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg40DtsM0ZUarzW6GvgUPP8nNEeZso8aC3YS1kFHzs5T5J6v3RVVy9RZ5h7gd7FArmq9Y7UqoZp1mvy5g8YZjpoqHxW-GeUnoKPPpuIajG3I2JeEOplk2dhWj1_b_fElPNragfy0yInUV/s320/20190423_093943.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Saint-Sernin. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonCxn1b_3WzTJjaLwB4DWZpRYmuRQ_Paiy30U0XAC-q8r_BLboxRl4s3NAQfbsNfM5BSuk9R9FzG2gZpfo1rbSg0CqAwkBENZbWeiD95bWeKWeLKWIRHTjxtOkYncFySI8YCdxol1K46b/s1600/20190423_093151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonCxn1b_3WzTJjaLwB4DWZpRYmuRQ_Paiy30U0XAC-q8r_BLboxRl4s3NAQfbsNfM5BSuk9R9FzG2gZpfo1rbSg0CqAwkBENZbWeiD95bWeKWeLKWIRHTjxtOkYncFySI8YCdxol1K46b/s320/20190423_093151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkm7kpl8Ka9okysSO6lIa5sXYim_7xMWK-hpuktYgaQ_gZHHgEWarHDPyMFTrk7rkeaEDR3FBrrxjjX2Q0qtMpvZcSJpeGOGLSqJQhjqVKVjgvv-2nOgOa5c9AFybVEVy2fCscUgzDPVY/s1600/20190423_100251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkm7kpl8Ka9okysSO6lIa5sXYim_7xMWK-hpuktYgaQ_gZHHgEWarHDPyMFTrk7rkeaEDR3FBrrxjjX2Q0qtMpvZcSJpeGOGLSqJQhjqVKVjgvv-2nOgOa5c9AFybVEVy2fCscUgzDPVY/s200/20190423_100251.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
The bike paths along the Canal du Midi are busy. A set of locks seperate the Canal from the Garronne, spanned here by the Pont Neuf.<br />
<br />
Toulouse is the home of the Airbus headquarters, Europe's biggest aeronautics manufacturer with an annual revenue that exceeds €60 billion. You can do a tour, but not today.<br />
<br />
Instead I go to t the Japanese garden where the cherry blossom was being sripped by the cold wind and the magnolias were just coming out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0XoOuSfA1VQeXu7xm5wDe8Qd98WFsEQgVxl-Bxe_DUgxcEXhSEAmy4BGA_51vzooYFHsx8gmmRW6QLoP7Hs3wtdUzkg9J_dqMNc2qyCz6lxOwiLijk0e7RcRrhxdBghNJud4ADPEsrVh/s1600/20190423_093419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0XoOuSfA1VQeXu7xm5wDe8Qd98WFsEQgVxl-Bxe_DUgxcEXhSEAmy4BGA_51vzooYFHsx8gmmRW6QLoP7Hs3wtdUzkg9J_dqMNc2qyCz6lxOwiLijk0e7RcRrhxdBghNJud4ADPEsrVh/s400/20190423_093419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-43667938208933303152019-04-21T02:22:00.001-07:002019-04-21T02:22:39.786-07:00What happened to the posts?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NOEbGlWTL0mQEM91dyDVrc7ZAk2Ao7WfN6Z7L8EImDvb-PZUYcrm0xI4JBJjDvE0ABdRw2FbzJ9flam4HzZ1xmrzy-IOCXbFiSTNdT2MveQ-mFgGCRdVXKNSlh-TeFL8Q2dSxqLXMLwx/s1600/20190418_112759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NOEbGlWTL0mQEM91dyDVrc7ZAk2Ao7WfN6Z7L8EImDvb-PZUYcrm0xI4JBJjDvE0ABdRw2FbzJ9flam4HzZ1xmrzy-IOCXbFiSTNdT2MveQ-mFgGCRdVXKNSlh-TeFL8Q2dSxqLXMLwx/s400/20190418_112759.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
So, no posts for a while. I have several in draft ready to go, but they are on my laptop which is in transit back to Australia. As soon as I arrived in Spain the screen gave up and after a couple of weeks of trying different approaches I decided to send it back to Dell Australia. So much for global business. Joys of being a digital nomad.<br />
<br />
I'm currently in Montpellier, staying in Nicholas' lovely aparment in the old part of town. The photo is of the courtyard of the seventeenth century building that has been coverted from a Dominication monastry to modern apartments. The living room looks onto this charming view.Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-76317172434055783432019-04-02T01:09:00.000-07:002019-04-02T01:09:11.445-07:00Big implies Little<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yes, there is also a Small Wild Goose Pagoda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsYco0BpzKa8E44hQ1VV7SwYzl2gPyM8XJh0p-CcSkHnYHTtcdqrDLFbAx_JK2X_2nSf-0l4H864LW6K7ZVOSCZEwE6_BnZZxyajCy94PRK-6YbUqZ2deNVdvAkj2OCAHBGuHTtxuLi49/s1600/IMG_1712+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsYco0BpzKa8E44hQ1VV7SwYzl2gPyM8XJh0p-CcSkHnYHTtcdqrDLFbAx_JK2X_2nSf-0l4H864LW6K7ZVOSCZEwE6_BnZZxyajCy94PRK-6YbUqZ2deNVdvAkj2OCAHBGuHTtxuLi49/s320/IMG_1712+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fchCA4DqJXTM-r3VRuWf7oqpg2Vj5g8E-wg8WC1y_5hhzn4zyDhADgZlgTBsSW841tSc3odlGWmHxdlsEHO1udzk0s47IWHXYxJFmTaq2OjvoOk4aqUKiJ36WAzmNXV571A_VHoIuN8i/s1600/IMG_1715+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fchCA4DqJXTM-r3VRuWf7oqpg2Vj5g8E-wg8WC1y_5hhzn4zyDhADgZlgTBsSW841tSc3odlGWmHxdlsEHO1udzk0s47IWHXYxJFmTaq2OjvoOk4aqUKiJ36WAzmNXV571A_VHoIuN8i/s200/IMG_1715+-+Copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/xian/attraction/small-wild-goose-pagoda.htm" target="_blank">Small Wild Goose Pagoda</a> was a lot less crowded
than it’s big brother (see previous post). There’s a little craft village with
resident artists showcasing some of the regional specialities such as
leatherwork, calligraphy, paper cutting, tea arts and jade carving, all
clustered around a courtyard with a pond and trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxZFWnNxiRcZ-5FaBK5U48k0XezhuC7XqI6TK-tTy28fAMYTqYypTYa9gUmNk-Qji9WcwhEPRwJ5bAsVYU1zOScqGsoY6AGmdWef-unpuHcVPNCtifebyKm_lsc34Eq2sbUOx2FJsUH4F/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxZFWnNxiRcZ-5FaBK5U48k0XezhuC7XqI6TK-tTy28fAMYTqYypTYa9gUmNk-Qji9WcwhEPRwJ5bAsVYU1zOScqGsoY6AGmdWef-unpuHcVPNCtifebyKm_lsc34Eq2sbUOx2FJsUH4F/s320/IMG_1696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I was offered an impromptu tea-tasting and I
got to sample some old Puér, a local Dragon Well, and several other teas. The
man serving was happy to cut off extra PuEr from a round cake wrapped in
rice-paper, which he added to my water bottle with fresh hot water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh8gv8R1JUOdxo6bbKH_ZwQ71xWOnQYRFZF391ZWC2UPE-qa05Xdh7NZSSJJ67CFf2osBs_VgNdzSWyK8amvFWgkDihV6SYwND3Xrj9LMEkr7dppp4NOjg3FxjSeuN11hlft1lpf-j5Zx/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh8gv8R1JUOdxo6bbKH_ZwQ71xWOnQYRFZF391ZWC2UPE-qa05Xdh7NZSSJJ67CFf2osBs_VgNdzSWyK8amvFWgkDihV6SYwND3Xrj9LMEkr7dppp4NOjg3FxjSeuN11hlft1lpf-j5Zx/s320/IMG_1647.JPG" width="320" /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Bj5wCX1AkYOIcWa18JF187RMvkpj-C-KPwPpLwDBYQ_zqCn12TNvd9kzeyTM6zuwOrCqA4QqaSRbggw71isRx1NiFK8IUa3vo7rc10vfGOQVE9xrEJ3BqLR-fQIctm1t0iPVz7ElSbTD/s1600/IMG_1702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Bj5wCX1AkYOIcWa18JF187RMvkpj-C-KPwPpLwDBYQ_zqCn12TNvd9kzeyTM6zuwOrCqA4QqaSRbggw71isRx1NiFK8IUa3vo7rc10vfGOQVE9xrEJ3BqLR-fQIctm1t0iPVz7ElSbTD/s320/IMG_1702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The museum beside the Pagoda was excellent, in
a light, modern building and far less busy. Thee was no café, but in the little
shop, the girls were eating their bowls of noodles, and when I mimed that the
lovely smell was making me feel hungry, they insisted on me taking a mooncake.
I took it away gracefully even though I didn’t think I’d be able to eat it, but
it was packed with walnuts and sesame seeds, only a little bean paste and
hardly any sugar. The best mooncake I have ever had, washed down with the old
Puér. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnnAqiSmNYDvUumWdYDsDgy72Cbuothe1fAhRShPVCQGGkDxNGpAY5SJnSteif_akcibJbzS9KyC-Lm0WZ6iOkBdRADuCqD3VoECUrNWFbbwGr0oMZONHSOUiRHnTascwrx4lMR2TDqp6/s1600/IMG_1721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnnAqiSmNYDvUumWdYDsDgy72Cbuothe1fAhRShPVCQGGkDxNGpAY5SJnSteif_akcibJbzS9KyC-Lm0WZ6iOkBdRADuCqD3VoECUrNWFbbwGr0oMZONHSOUiRHnTascwrx4lMR2TDqp6/s320/IMG_1721.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bell Tower, beside the Pagoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCVbJoh8qJyddcNxIgi8fM9EOLmHkDLHmD5KMKIUkQ7a4leOLyeti6fIFph2DUIJJutv0gg_eDn3XoISInl8j12x-DgEWhtSRPYJi8bhr30MtJy7KvBmb1CO94NzVFnVe4jqJ3EF59SmG/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCVbJoh8qJyddcNxIgi8fM9EOLmHkDLHmD5KMKIUkQ7a4leOLyeti6fIFph2DUIJJutv0gg_eDn3XoISInl8j12x-DgEWhtSRPYJi8bhr30MtJy7KvBmb1CO94NzVFnVe4jqJ3EF59SmG/s320/IMG_1723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz8_vrd-w5n6bqAIPRf2nsuT0x7jixORpRV3VdgyjIL03S7Dme3TNMdEbovUi_gM4GJ7qGIiDIwp7C-JHSMMiI65A3IuFDKaXaVzTqoNW_GdSAj-PobapVmZrIldbHHseLFLuzo8oT-tU/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz8_vrd-w5n6bqAIPRf2nsuT0x7jixORpRV3VdgyjIL03S7Dme3TNMdEbovUi_gM4GJ7qGIiDIwp7C-JHSMMiI65A3IuFDKaXaVzTqoNW_GdSAj-PobapVmZrIldbHHseLFLuzo8oT-tU/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely museum building - The Pagoda is in fact part of the<br />
Xi’an Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjQ3hgu7r0VSfJ6KrHVZlExUBfS4nZsjwGbA1_2zeZd9gIpabn9ecx1AqWRd4zKtPjhGvu-I2t5akOJP_1CemTq7BgPEZUIokIhMDSP0ukrSGqn3_-1DYc4Pluujqg07N_iXmrCH8IDBs/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjQ3hgu7r0VSfJ6KrHVZlExUBfS4nZsjwGbA1_2zeZd9gIpabn9ecx1AqWRd4zKtPjhGvu-I2t5akOJP_1CemTq7BgPEZUIokIhMDSP0ukrSGqn3_-1DYc4Pluujqg07N_iXmrCH8IDBs/s320/IMG_1727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC01-FcqEj4XmzWAdUqe_cKZs91Hfa5lpRfpPUXhSkw-riNNYvLJHzxKsdLc2gLtI9zICOfSyxvgAEnoBB16SIBQrGbuWWOolCA-sGouFd6blL5bnCvkrYVe0OFIY8elhqSfka2NKEgSo/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC01-FcqEj4XmzWAdUqe_cKZs91Hfa5lpRfpPUXhSkw-riNNYvLJHzxKsdLc2gLtI9zICOfSyxvgAEnoBB16SIBQrGbuWWOolCA-sGouFd6blL5bnCvkrYVe0OFIY8elhqSfka2NKEgSo/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely grounds around the Pagoda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had many such friendly interactions despite
almost never coming across anyone who spoke any English. On a particularly slow
local bus I took out my book, and caused a great hilarity with the other
passengers. The woman beside me couldn’t stop pointing at it and telling the
rest of the bus how strange it was that a gweilo would be reading a BOOK. I
thought she was saying something along the lines of she doesn’t even have a
kindle, isn’t it quaint? How strange and backward the red devils are. Hysterical
really. I even used real money, where everyone else was paying for everything
including bus fares by waving their phone at a scanner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Which brings me to the subject of phones,
especially the lack of headphones. If they’re not having robust conversations
in ear-splitting voices and in (to my ear) abusive, aggressive tones, people were
watching videos or playing games or something. So, on the train or bus or any
other place, there are multiple tinny soundtracks filling up the space – public
space, folks! And because sometimes they were seated right beside me I could
see what some of these folk were watching – a young girl spent her commute
scrolling through ads for makeup and watching videos of women unpacking postal
packages and admiring the tubes and bottles inside, while the young man with
the seat beside mine on the bullet train watched videos of how to undo bits of
machinery with various wrenches and spanners – both with mindless endless
soundtracks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-40913065103661448312019-04-02T00:54:00.001-07:002019-04-02T00:54:20.055-07:00Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">It is library actually - a beautifully-named library. <a href="https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/bigwildgoose.htm" target="_blank">Big Wild Goose Pagoda</a>
is </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Xi’an’s most sacred monument.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> The original
pagoda was built in </span><a href="https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/china-history/the-tang-dynasty.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">the
Tang Dynasty</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> (618-907) for <b>the study of Buddhist scriptures</b>. An intrepid</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Buddhist monk called Xuanzang travelled across India for 18
years and returned with a precious collection of </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Sanskrit scriptures
and </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Buddhist sacred texts, and the pagoda was
built to house those treasures. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWdy5VvRKs8TnhM32EsH92sHS6o97qfpFEmJFu5VB-YcKP8gzMRj9t4Wg4zO8YwN2HGuz_4PVW-z6My16p1awCwiAE5sMSYG8oJ2bOLOHr25L9vlkyqHeqDC9fAXQklGd-xpLUMzncP3n/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWdy5VvRKs8TnhM32EsH92sHS6o97qfpFEmJFu5VB-YcKP8gzMRj9t4Wg4zO8YwN2HGuz_4PVW-z6My16p1awCwiAE5sMSYG8oJ2bOLOHr25L9vlkyqHeqDC9fAXQklGd-xpLUMzncP3n/s200/IMG_1746.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Most of the
original 5-story earth structure has gone, but the current 7-story pagoda was
built in the same style using traditional building methods. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even
though it is basically an empty shell, it stands out on the skyline and is
beautifully lit up at night. Maybe if was renamed as Big Wild Goose Library
Pagoda that would help the cause of libraries everywhere.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Knowledge is not always venerated, and in
1966, Red Guards burnt the pagoda’s scriptures, silk wall hangings and other
relics in a bonfire that raged all night. But that tragic destruction has
largely been forgotten by the crowds that flock to the Pagoda complex. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">The northern square of the Pagoda boasts the biggest sound and light
extravaganza in the world. Every night there is a </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fountain
and Music Show featuring synchronised colour, water and sound effects.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gc87jaRQV1if2_pV_OCq0jYkN721oxOzcMdrV_EQ-gRhh5Nc0ccgg1Q7WVhOC9tBSKZss_vc5NgME59gRAb_T6xp0vM19hncnnhwYbAK7rX7iulETL8AqKFgGu45oVa-rW6x4lcP_PY7/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gc87jaRQV1if2_pV_OCq0jYkN721oxOzcMdrV_EQ-gRhh5Nc0ccgg1Q7WVhOC9tBSKZss_vc5NgME59gRAb_T6xp0vM19hncnnhwYbAK7rX7iulETL8AqKFgGu45oVa-rW6x4lcP_PY7/s320/IMG_1747.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Plaza and Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the distance.<br />Statue is of a large book that symbolically tells of the richness<br />of the Tang Empire </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And to the south is the <a href="https://www.topchinatravel.com/china-attractions/tang-paradise.htm" target="_blank">Tang Paradise</a>, a vast
adventure park themed to show off the cultural richness of the Tang Empire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I visited the Pagoda on a Sunday, when the
spacious modern plazas around the monument were packed with families. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I skipped the theme park and instead went to
the nearby Shaanxi History Museum. Locals get in free, and there were queues
for hundreds of metres in both directions, which should have put me off. But I
was only in Xian for a couple of days, and I was here now, so I skipped the
queue and bought my ticket so I could go straight in (more or less, there was
another queue for the ubiquitous security check). Just me and 4,000 other
people. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqvVz-TVcAQuKZ6JAwugqfMvrS0UdQjsaXWpWyz6RYGrH6vN-4qsNPmbhj4GfVc_mCVJkPRkj-P2nGCsC7NZE6zuluBW1YTU14GgtyrKRp0-rXarj6DmcKx4ZUUDePqpE2V2w4OwEu9IH/s1600/IMG_1752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqvVz-TVcAQuKZ6JAwugqfMvrS0UdQjsaXWpWyz6RYGrH6vN-4qsNPmbhj4GfVc_mCVJkPRkj-P2nGCsC7NZE6zuluBW1YTU14GgtyrKRp0-rXarj6DmcKx4ZUUDePqpE2V2w4OwEu9IH/s320/IMG_1752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7L99agG_w4BopM_2JTJmvYSfgAMNJR3fgIfkc__T_NgeP0R_QHCiNYCsV3CYzcqvWGexPoRB2XPSlUTBDbLJFS7IRf8IHu5dv3_yKR1b2S3A-VWSdRXiwtv6-76NG_fSzECJ07iJk03Z/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7L99agG_w4BopM_2JTJmvYSfgAMNJR3fgIfkc__T_NgeP0R_QHCiNYCsV3CYzcqvWGexPoRB2XPSlUTBDbLJFS7IRf8IHu5dv3_yKR1b2S3A-VWSdRXiwtv6-76NG_fSzECJ07iJk03Z/s320/IMG_1753.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s a fantastic museum but negotiating the crowds and the stuffiness
meant that after a couple of hours I felt totally exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOZn7Wfqr7JSXTzNYmA21d7X7IXFP4k10RTHVIVXc8vuiiUojNe-m41O_Qqy3WFlq6k43DcHStnQo0ZETY9wQHOhtuFBFfE5GqxOzhWW-k_kT0H0JeRUUJYiyz0isXwzjiYuRghrCdnW9/s1600/IMG_1777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOZn7Wfqr7JSXTzNYmA21d7X7IXFP4k10RTHVIVXc8vuiiUojNe-m41O_Qqy3WFlq6k43DcHStnQo0ZETY9wQHOhtuFBFfE5GqxOzhWW-k_kT0H0JeRUUJYiyz0isXwzjiYuRghrCdnW9/s320/IMG_1777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A big hot-stone bowl of bibimbap later, and
fully restored, I walked to the famous Muslim street. More crowds, more food
temptations, more noise. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XuX7iXw7tOjwkWYjbw_gVOEAeACivFOgKHwFOb4MkBQprQEH_Mt7OK4P-8t3lVH6hqsXbRHJih_ZCuHTKwA9FerrPJdMIplVlhGqKlzfRKnAbeqJbxCc-bml4kuprL4olX5nSiVIdpCa/s1600/IMG_1738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XuX7iXw7tOjwkWYjbw_gVOEAeACivFOgKHwFOb4MkBQprQEH_Mt7OK4P-8t3lVH6hqsXbRHJih_ZCuHTKwA9FerrPJdMIplVlhGqKlzfRKnAbeqJbxCc-bml4kuprL4olX5nSiVIdpCa/s200/IMG_1738.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIosQjyRJPzmaDhsxljzpPOeIgaFC5-Nr6w2Om6N2QLOo4EcJ2wSLH4mB6UE1v8goik1IEsQFsJ74CchCKqzAy9kEwaZi3hWEPxj0iX_ZbZ9nnLqNV2B8cbS80X5kNL5w7bltgZKNub4g/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIosQjyRJPzmaDhsxljzpPOeIgaFC5-Nr6w2Om6N2QLOo4EcJ2wSLH4mB6UE1v8goik1IEsQFsJ74CchCKqzAy9kEwaZi3hWEPxj0iX_ZbZ9nnLqNV2B8cbS80X5kNL5w7bltgZKNub4g/s200/IMG_1740.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z1sOP76KcbqfsOfTG8GcKPSERptj_lTGADpjFHRpG_V3CYUiLBhS0Msxlx1MSJhLfRlYVZBE61NgGEZcL8aQAM-vgQGAVwG2YKfEZ98uZtRTEsFh386Oluobu8Ho_RjiRvck3RneTw7p/s1600/IMG_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z1sOP76KcbqfsOfTG8GcKPSERptj_lTGADpjFHRpG_V3CYUiLBhS0Msxlx1MSJhLfRlYVZBE61NgGEZcL8aQAM-vgQGAVwG2YKfEZ98uZtRTEsFh386Oluobu8Ho_RjiRvck3RneTw7p/s320/IMG_1742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roujiami buns </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV0n39gzFFg0wbAc-oOgOTa9IAwxY8lePDFC7dpf5hbwPikZR8h6mfhLcjLQjPv1imfd9uK0_HSPiODGT-7MBdwzc1ILV5dgF_ij_67LEQrPujWaps_RH2xAjbKlS_MvEmg0CARa8gf8F/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV0n39gzFFg0wbAc-oOgOTa9IAwxY8lePDFC7dpf5hbwPikZR8h6mfhLcjLQjPv1imfd9uK0_HSPiODGT-7MBdwzc1ILV5dgF_ij_67LEQrPujWaps_RH2xAjbKlS_MvEmg0CARa8gf8F/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One that should take off in Australia - the fruit salad bar. You take a container (plastic) and fill it with the<br />fruit of your choice, it's weighed at the end and you pay accordingly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJt4tKbI2DYycuX_m4omtqmQ_2mlDuyWIkLInuxJUb2RIsuBab7SClwzx9SvYF8BcVYxWyC42kHxf1TeezokBGfWRVhN3bneu3_GQmI-PWaUIhAxp1bOx6v6iZqpWsxo2kowbq_6FdXMM/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJt4tKbI2DYycuX_m4omtqmQ_2mlDuyWIkLInuxJUb2RIsuBab7SClwzx9SvYF8BcVYxWyC42kHxf1TeezokBGfWRVhN3bneu3_GQmI-PWaUIhAxp1bOx6v6iZqpWsxo2kowbq_6FdXMM/s320/IMG_1744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I tried roujiami, the signature dish of this part of
China. The smell of the huge vats of steaming meaty stuff was less than
appealing, but the bread that was being kneaded, flattened and tossed onto the
hotplate looked pretty good. It’s a version of something in between a pie and a
hamburger - the flat bread is split and filled with fragrantly-spiced meaty
stew stuff. It was greasy, possibly mutton-y, had lots of soft gristly bits and
gravy, and the roll was both soft and flaky, a cross between bread and pastry,
and the whole was – absolutely delicious. Take noted, pie entrepreneurs, this
will become a Thing. Pig totters, maybe not so much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-iffgzLmSXMcID1w7dMU-4Vi5-uKBLZvS2JNl8hlfizfwT_lO8Ckeow6Roiup4-nTt6hp1KlD0NALlalubE2QSVzrvbz8_rY3WGqDkjuWnTL3BnDpfqA1T9f8Ch7S6UHANFzxeOl0ov7/s1600/IMG_1750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-iffgzLmSXMcID1w7dMU-4Vi5-uKBLZvS2JNl8hlfizfwT_lO8Ckeow6Roiup4-nTt6hp1KlD0NALlalubE2QSVzrvbz8_rY3WGqDkjuWnTL3BnDpfqA1T9f8Ch7S6UHANFzxeOl0ov7/s320/IMG_1750.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the walk from the Pagoda to the Muslim Street - this flower wall. There were beds and<br />installations like this all the way along the 35km route to the Terracotta Warriors, and in so many<br />places around the city. I cannot even begin to imagine the size of the nurseries that<br />produce this many plants, let alone the labour force required to put them in place.<br /><br />Hire bikes - everywhere, all across the city. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-10097712654638972632019-03-26T01:16:00.003-07:002019-03-26T01:16:43.299-07:00Xi'an, China<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7UjCxv5JcUM2GEmRC7QQd1qOt2Wv_f54j5OcZG1B068uJwvu1Tx-16krmSlQYMaSwcFYz5nJaV0TZbYGsEu4pYuZTqIY2XeLe3iGA_PHnHWW_cTb1-fQSHfqXd2b640A9pTb_dgg7Xm8/s1600/IMG_1595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7UjCxv5JcUM2GEmRC7QQd1qOt2Wv_f54j5OcZG1B068uJwvu1Tx-16krmSlQYMaSwcFYz5nJaV0TZbYGsEu4pYuZTqIY2XeLe3iGA_PHnHWW_cTb1-fQSHfqXd2b640A9pTb_dgg7Xm8/s200/IMG_1595.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">My flight with
Sichuan Air arrived at 1.30am. I was the only white foreigner on the plane and
over the next 6 days in Xi'an I saw hardly any English-speaking tourists, even
at the key tourist sights.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The airport is about
35 km out of the city. What struck me as we flew over miles and miles of city
tracked by seemingly endless grids of brightly lit wide highways is the sheer
scale of development that has gone on here over the last few decades. The plane
taxied for ages across tarmac past several terminal buildings and hundreds of
planes belong to a myriad of different carriers. Heading into the city along
one of those highways, I kept thinking I could see hills on the horizon until I
worked out that I was seeing was the lights twinkling at the top of scattered
forests of multi-storey towers. Seemed like 12-lane roads all the way, roads
lined all the way with street lights decorated with red lights in arrangements
resembling Chines lanterns or tassels.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ma0aYR6Hc1UEK-rJ3wqe9Q1bbRm1A_yK4Vzf5f9Ywyb17enRGo7qrv-wMhnCNiKrc_nPUWjhi_hVeJKoFqsd3YitZ0S9c9ZFIvDmsxGRfrgTivIkojiXlOpqOuydun7jdqjK0ycE2MNW/s1600/IMG_1944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ma0aYR6Hc1UEK-rJ3wqe9Q1bbRm1A_yK4Vzf5f9Ywyb17enRGo7qrv-wMhnCNiKrc_nPUWjhi_hVeJKoFqsd3YitZ0S9c9ZFIvDmsxGRfrgTivIkojiXlOpqOuydun7jdqjK0ycE2MNW/s200/IMG_1944.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMgPwvd8DiCH8I4C7iLhlDybOCR1PhXFwPTsGycFD9d1IokyhhwGzQmKZFYHZG46ipinVm0U1NOgIEK-vJNUQRsm9_v5ecqdWAK53fDvP3m-b5AF-LRNvFJk6QqlYcu9egw4Lwo1OiktH/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMgPwvd8DiCH8I4C7iLhlDybOCR1PhXFwPTsGycFD9d1IokyhhwGzQmKZFYHZG46ipinVm0U1NOgIEK-vJNUQRsm9_v5ecqdWAK53fDvP3m-b5AF-LRNvFJk6QqlYcu9egw4Lwo1OiktH/s200/IMG_1913.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiSlJ-xPxfPUD2yeM0P-FysF6FGt-2MTdVHvhOfVrIOtj11obYApaCpUdE4_DfZLK7RKUjNJT24JJTDDQDdaC3OPPTM91ruKFw5-3Ema5vqZJ58zALk8sCQ7u0K9TKXcXfQPJsWEKT_Oo/s1600/IMG_1917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiiSlJ-xPxfPUD2yeM0P-FysF6FGt-2MTdVHvhOfVrIOtj11obYApaCpUdE4_DfZLK7RKUjNJT24JJTDDQDdaC3OPPTM91ruKFw5-3Ema5vqZJ58zALk8sCQ7u0K9TKXcXfQPJsWEKT_Oo/s320/IMG_1917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The total state power
bill must be beyond astronomical. They must have to stagger the turning on of
street lights in the evenings to avoid a massive fuse blowout. I saw quite a
few old roof-mounted solar water-heater panels, but no other evidence of solar,
yet official figures say 30% of China’s power now comes from solar sources. On
the other hand, all but a very few of the motor-bikes and other two and three
wheeled vehicles were electric (blessedly quiet, but they sneak up behind you
on the footpaths). Most of the buses were electric too. I didn’t see any public
charging stations, so I’m not sure how that happens – maybe people take the
batteries home with them for recharging? Just one of the many puzzling things I
saw. The faster the rest of the world catches up with quiet vehicles the
better, as far as I’m concerned.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Xi'an</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> is one of the oldest cities in China and
it’s right in the middle. As every description of the place says, it is </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Eastern gateway of the Silk Road. So it
has always been an international hub, welcoming traders and diplomats from
afar, and now welcoming tourists with equanimity, if not exactly warmth. T<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">he wealth that grew from trade,
especially trade in silk (and no doubt, weapons) for horses, was such that
successive Emperors (73 of them!) have reigned from here. As a wealthy centre from
which power has radiated out in all directions it has been hotly contested. Ironic,
no, that the old name for the city is Changán, meaning Perpetual Peace. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hence the reason the old part of the city is
surrounded by 14 km of walls dotted with watchtowers and defended with massive double-jeopardy
style gates and surrounded by a wide moat. I did the standard tourist thing and
rented a bike to judder my way around the whole wide wall on the cobblestones.
It was surprisingly peaceful. This was one of the only times that I saw other
gui lo (red devils) in Xian. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp-1HYe8XinQWOHgfGziOq1TWzhcrgK47e9_3c5le5OaCqerhU6gHH228iv0WJkQhyn2L8CEUufgtf4PoHLeSOwXcd6YuDWx8RB-Z1379CayOO6RmPRJXbMTWd2t9pKM6YUug6_0mgWQy/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp-1HYe8XinQWOHgfGziOq1TWzhcrgK47e9_3c5le5OaCqerhU6gHH228iv0WJkQhyn2L8CEUufgtf4PoHLeSOwXcd6YuDWx8RB-Z1379CayOO6RmPRJXbMTWd2t9pKM6YUug6_0mgWQy/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Gate </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcrxCrzne_E3sevSdL1d7cLeS1Brj9LoBXulM9zlAQATVpBXzxdKSMY1EVe2ql75MnU9IAdn2rxbgVUeiiDZW3Tv9HO-wXTMc41JpE7GUukYRdjeCcsjxgHp-rNj-aNIcqtcqlfl9Yao8/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcrxCrzne_E3sevSdL1d7cLeS1Brj9LoBXulM9zlAQATVpBXzxdKSMY1EVe2ql75MnU9IAdn2rxbgVUeiiDZW3Tv9HO-wXTMc41JpE7GUukYRdjeCcsjxgHp-rNj-aNIcqtcqlfl9Yao8/s320/IMG_1921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The replica watchtowers along the wall now house spotlessly clean toilets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFa4YqTGASgawGoWjsRiM3XJGTLaKHWtEserxn83bvKnNvqHmUzD3pX12SEz9Qcy3NTbdKhq81Dm5u_dnPXI6BLScPBtk7h_X_FiSSVbObJ5cvpLbrzToZOyR-MYe4yYsWYj8vvjPESi9/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFa4YqTGASgawGoWjsRiM3XJGTLaKHWtEserxn83bvKnNvqHmUzD3pX12SEz9Qcy3NTbdKhq81Dm5u_dnPXI6BLScPBtk7h_X_FiSSVbObJ5cvpLbrzToZOyR-MYe4yYsWYj8vvjPESi9/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just for reference, this is NOT where I was staying, but it was the foyer. The Xian Boutique Aparthotel is on the 20th floor of a very large block of apartments with a shopping centre on the lower floors. There's quite a bit of night-life in the area around. My hotel is run by Any who has over 20 years experience as a guide in Xian and speaks perfect English. He has lots of helpful advice to suit every budget and his partner Steve, who is English, was also extremely helpful. Recommended!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The city has a couple of other highly-visible historical
symbols, like the beautifully-lit pagoda I could see from my 20<sup>th</sup>
floor hotel room but overwhelmingly, Xian has a thoroughly modern pulse. With a
population of somewhere upwards of 12 million it is a vast, exciting, noisy
city, growing rapidly if the number of cranes is anything to go by. It makes
sense that in a place that has so well fortified in the past, military
industries would be important, and modern <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Xi'an</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> is now a centre
for aerospace and military technologies, as well as education and research.
There are 56 universities. Artificial Intelligence, nanotechnologies and robotics
are among the growth industries. It is probably one of the safest places in the
world to be a tourist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Construction
and tourism. Millions of tourists - in 2016, 150 million of them, with 80%
being domestic visitors. The discovery of the terracotta warriors in 1974 set
off a tide of rubberneckers. <span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Xi'an is also the place where the lunar new year was
first celebrated</span>, so it is a special place for Chinese visitors during
the holiday period. The local authorities clearly are doing their best to
capitalise on that reputation, with huge installations to celebrate the Year of
the Pig in many of the public spaces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQpUfLTCbCxQ9pkgP-hGxm5RU2uAPFYPuwAKrgevQlK-PiUSXda1hYh7f0QAn0dp4_gSPOgIhqKcx3a1xxjmq0yUWAoeeGIoCwN9Jm7FliN-bLwAPPkbDEFJrUHqrPL5_ig_qSkzrhs58/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQpUfLTCbCxQ9pkgP-hGxm5RU2uAPFYPuwAKrgevQlK-PiUSXda1hYh7f0QAn0dp4_gSPOgIhqKcx3a1xxjmq0yUWAoeeGIoCwN9Jm7FliN-bLwAPPkbDEFJrUHqrPL5_ig_qSkzrhs58/s320/IMG_1598.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Around
the city, every park and open space seemed to be undergoing renovation and
renewal, including adding musical fountains, light installations, themed
pavilions, green walls, seasonal plant beds and more. I went to Lian Hu Park in
the middle of the old city which was supposed to be a local oasis where you can
enjoy lots of spring blossoms and peaceful lotus ponds. I negotiated my way
around an almost-completed huge indoor roller-skating rink to find that most of
the park was a building site and the ‘lake’ completely drained. Yet in the bits
that could be walked, it was all happening. Ballroom dancing. Individuals doing
tai chi. Old men with birds in cages. A cluster doing some sort of folk dancing
or salsa maybe, some dressed in costume – Slavic? Flamenco? Middle Eastern?
Hard to tell with the scratchy amplification and opposing tinny notes from a
wee orchestra of old men sawing at mysterious instruments and a woman with a
microphone screeching out some extraordinary Chinese opera song that to my ear
sounded unnaturally discordant. That lot were drawing a good crowd of old folk
though. And just beside them, a younger group being loudly directed in Step or
some other sort of synchronised exercising to bouncy music. In between, kiddies
on wee bikes running amok in the early spring haze that could almost be called
sunshine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everywhere
I went was amazingly clean. I’m certain there are whole armies of cleaners,
sweepers and rubbish collectors employed to keep it like this. Minimal
graffiti, tidy pavements, discrete rubbish bins. It seems like western cities
could learn lessons here, surely a street sweeping or butt-picking job would be
preferable to begging for many folk? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Butts.
Smoking. It’s banned in the entire City Wall precinct but that only means that
the toilets reek of sneaky puffing. In the apartment block where my hotel was
there were No Smoking signs everywhere and yet the smell of smoke lingered
constantly. There were ashtrays in the rooms and trays of butts at the end of
the corridors. Men lighting up as they got out of the lift, before they even
made out of the lobby. Men. Now I think about it, I can’t remember seeing any
women smoking. It was almost a shock at the airport in Madrid to see young
women lighting up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqUnYWGVt-tbR6n7aR1QQ8uCICdbDK2RkdAY7ssVoBN1aXUFkDLljb0N_oa0N0bTrnoqMv_wu6Lql4Gdyy7uRvD1upQnyVSD7XTtiDmV-E1YkOcB8PEmdf7z3rfSS7sTlROIj09YGacDx/s1600/IMG_1694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqUnYWGVt-tbR6n7aR1QQ8uCICdbDK2RkdAY7ssVoBN1aXUFkDLljb0N_oa0N0bTrnoqMv_wu6Lql4Gdyy7uRvD1upQnyVSD7XTtiDmV-E1YkOcB8PEmdf7z3rfSS7sTlROIj09YGacDx/s320/IMG_1694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaaYlUmErAJf92yx4aYWBQDpSHnKY68zMoPnQIHQeP1z5XYmy6Ua8YzuYCwFm1q59Z4_JM0v_MC4FOakwDG_ZKcVlnKc0l-nsPo07-NAZFKx43MCGI-xBsKVR9XxhMc1cyHYqP1RgkAfx/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaaYlUmErAJf92yx4aYWBQDpSHnKY68zMoPnQIHQeP1z5XYmy6Ua8YzuYCwFm1q59Z4_JM0v_MC4FOakwDG_ZKcVlnKc0l-nsPo07-NAZFKx43MCGI-xBsKVR9XxhMc1cyHYqP1RgkAfx/s320/IMG_1737.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-81554565186738298362019-03-25T10:05:00.001-07:002019-03-25T10:05:14.213-07:00An Army in Clay<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The mighty army of terracotta
warriors and horses is one of the most popular tourist attractions in China and one of the reasons for my 6-day stopover in Xi an. The Terracotta Army experience is usually described as an on-site museum built over the top of several excavated pits. It has some elements that are museum-like, but within a whole industry
that has mushroomed to catch the tourist dollar – oops, I mean, to cater for
the millions of visitors who come see the birthplace of civilisation and power
of the Middle Kingdom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Since the site was listed as a world cultural heritage
site by UNESCO in 1987, and cleverly billed by the Chinese as the Eighth Wonder
of the World, every imaginable associated money-making opportunity has been
tapped, with businesses small and large claiming whatever share of the pie they
can get. The museum part is just a bit dated now – the hanger over the
warriors was built back in the 80s. It does a good job of giving thousands of
people a decent view of what has been excavated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">It also is effective in giving the sense that there is much more yet to be revealed. As
someone else said, it looks like the archaeologists just went to lunch and decided
not to come back. You are left with a lingering feeling that much here is still hidden and unexplained. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I caught a local bus to the tomb site from the vast plaza in front of the train station in town. A couple of girls with megaphones hustled people to rush on board, as if there was never going to be another bus so you better grab this one right now and be quick about it. Ignore the sight of another 20 buses along the line. Megaphones? Utterly redundant. These girls have voices that could bring down walls. Voices that would herd ducks into line at 500 metres. My bus pulled out less than full, with one of the girls hanging out the door. We proceeded to crawl along the road out of town as she vigorously and loudly exhorted anyone standing nearby, doing her best to fill the empty seats. And it worked, more people got on, the bus filled up as passed hotels and roadside souvenir shops. And so we made our way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDqtgvDy-olFe3AgXmGxYce1Qhm-Hkfx-gFz6gvo9OUR_iM7fBJyK3pySDGKumXHU2afLkidkDr4ARZriVFOnmOxkGblTyZBYVn0QH1cFfFNF6uK21qHgr7KLD9ulxqe7RAO6jkEJVkM4/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDqtgvDy-olFe3AgXmGxYce1Qhm-Hkfx-gFz6gvo9OUR_iM7fBJyK3pySDGKumXHU2afLkidkDr4ARZriVFOnmOxkGblTyZBYVn0QH1cFfFNF6uK21qHgr7KLD9ulxqe7RAO6jkEJVkM4/s320/IMG_1607.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">The approach and entry to the site is
pretty well organised on a scale appropriate for the modern-day </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">hordes</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">. There
are not too many touts, just the tour guides really. It is dismaying to have to
wend your way past McDonald’s and KFC and hundreds of other food outlets and
tacky souvenir shops lining a huge shopping plaza just to get back to the bus
stop, but that’s how it goes. It becomes hard to remember that here is the
mausoleum of one of China’s most hedonistic, brutal and cruel Emperors, and a relic
of a short-lived and violent empire that nevertheless is credited with joining the
warring states to form a country that is now modern-day China. Lessons from the
past are not given much thought here. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Then a walk across a vast car park, filing in orderly lines through security, another walk to the lines in front of a long row of ticket counters and
finally into, what, a park? Follow all the other folk along pleasant paths for another 10 minutes to get
to the main site. This part of the experience is nicely done, with lots of small paths through groves of trees and open park.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IdjMpqqo1nJAoEUd6MN0HAnKSS3O-D1eXSvfEsn6dD-BWMMfBSwtXS16QJtT26dkaEon9gu0ilDqivpDIHWEoP2k-w9-OqflC2ZmKJa4I6Vya7bN_zgtKJLZNBrJYHxL2CHmcxaolWpx/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IdjMpqqo1nJAoEUd6MN0HAnKSS3O-D1eXSvfEsn6dD-BWMMfBSwtXS16QJtT26dkaEon9gu0ilDqivpDIHWEoP2k-w9-OqflC2ZmKJa4I6Vya7bN_zgtKJLZNBrJYHxL2CHmcxaolWpx/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">You probably know that there are over
2,000 terracotta figures on display in a structure a bit like a huge gym, with
a couple of smaller pits nearby that have been other remains in them.
State-of-the-art museum this is not, but the main hanger over Pit 1 was built for crowds and does a pretty good job of guaranteeing that everyone gets to see the exhibits first-hand as well as getting a sense of the overall scale of the enormous pit. I kept
reading that the terracotta figures are life-sized, but I reckon they are least
15% larger-than-life, especially given that people were on average smaller back
then. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
saved Pit One, where the army stands, for last. I lingered through the exhibits
in the other two buildings – that is, in comparison to the tour groups, all
with their headphones on, being ushered along at pace by flag-carrying guides
speaking into microphones that seemed to miraculously swallow up all voice
sounds. The English signage is scanty, and I saw no English-speaking groups to
tack onto. Maybe it would have been better to have a guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;">Not
sure what this says about me, but I was at least as interested in watching the
crowds as I was in what was on display. Maybe the scale of the exhibits is hard
to get your head around. I really enjoyed getting up close to the individual
figures on display in the </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Exhibition Hall on site </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt;">and in a couple of the museums in Xian that I visited later but even then I was constantly distracted. The act of viewing and the behaviour of viewers intrigued me as much as the objects being viewed. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafnmAkq9M-W3OBoyoaacTab5PBHncNaPPchuVhYXfq-36Zidz_Ak7pbV8WIdogqEVOdnRU4WkpPMeXW5v2cHQzqNnh2nVtHwCByJ3q-xqoTf-GTQ2IluuCh7IDUy9bFTdfsDSFPwOmCfN/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafnmAkq9M-W3OBoyoaacTab5PBHncNaPPchuVhYXfq-36Zidz_Ak7pbV8WIdogqEVOdnRU4WkpPMeXW5v2cHQzqNnh2nVtHwCByJ3q-xqoTf-GTQ2IluuCh7IDUy9bFTdfsDSFPwOmCfN/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ooFuYnt19t5qlTQTURGEGZb_Rl0Ldop65s0YKQAr3E4vTjtwr_zra205UBz1eHB1gfVaF2ofrhdH9Lwy8Q9j9tbLQcDP8QGd_LLk78cNaM_ahufB4iPYROAqLj3LcuHIm2smpnCUu110/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ooFuYnt19t5qlTQTURGEGZb_Rl0Ldop65s0YKQAr3E4vTjtwr_zra205UBz1eHB1gfVaF2ofrhdH9Lwy8Q9j9tbLQcDP8QGd_LLk78cNaM_ahufB4iPYROAqLj3LcuHIm2smpnCUu110/s200/IMG_1621.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt;">When
I wasn’t diving in between phones for a spot at the front of the crowd where I
could see what we were here to see, there was plenty of distraction in watching people
around me posing for selfies. Often I 'd get my first view through someone else's eyes - just by looking at their phone screens as they zoomed and panned and scanned and snapped. For many people it seems to be I came, I took photo,
I went. Maybe actual seeing has time-shifted – then again, do people actually
go back and look at the images they collect? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But back to the Terracotta Army. Pit
1 is believed to contain at least 6000 warriors with only 2000 on display plus
some horses, all facing east and ready for battle. In front front there are rows
of archers, followed by soldiers,
who would have held spears, swords, dagger-axes and other weapons, believed to
have been mostly looted at various times. It’s impressive no doubt, but I found it a hard to take in. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrtbG-pE9rc6iL1FF46YH79zTvW7TosLrIRekoEhwzCFicS6OmB45IFgiMWWeM6VJk1AXnoCEnRdGsJl5X4L7j3_Rh3W3h_Ul-P1iKw1_nDpNH7O71ceBQwsKQAVPHsh82VmUmPdPbcS1/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrtbG-pE9rc6iL1FF46YH79zTvW7TosLrIRekoEhwzCFicS6OmB45IFgiMWWeM6VJk1AXnoCEnRdGsJl5X4L7j3_Rh3W3h_Ul-P1iKw1_nDpNH7O71ceBQwsKQAVPHsh82VmUmPdPbcS1/s320/IMG_1656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There's question of what we do and don’t see at this tomb site. <span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">The two bronze
chariots on display at the site are clearly signed as replicas. I read that the
tomb contained 50 or 80 chariots which raises the question of where they are. Or
has the timber simply disintegrated, in which case how do they know how many there were? </span><span style="color: #2c3643;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqvO90WaNqOED5STMAuA6S_S2VDKrk12KzPbGd1NLrx9PlZXA-AzqFhkC7Miyk9vtDhceanhPbWR9ZffOCSWa6PNsvswchfUXJT6P_Vks2eOkdUhesBXtOEYZxf0pgq9UH_rM9Y0ge5Zm/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqvO90WaNqOED5STMAuA6S_S2VDKrk12KzPbGd1NLrx9PlZXA-AzqFhkC7Miyk9vtDhceanhPbWR9ZffOCSWa6PNsvswchfUXJT6P_Vks2eOkdUhesBXtOEYZxf0pgq9UH_rM9Y0ge5Zm/s320/IMG_1631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any
lucrative tourist activity attracts scams and even though this a UNESCO World
Heritage listed site, I can’t help but be cynical. A quick check on Amazon
before I got here (site blocked within China) shows I could buy my own full-size
authentic reproduction warrior for US$700. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Originally
the figures in the army were painted bright colours, which flaked off when they
were uncovered. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is interesting that all the replicas for sale are clay-coloured.
I didn’t see any painted models for sale, which is too bad because the original
greens, reds, blues and purples must have looked pretty good.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reproductions
are a multi-million dollar industry, and my google search revealed there at
least 30 factories around the site that turn out warrior replicas, some of
which are made pretty much the same way and out of the same materials as the
originals. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thousands
of visitors who paid to see some of the warriors in a museum in Hamburg in 2015
only found out later that they were fakes. If a German museum can pull that
off, what else is possible? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
saying I’m taking it all with a grain of salt. The actual tomb where Emperor
Qin was buried has never been opened and the usual story is that it is highly
toxic, due to him having ordered that it include a river of mercury. Or is that
excavations are on hold to keep the remains sealed until archaeologists are
confident that their method won’t damage any of the contents? I have read both
explanations, and perhaps both are true.<span style="background: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
good museum story – in 2017 a Philadelphia Museum exhibited 10 of the warriors
loaned by the Chinese government. You know how staff Christmas parties can go?
So someone wandered into the exhibition space that had been left unlocked, and
he broke off and pocketed the thumb of one of the guys, no doubt after taking a
few selfies. No one even noticed for ages. Imagine how much compensation that
would have been worth! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
few notes on the Army for those interested. It</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> is 2,000 years old and was made to stand guard over the tomb of China's first
Emperor, Qin Shi Huang.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Archaeologists
believe Qin Shi Huang expected his rule to continue in death as it had in life.
To make sure this would happen, he needed his mausoleum to be defended. He was a
ruthless despotic ruler who made many enemies. First Emperor was only 13 when
he first came to the throne and it is believed that one of his first actions
was to order the creation of an army that would protect him in the afterlife. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
tomb was built over a period of 40 years by an estimated 700,000 labourers. The
warriors and their horses are clay figures but many real people were buried in
the same area. Archaeologists have discovered mass graves with the remains of
people who were probably craftsmen and laborers. Some of them seem to be
convicted criminals who died in chains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many
bronze items have also been unearthed around the tomb site. Geese, ducks, cranes,
swans, horses and chariots have been found.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First
Emperor waged wars that united many kingdoms into one vast empire. He brought
in a single system of coinage, standardised writing and the system of weights
and measures, and gathered enormous wealth. He is the one who ordered
construction of the Great Wall for protection against attacks from the north. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All
these wars, repression, massive taxes and construction projects brought misery
and death on a massive scale. The Warring States had in about 40 million people
at the end of the Zhou Dynasty period when Qin Shi Huang came to the throne,
but at the end of the Qin Empire, there were only 18 million people left in the
region. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Qin Dynasty only lasted for 14 years, the shortest empire in China’s history. Such was First Emperor’s zeal for restricting access to knowledge from the
past, that much of the literature and art works of previous reigns was destroyed. At
one time he ordered that more than </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; text-decoration-line: none;">460 Confucian scholars to be buried alive</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> for possessing forbidden books. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An afterlife surrounded by instruments of war, death and destruction doesn't seem like much to aspire to. Some remains of figures of acrobats, dancers and musicians have been uncovered nearby the warriors but I think I prefer the picture of heaven depicted in the Koran as gardens of pleasure fed by rivers, and couches adorned in silk. And yet, who knows what decadent luxuries mat come to light when the Emperor's tomb is eventually opened? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1.2pt; margin-left: 19.2pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-44816159336123718502019-03-08T21:10:00.002-08:002019-03-08T21:10:55.538-08:00Big Market <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQselfCQf_gsHh1bvxGLFKRWhCBgyLOLqsVJwbhRXC5QTmnTg6dVLIL61XHXs6cXmaswWnLJKLoJfJztlAycph3guEiCcBUv86s9BJS_pzSv_glv_u0xQahuMIOuPht9J38wwxr8m9Lt4m/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQselfCQf_gsHh1bvxGLFKRWhCBgyLOLqsVJwbhRXC5QTmnTg6dVLIL61XHXs6cXmaswWnLJKLoJfJztlAycph3guEiCcBUv86s9BJS_pzSv_glv_u0xQahuMIOuPht9J38wwxr8m9Lt4m/s320/IMG_1509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
It’s really called Wororot Market,
but it’s known just as Big Market. This is one of the less touristy markets
in the central area of Chiang Mai, between the Old Town and the river. Wororot
is one of two 3-storey market buildings here. There’s a fruit and flower market
in the evening, but I missed that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
Food businesses dominate, but basically you
can probably find just about anything for sale, from religious artifacts to
fishing gear. Cosmetics and pharmacy products and Chinese remedies, clothing
and footwear, household paraphernalia including handmade copper pots, dried
fruit and leaves, betel nuts, jewelry, stationery…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
The lanes and alleys around the
market buildings are lined with shops and roadside stalls. Quite a few sell hill tribe
textiles and handicrafts. You have to wonder how much is still hand-made, though. One the other hand it's good to see contemporary designers doing new takes using traditional crafts, patterns and styles. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3696mW5DLe-lIwqhyphenhyphenmbZZnjgv8vAnsCVkWOJLAU1eZ1_pOgx5GH3bRej38e11miNQ-2FGPY1D0LoXoy6TDf85hOZtPbWqgUiu66XQ5MvMpsVj0RFDn-K6V_jdt5mnW_m9jYZ9k1qmzTg/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3696mW5DLe-lIwqhyphenhyphenmbZZnjgv8vAnsCVkWOJLAU1eZ1_pOgx5GH3bRej38e11miNQ-2FGPY1D0LoXoy6TDf85hOZtPbWqgUiu66XQ5MvMpsVj0RFDn-K6V_jdt5mnW_m9jYZ9k1qmzTg/s320/IMG_1479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlUQnE6pGQ_xDQk_EGdLuzHiGsjppEWhsH7xBeZ87vIhqJidKqPY2Xl0cBNab2lno5MvrXdu-m1NHHnXVgpjBwhGfXCucDnzLj2SYfMBFtbeDTuwZPgvZtJxD5bMLHUki4DLXCKfqpplX/s1600/IMG_1480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlUQnE6pGQ_xDQk_EGdLuzHiGsjppEWhsH7xBeZ87vIhqJidKqPY2Xl0cBNab2lno5MvrXdu-m1NHHnXVgpjBwhGfXCucDnzLj2SYfMBFtbeDTuwZPgvZtJxD5bMLHUki4DLXCKfqpplX/s320/IMG_1480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvJVobi-EgxwKjsG_-H3R1CqaVP5fyZ5nO0fKQvme6cqtzcED2JUyAToKn8gSN8E4S1CXn2st9AsOrochmbkwQMGkArJ3P2lwlHwYeDHdBjBQYaMtOuuXnRSJfuxhpJx8EycykNHpXiyq/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvJVobi-EgxwKjsG_-H3R1CqaVP5fyZ5nO0fKQvme6cqtzcED2JUyAToKn8gSN8E4S1CXn2st9AsOrochmbkwQMGkArJ3P2lwlHwYeDHdBjBQYaMtOuuXnRSJfuxhpJx8EycykNHpXiyq/s320/IMG_1510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
There are lots of fabric and haberdashery shops. This
was the main attraction for me, and I spent half a day wandering around. One of
the reviews on Trip Advisor said to wear shoes rather than sandals because there
quite a few rats. Like what are they going to do, nibble your toes? I didn’t see any, even in the basement food court where I perched
on a plastic stool to eat vegetarian omelette with rice and red curry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
The local English-language
monthly magazine says about this market “You’ll be tempted by the unexpected”.
I wasn’t so tempted by strips of buffalo hide and hair, as unexpected as they
were; but what are they FOR? I think people actually buy them to chew on the
leathery flesh. Mmmmm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt6evsT63Lhihvd1T1VV3TwoVMlx3ZG6sWTLXo0Cree8oTljT_J-y0v572t82rnrDssBGmhH08CAAd1BeP7LCpH_YS5UlwpecdCEOcjw_2GSXH5tSXsof40fis0kDChOUDUTWXGzFutnx/s1600/IMG_1500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt6evsT63Lhihvd1T1VV3TwoVMlx3ZG6sWTLXo0Cree8oTljT_J-y0v572t82rnrDssBGmhH08CAAd1BeP7LCpH_YS5UlwpecdCEOcjw_2GSXH5tSXsof40fis0kDChOUDUTWXGzFutnx/s320/IMG_1500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH-ecLnyIIihm7vUPRWmG8jgVsdrfqC3cvFKS2t1pUDgcFMJrhkkDuPd5ARQiT1c_OMtmNCAZGDNzSUJHiwbbRZ4m6oRsN-6K3d-4WysHOYshoq6uloFE5LmiFP2ifmoxsN2_pWdxqq0O/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH-ecLnyIIihm7vUPRWmG8jgVsdrfqC3cvFKS2t1pUDgcFMJrhkkDuPd5ARQiT1c_OMtmNCAZGDNzSUJHiwbbRZ4m6oRsN-6K3d-4WysHOYshoq6uloFE5LmiFP2ifmoxsN2_pWdxqq0O/s320/IMG_1501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stacks and stacks of the traditional pleated indigo cotton skirts with embroidered bands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cdjpk5IX58ItJHeazK3Pf21avnuKqub-MMSfVRKWutfBDPyaP0MN_2EiL68BugAcpRlbdgA04CMBcypZfbpZmuvDcZnmx9OYx2ND8Naxriqb060vjdiD5pfcxQoF_HGSlqvOEyrd1j2i/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cdjpk5IX58ItJHeazK3Pf21avnuKqub-MMSfVRKWutfBDPyaP0MN_2EiL68BugAcpRlbdgA04CMBcypZfbpZmuvDcZnmx9OYx2ND8Naxriqb060vjdiD5pfcxQoF_HGSlqvOEyrd1j2i/s320/IMG_1502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo-dyed fabrics, finely stitched, like sashiko</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioapcSZ4CE6OQWNIW6bUxINfGt_vIm8Qgo4Qbz38ZPR90ZBWR1OcoOEO1V4UDuBo85-SDXC4Y5yktCUMI0IQmo2zhgQFvCeT8WmJxzqWIHOrUTZZRw2JUOI7wj_5sDYz0QgkGwsNF5g3Y/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioapcSZ4CE6OQWNIW6bUxINfGt_vIm8Qgo4Qbz38ZPR90ZBWR1OcoOEO1V4UDuBo85-SDXC4Y5yktCUMI0IQmo2zhgQFvCeT8WmJxzqWIHOrUTZZRw2JUOI7wj_5sDYz0QgkGwsNF5g3Y/s320/IMG_1503.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sashiko stitching all over - beautiful, can it be hand work? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_a-SiqghSu93CcPsxXhSMQamyCSHVoQ_jQhQ1djA8QB56hNjRONhDh1F7RcoTuHazEYuelaANX_zMOAEj8bWaIFeAlYgBAnsJQ5rObcvISsge1VCpxKV4j4p08CsCdpK4iPW0Fpj2nfZ/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_a-SiqghSu93CcPsxXhSMQamyCSHVoQ_jQhQ1djA8QB56hNjRONhDh1F7RcoTuHazEYuelaANX_zMOAEj8bWaIFeAlYgBAnsJQ5rObcvISsge1VCpxKV4j4p08CsCdpK4iPW0Fpj2nfZ/s320/IMG_1504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful embroidery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNQnYKPS73r4P4ICyh76FvBLY4PzEyQmQdBXOQ1bsqiu26yRWAolLI_m6c4NF18vTavR53nOoppGXXUV3rv4rHZyi9m-obBGNSPVqrKxC6U6CHMtokWkIiCV-FAPB_G78rFjSYAJBG8UH/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNQnYKPS73r4P4ICyh76FvBLY4PzEyQmQdBXOQ1bsqiu26yRWAolLI_m6c4NF18vTavR53nOoppGXXUV3rv4rHZyi9m-obBGNSPVqrKxC6U6CHMtokWkIiCV-FAPB_G78rFjSYAJBG8UH/s320/IMG_1506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzj0klKqEg8MhJQLJ8d3ExXLAcbDEDrx01qTjFZPiNbZkwMMMBwpnv-DACytxlw3p6VnSZW1uxiWIH5x9bugtIDm0zP-tj2Z0PE3L0ucSd3fHdwZ0TJXbFraxLGVB5XPD40mBb0UH64yT/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzj0klKqEg8MhJQLJ8d3ExXLAcbDEDrx01qTjFZPiNbZkwMMMBwpnv-DACytxlw3p6VnSZW1uxiWIH5x9bugtIDm0zP-tj2Z0PE3L0ucSd3fHdwZ0TJXbFraxLGVB5XPD40mBb0UH64yT/s320/IMG_1508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-49482655853982293982019-03-08T20:54:00.000-08:002019-03-08T20:54:44.322-08:00Walking the streets<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
I’m fascinated by the life on the
streets in Chiang Mai. Despite the difficulties of actually walking around town, there’s a
whole economy going on along these roads and lanes. So what makes walking
difficult? Well, heat for one thing. At this time of year the mornings are cool
but still after 15 minutes or so I’m wiping sweat off my face. By noon the only
thing to do is hang out somewhere with aircon. Then there’s the smog. This is
the time of year that farmers burn off sugar cane, ahead of the wet season. One
report in the Bangkok Post said that Chiang Mai was up in the top three worst towns
in the world for air quality. And there are the millions of motorbikes and scooters. Like
millions of them. Plus all the rest of the traffic, and the nasty fumes those
motorised trishaws put out is something else. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUde1KuGjQOGVA8dCYLFO5Y1pyS8Ghqy8WCCOHoT5mTvidWXZNHQvhYDS3ZsrVr3zpkZbtVEkpHHARZ0QePbakihtdNYX7y9QEMCRnopTNJn5CZWGGrJTIILTUIjIr0s5tdJ5b7phE24Ho/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUde1KuGjQOGVA8dCYLFO5Y1pyS8Ghqy8WCCOHoT5mTvidWXZNHQvhYDS3ZsrVr3zpkZbtVEkpHHARZ0QePbakihtdNYX7y9QEMCRnopTNJn5CZWGGrJTIILTUIjIr0s5tdJ5b7phE24Ho/s320/IMG_1496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Efficient public transport, but oh, those fumes, and the noise<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
Foot paths are mostly non-existent,
so most of the time you are walking in the road, around parked vehicles and
roadside food stalls. Some of the bigger roads do have sidewalks, but they are
certainly not designed for walking. You are constantly dodging wobbly slabs
over monsoon drains, ducking around tree trunks, squeezing between parked
vehicles and stepping up or down off the kerb. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
As if that’s not unfriendly
enough, there are elections coming up later this month, and the roadsides are
flush with huge signs promoting the candidates. It’s hard to know how many parties
are contesting, but probably over 40. The exiled past Prime Minister, Thaksin
Shinawatra, is a local and has an extremely strong support base here still. I
can’t work out if the signs are for individual candidates or parties, but they
are all of uniform size, and they are hung on power poles so they come down to
about shoulder height. They take up just about the space along the roadside,
forcing me onto the road itself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
Chiang Mai is very urbanised, but
still cross-crossed by quieter small streets that still feel almost rural. In
the past there would have been local villages clustered around the city to provide
labour and produce for the elites. Many of these supported specialised artisan
communities. There was a silver village and an umbrella village. Crafts like
pottery and lacquerware were concentrated in particular places where skills
were passed down through generations. The Old Town caters for tourists and is
awash with bars, trendy cafes, massage parlours and spas, guesthouses and tour
operators. But the suburban streets are where the rest of the commercial
business takes place, a diverse and
thriving microeconomy in the midst of residential neighbourhoods. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCP1H0YucBWHUgJMIRQCY1YCdifG2bVGrpaENKyEN_7kVX9i_c0Oz7kx8I7NGNEaZ-0iOsSm9OgtG_2qQUGCfWZH7c3RgdF6YRkv12NhBIbMPmSPAxnjFJ6ORPmSBy9Ec3qJVjC5DKz_z/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCP1H0YucBWHUgJMIRQCY1YCdifG2bVGrpaENKyEN_7kVX9i_c0Oz7kx8I7NGNEaZ-0iOsSm9OgtG_2qQUGCfWZH7c3RgdF6YRkv12NhBIbMPmSPAxnjFJ6ORPmSBy9Ec3qJVjC5DKz_z/s320/IMG_1537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SSafAsaLlDfDFUZn4fzAWH1QHaHRAbSUbe2LG8FMcCqsGZJy2ibuvpyeD8ljfVnx1aJzEc1IWTSlFIKUf4YskmBNza1Y2zdG-_oAJhkLWJqg6vHhilxoRSeEX37Et-H3fUBL47i0HwDE/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SSafAsaLlDfDFUZn4fzAWH1QHaHRAbSUbe2LG8FMcCqsGZJy2ibuvpyeD8ljfVnx1aJzEc1IWTSlFIKUf4YskmBNza1Y2zdG-_oAJhkLWJqg6vHhilxoRSeEX37Et-H3fUBL47i0HwDE/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWSX9kj0v-zImV94pwnDAiE5aRvMd2XB8NNc5wYZzP-Zfxdpc9hMVrx1I7qgMD77_zkcKhR1aXdAmMz8GfTFpQkBapQ0OhPEX6cT9lqbwH8jx2C-LPU3dmWFngCMx96N6ktfs7ENY1hE3/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWSX9kj0v-zImV94pwnDAiE5aRvMd2XB8NNc5wYZzP-Zfxdpc9hMVrx1I7qgMD77_zkcKhR1aXdAmMz8GfTFpQkBapQ0OhPEX6cT9lqbwH8jx2C-LPU3dmWFngCMx96N6ktfs7ENY1hE3/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2pIZ1pHmQC9wLBctqcOiISIV3V30x8YpB9tMJqus3QkG_ua01be3G_jh4MDwhw17EMskTUol_c3iY6A_nBgkG8XMwprogQ3SurDjg29dw2Hs4FjpNEnpnck7cPu4PXKpjzpiamzUu0YN/s1600/IMG_1543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2pIZ1pHmQC9wLBctqcOiISIV3V30x8YpB9tMJqus3QkG_ua01be3G_jh4MDwhw17EMskTUol_c3iY6A_nBgkG8XMwprogQ3SurDjg29dw2Hs4FjpNEnpnck7cPu4PXKpjzpiamzUu0YN/s320/IMG_1543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
In between
dodging the motorbikes I was fascinated by the variety of small businesses
operating along the smaller streets. In some roads, just about every house also
has some sort of business going on. There are services to the neighbourhood – childcare,
coin-in-slot washing machines, hairdressers, fast food stalls, tattooists, tiny shops
selling drinks and snacks. I spotted a pet-grooming service where a large
long-haired golden cat was being tenderly blow-dried. Bike repair garages,
barbers, laundries, bars, web design, electrical repairs, photocopying and
printing, tailors – and much more. How come we abandoned this opportunity to
combine lifestyle and work for anonymous shopping centres and a 9 to 5 existence?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNPv-uwnsaIVro0cU4oX7H3vcV_gWLXeNSNBPHEOgrE4gAnx0Y2B1G6GpoVgUtsOg5SVGuDtUxERrhBsDvNBWkyiK5cVXtmxsVjx6p-zdOm-NtAGz32cPN09v4l9_ZSIEWIK5lHSZBZoR/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNPv-uwnsaIVro0cU4oX7H3vcV_gWLXeNSNBPHEOgrE4gAnx0Y2B1G6GpoVgUtsOg5SVGuDtUxERrhBsDvNBWkyiK5cVXtmxsVjx6p-zdOm-NtAGz32cPN09v4l9_ZSIEWIK5lHSZBZoR/s320/IMG_1530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwrDDKltJVrvZIIGRCv_f2whCykZfGzg66qCMtlT46qmI_7nm9UAlDgt9-mdYbegFfMtTlIcA7ipB7cLRomi3DzFBf0FGakuTrD87G-BP8g2THty1nc2hW3SXlCJGG7YBvstzBtYhAno4/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwrDDKltJVrvZIIGRCv_f2whCykZfGzg66qCMtlT46qmI_7nm9UAlDgt9-mdYbegFfMtTlIcA7ipB7cLRomi3DzFBf0FGakuTrD87G-BP8g2THty1nc2hW3SXlCJGG7YBvstzBtYhAno4/s320/IMG_1533.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-35953863448784091432019-03-02T21:42:00.002-08:002019-03-02T21:42:48.303-08:00Exploring Chiang Mai<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chiang Mai - a destination for dental work that would break the bank if
you had it done at home, partying backpackers, home to retirees seeking a cheaper life,
residential meditation courses, aging western men reliving fatherhood with their much younger Thai wives, digital
nomads, trekkers; some of the things I associated with Chiangmai. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TvUYDYYIMcS7XxtjkC_93DSWsncR2b_VzcpBvmNDe0EwFgnRRvVsZKju5KDHj6vISOWl4LRHVwXAhhduvdtnbWNcaDeNzQ51nMOC38_0YEg39pnu3hYVWNoJ1sk-oJLQ93V88PDRP2pe/s1600/IMG_1456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TvUYDYYIMcS7XxtjkC_93DSWsncR2b_VzcpBvmNDe0EwFgnRRvVsZKju5KDHj6vISOWl4LRHVwXAhhduvdtnbWNcaDeNzQ51nMOC38_0YEg39pnu3hYVWNoJ1sk-oJLQ93V88PDRP2pe/s200/IMG_1456.JPG" width="200" /></a>And some things I have learned in my wanders since arriving
a week ago.<br />
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Yes there’s a lot of traffic on the main roads,
but the small alleys that criss-cross town are quiet, dusty village lanes and easy
to navigate. Plus they sustain thriving neighbourhood micro-economies with many homes also functioning not just as guesthouses, cafes and bars, but also a whole range of small enterprises that cater to the local population; from pet grooming to laundry services, haircuts to scooter repair, take-away food. </span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='width:253.5pt;height:253.5pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/judic/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ40rgg8hkF2yhRTEDMA_6-yJsE-b6dzIHQnpLMpzcy6EKbvUiBBHNEPo72bsQLIsDsC_7ONSB5bBhtTEX8Cy8Gi7ctlxXxeqw9BsWEzTHu9IPIPs4sFPAv0_yTCDVHN27m-KzsYjF7QiS/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ40rgg8hkF2yhRTEDMA_6-yJsE-b6dzIHQnpLMpzcy6EKbvUiBBHNEPo72bsQLIsDsC_7ONSB5bBhtTEX8Cy8Gi7ctlxXxeqw9BsWEzTHu9IPIPs4sFPAv0_yTCDVHN27m-KzsYjF7QiS/s320/IMG_1465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKohB2y-ugDHmsUiUVZ5wzlZEiv97-OUaNhZdRlrLNGLWfOdtJqtjQIMvWtmYHmc5iPH66M8i93PH-91plc0dPh49TIywFmOMZNGSY5AEcZjASbbtAsJk_YxPpZXkG6mP-B7QvIyUBse91/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKohB2y-ugDHmsUiUVZ5wzlZEiv97-OUaNhZdRlrLNGLWfOdtJqtjQIMvWtmYHmc5iPH66M8i93PH-91plc0dPh49TIywFmOMZNGSY5AEcZjASbbtAsJk_YxPpZXkG6mP-B7QvIyUBse91/s320/IMG_1466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">The Old Town was laid out at the end of the
thirteenth century. It is very walkable, covering one square mile - almost, but
not quite a square, and almost perfectly aligned to the north and south. The
City walls no longer exist but the entire Old Town is still surrounded by a
moat. There are remains of ancient corner ramparts</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjkVBJw0wrxcuV27Oxby1rlOtAnmlVpogITSDXTryFt_03gdhftJEKr2phqaF6gOoLg2O9_WwWI950UvDXpvYEYUAgun6XP35c8ixxwSbJRLKGlwgxFg_2nTVnGGzd_DCO4JLZfUOJm9r/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjkVBJw0wrxcuV27Oxby1rlOtAnmlVpogITSDXTryFt_03gdhftJEKr2phqaF6gOoLg2O9_WwWI950UvDXpvYEYUAgun6XP35c8ixxwSbJRLKGlwgxFg_2nTVnGGzd_DCO4JLZfUOJm9r/s200/IMG_1522.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfqGYkZ_vQo9HtHN3bylJJLqTKBEMJStafUxk0SZRw97Wmc8lXusmFuxzjnM94mu6ARrD0obL7MWDbNAP94I6jJ_E0r6x_lT4md2cTiCAsHpaonXWEcBItOF_OpVBm87gQpsRRFFLBTDf/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfqGYkZ_vQo9HtHN3bylJJLqTKBEMJStafUxk0SZRw97Wmc8lXusmFuxzjnM94mu6ARrD0obL7MWDbNAP94I6jJ_E0r6x_lT4md2cTiCAsHpaonXWEcBItOF_OpVBm87gQpsRRFFLBTDf/s200/IMG_1524.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There used to be five gates, one in the centre
of each wall and an extra one on the south side that was for taking out the
dead. Each of these Gates is flanked by reconstructed sections of wall. On Friday a pair of tourists were arrested when they were caught sitting on the wall drinking. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">At this time of year the hourly air pollution
index warns constantly that levels are Unhealthy (or look to the horizon – if
you can’t see the mountains, pull on a face mask). Today it is around 122 (Unhealthy for those who are Sensitive) and I can just see the hills. A reading of 50 is considered Safe. The other day it was 165. So what has happened? The government ban of burning off came into effect on Saturday. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">It gets hot in the afternoons but nights and
mornings are cool and the air is dry. The temperature range today is 17 to 37. I have found a nearby guesthouse that offers use of the pool for a small daily fee. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chiang Mai has more than 300 Buddhist temples, and a population of .5 million. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTufqjY75HHVMqH0IYteajECzd-fzYhyphenhyphenOCaBvR6MGBvy_yqPKrRPQMHtX1CKV67dxtzKIBNiw_jnzMHi10tlalaCDy1NLkjgluk1Xxy_NNVuGFKDBOlfhaHNBNfu-dXBx1fOPxbkjlbd_/s1600/IMG_1460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTufqjY75HHVMqH0IYteajECzd-fzYhyphenhyphenOCaBvR6MGBvy_yqPKrRPQMHtX1CKV67dxtzKIBNiw_jnzMHi10tlalaCDy1NLkjgluk1Xxy_NNVuGFKDBOlfhaHNBNfu-dXBx1fOPxbkjlbd_/s320/IMG_1460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe2AtF81V66hgmgwZoe0BzRQeI5gAObZ4WOuJNzsjHW6yeQi5WXPOYtdwft3fife-SYQ_nsgKRvbVW1Xl6ieYmVRNd5bPfKy-5ASn8lpzqvIZ39H6688D4h_xVgE9lqWhs3B4J093r2tK/s1600/IMG_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYe2AtF81V66hgmgwZoe0BzRQeI5gAObZ4WOuJNzsjHW6yeQi5WXPOYtdwft3fife-SYQ_nsgKRvbVW1Xl6ieYmVRNd5bPfKy-5ASn8lpzqvIZ39H6688D4h_xVgE9lqWhs3B4J093r2tK/s320/IMG_1512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KIJd-H2FKh1IoN9xMCXAGYBiN3jgygOKcD8nTzv4CauIEAc0OVFUYneRsxcNrWCXI-_OZNCnOQrBzvooV2M6kEkxHtmfiuaPCC-VglP0IckSxyMkfszHACgurHyJd9N2jQgJhu7Jd2Qz/s1600/IMG_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KIJd-H2FKh1IoN9xMCXAGYBiN3jgygOKcD8nTzv4CauIEAc0OVFUYneRsxcNrWCXI-_OZNCnOQrBzvooV2M6kEkxHtmfiuaPCC-VglP0IckSxyMkfszHACgurHyJd9N2jQgJhu7Jd2Qz/s320/IMG_1518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwNBH61fauouTpOOz2Hn18E0ttrI6T82qIfrRjxhBftwYpxaRSJBQ3JksR1QZXNjMK-nwrCigbkX9et0AGW8fgJM6E0H37Lh1hABfjkVlT4NbtSnmCrF-7m-WbzckzwadOkcUxcPCdvZS/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwNBH61fauouTpOOz2Hn18E0ttrI6T82qIfrRjxhBftwYpxaRSJBQ3JksR1QZXNjMK-nwrCigbkX9et0AGW8fgJM6E0H37Lh1hABfjkVlT4NbtSnmCrF-7m-WbzckzwadOkcUxcPCdvZS/s320/IMG_1526.JPG" width="320" /></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;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Five of the temples in the Old Town host drop-in Monk
Chat programs, where foreigners get paired up with a young monk and get to ask
any questions at all. So why do all the monks have mobile phones and how do they afford them? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is the home of Thaksin Shinawatra, the exiled former Prime Minister. With elections coming up in a month, it's pretty hard to walk along any of the busy roads for the proliferation of huge billboards.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There are 14 National Parks in Chiang Mai region.
Nearby Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand, is actually part of the
Himalayas.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There are at least 10 Co-Working spaces around
the town and most cafes have fast free wifi. Nimman, the area around Chiang Mai University, is sprouting wine bars, tea houses, galleries and boutiques, spas and salad bars, IT start-up spaces, craft shops, condos and restaurants. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There's a design resource centre, library and workspace, <a href="http://www.tcdc.or.th/chiangmai/" target="_blank">TCDC</a>, that was set up by the government to support creative industries. It works on a membership model, a bit like a gym, only it offers </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">knowledge and tools to turn original, innovative ideas into real economic returns.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">There are massage parlours everywhere, but the
Lila parlours offer something extra – your chance to contribute to a
rehabilitation program run by Thai Correctional Services. The well-trained
masseuses are ex-inmates. I enjoyed a relaxing and restorative one-hour foot massage for around AUD12 and my masseuse didn't look at all like a drug-dealer or murderer. Other types of massage are readily available, if the sign doesn't actually spell it out the girls outside in make-up, hot pants and high heels are a bit of a give-away.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jBsWs54iBpti3EKw6m3dcquVHELAU8bizv6hJgTnpx-fjlSTyTa8G3VcUXtjFH2aEHaeR2kW0Da4hNC8MK5hnp-scz8wPgPANyAn7q7k60S2Svu4bmhg25_ZEuNBWpGD3h4Vi4Vc2ee2/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jBsWs54iBpti3EKw6m3dcquVHELAU8bizv6hJgTnpx-fjlSTyTa8G3VcUXtjFH2aEHaeR2kW0Da4hNC8MK5hnp-scz8wPgPANyAn7q7k60S2Svu4bmhg25_ZEuNBWpGD3h4Vi4Vc2ee2/s320/IMG_1532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-3809000130205044742019-02-12T22:41:00.000-08:002019-02-12T22:41:12.608-08:00An afternoon stroll out of town <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the temple in the main street of Ubud another festival is taking place and the traffic is crazier than usual. Late afternoon, a thunder storm brewing in the distance, and the rice paddies are calling. </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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTAzdVyejCy0_m191pFBCDvG-U6pCBUclTdqEeBi9_csN89weentepDerOBKrPzfCyC_RsWTEBHfbtbu4FEzxC-V6UoPxuK9iz7lxAr_eZKpGy3pCqpjzF3V8NVfZoBYoYDV8RZhECidz/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTAzdVyejCy0_m191pFBCDvG-U6pCBUclTdqEeBi9_csN89weentepDerOBKrPzfCyC_RsWTEBHfbtbu4FEzxC-V6UoPxuK9iz7lxAr_eZKpGy3pCqpjzF3V8NVfZoBYoYDV8RZhECidz/s320/IMG_1328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXgAJLMeyff1j0lvB4NZmnjaRK6QERThbv3hwdPTSCtqihUMzhcXvxJFFF2EY_JHXfGn6BkVX1mzAvxthc0FZJyBZP0BxCfKZEmLVOX3q2Xm_L8pATP-lOxyTwqhvCmfNClSX7eZnc6ZK/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXgAJLMeyff1j0lvB4NZmnjaRK6QERThbv3hwdPTSCtqihUMzhcXvxJFFF2EY_JHXfGn6BkVX1mzAvxthc0FZJyBZP0BxCfKZEmLVOX3q2Xm_L8pATP-lOxyTwqhvCmfNClSX7eZnc6ZK/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdRvsRToU6ArbpiA01b2v2b_u7Zr-rdws-7KeOdBkkFhZJQVK06j7FSlV7XUG8MXoj5bVdHNdJVS5IJ0JU-EygsE4iDRC0CMIoR2tihQL1Jz3dONlp6NKU71aypjHGWR6uY0QgQgbOqj-/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdRvsRToU6ArbpiA01b2v2b_u7Zr-rdws-7KeOdBkkFhZJQVK06j7FSlV7XUG8MXoj5bVdHNdJVS5IJ0JU-EygsE4iDRC0CMIoR2tihQL1Jz3dONlp6NKU71aypjHGWR6uY0QgQgbOqj-/s200/IMG_1380.JPG" width="200" /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8KIb1EsoKIbYYsshoD1Fx6xZn4xmnyvFiICGlqgGxkFxu6DN05DLC6CRWiJb5ZKA-EpERpMzc9hjboj0tn8yo5vo5hFo69CTe7V5bLGZEzapu3BXUi1awTCzTpPNQyHTYBFqEcO006UY/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8KIb1EsoKIbYYsshoD1Fx6xZn4xmnyvFiICGlqgGxkFxu6DN05DLC6CRWiJb5ZKA-EpERpMzc9hjboj0tn8yo5vo5hFo69CTe7V5bLGZEzapu3BXUi1awTCzTpPNQyHTYBFqEcO006UY/s320/IMG_1330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fxl1peu7q9pGqywqQ9gzkfd89hYIKlv3UHfHYRDRRJ8EhaylnUxtJVE1hh8AOKUirO1889cUldJzo89cCk6NhjlBOJ_gLcIV60VkubNyLrnmGpThxsalEvuHtRlNrdR3gMBPF8XQApCW/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fxl1peu7q9pGqywqQ9gzkfd89hYIKlv3UHfHYRDRRJ8EhaylnUxtJVE1hh8AOKUirO1889cUldJzo89cCk6NhjlBOJ_gLcIV60VkubNyLrnmGpThxsalEvuHtRlNrdR3gMBPF8XQApCW/s200/IMG_1329.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So this is a short stroll along Jalan Kajeng, which leads, as the sign says, to the rice fields. At this end the street is busy with motorbikes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The street is paved with signed concrete blocks and decorated with inlaid river stones. Lots are signed by individuals, families and businesses, and they mostly date from around 2002. How many of those who contributed still walk over their signatures?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTANX_BZ8IY2weT-w2djrG7eCOKucs7PWe4ono6KDvblCQXrfdnFiYigNviyyeCX8KSE7o8w7XU7I_OPK66zVWUpatwf3tKwmeXSD4oNEKjqrwJVJHo3h9n9vtnsLZosZKiNT_7a54zEcr/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTANX_BZ8IY2weT-w2djrG7eCOKucs7PWe4ono6KDvblCQXrfdnFiYigNviyyeCX8KSE7o8w7XU7I_OPK66zVWUpatwf3tKwmeXSD4oNEKjqrwJVJHo3h9n9vtnsLZosZKiNT_7a54zEcr/s200/IMG_1338.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvjmxYmjxteZFDgqTmrRwBNb305wf2XMk5BRMDQagI6YNrKWM1VSzwgHWkU84hMovqVkcesOmQcwpBGNOe_uQztaJUIqSRikadXqf1uwIvxBvizKBAxSAeGVnbcDLPxHibT17ZMKJ0JBZ/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvjmxYmjxteZFDgqTmrRwBNb305wf2XMk5BRMDQagI6YNrKWM1VSzwgHWkU84hMovqVkcesOmQcwpBGNOe_uQztaJUIqSRikadXqf1uwIvxBvizKBAxSAeGVnbcDLPxHibT17ZMKJ0JBZ/s200/IMG_1341.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the start of the street there are the usual businesses - guest houses behind walls with decorated gateways, spas, shops selling arts and crafts, places for cooking classes and painting lessons. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY0ZARJ7vwBtwcU20p38gTlFF7qFlE2kPfZRrFZB4ZbODXzne1BBCXyNYDM9aHDx1vMgEwACzeK3fAwus8XpBBaQX_CzwWLHTzfrIoLksb7Zs4atR43hFQrysohP4cLGOxTcCWDEp883c/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY0ZARJ7vwBtwcU20p38gTlFF7qFlE2kPfZRrFZB4ZbODXzne1BBCXyNYDM9aHDx1vMgEwACzeK3fAwus8XpBBaQX_CzwWLHTzfrIoLksb7Zs4atR43hFQrysohP4cLGOxTcCWDEp883c/s320/IMG_1337.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />
The base for <a href="https://www.ubudbotany.com/">Ubud Botany Interactive</a> looks a bit derelict, and the <a href="http://www.ubudsari.com/">Ubud Sari Health resort</a> doesn't look all that well either - but in this climate, moss grows on everything. I'm sure it is lovely once past the entry. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s-F2DsX1VOc97g-riJAF3r3p61Bj8pBWPtVNlcrlE2AzfOXq__07V6zyBuo2X6SB7jYBfZ8kiBbCxkqsd-hDQB5MiFXnEv0Nwh_pZ-e9s3YVY3gtCo0UApnT1erGe7XAaR-K63c8K59D/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s-F2DsX1VOc97g-riJAF3r3p61Bj8pBWPtVNlcrlE2AzfOXq__07V6zyBuo2X6SB7jYBfZ8kiBbCxkqsd-hDQB5MiFXnEv0Nwh_pZ-e9s3YVY3gtCo0UApnT1erGe7XAaR-K63c8K59D/s200/IMG_1340.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxRMkNUXnWCudT1S2y0GpnlqzLgDtfQpeeQ4ikrE6KdTxDSsmnAgOOflWCNjrvev2QXrbErhbGB9XNWXey_nT0pgkXT1sdu9RkiLkZp8uJ8t9h0j_6YzY9UNbbt3nzWWB4J_KgBLi0P7u/s1600/IMG_1339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxRMkNUXnWCudT1S2y0GpnlqzLgDtfQpeeQ4ikrE6KdTxDSsmnAgOOflWCNjrvev2QXrbErhbGB9XNWXey_nT0pgkXT1sdu9RkiLkZp8uJ8t9h0j_6YzY9UNbbt3nzWWB4J_KgBLi0P7u/s320/IMG_1339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite shop of this short street is <a href="https://www.threadsoflife.com/" target="_blank">Threads of Life</a>. It is part shop, part gallery, and part textile museum; and they also offer classes and workshops. (These seem to be for groups. Anyone keen on a textile tour?) As well as textiles from different regions of Indonesia, there are examples of traditional basket weaving and other crafts. They support women in the more isolated and remote areas of the islands, encouraging cooperatives that allow them to pursue their traditions and earn an income at the same time, and they help to support highly skilled artisans to pass on and preserve their knowledge. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After this, my path leaves the street, though unfortunately the passing motorbikes only thin out marginally. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9CHvvjQ1bHkGLXDClHZCZvp_K-4MXzVd0qJhHfwy54Pv4SYrTmexL_febrsyk_A0WxnEqv5JlFgkqJHeuOuCBurkJI_s23qG065IBOtuL-3Yt76LxnogX1dpz8P0lFJyg45_tApmmZTa/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9CHvvjQ1bHkGLXDClHZCZvp_K-4MXzVd0qJhHfwy54Pv4SYrTmexL_febrsyk_A0WxnEqv5JlFgkqJHeuOuCBurkJI_s23qG065IBOtuL-3Yt76LxnogX1dpz8P0lFJyg45_tApmmZTa/s200/IMG_1343.JPG" width="200" /></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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRriWv1M68nEj_MlaG-3Q6w2g56PGRGpA961bomAHhe9d45k_Ao8YYCX6FyyZwdhaMmrplY5POj10R5RhqJjAWbhkjNYNXsiIufzysFjEYc-vW5lno_a4MvKtcVTIFkO5MSeffr-6bbaA/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRriWv1M68nEj_MlaG-3Q6w2g56PGRGpA961bomAHhe9d45k_Ao8YYCX6FyyZwdhaMmrplY5POj10R5RhqJjAWbhkjNYNXsiIufzysFjEYc-vW5lno_a4MvKtcVTIFkO5MSeffr-6bbaA/s320/IMG_1348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIMXzIkxoLwfm6BRi7MZnbsvu607SdZilwrmmfJQ2kGbMR5wQjpwiQYp7oXBTSS06OV06uiIcHBLy0-or0E2u9SQlBiDnKKejl-kNHw90NcOyIw2Yu9A_82b-to4NA_guipsF-AbW5FQm/s1600/IMG_1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIMXzIkxoLwfm6BRi7MZnbsvu607SdZilwrmmfJQ2kGbMR5wQjpwiQYp7oXBTSS06OV06uiIcHBLy0-or0E2u9SQlBiDnKKejl-kNHw90NcOyIw2Yu9A_82b-to4NA_guipsF-AbW5FQm/s200/IMG_1347.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The path follows the irrigation channels between the fields. Peace descends and the air is fresher. Here and there, fallow fields are being cleared of the water weeds in preparation for the next planting. These fields are a feat of engineering that have endured for centuries and are still managed in the same way as they have been through the decades. Its a cooperative system that is defined by watershed rather than by politics. I'm intrigued by the strength of the walls that define each small field. How did they work out exactly how wide they need to be to maintain strength through wet and dry seasons? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", HelveticaNeue, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">a resilient system of bottom-up management that both increases and equalizes harvests (<a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/114/25/6504" target="_blank">Adaptive self-organisation of Bali's rice fields</a>). </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", HelveticaNeue, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">- in Bali, water is regarded as a public good, the gift of the Goddess of the Lakes.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", HelveticaNeue, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span> </blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW_FWyHXret2gIfH29lGoPmtA9ciNI_6VUz9kgUcYdKJBiNkLlPb5nH3sHCBoI3I9p7h8Yp9vPp2X2vC9LObzDX4nc4FQPjJIy6F2_v8u9SFspZNUXEyl3TCcUzZTPTlHFZ9eCz4lQ12T/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW_FWyHXret2gIfH29lGoPmtA9ciNI_6VUz9kgUcYdKJBiNkLlPb5nH3sHCBoI3I9p7h8Yp9vPp2X2vC9LObzDX4nc4FQPjJIy6F2_v8u9SFspZNUXEyl3TCcUzZTPTlHFZ9eCz4lQ12T/s320/IMG_1345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GBvhbi2DvVhnkT4TOC_yqdHWJHtcLZRa5iNE2Mzsi4FDiAOzp2gazA4u3nbR40DeZLDeSYwGstw4wrev4xMoWs5yOYQcnJzzHkiPD1JOgtR-QmgRw-2cE1htfXmZqA1IjvkoM_SfR9kN/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GBvhbi2DvVhnkT4TOC_yqdHWJHtcLZRa5iNE2Mzsi4FDiAOzp2gazA4u3nbR40DeZLDeSYwGstw4wrev4xMoWs5yOYQcnJzzHkiPD1JOgtR-QmgRw-2cE1htfXmZqA1IjvkoM_SfR9kN/s400/IMG_1350.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing for the women to come and plant the next crop of rice. Some farmers do the job by hand, pulling out armfuls of weeds at a time and sinking them deep into the mud. Others have a machine that does the same thing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4tbu865fPbn-etRljpRX5bowTEJ_-JydzAg6BmLN9FBzZYQlEtt3nn8Jel7_xNFUMq5fmImoF4MJVcUUQqMlmzcFbD3rENUydvGXSnSax8Ist_yQn6S2reme3YYb_YuAsl7TFIcvofdi/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4tbu865fPbn-etRljpRX5bowTEJ_-JydzAg6BmLN9FBzZYQlEtt3nn8Jel7_xNFUMq5fmImoF4MJVcUUQqMlmzcFbD3rENUydvGXSnSax8Ist_yQn6S2reme3YYb_YuAsl7TFIcvofdi/s320/IMG_1349.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUc7N_GEf2_qqJ3U9MG8C0PRdsHCBa_EO-lb5kaXUA3rh0z-_UPauxaVvDMuIbWJqptbDCe1ua3-EEOyfPQ2agEELO4F2TYc9gt2I9n6k5yCzyPd1QP93Q-ij4vD3DSYgDANaE6Ni4oFJ/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUc7N_GEf2_qqJ3U9MG8C0PRdsHCBa_EO-lb5kaXUA3rh0z-_UPauxaVvDMuIbWJqptbDCe1ua3-EEOyfPQ2agEELO4F2TYc9gt2I9n6k5yCzyPd1QP93Q-ij4vD3DSYgDANaE6Ni4oFJ/s200/IMG_1346.JPG" width="200" /></a>My destination - a restaurant surrounded by the paddy fields. So what'll it be for early dinner? Check out the meal at the end of this post. Meantime those storm clouds are looking interesting. Utter peacefulness and timelessness. Distant thunder is the only sound. </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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlLxEuNQkiWR_Y9tYinBsl8zP-xmvNWLS89gEITZJ7F80CWuDV1W3nlQHslh7RpheplItnup1AQhKMaPjY10w7hU74W3LWUTkUAkkKBYg9EfnY1xvkakWP5WIWz9UW5XneHEEXSxAQTNL/s1600/IMG_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlLxEuNQkiWR_Y9tYinBsl8zP-xmvNWLS89gEITZJ7F80CWuDV1W3nlQHslh7RpheplItnup1AQhKMaPjY10w7hU74W3LWUTkUAkkKBYg9EfnY1xvkakWP5WIWz9UW5XneHEEXSxAQTNL/s320/IMG_1362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The expat hunger to live in a villa in the countryside is eating into the arable land, but who wouldn't want to live in a location like this?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviGrOaYU5NjfJjpFDaDQhwGkGPRInqLDmhhQyPaXAgC8i1QN0MZ0jGlKPg9ngLGiqHhw59R73WDXH6qh9fbIywb7CIl0R34TAtEehVH35noLq8tS_2gDs09YBwBCdOddegQvnFu_7gZCL/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviGrOaYU5NjfJjpFDaDQhwGkGPRInqLDmhhQyPaXAgC8i1QN0MZ0jGlKPg9ngLGiqHhw59R73WDXH6qh9fbIywb7CIl0R34TAtEehVH35noLq8tS_2gDs09YBwBCdOddegQvnFu_7gZCL/s320/IMG_1366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVgNkXM7YgQqCcM8GC1nI80sjFF7yGtvACNT9zq74n8cq8JcCB1FlGztqsJxdof3Pgb-vC-q2l5wPwBRqcAPnDxeO-yeR5dHv5XHeFfhNqeVw-JafG5wVjYqgj2uCub0T1OdZNiRzTdd4/s1600/IMG_1368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVgNkXM7YgQqCcM8GC1nI80sjFF7yGtvACNT9zq74n8cq8JcCB1FlGztqsJxdof3Pgb-vC-q2l5wPwBRqcAPnDxeO-yeR5dHv5XHeFfhNqeVw-JafG5wVjYqgj2uCub0T1OdZNiRzTdd4/s320/IMG_1368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ElbqhnhGGyC-mehHui4L0K6KNbB2zlkyhu9yiIi3t41t0L8c_rLULMmPyp4gwhhBEy80NWmCxClenQ4BPGsDfg3jPAb5P3DAZ3-x_C3bXDQnWw57t1jRR9C9Hh4B-7mU3Ix3t9fLu6zg/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ElbqhnhGGyC-mehHui4L0K6KNbB2zlkyhu9yiIi3t41t0L8c_rLULMmPyp4gwhhBEy80NWmCxClenQ4BPGsDfg3jPAb5P3DAZ3-x_C3bXDQnWw57t1jRR9C9Hh4B-7mU3Ix3t9fLu6zg/s400/IMG_1357.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasi campur with lots of herbs. Organic red rice. Of course - this is Ubud. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-26008965969763445652019-02-11T19:24:00.000-08:002019-02-11T19:24:06.615-08:00A stroll along 'my' street - Jalan Gautama, UbudAfter a few days in Ubud I'm starting to see more. I'm staying in a homestay in Jalan Gootama. It's a small street which thankfully is closed to cars in the evenings, but busy with scooters and motorbikes all the time. It is a street that rewards a slower perambulation.<br />
<br />
This is a very awakened street and I'm blessed to have chosen an awakened place to stay (more on the accommodation at In Da Garden later).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapf6xxfhePb71UMucGNsLxH1WZX7slVxlcpxGBNGuv5hEO-Vm8HlP652yicRNxgaZ9q9CuLk_JjHzjDuo5QMNzb_qBTjeRT9nEX0NRdhP3-nUbHMsfnHr_3TvyA2jqvf3BP8sA6c8RRyU/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapf6xxfhePb71UMucGNsLxH1WZX7slVxlcpxGBNGuv5hEO-Vm8HlP652yicRNxgaZ9q9CuLk_JjHzjDuo5QMNzb_qBTjeRT9nEX0NRdhP3-nUbHMsfnHr_3TvyA2jqvf3BP8sA6c8RRyU/s200/IMG_1280.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
The sign boards at the ends of the street are flanked by stone Buddhas each holding an umbrella in the holy black and white checked fabric that symbolises the balance between good and evil.<br />
<br />
The whole street is a bit like that. It is pretty much geared to tourism but seriously supports a lot of local creativity and enterprise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDbJLls6XRVZQkV7tS1oogrz_lWEwUeIuPyg37qp_PNINofKXGDArWHjaDYuGOWYn3BSMq_Sw5L_ZPXnrFr5yH8opCR3TIM8StAUsESXiHQPp64XlgljlmdCwkKW0d0q5jkIuiDFTlcie/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDbJLls6XRVZQkV7tS1oogrz_lWEwUeIuPyg37qp_PNINofKXGDArWHjaDYuGOWYn3BSMq_Sw5L_ZPXnrFr5yH8opCR3TIM8StAUsESXiHQPp64XlgljlmdCwkKW0d0q5jkIuiDFTlcie/s200/IMG_1304.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI52OZKh42wVHQmbcoNGsiANMN8jLUIbrrsnn_TTjJmUuK29rao0SJtJPdH-c2IWPebojXxpMQB7vHLLYre6ffPUhxVdRHOwdw537cXzNg4FhTCmMlt3Y6P2j1WPbcCPFVc6uwV7miAX3S/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI52OZKh42wVHQmbcoNGsiANMN8jLUIbrrsnn_TTjJmUuK29rao0SJtJPdH-c2IWPebojXxpMQB7vHLLYre6ffPUhxVdRHOwdw537cXzNg4FhTCmMlt3Y6P2j1WPbcCPFVc6uwV7miAX3S/s200/IMG_1272.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgjTSY5VeibgB6I-7VF3TN_J8hqwAL6-7NOTbDuFVMndmddsVPVic4CjruFHtyWH9pfQH2PQyZbT3_KqLu3PG-nnJKIL2-p4N_ybdETVflXEd4KK8HFlb8sImCi5scNWlwvYF5zvEbont/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgjTSY5VeibgB6I-7VF3TN_J8hqwAL6-7NOTbDuFVMndmddsVPVic4CjruFHtyWH9pfQH2PQyZbT3_KqLu3PG-nnJKIL2-p4N_ybdETVflXEd4KK8HFlb8sImCi5scNWlwvYF5zvEbont/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM9RIJRF-RJmLchLkVsbZ41OMQqtgfbmJTtfeuxSdOpJUX2-CSPVgT44e4KiNQIVhDcMA_XvWx2Gk40aSag8Y96fxuB4baMj_mI2bzu11i9GIcI23QezfTxmezomKy6v-2RuF253AvSKX/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM9RIJRF-RJmLchLkVsbZ41OMQqtgfbmJTtfeuxSdOpJUX2-CSPVgT44e4KiNQIVhDcMA_XvWx2Gk40aSag8Y96fxuB4baMj_mI2bzu11i9GIcI23QezfTxmezomKy6v-2RuF253AvSKX/s200/IMG_1298.JPG" width="200" /></a>In the mornings there are fresh offerings carefully placed outside each business. Rice packets, sweets, flowers, incense, and petals. By the end of the day most will be crushed underfoot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalM5eOSxAzAwTcWnNu_UBdoIBt9oaQxrbLgizEc6ossuwoArNulzahJaTlk8Pc4PVqOw0vGbosl0mCLMfHjyxX2HqqKn6m-qIATjuPAiChLZP19vO75Uf7PznD2k8XMb_7xaWscQ0doOK/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalM5eOSxAzAwTcWnNu_UBdoIBt9oaQxrbLgizEc6ossuwoArNulzahJaTlk8Pc4PVqOw0vGbosl0mCLMfHjyxX2HqqKn6m-qIATjuPAiChLZP19vO75Uf7PznD2k8XMb_7xaWscQ0doOK/s200/IMG_1290.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Family life goes on in the compounds behind decorative brick and stone walls that are green with moss. Each compound has an ornate gate, framing a narrow entrance guarded by statues. Most of these are garlanded or decorated with fabrics and flowers. Many have adopted the homestay concept, but there are still plenty of roosters in the neighborhood. One place has some of the fattest pigeons I have ever seen (is that really chicken in the soto ayam?).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oeTn2C7IMcDDTYdle7tiROKPyk8Iiu1A_ZylW1EZ1ALCm54yVsoFsMAHJx-sKXqtPP8g_ZVQyCNeq4Mv-6_oQtrD-b6cQmSyHkm_Ez_FLhBJKn6IDELxTdkCrUIWEVSzey_cjsdYxTen/s1600/IMG_1313+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="1600" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oeTn2C7IMcDDTYdle7tiROKPyk8Iiu1A_ZylW1EZ1ALCm54yVsoFsMAHJx-sKXqtPP8g_ZVQyCNeq4Mv-6_oQtrD-b6cQmSyHkm_Ez_FLhBJKn6IDELxTdkCrUIWEVSzey_cjsdYxTen/s200/IMG_1313+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuwvovoRw3NBzmHGAgZTONWvlMlzCQbyGXGsfMIrc-ov0dW8gm3F50iZjciaHDPiYhFRaKpKJpaZa3hnzcnABYeqxhPZGx17mvgbGF5LW_Vsu62q3AdSN-cSCJy2X3O3nJVB7Srkg1cMr/s1600/IMG_1315+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuwvovoRw3NBzmHGAgZTONWvlMlzCQbyGXGsfMIrc-ov0dW8gm3F50iZjciaHDPiYhFRaKpKJpaZa3hnzcnABYeqxhPZGx17mvgbGF5LW_Vsu62q3AdSN-cSCJy2X3O3nJVB7Srkg1cMr/s200/IMG_1315+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdLzztOJCutO3F0QO4N0uncRCbP9HCt05RfvSDB47NtY1ahIOsmt1poen-oS7Gclf4H6DEZ0bkfGVRQB5OodVU9bQ23uaAtRC3W80RZWXy6aC2r8qzr6afHovpmu6_Kg8bKiYSIuibu0r/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdLzztOJCutO3F0QO4N0uncRCbP9HCt05RfvSDB47NtY1ahIOsmt1poen-oS7Gclf4H6DEZ0bkfGVRQB5OodVU9bQ23uaAtRC3W80RZWXy6aC2r8qzr6afHovpmu6_Kg8bKiYSIuibu0r/s200/IMG_1265.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBM25ZgOBcb_GVXOXvm_qJg0EtvdKqfoipF4zdTGYbgsqEYt29cwWAGhn8efKS2cAPsSejT3OsYHl06iYc8BVgbXPaoW1ILrlvyePcWZ94WFs9wMAqkDFvWbIdz3UN1ixXeulY-5wBoPuL/s1600/IMG_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBM25ZgOBcb_GVXOXvm_qJg0EtvdKqfoipF4zdTGYbgsqEYt29cwWAGhn8efKS2cAPsSejT3OsYHl06iYc8BVgbXPaoW1ILrlvyePcWZ94WFs9wMAqkDFvWbIdz3UN1ixXeulY-5wBoPuL/s320/IMG_1305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg621Ua7PhDuThkJpMj31LF_9M8ANqIVjfuv_5Ojd2GoOnJDBxVdIx5b0fdjsX5e45idh-5qtFpG488tRmSmq7hrXlhMgbRNhH54Ouef8n1Bstag4zvgFeSPcF2picI89Dut500ga_cB6TW/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg621Ua7PhDuThkJpMj31LF_9M8ANqIVjfuv_5Ojd2GoOnJDBxVdIx5b0fdjsX5e45idh-5qtFpG488tRmSmq7hrXlhMgbRNhH54Ouef8n1Bstag4zvgFeSPcF2picI89Dut500ga_cB6TW/s200/IMG_1307.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I didn't come to Ubud to shop but if you did, you'd enjoy the variety of small retail businesses that line Jalan Gautama.. From yoga wear to interior design, from local arts and crafts (pottery, carving, painting, weaving, jewelry) to organic skin care products, from feathers to fabrics; there's something for every visitor and the new age vibes are strong.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwVXhSelCf0NNUbtplR-V-OoHTk9IpEgbHAA-j5FXMWFE8Id4TZo6Yyj-iUIn2VIVWjRBjAJy8-16kHqBXmLYABBxXoKQaQdvU4bzNY_N4CKpIfcl7YSMwRpOIgfVaIhwAlZsybxcaLyd/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwVXhSelCf0NNUbtplR-V-OoHTk9IpEgbHAA-j5FXMWFE8Id4TZo6Yyj-iUIn2VIVWjRBjAJy8-16kHqBXmLYABBxXoKQaQdvU4bzNY_N4CKpIfcl7YSMwRpOIgfVaIhwAlZsybxcaLyd/s320/IMG_1260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkqaEA-ispmT_0KG6cC0Tx8iDkGZgx3Vi-QhTrUVX7AexsBHbdyENy8hgQGz7wUsV1oOIGega-VonlGmqanBGvPy-sw6aL5eIFiqrPi2o6BRzwLt0uwVuG2aHm8iPgrAbo4xEn8DX7Jd1/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkqaEA-ispmT_0KG6cC0Tx8iDkGZgx3Vi-QhTrUVX7AexsBHbdyENy8hgQGz7wUsV1oOIGega-VonlGmqanBGvPy-sw6aL5eIFiqrPi2o6BRzwLt0uwVuG2aHm8iPgrAbo4xEn8DX7Jd1/s200/IMG_1296.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW9O0hbfGFVlRwEmLowBKSv5R_kFbqGb8GgM7fInUCdMyFjLoYQHflIu8nHFV6IUUftfCMH0UkEUxKVeMLL9l89yh8ccFBTifCMUmJXxlRMyQ4LPvb0BmMXJTAel0Uq0BI3QDhMbLdEGn/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEW9O0hbfGFVlRwEmLowBKSv5R_kFbqGb8GgM7fInUCdMyFjLoYQHflIu8nHFV6IUUftfCMH0UkEUxKVeMLL9l89yh8ccFBTifCMUmJXxlRMyQ4LPvb0BmMXJTAel0Uq0BI3QDhMbLdEGn/s200/IMG_1267.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i9RNJI67mZeo6vn00NEu5c5l2BOxkWJkuJEPGti7jab-SfCxZV0RMuU_sXsuuwTXCuPmYV1Cgkf5X3YAiAyyrUF0PBIMQW5HHjzoyn1pxDHIVI9MB0KJmCr3BvJQNvCJ7kQBVHdAUCIn/s1600/IMG_1300+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i9RNJI67mZeo6vn00NEu5c5l2BOxkWJkuJEPGti7jab-SfCxZV0RMuU_sXsuuwTXCuPmYV1Cgkf5X3YAiAyyrUF0PBIMQW5HHjzoyn1pxDHIVI9MB0KJmCr3BvJQNvCJ7kQBVHdAUCIn/s200/IMG_1300+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Spas, massage, pedicures, facials - it's all here. Many of the homestays also offer lengthy menus of spa options that promise to awaken and relax and restore and rejuvenate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7_dJVMJhx7lv6x35g8uFUzIpN1yd9o9JgeksNm0hc1X9bpAxnlFSXCLCDDb_K3iyaxmCgjGs82Imk1efgrnN3ukevuFn9XWBFGpuq0xakQpzvQ3NH7TfcFOnRr8DN-v5WCN0zWlvpHrz/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7_dJVMJhx7lv6x35g8uFUzIpN1yd9o9JgeksNm0hc1X9bpAxnlFSXCLCDDb_K3iyaxmCgjGs82Imk1efgrnN3ukevuFn9XWBFGpuq0xakQpzvQ3NH7TfcFOnRr8DN-v5WCN0zWlvpHrz/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If that's not your thing, there are numerous offerings to awaken the senses via the stomach. Some of the best places to eat in Ubud are right here in this street. The Laotian restaurant, Melting Wok, is a favorite. Indonesian food is a bit overshadowed but there are several excellent warung. Tourists have a lot to answer for - pizza, tapas, ice cream, burgers, crepes, sushi for starters, just in this small stretch of Ubud. Or for the yogis, organic, vegan, raw and higher vibe; with piles of cushions and low tables.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyHyQ1odjCuZyy0_L9AspdttH3xXrYuWjqjBT42uNWleW91JitquFMJy1VRIdoF_zRYUOGcsroeu3GwDAUTJGJ-HpRncp_AADWln0Np8MKBmRXVkVAgBH7xji5jmmwjRTjbMdgeY6_wlE/s1600/IMG_1294+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyHyQ1odjCuZyy0_L9AspdttH3xXrYuWjqjBT42uNWleW91JitquFMJy1VRIdoF_zRYUOGcsroeu3GwDAUTJGJ-HpRncp_AADWln0Np8MKBmRXVkVAgBH7xji5jmmwjRTjbMdgeY6_wlE/s320/IMG_1294+%25282%2529.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZqvUExq0juqiCEjNaUz_h-wm1tjscgeZEAuMxqPZmqzLdukL7CR6A7JKo7OUH7HSIP0lKi97Jx-NJ19WIAmmmauFLq77kBpLpVd2Tl4eoBswTfDtVOJ4F5vTtzLyDACNCqRq74svM_Ab/s1600/IMG_1309+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1571" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZqvUExq0juqiCEjNaUz_h-wm1tjscgeZEAuMxqPZmqzLdukL7CR6A7JKo7OUH7HSIP0lKi97Jx-NJ19WIAmmmauFLq77kBpLpVd2Tl4eoBswTfDtVOJ4F5vTtzLyDACNCqRq74svM_Ab/s200/IMG_1309+%25282%2529.JPG" width="196" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmWENQVtsGsELsFY_jCcOV4IJ1MHT4L-Q_qI1gcQXsM4ZK1AzHU1cWFfWzBaCKLDhONObxjCFgx4XaPYot2MtbAVya3bpn6nyxtq7UfFa6rgKJEK7ib3v88X-jlD905iwo1vwpYjI_Wkt/s1600/IMG_1319+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmWENQVtsGsELsFY_jCcOV4IJ1MHT4L-Q_qI1gcQXsM4ZK1AzHU1cWFfWzBaCKLDhONObxjCFgx4XaPYot2MtbAVya3bpn6nyxtq7UfFa6rgKJEK7ib3v88X-jlD905iwo1vwpYjI_Wkt/s400/IMG_1319+%25282%2529.JPG" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best coffee in Ubud (even if is not actually awakened). Made from a selection of local beans and roasted to perfection on the premises. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-36460686609300764982018-08-13T18:30:00.002-07:002018-08-13T18:30:55.374-07:00Wayfaring <span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">It's a lovely word, wayfaring. I now wish that is what I had used for this blog instead of Journeying. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Then again, it too is a cliche. An article in the Guardian about a life-style blogger who makes a living out of travel writing/photography starts </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">Henry Miller once famously wrote: “One’s destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things.” </span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #121212; font-family: "Guardian Text Sans Web", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, "Lucida Grande", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures;">But the quote actually belongs to Marcel Proust</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
“My destination is no longer a place, rather a new way of seeing.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-58226755293881738052017-05-02T01:57:00.000-07:002017-05-02T01:57:51.845-07:00A book of migrations: some passages in IrelandThese days my travel is all on screen or page, in the breif evenings after work, usually on the sofa in my Sydney apartment. The title of this post is that of a library book I found while looking for something else (I love that about library shelves of the old-fashioned kind, shelves you can browse. My current library stores most of its collection in a vault with a robotic retrieval system thats away all the fun of random discovery). This is a book by Rebecca Solint, an American who became an Irish citizen in 1986, lived there for ten years, then returned to write a rumination on, as she says, "the ebb and flow of populations that constitutes invasion, exile, colonisation, emigration, tourism and nomadism." And also home, identity, and the "psychic experiment" that is travel itself.<br />
<br />
"Here, most often, is nothing more than the best perspective from which to contemplate there", she writes. The quote that opens her book is from Basho 'Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.'<br />
<br />
Here I am, at home, in a city that has never felt welcoming or knowable, on the trail of my own Irish passport, and contemplating my next round of adventures from the lulling comfort of the sofa.<br />
<br />
"Ireland delighted me by offering so many stories and circumstances in which individuals and populations were fluid rather than ossfied," she writes, and I thrill to the idea that perhaps this explains everything, my restlesness and endless yearning to be somewhere else. Maybe I am Irish, too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453573550795160546.post-35118729928158437282016-10-06T18:59:00.000-07:002016-10-06T18:59:09.047-07:00London By Bike<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CqZA61XMZJ1sFc2kC9FSjIGgR2iByuY_pMp5avcjzzbEarrDMvleEelyUDY0bgzi1IPvf83bWheMFANZ_OSV88QmObr5hMdqwqDUx8vOsKpUJH8hEKSfMn2DzAiFGBfOO784am0Zdjhb/s1600/1-IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CqZA61XMZJ1sFc2kC9FSjIGgR2iByuY_pMp5avcjzzbEarrDMvleEelyUDY0bgzi1IPvf83bWheMFANZ_OSV88QmObr5hMdqwqDUx8vOsKpUJH8hEKSfMn2DzAiFGBfOO784am0Zdjhb/s320/1-IMG_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They used to be called Boris Bikes <br />- before he fell from grace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During the fortnight in London I cycled every day. The cycle paths are fantastic. I had two main ways to get into the city from Herne Hill.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAJ_QT0JhtOf3PwfaRAlUaStpymSWMzR4PK0Je9MC3zF5HzcDNcLd-dq7TcnpFx5RZGKf2_-_hHbvKUKQ51slopdfNbem6-HsXwlnOybHmVlUPFXI4VD6-ghibkMk1TzhRvI54vFqEIIi/s1600/2-IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAJ_QT0JhtOf3PwfaRAlUaStpymSWMzR4PK0Je9MC3zF5HzcDNcLd-dq7TcnpFx5RZGKf2_-_hHbvKUKQ51slopdfNbem6-HsXwlnOybHmVlUPFXI4VD6-ghibkMk1TzhRvI54vFqEIIi/s200/2-IMG_0377.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
One way followed Route 25 and was mostly a stress-free cruisy ride.<br />
<br />
The routes are well-marked with signs as well as road markings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhkbN21oFzF7mxEwB1EKs7QaJrZXFlV8z_PJO9n0uA4UJmjKOxgbXo0pBA83yIiamPpq6ypepgmde1mzZyA0FjVQXn7PMoCRypT8y73yClCyJwb9bAzC__PlkqalKFLMBpetKMOv9tLAB/s1600/1-IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhkbN21oFzF7mxEwB1EKs7QaJrZXFlV8z_PJO9n0uA4UJmjKOxgbXo0pBA83yIiamPpq6ypepgmde1mzZyA0FjVQXn7PMoCRypT8y73yClCyJwb9bAzC__PlkqalKFLMBpetKMOv9tLAB/s320/1-IMG_0523.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Council bike lockers </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir09ajNyWJ2DqTcCpn4JuOjBLAHZEzQMTyYq4wb7IgSJzJ9gtRRdPGygBgYlmBgfmlVG9zqdJdCnWiCHGj93IGFFn6kvLfI7Bzg_xpEqTtMl9Gix3UEwRZSnqfDUCpoak8wNrDRBYLvLcT/s1600/4-IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir09ajNyWJ2DqTcCpn4JuOjBLAHZEzQMTyYq4wb7IgSJzJ9gtRRdPGygBgYlmBgfmlVG9zqdJdCnWiCHGj93IGFFn6kvLfI7Bzg_xpEqTtMl9Gix3UEwRZSnqfDUCpoak8wNrDRBYLvLcT/s320/4-IMG_0403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burgeoning Battersea - shared bus/bike lane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA3KgPk8i5QBpI8E8VMOUg5K9W3IgMujomT5Ughau-zRVNGv3gskXMa8AbU9EfnmpbRneqI4sQtCjlgo86TIzeKZhPyi3dxBxrLKKobbo255w7b9r-3FmHhb_v4KbIciLWbf4F1VRp26D/s1600/5-IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA3KgPk8i5QBpI8E8VMOUg5K9W3IgMujomT5Ughau-zRVNGv3gskXMa8AbU9EfnmpbRneqI4sQtCjlgo86TIzeKZhPyi3dxBxrLKKobbo255w7b9r-3FmHhb_v4KbIciLWbf4F1VRp26D/s200/5-IMG_0405.JPG" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Chelsea Bridge - <br />a whole lane just for bikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCG1IFzl8jR3n-JaOg5ehoj1UfxpY59gOLs8zEjAqb0kNNQ6nkncBc8pFKZMIasmoqU9QAzvoNKEe6ozRiQwL8j89Q5R4lA-e5S2ijzSTAtgTNFq2K7mrIDMr42Rlhyphenhyphen-mEycMDvP5Mhgu/s1600/6-IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCG1IFzl8jR3n-JaOg5ehoj1UfxpY59gOLs8zEjAqb0kNNQ6nkncBc8pFKZMIasmoqU9QAzvoNKEe6ozRiQwL8j89Q5R4lA-e5S2ijzSTAtgTNFq2K7mrIDMr42Rlhyphenhyphen-mEycMDvP5Mhgu/s320/6-IMG_0406.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud-larking time along the Thames</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The other option was to join the north-south Cycle SuperHighway at Brixton and ride hard and fast. Why fast? Long straight stretches with a whole lane reserved for bikes, made for flying along. Except that the lane is shared by buses. And there is nothing scarier than looking up and seeing that a double decker bus has pulled up just ahead of you. Oh wait. Scarier than that is when you sense something breathing down your neck, and realise that one of those buses has snuck up behind you and and is coming alongside, so close that you seem to feel it brush the hairs on your legs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE5TwwBGmKIV5cCEHBv4gNLWkN6VB6CYTqYeJ1NPrCHzoM_8_BC22lv7FBx-IKGFQJ0ydAnnMAq88urGG2ZHWk5XDr9gFTq3V5-PGxkXfimaO5KadMpqYLuIQW9JbdkEL9TDyYtb19X4s/s1600/2-IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE5TwwBGmKIV5cCEHBv4gNLWkN6VB6CYTqYeJ1NPrCHzoM_8_BC22lv7FBx-IKGFQJ0ydAnnMAq88urGG2ZHWk5XDr9gFTq3V5-PGxkXfimaO5KadMpqYLuIQW9JbdkEL9TDyYtb19X4s/s200/2-IMG_0499.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Actually I think the scariest thing of all on London roads is the other cyclists. Coming home during rush hour, I'd pull up at the lights in the space in front of all the cars marked for bikes, and by the time the lights changed (I love that they turn orange and then green int he UK) I'd hear a hundred click click clicks as shoes all around me slotted back into cleats and the muscles and mamils (middle-aged men in lycra) would be past me and shooting off into the distance.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSnBLXMz6c0_y9AD7FlpLw6uX4SAtb6x49eKFDHG_p-eiDvU82a6qqZGKqU8XkBHpm3bCmYnhbN8VZkgzPdHo1SCICnVui4YWLoV78YheIHvzHF0F0P7Djk-p1QD7YMWM3JH8IBW-4gPT/s1600/1-IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSnBLXMz6c0_y9AD7FlpLw6uX4SAtb6x49eKFDHG_p-eiDvU82a6qqZGKqU8XkBHpm3bCmYnhbN8VZkgzPdHo1SCICnVui4YWLoV78YheIHvzHF0F0P7Djk-p1QD7YMWM3JH8IBW-4gPT/s320/1-IMG_0375.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brockwell Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Route 25 took me across <a href="http://www.brockwellpark.com/">Brockwell Park</a>, along deserted suburban streets and past my favorite bakery and cafe, Gail's; across Clapham Common, down past the sprouting of high-rise apartments in Battersea, and over Chelsea Bridge.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2nUli9VFkpYfhE4juYg0oVcU3hAqnCQMWodTGxXvkEAsbnj1NJtS0iUfV4iRvLJ7qDjMbPeXgRrEbAFChhv8_YJTQZUOI2B5pbnysw2b8f7ajdsjtYNUa4anc55FVW3ugRSB00Gi00J9/s1600/1-IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2nUli9VFkpYfhE4juYg0oVcU3hAqnCQMWodTGxXvkEAsbnj1NJtS0iUfV4iRvLJ7qDjMbPeXgRrEbAFChhv8_YJTQZUOI2B5pbnysw2b8f7ajdsjtYNUa4anc55FVW3ugRSB00Gi00J9/s320/1-IMG_0383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail's goodies (him too)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUyHiGecRD2KbCM7yQmYKL_AJJ-r2N-B1I-vinBdYRUbxFLLGPa9zi6d9JkodsFuI0STuQRLaToycr8fTz_b2x-NDubeVjMcyMK8dBZ27AzJKaEDoILzj9-x6ufLTe87lQIvF1XnadIAj/s1600/1-IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUyHiGecRD2KbCM7yQmYKL_AJJ-r2N-B1I-vinBdYRUbxFLLGPa9zi6d9JkodsFuI0STuQRLaToycr8fTz_b2x-NDubeVjMcyMK8dBZ27AzJKaEDoILzj9-x6ufLTe87lQIvF1XnadIAj/s200/1-IMG_0396.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clapham Common </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_W8ROCs-o7Y7txTZXG1qvmCIOAsQsrSU6UqkY-8jNZTBs-_3F7kfWN6vQH6IZQf7CQIROVwETmKKCkqQVJ4MyxkKIvXBs7FMvQ5fQt0u1VbxjhsMMttkJCSF-PPbCE7gekR0OCEpTn8N/s1600/3-IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_W8ROCs-o7Y7txTZXG1qvmCIOAsQsrSU6UqkY-8jNZTBs-_3F7kfWN6vQH6IZQf7CQIROVwETmKKCkqQVJ4MyxkKIvXBs7FMvQ5fQt0u1VbxjhsMMttkJCSF-PPbCE7gekR0OCEpTn8N/s200/3-IMG_0391.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuonNwD6Ngtq6GgZ2x6higfjEXFjtQKAE7pAPzmeA8qR2J_d_5X8GY-VKcn_laJvcb36H66AEpOsit_EguIYJpaQXhgg04cIAgygYOoqmz7OUKXCafaoYpRJmLcWFLVFicI0XUa3a8yk5S/s1600/3-IMG_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuonNwD6Ngtq6GgZ2x6higfjEXFjtQKAE7pAPzmeA8qR2J_d_5X8GY-VKcn_laJvcb36H66AEpOsit_EguIYJpaQXhgg04cIAgygYOoqmz7OUKXCafaoYpRJmLcWFLVFicI0XUa3a8yk5S/s320/3-IMG_0399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
From the other route I could either head into the City or over Waterloo Bridge and past The Strand where I used to work to Covent Garden and Soho. In busy Brixton, the marked cycle path goes down the laneway with a memorial mural for that Brixton boy, David Bowie; where there were fresh bouquets of flowers being left every day. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9UC__juCXWPfvEL49qJ4WeEhnER0hjQqsh-59FvKyg4IwWAtDdzwAgOJD_TO6avlcafzjpGIGpCRw5leHC3zpdT96OeR-IezQ814pEAEksuYmd0AFFR0SV_s-wPfk-W6ksN9twCZY5x2/s1600/1-IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9UC__juCXWPfvEL49qJ4WeEhnER0hjQqsh-59FvKyg4IwWAtDdzwAgOJD_TO6avlcafzjpGIGpCRw5leHC3zpdT96OeR-IezQ814pEAEksuYmd0AFFR0SV_s-wPfk-W6ksN9twCZY5x2/s400/1-IMG_0578.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Judith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17220526028415545460noreply@blogger.com0