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Monday, 27 December 2010
Visit to L'Escala in Spain - Pals - Tuesday November 9th
After lunch, Mandi remained in Torroella de Montgri for her Spanish class and Dave and I went back to Pals for a bit of sight seeing.
Visit to L'Escala in Spain - Toroella de Montgri - Tuesday November 9th
After coffee, Mandi's friends drove us to Toroella de Montgri and we met Dave for a splendid lunch at El Mirador.
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Visit to L'Escala in Spain - Pals - Tuesday November 9th
Tuesday was the big day, Mandi and I were the tutors for the morning art class. We were picked up by a couple of Mandi's friends and they drove us to the Civic Centre in Pals.
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We were early so had time to visit the local market. I bought a couple of outfits for the new twins. I didn't manage to take photos myself and they are for 3 month old babies, so no photos yet from the parents. They were gorgeous outfits, bright red corduroy coats and dresses with a grey and red t-shirt to match.
The session went well, but if I were to do it again, I would do it in a different order. I spent a few minutes introducing some of the principles, and then we drew Stravinsky the right way up, then we did the same upside down and lastly we did the knight on the horse. (See the previous post). Because I talked about the theory first, the difference between the right way up and wrong way up drawings was not that great, but some members of the class did feel that the wrong way up drawings were a better match to the original. They found the same as I did, that the knight was a lot easier than expected. In order not to engage the left mode of the brain, no talking was allowed when we were doing our drawing, what power!
The room we were in had this fabulous wall hanging. I think it might be stump work technique. I'm not sure if it is of Pals, I presume it is.
The lobby of the Civic Centre had lots of photos of committee members past and present. It looked as if the community was very active.
After the lesson, we went to a local Cafe for coffee. It was nice to be able to chat to the students (all of whom were from the U.K.) and find out a bit about their lives in Spain. The art group does have some non-UK members but they were not there this time.
There was a shrine of the Madonna outside the Cafe.
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We were early so had time to visit the local market. I bought a couple of outfits for the new twins. I didn't manage to take photos myself and they are for 3 month old babies, so no photos yet from the parents. They were gorgeous outfits, bright red corduroy coats and dresses with a grey and red t-shirt to match.
The session went well, but if I were to do it again, I would do it in a different order. I spent a few minutes introducing some of the principles, and then we drew Stravinsky the right way up, then we did the same upside down and lastly we did the knight on the horse. (See the previous post). Because I talked about the theory first, the difference between the right way up and wrong way up drawings was not that great, but some members of the class did feel that the wrong way up drawings were a better match to the original. They found the same as I did, that the knight was a lot easier than expected. In order not to engage the left mode of the brain, no talking was allowed when we were doing our drawing, what power!
The room we were in had this fabulous wall hanging. I think it might be stump work technique. I'm not sure if it is of Pals, I presume it is.
The lobby of the Civic Centre had lots of photos of committee members past and present. It looked as if the community was very active.
After the lesson, we went to a local Cafe for coffee. It was nice to be able to chat to the students (all of whom were from the U.K.) and find out a bit about their lives in Spain. The art group does have some non-UK members but they were not there this time.
There was a shrine of the Madonna outside the Cafe.
Visit to L'Escala in Spain - L'Escala - Monday November 8th
We popped into the shops first thing in the morning. I bought a new suitcase. This is the second time I have replaced my suitcase whilst on holiday in recent years. The first time was on my trip to South Africa when the zip broke on the case I had taken there. This time, my case was in perfect working order. It was a medium sized one but there was only one handle on the short edge. I am a bit short myself, and it used to scrape on the ground when I carried it by this handle. So, I replaced it with one of a similar size with a handle on a short edge and another handle on the long edge - bliss! Once we had finished our shopping, we had a drink in a local bar on the sea front, hot chocolate for me and Coffee for Mandi.
Mandi and Dave have a post office box, they find this more practical than having mail delivered to the house. My friend in South Africa also has one. They are available in the U.K. but it is unusual for people to have them.
Mandi and Dave belong to the Costa Brava U3A (University of the Third Age). Mandi belongs to the art group. The members take it in turn to present the lessons. Mandi was due to present the following day. We had previously decided to do something based on Betty Edward's book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". I cannot recommend the book highly enough.
We thought that we should spend a bit of time preparing for the lesson the following day. We decided to spend a bit of time discussing some of the theory and to do a couple of exercises drawing upside down. The images below are my practice pieces. We needed to have a view as to how much time each exercise would take. The class was only one and a half hours long.
The first pair of drawings are copies of Picasso's drawing of Stavinsky. The first one was drawn the right way up and is much closer to the original than one I would have drawn a few years ago. I am able to make a more accurate representation now because I understand that one should look at the shape and angle of the lines rather than the objects such as "glasses" and "eyes", The second drawing was drawn with the picture upside down. The head on the first drawing is much closer to the original than the head on the second, perhaps I don't need to draw upside down any more.
The second exercise, which was again drawn upside down, has shading as well. Unfortunately I ran out of paper, a common experience for me, but I was very pleased with the result. I found it easier to do than the line drawing which was a surprise.
Mandi and Dave have a post office box, they find this more practical than having mail delivered to the house. My friend in South Africa also has one. They are available in the U.K. but it is unusual for people to have them.
Mandi and Dave belong to the Costa Brava U3A (University of the Third Age). Mandi belongs to the art group. The members take it in turn to present the lessons. Mandi was due to present the following day. We had previously decided to do something based on Betty Edward's book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". I cannot recommend the book highly enough.
We thought that we should spend a bit of time preparing for the lesson the following day. We decided to spend a bit of time discussing some of the theory and to do a couple of exercises drawing upside down. The images below are my practice pieces. We needed to have a view as to how much time each exercise would take. The class was only one and a half hours long.
The first pair of drawings are copies of Picasso's drawing of Stavinsky. The first one was drawn the right way up and is much closer to the original than one I would have drawn a few years ago. I am able to make a more accurate representation now because I understand that one should look at the shape and angle of the lines rather than the objects such as "glasses" and "eyes", The second drawing was drawn with the picture upside down. The head on the first drawing is much closer to the original than the head on the second, perhaps I don't need to draw upside down any more.
The second exercise, which was again drawn upside down, has shading as well. Unfortunately I ran out of paper, a common experience for me, but I was very pleased with the result. I found it easier to do than the line drawing which was a surprise.
Friday, 24 December 2010
Visit to L'Escala in Spain - Montpellier - Perpignan - Sunday November 7th
The train for Perpignan left at 11:57. The journey was 1 hour 40 minutes.
Sete Train Station had some interesting art.
I just love this. The photo was taken from the train so I wasn't able to inspect the picture fully. Does anyone know who the artist is?
The SNCF trains are very striking.
I'm not sure which town had the castle. After Sete, the train went through the Carmargue. I saw several groups of flamingos and other birds that I didn't recognise.No photos though. A fast train gets you to your destination quickly but makes it difficult to take photos.
Despite our communication difficulties, Mandi met me at the station and Dave drove us to their home in L'Escala. It is the first time since I was a child that I have driven through a national border. France and Spain are both in the E.U. so we did not have to show any travel documents.
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Sete Train Station had some interesting art.
I just love this. The photo was taken from the train so I wasn't able to inspect the picture fully. Does anyone know who the artist is?
The SNCF trains are very striking.
I'm not sure which town had the castle. After Sete, the train went through the Carmargue. I saw several groups of flamingos and other birds that I didn't recognise.No photos though. A fast train gets you to your destination quickly but makes it difficult to take photos.
Despite our communication difficulties, Mandi met me at the station and Dave drove us to their home in L'Escala. It is the first time since I was a child that I have driven through a national border. France and Spain are both in the E.U. so we did not have to show any travel documents.
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Sunday, 19 December 2010
Visit to L'Escala in Spain - Montpellier - Sunday November 7th
As per my hotel in Paris, I managed to book one a couple of doors up from a sex shop. I have seen very few in the U.K. and the contents of the shop tend not to be visible from the outside.
My train for Perpignan was due to leave Montpellier at 11:57 so I had time for a photographic walk around the centre of Montpellier.
Again, it was warm enough to breakfast "outside" in the tent. I went to the same place as the previous evening.
My train for Perpignan was due to leave Montpellier at 11:57 so I had time for a photographic walk around the centre of Montpellier.
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| The Christmas Decorations were already up. |
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| I like to take unusual photos. |
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| Place de la Comedie (click to view full size) |
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| La Gare de Montpellier St-Roch and surrounds (Click to view full size) |
Visit to L'Escala in Spain - Montpellier - Saturday November 6th
I arrived safely in Montpellier. The train was due at 16.44. I am amazed at the speed of the trains. I travelled 313 miles (502 kilometres) in 3 hours 25 minutes. It was much faster, more pleasant and safer than travelling by car. As far as I am concerned, the French drive on the wrong side of the road. I'm not sure if it is an old wives tale (oh dear - that wasn't PC), but I have read (on the Internet probably) that Napoleon was left handed and he ordered people to travel on the right so that his sword arm would not be disadvantaged if he were to be attacked on the road. I have driven in France on a couple of trips. I have found that I am at most risk of driving on the wrong side of the road when I have returned home and am no longer thinking hard about it.
There is a business renting bicycles just by the edge of the railway station. There were lots of bikes so I suppose that Montpellier get lots of visitors.
Like many European Countries (including the U.K.), the government in France is trying to cut down public spending. The government in France wishes to raise the retirement age.
According to the BBC "Under current rules, both men and women in France can retire at 60, providing they have paid social security contributions for 40.5 years - although they are not entitled to a full pension until they are 65. The government says it will save 70bn euros (£58bn) by raising the retirement age to 62 by 2018, the qualification to 41.5 years, and the pension age to 67."
There was a demonstration against the increase in the retirement/pension age. It was very good willed and there were quite a few children present.
I had difficulty finding my hotel. I made it in the right general direction but ended up completely lost. I asked a young couple. They didn't know where it was. They offered to phone the hotelier to ask directions but in the end found it on Google maps on his Smart-phone. I love Smart-phones. I couldn't use mine for Google Maps because I hadn't managed to get it enabled for use abroad. I was reasonably close and was able to remember the location and arrived safely. I stayed at the Abbeliss Polygone Hotel. I remember now how I was able to get close to it, there was a Polygone shopping centre and a big sign with the name on is visible from quite a long way a way. The hotel was OK, it was very reasonably priced and within walking distance of the town centre. It also had free wi-fi.
I dumped my stuff and went for a walk. I went to the shopping centre first and found a Finac store. I have been to Finac in Spain and didn't know that they had outlets in France. Finac sells Books, Music, Videos and Computers. I was very restrained and purchased one book. Les fées, de Charles Perrault et Charlotte Gastaut . It is a book for children between 5 and 8 years old, which means I was able to read and understand it. It has the most gorgeous illustrations.If you search for "Charlotte Gastaut" in Google Images you will find lots of her illustrations. Her blog is here.
I also went to a super market, I like going to supermarkets when I am travelling to find out the different sorts of food that other cultures eat. I have also found that food is displayed differently, especially meat and fowl. I bought DH Paul a present, although it wasn't French. It was a tube of Wasabi sauce, the green very hot stuff that you have with Sushi.
Prior to the trip, I had been hoping to catch up with my brother and sister in law. They live about 20 minutes from Montpellier. However, they had just become grand parents to twin girls and were anxious about the health of one of them and were glued to the phone, so our meet up didn't happen. I'm pleased to say that the twins are well and are at home. The in-laws with the twins, blogged by the new mum.
So, no catch up with the in-laws. It was surprisingly (to me any way) warm in Montpellier. I had my evening meal "outside". It was on a terrace which had a plastic cover for the roof and sides. The front was open. They were heating the stratosphere though with burners. I had a very pleasant meal and wended my way back to the hotel. I went to bed very early and slept very well, I was pooped after all that travelling.
I didn't find this map until the following day, but have added it to Saturday's blog. It shows the Railway station, the location of the hotel and the square where I had my evening meal.
There is a business renting bicycles just by the edge of the railway station. There were lots of bikes so I suppose that Montpellier get lots of visitors.
Like many European Countries (including the U.K.), the government in France is trying to cut down public spending. The government in France wishes to raise the retirement age.
According to the BBC "Under current rules, both men and women in France can retire at 60, providing they have paid social security contributions for 40.5 years - although they are not entitled to a full pension until they are 65. The government says it will save 70bn euros (£58bn) by raising the retirement age to 62 by 2018, the qualification to 41.5 years, and the pension age to 67."
There was a demonstration against the increase in the retirement/pension age. It was very good willed and there were quite a few children present.
I had difficulty finding my hotel. I made it in the right general direction but ended up completely lost. I asked a young couple. They didn't know where it was. They offered to phone the hotelier to ask directions but in the end found it on Google maps on his Smart-phone. I love Smart-phones. I couldn't use mine for Google Maps because I hadn't managed to get it enabled for use abroad. I was reasonably close and was able to remember the location and arrived safely. I stayed at the Abbeliss Polygone Hotel. I remember now how I was able to get close to it, there was a Polygone shopping centre and a big sign with the name on is visible from quite a long way a way. The hotel was OK, it was very reasonably priced and within walking distance of the town centre. It also had free wi-fi.
I dumped my stuff and went for a walk. I went to the shopping centre first and found a Finac store. I have been to Finac in Spain and didn't know that they had outlets in France. Finac sells Books, Music, Videos and Computers. I was very restrained and purchased one book. Les fées, de Charles Perrault et Charlotte Gastaut . It is a book for children between 5 and 8 years old, which means I was able to read and understand it. It has the most gorgeous illustrations.If you search for "Charlotte Gastaut" in Google Images you will find lots of her illustrations. Her blog is here.
I also went to a super market, I like going to supermarkets when I am travelling to find out the different sorts of food that other cultures eat. I have also found that food is displayed differently, especially meat and fowl. I bought DH Paul a present, although it wasn't French. It was a tube of Wasabi sauce, the green very hot stuff that you have with Sushi.
Prior to the trip, I had been hoping to catch up with my brother and sister in law. They live about 20 minutes from Montpellier. However, they had just become grand parents to twin girls and were anxious about the health of one of them and were glued to the phone, so our meet up didn't happen. I'm pleased to say that the twins are well and are at home. The in-laws with the twins, blogged by the new mum.
So, no catch up with the in-laws. It was surprisingly (to me any way) warm in Montpellier. I had my evening meal "outside". It was on a terrace which had a plastic cover for the roof and sides. The front was open. They were heating the stratosphere though with burners. I had a very pleasant meal and wended my way back to the hotel. I went to bed very early and slept very well, I was pooped after all that travelling.
I didn't find this map until the following day, but have added it to Saturday's blog. It shows the Railway station, the location of the hotel and the square where I had my evening meal.
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