Ikebana

We went to a Chinese Calligraphy exhibition at Perth Town Hall. There were also some beautiful Ikebana displays on show.

Later, I was inspired to do my own at home:

Winter's Day

After a week of storms and rain, we've had a beautiful sunny weekend. JL and I went for a picnic to Cottesloe Beach.

Below is a photo taken from our balcony on a stormy morning, with a shaft of sunlight over the city.

I have been getting on with my crafts on days when it was too nasty to go out.  This is my latest creation: Vee Vest in Jo Sharp Alpaca Kid Lustre.

Finally, here is my main masterpiece of all time, my quilt with Japanese motifs:

Feral Brewery

We usually celebrate birthdays at Sandalfords in the Swan Valley. On Sunday, the restaurant was closed for Wedding Planning Day. Instead we tried Feral Brewery and were pleased that we did. Not only can you try many types of locally produced beer, but the menu is a delight, as they make fresh veggies the star of many dishes. When we arrived for a 12.30 booking, the place was packed and we had to go to the overflow car park. I made a quick inspection of the herb garden and noticed quite a lot of geese poking around: not sure if these would end up in the pot eventually!

Ellie and the geese

Part of our lunch of shared plates

We had:

Chorizo starter

Gnocchi with wild mushrooms, balsamic and creme fraiche

Cauliflower, flame raisin, smoked almonds, pearl barley

Roasted root veggies, labne, honey.

Claire's favourite beer was Boris, strong and dark, mine was Sly Fox , a very refreshing pale ale. A good time was had by all!

Walyunga

It was the best day ever for our Sunday bushwalk on the Echidna Trail at Walyunga: a cold start of 7 degrees, but sunny and blue skies all day. It was a 12 km walk, with some steep ascents and descents. I became the back marker by default since I couldn't keep up with the youngies!

At the beginning we walked along the river to Syd's Rapids, where lots of kayakers were practising for the Avon Descent in August, some capsizing their boat because the water was a bit shallow in places and rocks took them by surprise.

We shared our lunch stop with some kangaroos that were sunning themselves across the path.

Ellie and the kangaroos

A steep ascent, but E still has energy to climb rocks at the side of the path!

More Barcelona Delights

Sketch of La Pedrera, but the shop was closed so I couldn't buy it.

Ice cream shop - but I only had a fresh juice

Last supper in Barcelona: rabbit stew, followed by tiramisu 

Across the road from my hotel (unnoticed before) is a botanic garden, where people come to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Two acrobats were practising their moves, two others doing Japanese style fighting with sticks, one woman blowing huge bubbles and an art class sketching everything. Two police arrived on motorbikes to eject a vagrant who was sleeping in the palm house. All human life is here.

Botanic gardens: Palm house

Palm house interior: the roof is not glass, but wooden slats.

Gothic cathedral spire and taxi.

Street corner near my hotel.

Barcelona

Barcelona: so much to see and so little time!

My hotel, the K&K Picasso is in the El Born district, within walking distance of the Gothic Quarter. Last night I explored the area close by, in particular the old covered market which has now become a cultural centre. When the renovations were being done a few years ago, they discovered the remains of the city streets 300 years ago. The ensuing archaeological excavations now form a permanent exhibition "Barcelona 1700".

Excavations 

This morning I made my way first to the Gothic Cathedral, which seemed huge inside, as compared with all the small Romanesque churches I've been seeing on this trip.

There was a service going on, so I sat and listened to the singing for a while. Those not taking part were effectively fenced off at the back; more and more people arrived just wanting to "visit". The singing was beautiful, but many, many people wanted to look around as opposed to the handful going to mass. There were a lot of cathedral officials employed just to man the barricades!

Gothic cathedral

Sculpture of a ballet dancer outside the Cathedral.

Next stop: the blue sightseeing bus, due in 12 mins., so just time to sample a Starbucks flat white with vanilla sprinkles!  A couple of pics taken from the bus:

Armed police on duty outside La Pedrera, a Gaudi house.

I should explain that I did all the Gaudi monuments a few years ago, so no need to do repeat visits and compete with massive crowds!

Looking up from the mini courtyard garden of my hotel.

Zaragoza to Barcelona

I started the day with a visit to the Cathedral, La Seo, primarily to see its collection of medieval tapestries. Info from website:

A collection which is unique in the world.

Located in La Seo Cathedral, the museum is home to a major collection of tapestries belonging to the Cathedral Chapter, which experts consider to be the most important of its kind in the world. It comprises 63 Flemish tapestries and 6 pieces of heraldic embroidery. They are of very high quality, many dating from medieval times in the Gothic style, while others are Renaissance and Baroque. There are currently 11 of these tapestries on show to the public, as well as other items of precious metalwork, religious ornaments and reliquary busts.

See also:

Google

Tapestries Zaragoza  (images)

They are amazing works of art, showing biblical scenes as well as stories from ancient history, but all the figures dressed in 16th century costumes. In fact, if you wanted to study the dress of the nobility at the time, you couldn't have a better source.  Photography was verboten, but I did sneak one when there was no one else in the gallery.

I also strolled around the area, and saw the remains of the Roman city wall, erected during the time of Caesar Augustus. The present Cathedral is built on the site of the Roman forum. 

Being Saturday morning, there was also an event in the Plaza: a display of local vegetable produce, including various competitions for kids.

Then it was time to head for the station, Delicas, to get a train for Barcelona. These run frequently and fast. I caught one within 15 mins of arriving.

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  My secret photo of a tapestry 
  
  
  
  Photo taken from a website

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  Section of Roman wall
  
  
  

  He gave his name to the Plaza

  
  

  

  Celebration of vegetables

  
  

  

  Display of vegetable art

  
  

  

  Church of Our Lady of Pilar

  
  
  
  

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