Monthly Archives: December 2012

Architectural Photos of CCCB Museum in Barcelona

This is a mixed bag of both black and white and colour photography today. These photos give you a brief glimpse of the architecture of the lovely CCCB museum in Barcelona.

Some of the more angular shots were better presented in black and white. For visual punch, I love bright blue-sky days. But more and more often lately I seem to be defaulting back to black and white which returns me to my early days in journalism and blissful hours spent in the darkroom.

Enjoy!

 

Entrance sign at CCCB museum in Barcelona, Spain


 

Man passing though courtyard entry arch into the CCCB contemporary art museum in Barcelona, Spain with St. Geoge & the Dragon sculpture overhead on building facade.


 

A St. George & the Dragon sculpture above the archway entry into the CCCB museum in Barcelona, Spain.


 

Entry-exit ramp at the Barcelona, Spain museum CCCB.


 

Old meets new in the two buildings housing the CCCB museum of contemporary art.


 

The crisp geometric angles of the interior lobby in the CCCB museum of contemporary art and culture in Barcelona, Spain.


 

Escalator to upper galleries at the Barcelona, Spain contemporary museum CCCB.


 

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Vintage Posters In Barcelona, Spain

Today’s photos are vintage posters that were on exhibit at the CCCB in Barcelona.
 

Vintage “Teatro Nuevo” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum


 

Vintage “Kiss Me” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum


 

Vintage “Kosmopolis” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum


 

Vintage “Joy Joy” poster in Barcelona, Spain on display at the CCCB museum


 
This is a stunning museum both inside and out. I will post additional photos tomorrow to show you how striking the architecture of the building is. The clean lines and uncomplicated rooms make it a brilliantly open and airy space to exhibit artwork.

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Remembrance of World War I in St. Girons, France

France, like England, is full of war memorials that list the dead from World War I or World War II. Frequently these consist of a simple cross with an engraved plaque filled with names.

The World War I monument in St. Girons, Midi-Pyrenees, France is a more elaborate monument though and the sculpture is quite poignant in its portrayal of grief and loss.
 

A poignant World War I memorial for the dead killed between 1914-1918 from the area of St. Girons, Midi-Pyrenees, France


 

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Did Santa Get In?

Just a quick photo of the day today from France. Did Santa get into your house to leave some goodies?

This is a Christmas decoration that we have seen all over France — and it always makes me smile.
 

Santa climbing into a house in France


 

Enjoy!

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On The Verge Of Christmas in France

We weren’t certain what to expect at the St. Girons Christmas Fair on Sunday, but we headed across the bridge to see what was unfolding.
 

Headed to the Christmas Fair in St. Girons


 
Oh my — it was all rather underwhelming. I had been hoping for something along the line of the amazing Christmas markets that I had been to in Germany. But the folksy fair was a very accurate portrayal of the fact that France is generally not the same kind of consumerist society that we have lived amongst in Australia, the UK, or the USA. It seems that the holiday season here is more about families gathered around the table to enjoy food, drink, conversation, and company than about how many gifts are under the tree for each person. And isn’t that charming!

Here are a few pictures from Sunday’s Christmas Fair — followed by a few more from the previous day’s weekly Saturday market. That actually would have been a good place to purchase last-minute Christmas gifts since there were some splendid items for sale at very fair prices.
 

Christmas balloon seller in St. Girons, France


 

Carnival-style booth at the Christmas Fair in St. Girons


 

Hand-cast candles for sale at the Christmas Fair in St. Girons


 

Food sales benefiting the Autrefois le Couserons association


 

Christmas quiche seller at the weekend market in St. Girons, Midi-Pyrenees, France


 

Market stall selling straw goods in St. Girons, France


 

Happy Holidays to one and all!!!

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A Year After A Near Disaster in France

Really??? 12 months??? Where did a year go?

Last year at this time, we were quite literally saving the house of our friend Polly up in Normandy from burning down after an electrical fault in her freezer out in the storeroom set the garage and storeroom ablaze. Mark and I were very happy that we happened to be housesitting for her whilst she was in the UK for Christmas week with her two darling girls.

She mentioned us this week in a post on her own website — “From The Ashes Of Last Christmas — One Year On!”

What Polly didn’t remember was that I always sleep with earplugs, but I had felt uneasy all afternoon and evening. As I was headed off to sleep, and Mark was already soundly asleep beside me, something told me to pull my earplugs out and listen. I did and I heard a “Bang-bang-boom!” sound. Thinking someone was breaking into one of the gites, I awakened Mark — and then Polly has told you the rest of the story including the fact that Mark stumbled into electric fences as he raced next door to the neighbouring farm.

And what was the sound that I heard? It was the racks of chutneys and wine and champagne in Polly’s storeroom exploding!

The firemen — pompiers — arrived quickly and came from several towns all around. They were brilliantly efficient and they stayed until the wee hours of the morning to make certain that every last spark was out.
 

Firemen on the job in France


 

So here we are, 12 months later, and dreadful insurance ‘surprises’ notwithstanding, Polly’s project is well and truly under way and she’s bound to have a wonderful new garage, storage room, and loft back in working order by this time next year.

Merry Christmas to you and the girls, Polly!

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It’s Almost Christmas In France!

There are only 2 and 1/2 days left until Christmas Day and we had a leisurely ramble through our wonderful Saturday market today here in St. Girons. Thank heavens it is a little less crowded than during the manic summer months!
 

Saturday market shopping in France on the Saturday before Christmas


 
After buying our vegetables and dried fruit, we strolled through town enjoying all of the Christmas decorations and the happy vibe of the people all around. There was absolutely no sign of frantic last minutes shopping and everyone looked quite relaxed.

Now we’re home, listening to Christmas music on the stereo — and working on a super-secret project. Sorry — no advanced peeks!
 

Music for the Christmas season


 

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