Parc Güell

The view of Barcelona and the Mediterranean beyond from Parc Güell, also on our rainy excursion.

Almshouses

The triangular courtyard of a set of almshouses.

Pembroke College, Cambridge

On Sunday, we had rain during our walking tour of the town and colleges. The streets and sidewalks 

of Cambridge were narrow and full of people, but inside the colleges was tranquil.

January 2012

January was a crafty month for us: I worked on several sewing projects, and Zak carved a set of salad spoons for his mom and a butter knife for us. We also visited the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and celebrated Zak's birthday.

Myself I shall adore

These sculpted landscape figures in Montreux brought to mind an aria from Semele, the opera we saw earlier this month: "Myself I shall adore, / if I persist in gazing. / No object sure before / was ever half so pleasing."

Slug

Also at the botanical garden.

Snail

Possibly a Helicella itala we saw at the botanical garden on Sunday.

Kyoto garden

The sculpted-sand garden of Kyoto's Ginkaku-ji.

Kanazawa garden

Kenroku-en in Kanazawa is considered to be one of the three great gardens of Japan.

Peas

 

Purple peas at DuPeyrou.

Calla lilies

As are the Calla lilies.

Canna lilies

The Canna lilies are in bloom in our garden.

Esplanade du Mont-Blanc (part 5)

Homage à Marcel Joray (1910-1996) by sculptor Marina di Teana

 The final photo for a while of the Esplanade du Mont Blanc. The medieval prison tower can be seen 

directly behind the sculpture.

Benches

The promenade along the lake front is popular among students on break. The large bench is by Lilian Bourgeat (2009).

Herbs at DuPeyrou

The spring flowers have been replaced by herbs, kale, and cabbage at the Hôtel DuPeyrou, 

and the fountain is now in operation.

Esplanade du Mont-Blanc (part 3)

Spirale (1991-92) by local sculptor, André Ramseyer

The third of five sculptures I found in this garden, which sits next to the Hotel Beau-Rivage.

Esplanade du Mont-Blanc (part 2)

Verticales (1989-90) by Swiss sculptor, René Küng

Another of the sculptures in the garden. A nice aerial view of the esplanade.

Esplanade du Mont-Blanc (part 1)

Tridem, a dynamic sculpture by Hungarian-born, French artist Victor Vasarely, rises behind arches 

covered in wax begonias and echeveria in the constantly evolving garden of the Esplanade du Mont-Blanc.

Isola Bella garden

A view from one of the terraces. Behind us were climbing roses and beds of poppies.

Isola Bella grotto

The grotto, covered in shells and statues, faces Isola Bella's palazzo and forms the back side of the terraced garden. The entire ground floor of the palazzo is decorated in grotto-style as well.