Wow!  This Staggering Skyscraper Is Sure To Turn A Few Heads!

Even in the heart of a city there can be a place of calm. Doors shut and curtains closed, a light against the dark, wrapped round in dear, accustomed things we can withdraw and find ourselves again.

Pam Brown, B. 1928

The Smallest House In Great Britain, Conwy, Wales

The house was created in the 16th century.  The smallest house in             Great Britain measures 72 inches across, 122 inches high and 120 inches deep.  The house has a living area and bedroom.  It was last occupied in 1900 by a fisherman called Robert Jones.  Robert was 6ft 3″.  The rooms were too small for him to stand up in fully.  He had to leave as the house was declared unfit for human habitation.

Every year me and my family go to The South Of France.  In August every year the local villages hold their own festivals.  Two years running now Pomerols, village in South Of France, didn't have their own festival.  A pity as the festival is entertaining and enjoyable to watch.  However I was able to take images of the Festival Des Animaux Toteniques 2019!

Chateau de la Ferte Saint-Aubin Part 4.  The Dining Room.  In the 17th century, this was an antechamber.  The chequered floor dates back to this period, and curiously the white tiles in Burgundy stone have been worn off over 4 centuries while the black marble tiles have not been damaged at all.  The panelling dates back to Louis XVI.  There is an 18th century chandelier out of Bohemia crystal. The Kitchen.  It was entirely restored in 1995 from an archives document from the 18th century.  Everything is there, and in working order too: 18th century roasting spit, stone stove to boil vegetables and fruits using coal from the chimney, fish tank where fish was kept alive, the bracket for game animals and cutting table. On the long work surface is a collection of copperware and copper utensils.

Cite de l’Automobile Musee An automobile museum located in Mulhouse, France, and built around the Schlumpf collection.  It has the largest collection of automobiles.  I loved looking around this museum.

Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin.  Part 2.

The Sitting Room.  The paneling, floor and chimney date back to Louis XVI (late 18th century).  The room includes an 18th century Persian carpet, a pair of gilded wooden consoles and furniture covered in Aubusson tapestries dating back to Louis XVI.  The large mirror on the left has a medallion portrait of Marshal de la Ferte Senectere painted in 1670, with a portrait of Duchess de la Ferte Senectere, his second wife, painted by Mignard in the 17th century, facing it on the mirror above the chimney.The Billiard Room.  This room was entirely redecorated by the O'Gormans around 1911.  It had originally been a bedroom with 18th century paneling.  The room has a beautiful set of neo-gothic furniture brought back from Britain by the O'Gormans, each piece featuring their arms and motto.  The billiard table comes from the Chevillottess in Orleans.

The day has been long boxed in by glass and concrete deafening with sound, the mind lost among a thousand minds.  Step into the scent of evening, the hush of the leaves, the touch of blossom.  The garden gives you back your life.

Pam Brown 1928

Chateau du Clos Luce

Chateau du Clos Luce - the home of Leonardo da Vinci. Invited to come and live in France by King Francois I, Leonardo da Vinci settled at Le Clos Luce in 1516.  Leonardo da Vinci happily lived in this residence for the last three years of his life, painting and working on his passions.  Leonardo da Vinci creations and his main inventions are displayed in a garden setting - Parc Leonardo da Vinci.  I was amazed and taken away by what I saw.  One word to describe the place "Wow!".

Ghent, Brussels Werregarenstract (Graffiti Street) is certainly worth investigating as the artists are free to create their own designs.

Chateau de la Ferte Saint-Aubin  Part 3 The Bathroom And  Countess O'Gorman's Bedroom  The paneling, floor and chimneys date back to Louis XV.  The room was originally that of Marshal Lowendal, before Countess Sixte O'Gorman used it in the early 20th century.  It has a small inlaid bookcase in the Louis XV style containing rare 18th century books.  There is a beautiful bed from the time of Louis XV.