The Beach

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!".

We stopped at a view point in the hills to admire the view, and this sheep came strolling towards me.  I had the chance to create heart-warming images.

#animals  #sheep  #hills  #photography  #farm animals  #nature  #wildlife  

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.

Bold, Vivid Colours

Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.  Elizabeth Lawrence

Cite de l'Automobile National Museum, Mulhouse, France.It contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of Bugatti motor vehicles in the world.  Brothers Hans and Fritz Schlumpf built the Bugatti collection obsessively and quickly. During the summer of 1960, they acquired ten Bugattis, including two Type 57s and one Type 46 5-litre model. In addition the pair found three Rolls-Royces, two Hispano-Suizas and one Tatra. By the end of the summer, they had purchased 40 cars.  An impressive collection of cars!

There is, perhaps, no solitary sensation so exquisite as that of slumbering on the grss or hay, shaded from the hot sun by a tree, with the consciousness of a fresh light air running through the wide atmosphere and the sky stretching far overhead upon all sides

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

Pomperols Festival, South Of France. Festivals is about the eclectic range of weird and wonderful activities.

Pomperols Festival, South Of France.  The enthusiastic spectators, eclectic range of weird and wonderful activities combine to create a vibrant, theatrical visual experience and a wealth of photo opportunities.

Take your time to be friendly -

It is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream -

It is hitching your wagon to a star.

Take time to love and to be loved -

It is the privilege of the gods.

Take time to look around -

It is too short a day to be selfish .

Take time to laugh -

It is the music of the soul.

OLD ENGLISH PRAYER