Pics of Spain

Coco's hotel

This is the kennel where Coco stays while we are out of town. I found this article in the local paper this week. If you double click on the picture it should make it large enough to read.

I'm so depressed!!

Alan had to leave for Cambridge before I picked Coco up after our trip. This is the face I've had to look at all week. Thank goodness he's on his way home. Maybe she will perk up.

Festa de la Merce'

Though the roots of the festival are religious it is a celebration of fun. Everyone gets involved regardless of age. I understand the festival was a tame affair until the old dictator General Franco died in 1975. That ended 35 years of repression of the language and customs of Catalunya. Now I'm not exactly sure of the geography of Barcelona and Catalunya. I only know Barcelona is considered the capital city of Catalunya (here I thought we were in Spain). Well history nor geography are my strong points but I am rather good at having fun! Above is a picture of the "Fire walk". It is followed by people dressed as devils, dragons and all sorts of ghouls. Along with several marching groups beating drums, blowing whistles and generally just playing a Brazilian style best. The purpose of this is to protect the city from invading devils. After the ghouls have passed they are followed by large statuses of the royalty. For three days the squares in the city are filled with people and entertainment of all sorts. I understand the festival started in the 13th century in honour of La Madonna de la Merce. It is said she appeared in a dream to local saint Perce Nolase asking him to establish a religious order to help Christians captured by Barbary pirates. Then in 1637 she saved Barcelona from a plague of locusts (hence the drum beating)

Barcelona Spain

This is the Cathedral of Barcelona. There has been a place of worship on this site since 325AD. Having been twice destroyed the current Cathedral was started on May 1 1298. We also visited Santa Maria De Mar. The original building on that site had been built around 303AD and the current church was built by King Peter III from 1319-1387. Barcelona is a beautiful city and the people are very friendly. We went to the museum's of Salvador Dali and Picasso. I did not know both men had lived in Barcelona a major part of their lives.

Also two men by the names of Guell and Gaudi played a major roll in the architectural design of the city. Gaudi was strongly influenced by nature. I don't believe he ever designed anything with a straight line. The city was amazing to visit but the real entertainment was a annual festival that started in the 1600. No little bleep I can put on this blog can explain all we saw and what fun we had. It was really a great birthday weekend.

Safari Park Pictures

Longleat House

Sunday was a beautiful day to take a ride. We decided to travel about 30 miles to visit Longleat House and Safari park. The park was fun to ride through and see the animals up close and personal. You rode through in your own car which was a little hazardous when you went through the monkey ares. We almost lost a windshield wiper but manage to escape with out any major damage. Th entire estate has 900 acres that has been owned by the Marquess of Bath for centuries. The present "Lord Bath" lives in the private part of the house with his wife. He is quite a colorful character. Of all the home we have walked through this one is by far the best and most beautiful. In one room there was over 300 millions pounds of art work. Of course you can not take pictures inside the house but I did buy a post card with pictures of some of the ceiling in the house. You could spend hours walking around looking up just at the ceiling alone. The house is of Elizabethan architecture. We have added it to the list of must go places for our family and friends who come to visit.

Auction "Fever"

Here in England auctions are every where and they are addictive! You never know what you'll find! Like I've said before just looking is a thrill but to actually go back and try to get the can't live without item is a real rush. Hence my teapots. Notice it's plural. Last Saturday Alan and I went to an auctions close to the house (which makes Alan cringe). It was laid out very neatly and everything was easy to examine. I found a collections of seven teapots and one creamer (circa pre WWI) I had to have. It was lot 177 so I had to wait through 176 other items. I did bid on one small item before the teapots. I had not mentioned to Alan I was bidding on the item. I would have loved to seen the look on his face when my arm flew up. His expression got the attention of the auctioneer as he commented on his look of surprise. Anyway when he finally got to the teapots there were several initial bids. It finally came down to me and one other person. They finally gave up when they realized my arm never went down. I just held up my number and I was in for the long haul. Finally the bidding ended and I got the bid at 100 pounds ($200.00). Now I know it's tacky to tell what you pay for something.....but my reason for telling is I found the teapot below on the Internet and it's worth alone (without the other seven) is what I paid for ALL of them!! I also picked up eight beautifully framed Disney lithographs

Sights around Wiltshire

Today has been a routine Wednesday. It's my quilting day so I get up early and head out to the base. It is not unusual when driving around to see church steeples towering over the rest of the buildings. I think its still a law that no building can be taller than the community church. But this particular village Cricklade for some reason I really love. It just towers over all the other buildings from all directions. The churches are one of my favorite places to visit. They are considered to be a "young" building if they are less than 300 years old.