Thursday Thoughts – El Capricho

Why do I love Antonio Gaudí? Maybe because of his love for nature’s wonders – starting when he was only a small child. His way of using nature’s forms and designs in everything he created. Making the pillars in Sagráda Família with scars like the tree trunks get when they have lost a branch, making lamps look like flowers and light spill out like waves in the sea…

In every detail he was …mirroring nature.

In Comillas, on the north coast of Spain, you will find this ”folly” – El Capricho – by Gaudí, built for Máximo Díaz de Quijano (a relative of the marquis of Comillas) in the 1880´s. You immediately recognize his style using iron structures, glazed pottery and stained glass.

Come, let’s take a ”folly” walk …

In my dreams, a dinner with Antonio Gaudí would be optional… to get the opportunity to listen to his ideas and maybe discuss nature’s impact on humans – body and soul. I would have had many, many questions…

I was lucky enough to meet him in his garden, sitting there admiring his work. I tried to get some answers, but mostly we sat quietly contemplating…me admiringly of course. But, I am so thankful for having finally met him – my favourite architect.

A Place Where Nobody Wanted to Live…

The controversial modernist architect Antoni Gaudí is one of my own favourites…but in his own time – he was not always popular. In Barcelona, you might have visited  his fabulous Sagrada Família, Casa Battló or La Pedrera and Parc Güell. And Marvelled.

Palacio Episcopal (end of the 19th century) in Astorga was seen as rather abominable in appearance and the cost for building it was just too much for the congregation. No bishop has ever lived there since…

Inside, you recognize Gaudí’s style with beautiful ceramics and stained glass.

The palace is now being restored, and I guess its future visitors will continue to admire his outstanding art.

The magnificent cross bows and his colour combinations are simply divine.

So, be sure to visit when your road leads you here…you cannot get too much of Gaudí!

As usual, click to get a larger view – sometimes you have to click twice…and click the links for my previous posts on his art in Barcelona!

 

Travel theme: Pastel

In northern Spain, we feasted on bay windows (I have always wanted one…). Mostly white and covering the whole front of the houses, but I also found some in colour. For Ailsa, pastel is the choice.

 

Spanien 3 381_copy

 

 

WPC: Look up

Look up! This is a very varied challenge with many possibilities. My take is all about nature – even if you might not think so…

In the header, a lamp from Gaudí’s Casa Batllo´in Barcelona. He always used Nature herself as an inspiration. Maybe a drop of water in a pool?

 

A Swedish autumn birch in its splendour – who would not look up?

Great tree ferns, New Zeeland, North Island.

Great tree ferns, New Zeeland, North Island.

New Zealand’s Great fern trees draws your eye…upwards.

Madrid

Madrid

In Madrid my head went dizzy when watching this tree in a spectacular swing…

Madrid

Madrid

And these well dressed trees… I just hade to peep inside for this spectacular view!

For more reasons to look up, click here.

 

My Illusory, Illusive Week…

Strange things this week…It all started out so well…but these are my memories …

…in my ordinary Blekinge again. Don’t we all have crazy dreams sometimes…?

Blekinge och Helsingborg 009_copy

CFFC: Bridges

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Bridges

I have one special favourite of all bridges…the old Roman bridge in Switzerland, Verzasca valley. Read my post about this valley here.

Another favourite bridge, actually an aqueduct, is Pont du Gard in France. But you can no longer walk Pont du Gard. I did in 1976, on top, about 50 cm width and I had my Swedish clogs on. I guess I should be grateful to have survived that walk…

Click the link for more beautiful bridges!

The Verzasca Valley

Thursday Thoughts – Magnificent Tullstorp

We were so fortunate to get a guided tour at Tullstorp, the world famous dressage stable run by Jan Brink. Situated only fifteen kilometres from where we live, this was a fantastic opportunity for a look into another world.

P1040903_copy

As a young boy Jan Brink played hockey in his home village, but as all the young girls were hanging at the stable, he gave the horses a chance…In some months he was hooked, and this was to be his future career. He studied at Flyinge and in Germany for some years, and then went for an international career.

 

Jan Brink is one of the best riders in the world and a seven-time Swedish dressage champion  – five times on the number one dressage horse Björsell’s Briar.

P1040910_copy

Brink has won five medals in international championships, and in 2005 he was the first Swede to win the dressage championship in Aachen.

P1040854_copy

Jan Brink is a self-made man, and unbelievably hard working. Going for shampionships,  educating new horses and riders –  and top class horse breeding serving customers all over the world. According to him, having talent is far from enough – you must be prepared to work hard and go for your dreams.

P1040896_copy

The magnificent Tullstorp was built by a humble man, and a perfectionist – Jan Brink. Every detail in harmony.

 

The dressage arena…in late evening light. Thank you, Jan, for a magnificent tour!

P1040907_copy

CFFC: Walks – Indoor or Outdoor

Walks for Cee – Indoor favourites are churches or monastery aisles, and outdoor walks should, if possible, include flowers…

Spain in the header and from the Acores – one of my favourite walks. For more favourites, click here.

 

Vandring med hortensia och montbresia som sällskap

Vandring med hortensia och montbresia som sällskap

Travel theme: Exits

From Ailsa this week – Exits.

Photos from China 2009 – A starspangled exit at the airport, and another kind of exit …I hope you think it is rather sweet anyway…

Kina och tågresan till Tibet 2009 138_copy