Ha ha? Ha ha!

Versailles is not only a castle but the parc has large areas of grass and tree lined walkways. Le Notre (1613-1700) was the first landscape designer and all the following gardeners have to keep to the original plans.  Around the Grand and Petit Trianon is a continuous wall.  Long stretches of stone walls have some wide openings which allow one to see the inside gardens and the buildings.  

But then, ha ha, no way to cross the opening to enter the private grounds.  Clever and forbidding at the same time. No intruder can come in but at the same time no princess could escape.  Ha ha?  Too deep is the moat to be a laughing matter.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha-ha

Always An Inspiration

Even if there is no snow on the ground it is windy and cold in Paris.  The beauty and charme of the river, the bridges and the old buildings always inspire painters.

Creative too is to find a spot to practice without disturbing the neighbors. This musician

 played smooth scales up and down despite gloved fingers.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/travel-tips-and-articles/77204

Walk Along The Marne

Just outside of Paris to the East the Marne river flows around some Islands which kept their rual character and invites one to walk along the water.  February is still winter and the air is cold and raw.

We tried to walk fast to keep warm and return to the train back to the city.

A lone fisherman prepared his bait and to see him content and bundled up, he personified the peace and quiet of the Marne area not far from busy Paris.

http://www.parisvoice.com/travel/48-cril-island-hopping

"Kulturtanter"

The Swedish expression "kulturtant" is difficult to translate.  I tried, I asked English speaking friends and could not get a good translation.  Cultur aunt?  Cultur women? Female Cultur afficionado?   nothing expresses these important women who keep up the visitor numbers to museums, who buy books, who visit book readings, who listen to lectures, who take study trips abroad, who enjoy esthetics in their homes and in their warderobe.   Some of them accept this nickname gladly, many feel insulted by it.  

Thinking of it - I am probably called kulturtant behind my back.  Does not faze me, because I am occupied looking at a painting!

Happiness is to discover a newly opened museum in Stockholm.  Find out for yourself .....

Fashion Looks Forward

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Fashion made in Sweden is becoming more important every year.  Clean lines, perfect cut, discreet  colors and quality fabric are some of its characteristics.  An exhibition in Stockholm's Liljevalchs konsthall displays in eleven galleries new themes in connection of fashion design. Among them are sustainability, technology, gender identity and solidarity all aspects which have to be considered in the future.

Though the exhibition is focused on the future, this coat by Viktor & Rolf's 2005 collection "Hana Bedtime Story" seems desirable to wear today when the weather for the next days will be below freezing.

www.liljevalchs.se        https://vimeo.com/151660466

 

View From Traneberg's Bridge

This is what we remember from our last visit in Stockholm Summer 2015.

Stockholm is built on 14 islands which are connected by 57 bridges.  Some are small and short, others - like Traneberg's bridge - are wide and high and long.  Built to be used by subway, cars, bicycles and pedestrians it is one of the main entrance ways to the city from the West. We walk to be able to enjoy the view......... in August 2015 and 

now during January 2016.  Nice proof of the difference between Summer Sweden and Winter Sweden.

Often we explain this marked difference between the seasons.  Always beautiful in a different way not only because of the long/short days or short/long nights.

One big advantage of a Winter visit is that all friends are at home in the city.  No boats to ship out to sea and no vacation to escape to the countryside.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bridges_in_Stockholm