Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Radium, Summer of '67


l. to r.: You know who, cousin Karol, brother Eddy.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Polish Vernacular Architecture of Podlasie Region




Fredek sent me these to give me some ideas for the renovations to the cottage.



I especially like the little porches which provide a sheltered location for casual meetings with visitors. This is very practical in the country when you don't want to have to ask people to take off their muddy boots.



Look at the little decorative details.



Even the most modest edifice has them.

BUILDING PLANS
















3D view of the proposed additions to our cottage.




















The existing cottage is on the left, and the proposed addition on the right.

More pictures from Guadeloupe











The black sand beach at Grand' Anse, Basse-Terre, with a view of the Saintes.













Aglaea, Euphrosyne & Thalia



















Les Bains Jaunes, a thermal spring on the slopes of La Soufrière. The water is not too hot, and refreshing after a hot climb to the summit of the volcano.



















Memorial to the French marines who built the baths in 1887.


A few pensive moments on the day before the return home.

Home Sweet Home?

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Back from the FWI


If you have found things a little quiet here, it's because L and I have been in Guadeloupe the last few weeks. We returned home on Easter Sunday. It was a lazy holiday, and I didn't take many pictures, but here is a small selection.


As usual we stayed at our friend Marie-Louise's place near Sainte-Anne.


One night Marie-Louise prepared a magnificent Choucroute alsacienne, which requires impressive logistics in the tropical climate of the Antilles.


One of the first beaches we visited was at Anse a l'Eau, which is noteworthy for the freshwater spring that emerges just above sea level at the far end of the beach.


The Musée Edgar Clerc located just outside of Le Moule displays various aspects of the lives of the Arawaks and Caribs who inhabited the island before Europeans arrived.


Canna Indica 


Hymenocallis Caribaea


Spice vendor, Sainte-Anne.


Beach at La Coulée near St-François.


These little yellow birds feasted on raw cane sugar at our table every day, but looking at their severe expressions I wonder if they really enjoyed themselves.


Allée Dumanoir, part of the Route Nationale N1, just outside of Capesterre-Belle-Eau on our way to the Chutes de Carbet.***


Crossing a bridge on the national park trail leading to the second falls.


The 1st (125 m.) and 2nd (110 m.) falls of the Chutes de Carbet. Before the earthquake of 2004 you could go right up to the foot of the 2nd falls, but since then it is forbidden, due to the danger of rockfalls. We used to enjoy bathing in a thermal spring located next to the falls. One of these days I'll dig up a photo from those times to show you.