Mucha and too much!!!

Hi everyone, first I have a journal page for Erika's 'Let's Face It' theme at Art Journal Journey.

We went for a walk yesterday and called to the garden centre afterwards. They were selling this years calendars at 70% off and we get an extra 10% with our loyalty card so I got an Alphonse Mucha calendar with 12 images and a gilded front cover for just over pound.

I partially cut her out and then used some of my paper hoard to layer up a background.

A little bit of stamping and stencilling before I stuck it all down and then added some die cut leaves and a velum quote. Mucha was born in what is now the Czech Republic but in his 30's moved to Paris where he became part of the Art Nouveau movement. I found this quote that I just felt was right. Although Mucha lived in Paris for most of his life he returned to his homeland to end his days there. 

I told you the other day that that I walked 18,550 steps, but by the time I went to bed my fit bit was showing a much higher figure.

We took our car for a recall on a part for our car in Salford - it is quite a way from home so we planned a day out. Unfortunately there is no public transport from the garage so we walked into Manchester

This is a recent installation made by Emma Rodgers - it has references to the many 'firsts' that Salford is proud of as well as famous citizens. 

I have a link here that contains a video and information - it makes for interesting reading.

As we walked I noticed so many beautiful buildings - we went into Salford Cathedral but didn't take any photos (maybe next time)

The last time I saw this old building it was surrounded by rubble.

We finally caught sight of where we were headed - Manchester cathedral

A statue of Ghandi and behind him the Cathedral Visitor Centre that also has a cafe  - so coffee first and then to the cathedral.

I have only ever been in the Cathedral once and that was for an event that we didn't stay to.

I can't believe what I have been missing these last 27 years - it really is a most beautiful cathedral 

The next part I will show you was bombed in World War ll, the damage caused is shown in photos.

This window is called the Fire Window as it reflects what happened here

I think these seats need further investigation one day

The outside is just as interesting. carvings, gargoyles 

At the back of the Cathedral is the Memorial garden commemorating the lives of 22 people killed in the bombing at the Manchester Arena in May 2017. 

There is place to sit and reflect, and each person has a space for flowers to be left in their memory

We left the cathedral and walked closer to the city centre

Along with all the modern buildings there are signs of an older Manchester - this inn was moved to make space for a shopping centre

On the way back to Salford we saw a fairly modern building being demolished - so many wires!

Well, that took a little longer than I intended, the computer decided to go on strike in the middle and wouldn't let me do any more. When I restarted it my priority had to be our food order. 

I hope you enjoyed your tour - we shall be tourists in our own city again soon!

Thanks for looking, Chris

 

T stands for ........ The Garden and the Jardin!

Hi everyone, as promised I will show you where we visited last Thursday.

A sunny day was forecast so we decided to go to RHS Bridgewater again.

Not as colourful as when we went in Autumn but the blue sky made a perfect backdrop for the seed heads and grasses

You may not be able to see it but there was ice on the ponds

Now....back to warmer days 

Yes, Paris again....our last full day there and we took long walk to visit Bercy.

First of all I am joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth of the Altered Book Lover for T Stands For Tuesday.

We went to Cafe de Pauline for a delicious Duck Parmentier(sorry, ate it all and forgot to take a photo) I have forgotten what hubby's dessert was - something chocolaty - but mine was a fruit salad. Water was on the table for the whole meal and we finished with coffee.

It is close to Bercy Village and although we had a walk there, we were disappointed to find that a lot of the shops we liked have been replaced by eateries (many of them fast food type)

Cafe de Pauline is at the back of the Main Street - when we arrived all of the outside tables were taken.

Backing on to the trees is Bercy Park.

 

Beautiful old house and tracks ....no explanation

Lots of steps

A Bug hotel

Lovely covered areas

A Merry-go-Round

Boxing and football

An exercise area

We have been in a different part of Bercy Park before and thought it a little ordinary - as you can see it is anything but! We had never seen so many interesting things going on.

These two pics are of the view down the Seine 

The last two pics here are not in the correct order -thanks blogger!

You might think that was enough for one day but we had a detour - I'll show you next week!

I am going for a well earned rest now, having walked 7.5 miles today(nearly 18,500 steps). Explanation and pics later this week!

Thanks for looking, Chris