Modern Windmills

Too bad we can't manage our windmills as aesthetically as they do in Europe.

Swans

There seems to be no shortage of swans in Europe.

Brunch on St Martin Winery Lawn

St Martin specializes in champagne. We had a lovely buffet brunch on their lawn, overlooking the Mosell river. We had hoped to do a little wine tasting before leaving, but their store didn't open for another half hour and we had a long drive ahead of us.

Another view from the casemets

From another "window" in the caves

Large Formal Garden

Lovely view from one of the Casemets

Scenic Road

All the roads were scenic in Luxemburg, except for those inside the more modern developed area of the capital.

View from Luxemburg Fortress

What a pretty valley right in the midst of Luxembourg, the capital.

Le Fou du Roi sign

This is a fun one. I've seen this lettering style before during a visit to Marin County.

Am Tiirmschen Sign

Note the two "i"s in a different shade

Garden Gate

Every garden needs one of these . . .

Beaufort Tower

Another castle in ruins . . .

Swan family

All the water birds have been increasing their families for the past few months. The swans are very devoted parents.

Victor Hugo Lived Here

Victor Hugo, author of Les Miserable, spent some time in excile in this village. Wonderful "h"s in the hotel signage.

Another View of the Masonry

Such pretty masonry work

Talented workmen . . .

View from Vianden Castle

Pretty Luxemburg countryside.

Dam

Look at the little castle next to the dam.

Village of Vianden

The village of Vianden was very quaint, as were just about every village we came across during our travels through Luxemburg. We came across these falls as we walked from the parking area to take the tour of the village in "Benny's train".

Metal Restaurant Signage

I loved the script for this sign. Too bad the plants obscurred some of it.

Castle de Vianden

This castle has been restored. This was the last town in Luxemburg liberated by the Americans during WWII.

Another view of the castle

The castle is in ruins.

Larochette - Partial Rebuild

They rebuilt part of the castle, so that they could use it --very interesting mix of periods.

Walls of Larochette Castle Ruin

View from path to Larochette Castle

Love the trees--what a beautiful settting for the quaint village.

6-19-2007 Exploring the Luxemburg Countryside

Such a pretty village

Paperwhite Sign

For once, we got off work in time to go downtown for "Shopping Night". The stores usually close at 5PM, but on Thursday nights, which is shopping night in Leiden, they stay open until 8pm. Some cities have their shopping night on Fridays.

6-6-2007 Scheneveningen

We had a group dinner at one of the restaurants just off the beach. During the summer, temporary restaurant buildings are set up right on the beach. I'd like to try one of those sometime.

Ocean Bar

Here are a number of the Artemis team members who "live" at the Holiday Inn. We're gathered after a few of us returned from dinner in town. Sometimes, when we have no ride to dinner, or are tired, we eat in the bar, but that gets old,fast.

More Leiden Wall Poetry

I snapped this in the lane next to our favorite Greek restaurant, Rhodos.

Ellen Lettering the Pots

Ellen created the stencils from her own lettering. She uses these every year to create different designs on the pots.

Carrie Imai Painting Pots at retreat

Carrie and Ellen Greenberg make these every year for SFCs annual meeting, held the following weekend.

Old Dupont mansion

Silent retreats are held here. SfC doesn't currently have enough people that want silence, so we meet in the "scriptorium" building instead.

5-26-2007 Bird Bath at SfC Retreat

Each year, over a long Memorial Day weekend, the Southern California Society for Caligraphy holds its retreat at Casa de Maria in Montecito. We passed this bird bath after the nuns took us to tour Sister Corita Kent's art display in the main house.

Art in the Garden

Formal Garden

Pink Peony

In the palazzo's garden

Piazza

I'll have to look up the name of this family. They were avid art connoisseurs and when the last living family member died, the home and was granted to Italy and it became an art museum.

La Pelle Sign

Interesting the way the vowels are nested . . .

Buildings Viewed from Ponte Vecchio

Love the colors!

Another Vintage Car

They even wear the vintage gear.

Vintage Car Race

These cars were circling around a course, coming by every so often. Pedestrians had time to cross the street between bursts of activity.

Closer view of Ponte Vecchio

Such a pretty bridge . . .

Click for a better look

Medieval Arch

An old arch sitting on it's own surrounded by much newer buildings.

Pon Pergo

I love this sign--so fun.

Ponte Vecchio - the oldest surviving Bridge in Florence. The one bridge not destroyed by the Germans in WWII, unlike all the other bridges. The bridge is lined with jewelry shops--VERY interesting to look at.

Raspini Sign

Another nice script

Oros Sign

I liked the way the "R" tucked under the "O". Nice round "O"s and "S".

Pidgeon Perch

Pidgeon's are often found on the heads of Italy's honored heroes.

Lamppost with Legs!

We saw these all over the place.

Store window

Nice script