The One Who Masters The Grey Everyday Is A Hero

Cite de L’Automobile, Mulhouse, France

An automobile museum located in Mulhouse, France.  It contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of Bugatti motor vehicles in the world.  I enjoyed looking around, a lot to see.

To Be Present In All One Does

“To be sensual is to respect and rejoice in the force of life itself. and to be present in all that one does, from the effect of loving to the breaking of the bread.”

There’s no better time to wrap up in your favourite wolly jumper, put on your walking boots and get a deep breath of the great outdoors.

Bold, Vivid Colours

Chateau de la Ferte Saint-Aubin Part 4.  The Dining Room.  In the 17th century, this was an antechamber.  The chequered floor dates back to this period, and curiously the white tiles in Burgundy stone have been worn off over 4 centuries while the black marble tiles have not been damaged at all.  The panelling dates back to Louis XVI.  There is an 18th century chandelier out of Bohemia crystal. The Kitchen.  It was entirely restored in 1995 from an archives document from the 18th century.  Everything is there, and in working order too: 18th century roasting spit, stone stove to boil vegetables and fruits using coal from the chimney, fish tank where fish was kept alive, the bracket for game animals and cutting table. On the long work surface is a collection of copperware and copper utensils.

Pomperols Festival, South Of France. Festivals is about the eclectic range of weird and wonderful activities.

Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin.  Part 2.

The Sitting Room.  The paneling, floor and chimney date back to Louis XVI (late 18th century).  The room includes an 18th century Persian carpet, a pair of gilded wooden consoles and furniture covered in Aubusson tapestries dating back to Louis XVI.  The large mirror on the left has a medallion portrait of Marshal de la Ferte Senectere painted in 1670, with a portrait of Duchess de la Ferte Senectere, his second wife, painted by Mignard in the 17th century, facing it on the mirror above the chimney.The Billiard Room.  This room was entirely redecorated by the O'Gormans around 1911.  It had originally been a bedroom with 18th century paneling.  The room has a beautiful set of neo-gothic furniture brought back from Britain by the O'Gormans, each piece featuring their arms and motto.  The billiard table comes from the Chevillottess in Orleans.

Always we hope someone else has the answer.  Some other place will be better, some other time it will all turn out well.  This is it.  No one else has the answer.  No other place will be better, and it has already turned out.  At the centre of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want

Lao Tzu, From  “Tao Te Ching”

Chateau du Clos Luce

Chateau du Clos Luce - the home of Leonardo da Vinci. Invited to come and live in France by King Francois I, Leonardo da Vinci settled at Le Clos Luce in 1516.  Leonardo da Vinci happily lived in this residence for the last three years of his life, painting and working on his passions.  Leonardo da Vinci creations and his main inventions are displayed in a garden setting - Parc Leonardo da Vinci.  I was amazed and taken away by what I saw.  One word to describe the place "Wow!".

Chateau de La Ferte Saint-Aubin. Part 1.

My favourite castle of all time.  A magical place, a place of remembrance and a lively place!  A truly pleasurable moment.  Numerous different families lived here until the late 16th century, when the castle and surrounding gardens were inherited by the Saint Nectaires, who later changed their name to La Ferte Senectere.  Henri II de la Ferte Senectere was marshal of France.  Though he didn't finish building the castle, he had the two magnificent stables built in 1681.  In 1746, the castle was sold to Woldemar, Count of Lowendal.  The castle was owned by many different people, until the O'Gorman family brought it in 1911.  The castle was passed on and inherited until 1987, when it came to its present owner, Mr Jacques Guyot, who opened it to the public.