Metropol Parasol

Good morning everyone, well, can't you just tell I am back in the thick of it at work?  Not even a chance to read blogs, never mind comment or post.  But, only 4 weeks until the next holiday (one of the joys of working in a stressful school environment is the regularity of the breaks, and boy, do we need them, especially for those of us in behaviour management!)

So, in order to keep the memories fresh of my recent break in beautiful Seville, I would like to share some photos of the stunning Metropol Parasol - you can read more about it here.

Sit back, put your feet up, and enjoy!

 
Photos can only give an idea of the sheer size of this amazing structure

Even though starkly modern, it sits well amongst it's more venerable neighbours...

The whole structure reminded me of toadstools...

I'm missing that beautiful Andalusian sky, a shade of blue not quite replicated here in the UK...or, in fact, in this photo, the shade is a really deep blue...

Incredible design and engineering...

What a view, and yes, the cake and coffee were absolutely delicious!

It is possible to walk on top of this amazing structure, so we chose to return in the evening...

From the top, the structure reminded me of a coiled snake...

What a view, Seville is beautiful at any time of day or night...

Even the lift is amazing!  I took a photo of DH in here (won't share or he will probably never speak to me again!) as the lift reminded me of the Tardis from Doctor Who, and, as DH is in fact a Doctor I just couldn't resist (the kids thought it was hilarious!!)

Walking back to our hotel, we passed by the Catedral and the Bishops Palace...

Hopefully back soon with photos of our visit to the Real Alcazar.

Helenxx

Portals into the Past...

Good afternoon everyone - and what a great weekend it has been.  Decent weather, albeit a bit breezy and chilly, family round for a lovely dinner yesterday, and a BBQ planned for later this afternoon (eldest sons having mowed the lawns and tidied up the garden in readiness).  It was quite an early start for a Sunday as we were up at 5.45 to watch the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of the 2014 season, quite a race, with our favourite driver coming in 7th place.

With the blue skies we are having I am once more transported in my mind's eye back to beautiful Spain, so thought I would share a set of photos I took of doorways/entrance ways whilst on our recent holiday in Al Andalus...

Cordoba...

Granada...

I find it amazing to think of how many people have walked or looked through these entrances, what tales these buildings could tell if they could speak...

Helenxx

Hola!

Well, hello everyone.  I have been on a wonderful break with DH - yes, we returned to the achingly beautiful area of Spain known as Al Andalus.

There will be quite a few photo-heavy posts in the coming days (so better get a big supply of biscuits in to munch on whilst you look through them ;) )

but, in the meantime, a couple of tasters of what was the most amazing five days.  Five days together, away from all the stresses of the day jobs.

Cordoba - our first ever visit, hopefully we will return - such a lovely place, with friendly people and so many amazing things to see.

And, Granada - oh, how I have totally fallen in love with this place.  The atmosphere of this city is just indescribable.

Back to work today, but at least the weather is warmer - I could really feel today that Spring is just around the corner.

Helenxx

"Memories..."

."..light the corners of my mind...misty water coloured memories, of the way we were..."

time for some nostalgia - this time a year ago my DH and I were flying off to Spain, to see the amazing sights of Granada.  We were celebrating our Silver Wedding Anniversary, and we had always dreamed of going to see the Alhambra.  Oh my goodness, how we fell in love with Granada, the Alhambra, and Spain itself.  We enthused so much about it that my dearest friend went over last April, and felt the same.

She has just returned from another trip to Spain, this time she visited the beautiful city of Cordoba - somewhere DH and I are hoping to visit fairly soon.  And, being the wonderful friend that she is, she bought me this:

it is a lovingly hand made tealight holder

decorated with crescent moon and stars, so evocative of the Islamic architecture in Spain that we love so much.

I love the way the candle light glows from the cut out shapes, and love the colour of the glaze.

She also bought this back for me, will help a lot with our planning, a big full colour map of Cordoba

Thank you so, so much Sue for these lovely treats, very much appreciated!

So, for now, I will have to make do with gazing at the photo on my desktop....

"if we had the chance to do it all again, tell me - would we?  Could we?"*  Oh most certainly, yes!!

Helenxx

* Songwriters: Hamlisch, Marvin, "The Way We Were" sung by Barbara Streisand

Granada Grandeur

Hi everyone

Well, Im beginning to surface again...darling mum is much better thankfully and getting back to her usual awesome self.

I finally picked up a pair of knitting needles for the first time in weeks a few days ago.

The sun is shining.

So I thought I would share some precious memories of one of the most beautiful places I have been fortunate enough to visit - Granada in
 Al-Andalus, Spain.  My darling husband organised our trip to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary.

To say the Alhambra is breathtaking is the silliest understatement ever....

...although it is said that a picture says a thousand words.  So I thought I would put a montage of some of the photos I took and put some music to them. 

Enjoy!

 

Helenxx