Log Canoe Race

Last week I went to Chestertown to view the log canoe race. We boarded my friend's party pontoon boat and scooted down the Chester River to the site of the race. I had a vision of a log canoe, maybe a dugout canoe with burly men paddling it in a frenzy. But these log canoes are nothing like that. They are long, sleek and very elegant looking sailboats, made of a log base, hence the name. Young men sit upon long planks that jut out of the base of the boat, keeping the boat upright. It was a perfect day, breezy enough, clear blue sky with no humidity and the most gorgeous, puffy clouds dancing across the sky.


That I got any pictures at all of an actual boat is amazing. I had many that looked like this......


........or this. I don't have the fanciest camera and when I push the button to take the picture, there's a delay of about a week, then it clicks. So I got lots of sky and water shots. Plus it has no view finder and it being the brightest of days, it was hard to see what I was taking a photo of.


This pic is a bit fuzzy but it shows the boys/men on the left hanging out over the water.


And this play craft sported a hairy captain manning the boat.


Here's a boat in action with the members scurrying along the planks. Look how low the person in the back is, nearly submerged in the water.








On the way back, there were many picturesque views along the river. I love these farms that reach right down to the water. We anchored near a nice sandy beach for lunch, near a big party, "Aquapalooza", and could hear the music from the live band playing Talking Heads cover songs.


Back at the Penny's place, this is the view across the street. A huge lotus pond, which is invading the small pond.


and a walk into town to view the old homes in Chestertown. I was taken by this lovely home with all the colors, a nice subject for my next pastel.

Dog Days of Summer

My son, Garrett took this photo of Casey not long ago. Casey loves to roll on his back and perhaps the smartest thing that dog does is to roll around on a tennis ball. As you can tell, he really enjoys it! He and I have been walking a lot lately down our local gravel road to the creek where he retrieves stick after stick. On the days when I ride my bike instead of walk with him, I take him on what I call a "redneck run". I let him run behind my pickup truck for about 1/2 mile, then he gets to swim and bring back sticks. It's been a great 'cross-training' workout. Tomorrow it might be hiking on the mountain. Enjoy your summer!

Out and About in Cambridge

Some scenes from around Cambridge. Punting on the River Cam.


Pimms is a very popular drink in the summer. When I took this photo, after a long bike ride, I was drinking cappuccino in a pub. As I was looking through the camera, I thought, yep, Pimms sounds good right now. Advertising works! It's Pimms time!


Megan turned me on to my first Pimms. Its a gin-like liquor, mixed with the English version of lemonade. Their lemonade is not so sweet and has some fizz to it.


It's usually served with lime, lemon and strawberries in the glass, but we didn't have that, but it was so refreshing anyway.


One of the art galleries featured this artist who covers human figures in natural objects, like pine cones, pine needles, and acorns.


Saw this package of oats in the grocery store and thought it funny. I thought the 'True Taste of Scotland" was Scotch!


One of the many shops in Cambridge.


Tatiana, Simon and Steve's adorable daughter. We had dinner at their house the first night we were there. Tatiana speaks 6 (maybe 7 she says) languages although some of them she just muddles through!


The last full day I was in Cambridge, we biked through the countryside, stopping at many (5) pubs along the way. This wasn't one of them but I did have to stop and get a pic of their sign. "Every Wednesday Pie & Pint Night". I thought, what a great idea! But I said later to friends that I think coffee would go better with pie than beer. They looked at me like I had 2 heads and said it's MEAT pie! Oh, I pictured apple.


And perhaps my favorite thatched cottage. It's in Barrington which has many thatched homes. But this one is so big and the detailing at the roofline is so nice. Also the thatched boar on top is awesome!


The hollyhocks were in full bloom. I love hollyhocks. I wish mine looked like these.


And who could resist an ice cream from the Mr. Whippy birght pink truck?


This is the coolest clock I've ever seen. It was just completed last year and is installed right across from King's College, a very prominent location. It actually a 'chronophage', which means 'time eater'. The creature on the top resembles a grasshopper or locust. It cost $1.5 million. Time is seen as a running blue LED light, the outer one is the second, then the mintue, then the hour. It depicts time getting away, stolen from us. On the hour, chains rattle as in a death toll. The front legs move forward, 'grabbing' the clock and moving it forward, emitting a loud ticking sound.




And here are Seal and I passing time, sitting alongside the pond at Robinson College, enjoying a beautiful summer day. Stolen moments, but so enjoyable. Goodbye Cambridge, until next time.

Busy in Brussels

Since Brussels was only a half hour train ride from Lille, we spent a day and night there. It's a very touristy city, with the Grand Place Square, a market square in the city center.


There are cafes and shops surrounding the square, all very beautiful. In the center is a flower and plant market.


Just around the corner is an inside 'mall' type area with an amazing glass ceiling.


But I much prefer the unusual.


While walking around the city, I saw many buildings painted in whimsical colors.












Brussels is known for it's cartooning. It's HUGE there. There's a museum, many shops and around town are these massive murals on buildings.


It was fun to turn a corner and find another one. This one is in a 'Dupont' like area of the city.


All well executed and totally fitting of the site that it's painted on.


Not sure what the 'boys boudoir' is about!


While looking for a place for dinner, we chanced upon this narrow row of eating establishments. The walkway is very narrow, with tables and chairs set up outside each restaurant. There were at least 50-60 restaurants along these few passageways, each beckoning for you to come in. "Pretty lady and gentleman, we have this table just for you!" I really don't care to be hustled into a place, but we did end up at a French place. They all seemed to have the same type of fare, mussels, paella and lobster. We got a prix fix meal of French onion soup, chicken cordon blue and of course a Belgian waffle for dessert. As we sat down I noticed a photo behind me that featured Claude Van Damme (the Muscles from Brussels!) sitting at the booth we were in.




Belgium is known for it's chocolates so of course we had to choose some. They did not disappoint! WOW!


and in case you needed any strawberries to go along with all that chocolate, there were plenty to be had.


From the train, going back to London. I've always liked these 'sawtooth' rooflines. And an extra bonus, while waiting to go through customs before boarding the Eurostar train, I saw a woman who I recognized but wasn't sure from where. I thought maybe one of my customers or someone from the kid's soccer days, as I was going through the Rolodex of familiar faces in my mind. Then I remembered, duh it was Laura Dern!!! with Ben Harper! They were right next to us for about 15 minutes. I didn't say anything of course, but kept sneaking quick glances. All in all, a great trip within a trip.

Frenchy Dinner

One of the nights we were in Lille, we were invite to dinner at Pasquel and Ludavine's house. Pasquel is the person who invited Houston to give the talk at the university. Pasquel picked us up at the hotel and whisked us off to her place, about a 10 minute drive.


Pasquel, Zoe, Ludavine. They have two daughters, (the other one was upstairs at the time of photo taking) and the girls look like twins born 2 years apart.


A parade of neighborhood cats tiptoed across the tall wall surrounding their back garden.


I was delighted to see their postcard of 'Hope'. They followed our election eagerly.


The meal started around 7:30 and didn't end until 11:30. I really do like the way the French eat, one dish at a time, but it makes it hard on the hosts, always getting up to get the next course. I'm sure we went through their entire stock of glasses, dishes and silverware. They were even in washing dishes between courses. We started out with wine (of course!) followed by the very sweet, rich wine (more like a liquor). We ate guacomole out of apertif glasses for a starter. Then came a medley of olives and cantelope with mint, accompanied by a French pate served on a crisp piece of toast. The main course was slice of pork covered in a thick, rich cream sauce (surprise!) and heavenly mashed potatoes. After all those dishes were cleared, out came four types of cheese to choose from. And all the time, French bread.


And if that wasn't enough, this feast ended with the creamiest ice creams, currants and grated dark chocolate. Then espresso. WOW! I really don't know how those French women stay so skinny. With all the pastries, cream and bread, you'd think they'd be huge. Their are even books written about how the French women are so thin. (They walk, walk, walk, eat fresh ingredients, don't hurry when eating and eat in moderation.) Gotta try that.


I kept making moves to leave, as it was approaching 11:30 and I knew they had to get up by 6:30, but Pasquel and Ludavine were quite content to just sit and talk with us. It was such a pleasant evening and it was so nice to be able to visit with these lovely women in their home. But finally we did get up to leave and I caught this scene on their street.