Cathedral Art!

There is a single photograph on the wall of our hotel room here but today I think that blog space is better devoted to the art we found in St Bavo's cathedral yesterday. Stunning paintings by a Korean artist whose name I didn't write down, thinking I'd be able to find it easily by googling later....duh. Any google search for "art" and "St Bavo" merely turns up the most famous, Van Eyck's Adoration of the Lamb. Of course, we spent a while ogling that one too, but it was the colourful hangings adorning the main nave which I wanted to record. Much building work is being carried out inside the choir and the area behind the altar is screened off with a plain white board. Providing a very effective distraction from the building work, these huge canvases (probably almost 50 in total) are full of colour and I found myself sitting gazing at each in turn, contemplating the shapes and colours. I love them!

Over the border!

Nipped over the border into France today, for a look around Lille. Look where I spent a happy hour this morning! Best of all, the shop was completely empty - a real bonus, as anyone who has spent an hour or two in the Paris queue will confirm.

Good grief! *textile content* !!

Here in Ghent, we've enjoyed our independence and freedom from the constraints of being with a large group. Today, we've pottered around the city, taking time to stroll around and do things at our own pace. That sometimes means doing things more slowly but more often, it means skipping over some bits but luxuriating in the joy of just stopping and standing a while, taking in the atmosphere!

We stumbled upon a small shop with this intriguing window display of merino fleece and of course, I simply had to go inside to take a closer look. In amongst the wonderful collection of art materials was a large book section, and there on top of the pile of inspection copies was a copy of Dutch Felt , such an inspiring and attractive book, it just had to be brought home with me.

I've now had the chance to sit and look more closely at it and find it a most intriguing book. It's written in both English and Dutch and cleverly designed so that each language gets priority and yet as a reader, I don't feel cheated because I have access to only one half! Photography standards and production values are high and there is a good section on "how to" at the back. The first section of the book focuses on the author, Ria van Els-Dubelaar, followed by a good few pages profiling some of her colleagues and friends. In other words, I think the book achieves something that many titles don't - provide inspiration, background information, "recipes" and details of how to get some of the effects, all presented in an attractive and easily read format. Bravo!

As I opened the book for the first time, a card slipped out with details of another title: "Dutch Quilt". Hmmmm.......further investigation needed!

"..and how would you like your asparagus, Madam?"

We had witnessed the frenzy before, whilst in Germany at this time of the year, but it was fun to experience it again and fortunately, yes, we do like to eat asparagus!

It turns up on every menu, in soup, in salad, with almost every main course and, most surprising of all, in our friend Arthur's Creme Brulee! I particularly enjoyed it traditionally, with ham and boiled egg.


It's a strange plant though, and we learned a bit about it on a visit to the Asparagus Museum at De Locht, where the Stuart Singers did a short performance, together with hosts from nearby Wanssum.



The fields in this area of Limburg are impeccably tended with perfectly straight lines of sandy soil, earthed up over the precious shoots.


7.50 Euros for 5kg

And of course, accessories are available!
Strange, though, that most of these showed the more attractive green asparagus, which, though we would not have dreamed of saying so, we prefer!

But it wasn't for long

Of course, we enjoy travelling to new places and never tire of being able to go off here and there! We are now in Ghent, Belgium having spent the weekend with Mark's choir, the Stuart Singers, in Arcen, a small town on the River Maas in the Netherlands. The lack of a wifi connection meant that we couldn't post photos online or keep our blogs up to date, but during the next few days, we'll try to catch up.

 

As well as singing, there has been a good deal of eating and drinking. One particular seasonal delicacy of the region has made an appearance on almost every dish over the weekend, including a Creme Brulee. I wonder if you can guess what it is?