This picture was taken 8am.
There are advantages to a late sunrise in this Northern hemisphere winter.
It was freezing and the park was unnaturally empty.
I have shown these parakeets that escaped London zoo in the 1960's and they hang about the London royal parks.
They are spoiled as they get people who stick apples on the branches for them to snack on.
I normally am not into cross country skiing but we had an afternoon before dinner at Faviken.
There was early snowfall so the crowds hadn't gone up yet and it was midweek so we had the trails to ourselves.
We did hear howling in the middle of at least one of my mates falling down and in the distance we saw a dog sled.
This image was worth the trip to Sweden alone.
There are these peculiar stores in Sweden that sell tobacco
( cigars, cigarettes, and loose ) and then on the other side...
They sell every variety of chocolates and sweets.
I have a feeling that they smoke more than tobacco.
I hadn't seen this much Mountain Dew since I was at a Walmart in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
The lodge we were staying at in Are had original drawings from the late 1800's.
Signs reflect so much that assume innate local culture such as this.
There are always theories and counter theories and conspiracies.
One of the more prevailing ones of late -
especially since Prince's death when he made it "pop culture" - pardon the pun.
One of the more prevailing ones of late -
especially since Prince's death when he made it "pop culture" - pardon the pun.
Whatever you may think, I gotta wonder why the hell there are so many in the middle of the day in central London? Prince William does fly over often but his helicopter doesn't leave chemtrails.
In other things going on above us, these are this year's decorations on Regent Street.
Went to a preview at Sotheby's that was basically Christmas shopping on another level.
I did like this 17th century panel as a coffee table.
Always an oasis of calm.
It does get busy but only if there is a name recall auction preview that gets tons of press.
I am not particularly religious but I adore Sassoferrato.
There is one similar hanging at the National Gallery.
I thought installation art was a modern concept but like everything else, they have been doing it for ages.
Hope you have a great weekend x
You are lucky to get those great auction previews. You can learn a lot from the non-stellar previews, because they represent the kinds of antiques available to ordinary mortals. And I have always found their expert departments more than willing to discuss the merits of individual pieces.
ReplyDelete--Jim
London doesn't have the weather Jim so I make the most of the indoors! Yes I agree that the nuances between the non star piece trains the eye more than just seeing masterpieces all the time. Indeed this was good quality but they weren't pristine and you are right that the staff aren't overwhelmed so they are very happy to discuss pieces with you too.
DeleteI want those yellowy gold silk chairs! Such beautiful snow scenes. We were supposed to get a good snow this weekend but it's going to bypass us. How interesting about all the flavored tobacco products. Not sure why anyone would rather smoke something pineapple tasting than just eat a pineapple but I don't think like a thin person so maybe that's why. I always think the escaped parakeets are so charming. I want some.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is very smart and sciencey and he has lots of thoughts on the chemtrail things. I don't other than wondering how it can be manipulated for us to get more snow.
I like them too - I like that yellow silk quality that is unique to that colour fabric combo. I am sure you will get snow though but it seems worldwide there has been an up in temp but am sure it will revert. I hear you bc I don't think like a thin person either!! But the one I tried was so darn spicy but it did it hit a spot bc it was like over zealous xmas cake with no calories and some nicotine. I would love to know what he thinks of chemtrails - Prince had a whole other perspective!
Deleteyou know I looked up in the sky the other day and there were chemtrails, and I thought of you!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that painting - the blue just glows with such intensity. But then, they always light things perfectly, and really that is the key thing with art of any price point.
I miss the lights of London at Christmas. Here with our longer days in Summer, the lights aren't a thing so much. Our centre of the city has done a dreadful Christmas decorating effort this year. Lots of bunting which a few people have said reminds them of a car rally, rather than Christmas! Plus in the centre of the main shopping street an arrangement of naked (not trimmed) pine trees, which are already dying from lack of water. So festive.
Loved the mural on the wall, and the Swedish observations. It's one place I want to get to (that and Denmark), so I will live vicariously through you for a while. xx
Hehe - so they are doing stuff in Adelaide eh?
DeleteI adored the one at the National for decades and when I saw this one I was entranced. But yes - the lighting was exceptional and even more so in the room where these were hung. That is another thing that I think any other light just wouldn't do it justice. Yep bunting is more birthday rally anything anglo saxon celebratory but not Xmas. Sweden is such a paradox though it seems and I want to go past scratching the surface and go again xx
Wut? You went to Sweden?
ReplyDeleteJust for a few days!
DeleteNEW MEXICO??
ReplyDeleteEXPLAIN...............!
I had no idea London had its own wild parakeet population. Here in San Francisco, there is a flock of them that live around Telegraph Hill. I even had one visit my pear tree one year.
ReplyDelete