Morning light and Advent Calendars

The morning light yesterday on the last day of November was like Turkish delight over the fields at the back of our house while the gardens were still in shadows. The horse (not mine!) knew where to stand to catch the early rays between the roof top shadows.

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Unfrozen assets

The ginormous island of Greenland (pop. 56,000)  is ruled by little Denmark (pop. 5.6 million) and occupies two seats in the Danish parliament (Folketing). As a relative stranger to the culture here I have the impression that Danes regard their western ‘compatriots’ with a kind of sentimental sympathy – simple people who are trying hard to make it in the sophisticated world of hi-technology and low cunning. Continue reading “Unfrozen assets”

As beautiful as the day they were created

Today we visited the British Library exhibition of Illuminated Manuscripts.  It is very well organised, starting with the preparation of the parchment and vellum and the grinding of malachite and lapis lazuli and other minerals to provide the colours.  The careful application of gold leaf was also demonstrated on video.  When you think that the work was carried out by either natural light or candlelight, it is amazing how painstaking it was. The folds of the gowns, the expressions of the people depicted.  Breathtaking!  Much of the collection belonged to Edward IV, who commissioned works from the masters in Bruges, where he spent time in his exile.  One bible, originally the property of  Cardinal Wolsey, had been used by him and Henry VIII in their attempt to bolster his petition for divorce.  Unfortunately the pages on display did not show any of the notes in the margin.

The earliest books on display are from the 10th Century, showing the neat, squareish Anglo-saxon hand, which is actually easier to read than some of the later ones.  The illumination in these examples is less ornate and colourful than in the medieval books.  All of the books, mainly religious such as Books of Hours, had been specially commissioned by nobles or royals, who obviously didn’t mind a few oddities  such as the army of the Midianites in full medieval armour. The beauty of these illuminations is absolutely stunning, done by artists who devoted their life, and probably their eyesight, to the work.  Even the pattern work on the borders of the pages is entrancing.

If you are in London and have the time, it is an exhibition well worth visiting – at about half the price of the Leonardo at the National Gallery.

Spirit of ’66 – December CW

The teacher took a deep breath, opened the door and faced her new pupils for the first time. She was surprised to see that the room was not the modern affair to which she was accustomed with little groups of tables leaving half the class with their backs to the teacher. This was a good, old-fashioned classroom with serried ranks of individual desks all facing the blackboard. The windows were high, allowing light into the room but preventing the distraction of a view to the outside.

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19th Photographic Competition

After my stunning, but totally fortuitous, triumph in the previous Photographic Competition, I believe it behoves me to suggest a theme for the next one and pronounce judgement upon everyone’s efforts.

In order to allow the next competition setter (mug) to organise a Chrimbo theme, if they so wish, I propose that the deadline is Wednesday 21st December.

Since it has long been an interest of mine, I suggest the theme of “Flight”. Any variation on the theme will do, planes, balloons, airships, birds, insects, kites, old, new, you name it, as long as it is capable of getting into the air.

Just to get the ball rolling, but doubly disqualified because it is (a) displayed by me and (b) because it is not mine, here is a new aircraft under development.

Augusta-Westland AW609
Things to come?

So, come on chaps and chappesses. Get clicking or rummaging through the archives!

Entries in the comments section, as usual.