The Cathedral of Saint-Eustache

If you say “cathedral” and “Paris” in the same sentence, you will most likely think of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. But Paris is home to many cathedrals, and one of the most beautiful is Saint-Eustache. It was constructed from 1532 to 1640, with towering gothic arches, walls of light, and the largest organ in Paris. I hope you enjoy this visit to Saint-Eustache.
Gothic arches:

Walls of light, including one with harps:

The organ:

Decorated stonework:

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Harp Sightings At The Musee d’Orsay

Photography is no longer allowed in the Musee d’Orsay, so this was the best I could do with recording harp sightings. Of the three images, one truly illegal image is blurry, and one is really a lyre, but they will have to do!

Walking Through Monet’s Garden

I was exposed to lots of music as a child thanks to my dad’s collection of phonograph records, and singing in school and choir. But I did not have much exposure to art and artists until college, when an art appreciation course my freshman year introduced me to the Impressionists and Claude Monet.
That year was pretty rough for me, and I often didn’t know why I should bother to keep one foot moving in front of the other. Then I saw a slide of Monet’s painting of his Japanese bridge. I knew that being in a world that contained such beauty was reason enough to keep going. I’ve wanted to go to Giverny to see the Japanese bridge and the water lily pond ever since seeing that projected image of Monet’s painting.
And today, I made it there!
The lily pond:

Flowers:

Monet’s house:

Behind the scenes:

Lights Of Notre Dame

Yesterday I also went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, where there is beautiful light wherever you look.

City Of Lights

After 14 months of waiting and planning, I am in Paris!

Tonight I went to the top of La Tour Eiffel and watched the lights turn on below me.

The twinkle lights on the tower switched on while I was on the first level.

Walking back to my apartment the tower glowed in golden glory.

Charmed by Little Venice

My last day in London I found Little Venice, a hidden paradise on the Regents Canal in Maida Vale.

The canal is lined with narrowboats repurposed from their original task of transporting goods through London, to become off-beat homes on the water.

On Sunday afternoon you can take the Waterbus to Camden Lock, and float through a hidden, wild London.

Away from the noise of traffic, floating through tunnels of trees, it’s easy to forget the city that surrounds these hidden waterways.

A Day At The Tower

Today dawned another unexpected “bright” morning, so I hightailed it to the tube’s Jubilee and District lines to get to the Tower of London before every other London tourist got the same idea. There wasn’t even a line to see the Crown Jewels. Here’s a few shots from my day at the tower. . .

The White Tower

Can you find the harp?

The ravens remain. The kingdom is safe.

Henry VIII’s Armor

Astrological chart graffiti carved by a prisoner accused of sorcery.

Old and New

Weekly Photo Challenge: Threes

I spent this rare English sunny day at Hampton Court Palace, walking the brick-worked passages and courtyards that felt the footsteps of Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn.

The Voice Of St. Paul’s

On the first day of my London adventure, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the choral evensong service at St. Paul’s. Oh, my! The music was presented by the organ and men’s choir along with one angelic soprano who floated her voice above the richness of the male voices.

Musicians speak about playing in a “live” space, one with lots of resonance, where sound carries. I’ve never heard anyone speak of playing in “an alive” space. But St. Paul’s is truly alive. The stones sing. The resonance of the dome creates another voice that sings in harmony with the choir.

The choir sang a piece by William Byrd from the 1600’s that soared to the heavens. After the choir processed out of the nave, the organist played Bach. I listened in wonder, for the stones of the cathedral sing with the organ, too.

Holiday Lights at the Garden – 2013

Even though last night was not the coldest night of the Christmas season, I made my annual trip to see the lights at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Come see the magic of the garden with me….

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