Category Archives: Fun

Favourites

People are bored. Well, lucky, middle class people and more people are bored, as opposed to the less lucky who are busy trying to work out how to feed their families with no wage.

So there are plenty of social media “challenges” out there attempting to keep the lucky people busy and one of them was to spend a week choosing and sharing one of your favourite pieces of art each day.

& it’s raining so the garden is washed out as an activity.

The first took no thought at all. I have always, totally and probably irrationally loved the Van Gogh Sunflowers to be found in the National Gallery.

Van Gogh Sunflowers

No idea why this specific, one of many, sunflowers appeals the most but it always has. Whilst the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam is wonderful and well worth a visit (along with the Kroller-Muller Museum in Brabant) to see his many paintings, this one, close to home has always given the most enjoyment, not happiness exactly, but a sort of struggling, wonky joyfulness.

Somewhere on the list has to be a Modigliani nude.

Modiglian Nude looking over her Shoulder

Of all the male artists painting women nude, he seems to enjoy their bodies the most and that pleasure, that satisfaction seems to translate into the painting itself somehow. His nudes and portraits seem to be the antithesis of Picasso whose portraits of women always seem to feel a little cruel.

In any selection of my favourite paintings there would have to be a portrait by Rembrandt, probably not a self-portrait but rather a commission of one of the powerful, wealthy men and their wives. More than most, Rembrandt seems to capture the soul of a person within their portrait with kindness.

Rembrandt: Margaretha de Geer

There would also have to be a painting by Klimt, one reason I’m thinking about making a trip to Vienna to view some of his many joyful works housed in the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere. The most obvious delights are covered with gold, the Kiss or the portraits of Adele Blochar, but some of his more fantastical works, stages of life and/or death are beautiful.

Klimt: Death and Life

So far, and I’m tending towards chocolate box, pretty art. Whilst tempting to tack back towards some kind of gritty reality with modern artists, Rodin is hardly gritty. Whilst the Thinker or Lovers are tempting, my favourite Rodin would be the man with a broken nose.

Rodin: Man with a broken nose

It would be difficult to choose just one Giacometti sculpture, though the Tate exhibition certainly highlighted the figures ranging from massive to matchbox. The sculptures that I remembered most clearly were the most simple, the Nose or the Arm.

Giacometti

But surely there should be some current artwork included in any list of favourites? Or some women?

Paula Rego

Paula Rego

Or maybe Bridget Riley?

Fall 1963 Bridget Riley

Or Georgia O’Keefe whose exhibition warranted four separate visits with different people and alone.

Abstraction White Rose: O’Keefe

And then when the end of the most immediate or “quick” list is reached, there are the various and insistent “what about…” such as Rothko.

Red on Maroon 1959 Mark Rothko

Or Sergent, how could I miss John Singer Sargent?

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose John Singer Sargent

Or the current national treasure that is David Hockney?

My Parents David Hockney

But what about photography, about Ansel Adams,

Ansel Adams

or Annie Leibovitz, whose portrait of a very pregnant Demi Moore is a memory from my youth. I bought the magazine because of the cover – I’d never seen anything like it.

And suddenly there are too many artists and too many pieces of art, rather than too few to mention and two weeks have skipped by without thinking.

Coffee

Over the years I have tried out many different ways of making a decent cup of coffee, from my inglorious youth spent quaffing instant *coffee* through to full on grind your own beans espresso.

It sounds obvious but is worth saying that each method tastes slightly different. I have never managed to make coffee in those metal stove top pots, so popular in Italy, without it tasting burned. Espresso always tastes a fraction forced or rushed.

A trip to Namibia reintroduced me to the speed and convenience of basic cafetiere coffee which is where I go for my first morning wake-up cup but there’s no doubt that speed comes with consequences. Cafetiere coffee is just too variable, sometimes weak, sometimes strong and often grainy.

Over Christmas I gained a new toy, a bodum vacuum coffee maker based on the old cona style stove top and it makes a wonderful smooth, controlled cup of coffee (or three). The drawback with this method is the volume – you can’t make a single cup easily.

But given how smooth it turns out, it seems worth setting up and running for morning coffee because waking up is always more than a one cup, one person affair.

And it is marvellously entertaining to sit and watch vacuum do its thing.

Water is put into the bottom pot and ground coffee on the top. It all sits on the hob and heats, relatively gently until the water starts to evaporate and rise up the funnel to the coffee grinds where it mixes. Once the water is almost gone, the heat is removed and the water is sucked back down through the funnel with the filter holding back the grinds.

Hidden

I was looking through the albums for photos that might be described as “hidden” and cam up with a surprising number of views through screens or doors.

And there were the obvious pictures of animals difficult to spot in amongst the scenery, no least my domestic cats.

Or somewhat wilder animals just lost in amongst the vastness.

 

But my favourite, the one that always makes me smile, is a picture of bees dancing in the flowers of my wild roses.

Dazzle

The latest photo collection in the Guardian has the topic “Dazzle” so I took a look through the albums to see if I had anything worthwhile.

A surprising number were religious, either large or small details meant to dazzle and impress any visitors whilst also glorifying the relevant deity.

Bangkok Temple Detail

Mezquita Cordoba

Lady Chapel, Granada Church

Rome Vatican Interior

Rome Pantheon Detail

This probably reflects nothing more than the political reality. I’d probably find similar art to impress in any major political building but is interesting to see the same trait in religions from around the world.

Bangkok Temple Detail

Luxor Tomb Detail

Hall of Mirrors Amber Fort

Doorway Detail, Amber Fort

Taj Mahal Reflections

And then there are pictures taken outdoors which just reflect the dazzling contrast between objects, or foregrounds and backgrounds.

Taiz

I remember Spain, Namibia etc as especially bright and the play between shocking light and shade quite difficult to see never mind photograph.

Namib Naukluft

Etosha National Park

Desert Zebra

In nature there is also the dazzle of white, or strong yellows sometimes with black contrast, sometimes just the dazzle of pure light through wings.

Zebra, Etosha

Some time at the aquarium in California brought pictures with it’s own type of dazzle.

But in the UK, where light seems less strong, it came back to pictures of single intense colour or landscapes that accidentally caught some turning light.

Nice Neighbours

Or maybe the occasional rainbow.

With reflections it’s difficult to decide whether “dazzle” has meaning

Tate Modern

 

Or indeed when it comes to cyanotypes which are of course the result of the sun’s dazzle in the first place.

Cyanotype – daffodils

Slinky

Maybe we’re best just restricted to the ordinary everyday dazzle of frost on grass

Or the millions of reflections in Manhattan glass.

New York

Yoga for oldies

The Best Yoga Poses for Women Over 50

The Best Yoga Poses for Women Over 50

These poses are supposed to address the common aches and pains you may be experiencing 50+ and they leave you feeling supple, strong and stress-free.

Yoga can be as gentle or as challenging as you choose. It will help you feel suppler and in tune with your body, plus it’s a great way to quiet your mind.

The benefits of yoga are vast, from anxiety relief to pain management, improved sleep and keeping your weight down.

These poses were listed as suitable for both newbies and those with a bit of experience, and to target the areas we know you will benefit most from treating.

Warrior II pose
Why:
Great for your core muscles, thighs and bottom, and opens up tight shoulders, too.
How: From a standing position, take a big step back with one leg, keep your front foot facing forwards, turn your back foot so it’s angled away from your body at 45 degrees.

Bend your front knee until it’s directly above the ankle, keeping your back knee straight. Turn your body to the side and raise your arms into a ‘T’ so one arm is in front of you and one behind, then look forwards towards your front hand.

Keep your weight evenly distributed between your legs and hold for a few deep breaths.

Make it easier: Keep your hands on your hips and look forward rather than raising your arms.

Tree pose
Why:
Great for balance, which can help prevent falls.

How: Begin standing with your legs together, then slide your right foot up your left leg, with your heel touching the inside of your calf.

Bring your arms straight up above your head, palms together. Stay balanced for a few deep breaths, then repeat on the other leg.

Make it harder: Slide your foot further up your standing leg, working towards having the sole of your foot at your knee.

Downward facing dog
Why:
It opens the shoulders and chest, stretches the hamstrings and spine and strengthens wrists.

How: From kneeling on your hands and knees, push through your hands to straighten your arms and legs as you lift your bottom up towards the ceiling, gently pushing your head towards your knees, so your body is in an upside-down V-shape.

Your heels might not touch the floor, but that’s okay – just focus on sending your hips toward the ceiling while keeping your arms and legs straight. Look backwards through your legs to keep the neck soft.

Make it easier: Rather than keeping your hands on the mat, place them on a sturdy low bench or yoga blocks.

Low lunge
Why:
Stretches out tight hips – perfect if you’re at a desk all day – can also boost mental focus.

How: Start by kneeling on a mat or folded towel. Bring one leg forward to place that foot on the floor and keep your knee bent in a tabletop positon. Keep that front knee directly over your front ankle.

Place your hands on the floor for balance, and send your other foot back so the leg lengthens, stretching your thigh but keeping your knee, shin and top of the foot on the floor.

When you feel ready, take your hands off the floor so you are balancing in the low lunge. Raise your arms up alongside your head and breathe for few moments, then repeat on the other side.

Make it easier: Rather than lengthen the back leg, keep it closer to you for balance.

Why: Great relief for stiffness in your back, improves posture and creates a sense of calm.

How: Start sitting cross-legged on your mat. With both legs bent, lift your left leg up and plant your left foot on the outside of your right thigh.

Twist your torso to your left, and touch your right elbow to your left knee.

As you inhale, press your left hand on the floor directly below your shoulder, chest up, back straight. Repeat on the other side.

Make it easier: Keep the bottom leg straight.

Bridge
Why:
Can aid digestion, also great for opening stiff hips and strengthening your lower back.

How: Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-distance apart under your knees, arms by your sides.

Breathe in and press your hands into the mat, then exhale and, using your stomach and glutes muscles, tilt your pelvis, then slowly lift your spine off the ground until you are in a bridge position.

Hold for 30 seconds, then slowly lower from the shoulders vertebrae by vertebrae until your back is flat on the mat.

Make it easier: If you need extra support for your back, roll up a towel and pop it under your shoulders.

Transport

I’m quite enjoying the Guardian’s photo assignments if only because it makes me look through some of the older photos.

This month the theme is transport and my library seems to have an extraordinary collection of boats, and not that much else at first glance.

Obviously if you head off to a floating village in the middle of Cambodia you’re going to find boats.

Houseboats, Tonle Sap

Fishing, Tonle Sap

Tonle Sap, Cambodia

But then there’s the boat trip up the Mekong along the Laos Thai border to consider as well – equally picturesque and just as many pictures of boats

Mekong Houseboats, Laos

And of course there was the Bangkok boat trip

A boat ride on the Varanasi

Tourists Varanasi

And boat building in Yemen almost 30 years ago.

Hodeidah

There are first world boats in San Francisco

And Canada

Vancouver Island, Canada

Or slightly less picturesque London

Boats on the Thames

Greenwich

Or Wales

 

And the weirdest lock in creation in the Falkirk Wheel

There are a couple of tourist snaps of horse drawn carriages, not that we ever pay the premium for a ride, but they’re certainly pretty enough to warrant a snap in Seville.

And Amsterdam

Or Canada

Clayoquot,
Vancouver Island Canada

If we’re sticking with animals, there’s definitely an elephant to be found somewhere in Thailand.

Or India

Elephants Amber Fort

And a donkey or two in Egypt reinforcing the stereotypes.

What about road travel, not so picturesque but definitely a memory worth a photo or two in India.

Traffic, Jaipur

Delhi Boy Racers

Chandni Chowk Delhi

Delhi traffic

Chandi Chowk Delhi

Delhi roads

And then of course there are the science museum’s relics. Do they count?

Space Pod, Science Museum

Cars Science Museum

Airplance, Science Museum

And then there is public transport in the form of tube trains

Northern Line

Northern Line

Embankment

And big red buses.

Surely transport by foot has to be something. What about stairs and escalators?

Tate Modern

Tate Modern

Escalator Embankment Tube

Somerset House

And many many bridges going from here to there.

Tate Modern from St Pauls

Shard through Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

St Pauls from the Thames

Bhutan Prayer Flags

There is a surprising lack of planes for a family that has travelled so much in them.

Clayoquot,
Vancouver Island Canada

And a not very surprising lack of pictures of us walking anywhere at all.

Gentle Stroll, Bhutan

Travel

What does a good travel photo look like?

Big Sky Namibia

Ely Coast, Scotland

Crossing to Vancouver, Canada

We can do sunsets, especially African easily enough.

African Sunset I

African Sunset II

Is it all about the place, outstanding scenery maybe?

Namibia

Yosemite

Namibia Naukluft Namibia

Etosha Namibia

Namibia Naukluft Namibia

Highland, Scotland

Etosha Namibia

Or maybe it’s better if we stick a building into the picture somewhere

Highland castle

Highland castle, Scotland

Highlands castle

Varanasi boats

 Or maybe a boat or two.

Tonle Sap, Cambodia

Thimupu Bhutan

Seville cathedral

Does a picture of human intervention in a beautiful place, add or lose interest in the photo?

Mekong Houseboats, Laos

Bhutanese Prayer Flags

Maybe if it’s alien enough, the photo could just be the detail, the hint of a thing.

Bangkok Temple Detail

Bangkok Temple

Bangkok Temple Detail

Delhi Detail

Mezquita, Cordoba

Alhambra Arches

Jerusalem, Israel

Does a good travel need to be human, with people and children?

Chill, Thailand

Burma Refugee, Thailand

Whirling Dancer, Egypt

Strontium Games, Scotland

Does it have interesting people doing interesting things?

Delhi Cleaning

Delhi Sikh temple

Second Thoughts Kathmandu

Seriously Dad?, Varanasi

Because I have a few of those.

Varanasi Holy man and Acolyte

Fishing, Tonle Sap

Or maybe we could just think about animals, local of foreign, cute or not so much.

Zebra Etosha

Cheetah Lunch, Namibia

Cheetah II, Namibia

Baby Elephant, Namibia

We live in an astonishing world.

Dark

There’s a photo participation being organised by the Guardian newspaper on the subject “Dark” which led to e looking through the various albums.

There are the obvious pictures of sunsets, most obviously from Africa.

Namibia Sunset

Namibia Sunset

Namibia Sunset

But also from Wales.

Sunset, Wales

Sunset, Wales

Turns out there’s not a bad sunset picture to be taken in a desert.

Negev Desert, Israel

And there are the endless pictures through windows or window screens from the dark into the light.

Window Screen, India

Agra Window, India

Cambodia Temple Window

Saville cathedral

Science Museum London

There are the shots taken in dark places, usually more about the light than the dark surroundings.

Pantheon, Rome

View through Alhambra Arches

Mezquita Cordoba

Reflections, Bangkok

Fireworks, London

 Egyptian Show dancer

St Andrews

There are the pictures with dark subjects or topics, whether emotional (the cremations by the side of the Varanasi) physical (the gorging on a recently dead gazelle) or scary childhood toys.

Morning Cremation, Varanasi

Children’s Theatre Toy, Glasgow

Lunch, Namibia

 And finally there are just pictures of dark coloured things, from tulips to a bit a black and white shade and shadow.

Dark Parrot Tulip

Black Parrot Tulip

Toy Dolls, Glasgow Museum

Shadows on the Heath, London

Turns out Spanish catholic churches can be especially morbid with their monuments.

Lady Chapel, Granada Church

Dead Jesus, Granada

head of John the Baptist, Seville Cathedral