Saturday 29 November 2014

Still in France - Chateau du Puyguilhem...

 
is the Chateau we were looking for ..
 
so after visiting ..
 
 
we found it..!!


 

View Larger Map

 
 
Built in the 16th century (on the site of an earlier castle) Puyguilhem is a fine Renaissance castle, and is more typical in style of the castles in the Loire Valley than the Dordogne region .

The round tower that dominates the left side of the front is influenced by earlier medieval defensive castles.



 
 Unfortunately  the lake that was once stretched out in front to the Chateau has disappeared,
 


 


 
And who knows what this is??
 
It is a bed warmer!! I have linked it so you
can read more.  There is even a photo on this
page of this actual bed warmer ,
 of course taken at the Chateau.





 
Have you ever seen a tapestry like this ??
 
18th Century and with such fine detail.
 
 
Very beautiful cabinet


 
 
Very unusual chair! To sit on it you had to put your legs through
the back of the chair facing the other way !!
 


 Fabulous artwork , all the hard work of the carving.


































 
Of course there is a lot more history than I can tell you ,
but if you are ever in the area , do go and visit.
 

 

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Memorial de la Resistance - France

The memorial to the Resistance Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure in Charente , was built at the end of the Second World War in memory of the 1465 martyrs of the Resistance fighters and the Charente and Charente-Maritime  Cemetery.
 
 
 
 
 
 It is both a memorial to the Resistance and National Cemetery.
 
The Maquis Bir Hacheim had Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure as cradle.. The surviving members including Colonel André Chabanne and Guy Pascaud had the idea, since the release of the Charente, a monument to the glory of resistance, intended to perpetuate the memory of the fallen volunteers "for freedom and greatness the fatherland "and in particular the 170 shot, deported and died in combat known or anonymous scrub Bir Hacheim.
 
Edward and Guy Pascaud donated a hill overlooking Chasseneuil and wood that housed the beginnings of the Maquis Bir Hacheim .
 
 
 
 
The monument, which is reached by 60 steps, is 21 meters high and symbolizes the strength of its form "V" for Victory and the Cross of Lorraine.
 
 
 
 
As you stand here looking at the road
you have just driven up it looks like
a straight road , very cleverly done..

 
 
No there is actually a bend , and you drive past
and up to the car park ..

As we were here the rain poured but
Diane and I still managed to get out
and get some photos .. it was quite eerie
but not in a scary way.
 
 
All the photos below are taken from around the monument ..
 
I need no more words.
 




 
And around the cemetery







♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Monday 10 November 2014

Tom Tower - Oxford

Yesterday I went to see a friend
in Oxford and decided to have my dinner out
and then go to church.
 
 
St Aldates church is a vibrant Church of England church right in the heart of Oxford (opposite the famous Tom Tower of Christ Church), serving both the city and universities. Founded in the 10th century or earlier, and still to this day they have a lively worshipping community with an international flavour.
 
 
 
After the service , I waited for my bus and I just  happened to have
my camera with me  - my Nikon D40
thought I would get a bit of practice.
 
Here we have the
 
 
it is over the Tom Gate which is the main
entrance of Christ Church.
 
Christ Church was also known as "The House", it was founded in 1525 by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and was originally called Cardinal's College. In 1546 Henry VIII took it over and renamed it Christ Church.
 
This college is the largest and most visited of all Oxford's Colleges. In the middle of the College lies Tom Quad, the largest quad in Oxford, and Tom Tower, which was dedicated to Thomas of Canterbury.
 
The upper section of the tower was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1682. The 7-tonne bell in the tower chimes 101 times each night at 9:05pm, the time when the original 101 students were called back for curfew.
 
Since Oxford is 5 minutes west of Greenwich, this is actually 9pm.
In this link Oxford Time you will find an explanation about the time , I am NOT even
going to try and explain.
 
 
 
 
 
and the next ones are of the ceiling that you can just see above.
 
 





 
Enjoy!
 
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥