On the trail of Queen Victoria

Osborne house on the Isle of Wight was the retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. her consort. They would go there for holiday and especially to mark their birthdays. The grand house faces across The Solent to the mainland.

 First here is an illustration of Queen Victoria's coronation that I found in an old book.

Down on the foreshore where Queen Victoria kept her bathing machine -

And then up and around the House - taking in some details of the sculptures, many of which are marine-themed.

And briefly inside the house where a table is ready with Christmas dessert -

And finally one more look at the Empress of India -

Catalonia - in and around La Garriga and Barcelona

I was fortunate when work took me this month to the Catalonian town of La Garriga and then on to Barcelona. I was able to take a few hours for a look around and here are a few images.

First, some of the fine architecture of La Garriga :

The old church overlooks the town

Vaults in the cemetery around the old Church

La Garriga hosts several fine mansions - here are some examples -

And a little look at the old part of Barcelona.

A reference to the Catalan Christmas log tradition

Barcelona cathedral

A view of the Christmas market  from the Cathedral steps

One of the stalls - celebrating the tradition of the pooing shepherd

More of those Catalan Christmas logs

And finally the pretty Christmas lights in Barcelona

With thanks to Laetitia Nunny who showed me these things,

Bath Time

A last wash for some blue tits before the frost comes....

Strange goings on in the Halloween garden.

Badgers are not frightened of pumpkins, as established in previous years.
However, the first visitor on Halloween night is less expected.

And the next night:

And a few nights later a better look at the fox -