Thursday, 6 September 2007

Settling in

No obvious link between my four photos today, just the result of my errands throughout town this week. I went back along the Rhone, approaching the Pont d'Avignon from the bank opposite the city so you could see the Palais des Papes (the Popes' Palace) and the old city ramparts behind it. The bridge's four arches clearly visible and you can see tourists standing on it.

I took this photo a few days ago on a calm afternoon - couldn't have been today: for the past three days a strong northerly wind, the dreaded mistral, has been blowing our heads off and swirling madly around the streets. The water would have have been very choppy had I taken my photo today!

But our reward is this deep blue sky! Quite often when the northern part of France mourns under heavy grey clouds, the mistral clears our southern skies and treats us to a brilliant sunshine. This is rue St Agricol, another upmarket shopping street which feeds into the rue Joseph Vernet I showed you last week. Can you picture yourself living here, blue shutters opening to a skyline of old roman tile roofs and wrought-iron balconies, and waking up to the sound of the bells from the nearby church?

Standing exactly in the same spot as before, I turned around and found myself in front of this very trendy Objects Designer shop where a very traditional (and typically French) design of garden furniture has been revamped in bright colours. What do you think of it? Would have this in your home ?

And last but not least, going up the grand staircase of an 18th century mansion where a photographic exhibition was taking place, I used a reflection on the red and black marble wall to catch two majestic windows and their lace balconies on the first floor above me. I'll place this one as my best shot of the week, not so much technically but for its creativity.

And thanks to all of you who sent their best wishes for my daugter's first day at school. She did very well indeed. Best of love to all.

29 comments:

claude said...

Toujours de très jolies photos Nathalie. Je trouve un peu dommage que tu écrives en Anglais en France alors que tu le faisais en 2 langues en Australie.

rogério sousa said...

very nice pictures.

Peter said...

I don't think I would go for those chairs and tables. Maybe I'm too traditional?

I prefer the part where you say "...living here, blue shutters opening to a skyline of old roman tile roofs and wrought-iron balconies, and waking up to the sound of the bells from the nearby church". May I ask where you have found your place to live? Not behind the blue shutters?

I guess I agree on your opinion for the "best shot of the week"! It seems, by the way, that you quite like reflection photos!

Anonymous said...

Claude, j'ai très peu de temps et je suis obligée de faire au plus court. Je pense que quand je serai vraiment installée je reprendrai une formule bilingue.

Peter no, I don't live behind those blue shutters but in rue Philonarde which I showed you two weeks ago - a much quieter street. My shutters are an old fading battered grey.


The apartment I am about to sign for will be located in rue d'Amphoux, still "intra-muros", within the old city, and I promise I'll post some "view from my windows" shots when I move in.

Nathalie

Anonymous said...

I side with Peter regarding the chairs. I side with you regarding the best photo of the week

Peter said...

Looking forward to the rue d'Amphoux photos! Have a nice weekend!

Olivier said...

Je suis d'accord avec claude, on va faire une manifestation ;o)
Je savais pas qu'il restait des hippies à Avignon ;o) superbe ces tables. J'adore la gestion des ombres sur ta derniere photo. Bon Weekend

Cergie said...

Bien sûr je me vois avec ce style de mobilier pour la bonne raison que je me suis meublée ainsi lorsque j'ai eu mon premier vrai chez moi : j'ai récupéré ce type de table et de chaises de bistrot dans le jardin de ma grand'mère et j'ai tout repeint en vert Monet (et oui, j'ai toujours aimé le vert)...

Quant à la photo du bas, j'admire toujours ta patience qui te fait trouver LA personne qui t'offrira sa silhouette.
Et ici, je m'imagine qu'en ralité c'est TOI qui nous offre ta sihlouette, car c'est toi qu'on retrouve sur cette image...
Quant au rouge, si délicat, si nuancé, il est bien loin des rouges pétants d'Australie.

Kate said...

I would very much like to have those table and chairs on my patio. Love the bright colours.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I could see myself living there, and yes I like the tables and chairs, although I could picture my daughter having them more than I, and she would have painted them herself.

The reflection photo is magnifique!

So glad your daughter did well the first day. I hope she continues to do well and the other students and teachers embrace her.

Chuckeroon said...

...well, Richard and Peter have beaten me to it. There's no doubt about the "reflections" (excellent) and the blue shutters do grab me more than the old tables...not the most comfortable design in my experience..but fun.

Anonymous said...

Dans certaines régions de Suisse, notamment en plaine, lorsque le vent froid souffle, on l'appelle la bise, la sensation de froid est accentuée. C'est ce qui s'est passé la semaine dernière, alors que le soleil brillait généreusement et que le ciel était aussi lavé de tous nuages, on avait vraiment froid, congelant surtout le matin. Quant aux tables, oui j'aimerais bien avoir ce genre de trucs colorés sur ma terrasse qui est entourée de béton gris. Par contre à l'intérieur de mon petit appartement, je n'aimerais pas trop je crois. A bientôt.

CaBaCuRl said...

I agree with the popular choice for photo of the week. And, yes, i would be very happy to have those chairs and table in my yard....perfect for a quiet,late-afternoon glass of wine as the shadows lengthen.OMG...I remember learning about the Mistral when I did French at high school about a thousand years ago!

Anonymous said...

I don't much like the table and chairs. They look like the kinds of furniture often found at garage sales here. I do like the photos of the bridge and the reflection. Very nice.

Neva said...

These are lovely photographs of a lovely area! The chairs and table are very bright! For an outdoor backyard, why not!My wrought iron needs some paint! Thanks for visiting...I like your reflections as well..

tut-tut said...

Hello, Nathalie!

I've been to a used English-language bookstore in Avignon, about 3 years ago . . .

I love your wonderful photos

Bergson said...

Toujours des photos extra les deux dernières des caviars : les tables pour les couleurs et l'étonnement le reflet pour le mystère.

Trop top cette Nathalie

Fénix - Bostonscapes said...

Hi Nathalie,

Beautiful photos. The tables and chairs, I like them where they are :). Could I picture myself living there? Oh, yes, very much so! :)

DS2944 said...

J'adore la première et la dernière photo de cette série. Mais il fait toujours beau là-bas ?

Anonymous said...

très chouettes les distortions. Et je veux bien les chaises et les tables : elles iront très bien chez moi.;o)

Anonymous said...

des photos simples et claires qui mettent en valeur des lieux magnifiques.. j'aime beaucoup le reflet

Pod said...

bonjour madame!
ca va?
x

NorthBayPhoto said...

Great photos! The bridge is certainly very impressive from every angle.

Annie said...

Bonjour Nathalie, it was pleasant spending these moments with you, looking at the Pope's Palace, the children's furniture and the beautiful lacy windows (a fine photo indeed).

• Eliane • said...

Une petite visite pour te remercier de tes bons mots laissés sur mon blog hier. Merci.

Très belles photos. Et je viens de trouver la parfaite petite table que je cherchais en vain pour ma petite terasse. Tu me l'emballes?

GMG said...

Belles photos! Bien sure, la beauté d'Avignon aide, mais le talent de l'Artiste est bien visible...
Blogtrotter

Maxime said...

Tu te surpasses à nouveau dans les reflets, un bonheur !

sonia a. mascaro said...

I love so much your wonderful photos! Pont d'Avignon is beautiful!

Ming the Merciless said...

The last photo is really artistic. I love it.

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