Calgary Peace Bridge, a study in symmetry
one year ago today I eas talking about my visit to the, then, newly opened Calgary Peace Bridge! This weekend looks like it is going to be another great weekend to wander the pathways of Calgary, maybe we will see you out there.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Love Locks, Pont de Arts, Paris France
Padlocks inscribed with lover’s names are locked to the bridge of Pont de Arts in Paris France, the key is then thrown into the river to symbolize their everlasting love. The padlocks began to show up on European bridge in the early 2000′s the source or inspiration varies depending on the city. An increasing trend not only around Europe, but it is spreading around the world. According to Wikipedia, the first padlock is said to have been locked to a bridge in Serbia before the World War ll over a betrayed love! Just a little ironic don’t you think?
There has been much controversy over the locks, for some it is an eye sore and considered a distraction from the heritage. To others a romantic symbol of everlasting love in one of the most romantic cities in the world. The Pont de Arts Bridge in Paris France has this wire mess much like a chain link fence. From a distance the brass locks looking like shimmering brass leaves. Up close we could see the locks that come in many shapes and sizes, some sold by the vendors just steps away, and inscribed with a permanent marker, while others are likely brought somewhere else and inscribed with an engraver.
We first encountered the locks in Florence Italy a couple of years ago, another wonderfully romantic city. Where have you seen them?
For more stories and images of this beautiful city: Paris
Ile de la cite, Paris France, and the evening river cruises
I am a big fan of Henri Cartier-Bresson, there is so much to be learned from studying the work of someone you admire. While most of us do not want to just copy someone else’s work, there are lessons to be learned by walking through the process the photographer might have used to capture an image. I believe that as much as you might try to copy someone’s work that our equipment, the processes that are available to us, our skill level and our personalities will all show in the images and separate your work from the original.
Take this image for example, the original inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson taken in 1952 would be difficult to copy today, yes with Photoshop it could be accomplished, but what is to be gained by that, except well, to improve or show off your Photoshop skills. I have my own memories of Paris. Memories of Paris of today, with the river cruises, the grey skies, the yellow and orange leaves of autumn. This is the Paris I want to capture in my images. But I did pick this spot to take picture not just because it was beautiful but because I had seen Henri Cartier-Bresson’s images, and loved it. I purposefully choose early evening because I wanted to show some of the city lights, and I choose a slow shutter speed to show how the River Seine is now a very busy place.
So while my image was inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson it is quite different, and meets my objectives for the images.
We arrived in Paris late last night, no time for seeing the sights. Today was very much an orientation day, finding our way around, getting some groceries, doing laundry and yes catching up on rest. It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that we took a walk to just wander near the Seine River, and while it was a little misty at times, the rain was nothing to concern us .
Eiffel tower_ in the clouds
our first sighting of the Eiffel Tower, the top was just barely visible through the clouds, and while the forecast is for rain tonight, and light rain tomorrow the rest of the week promises to be sunny, we will keep our fingers crossed.
boats on the seine river, pont neuf, paris france
A view of the Seine River, and Pont Neuf; the river cruises were busy tonight. Late in the season, the tourists flock enjoy the view of Paris from the river despite the cool and rainy weather.
rainy evening in Paris_Louvre,
The apartment we are renting while visiting Paris is not far from the Louvre, we passed by just after sunset, the city lights were just starting to come on, there were beautiful reflections in the puddles!
Rock Bridge, Galicia Spain
We left Palas de Rei just after 8 am, it was still dark, but there was enough light to see where we were going. The sky was cloudy, so it stayed darker longer than we anticipated, and there was no beautiful sunrise. We had a long day planned and wanted to get out the door early
We have see several of these stone bridges, a place for pilgrims to pass when the creeks fills with water, and I am sure it does during the raining season.
We arrived in Melide around noon, this is about ½ way for the day. Bill’s ankle seemed to beholding up quite well. Melide is famous for the pulpa (octopus) dish and one of the pilgrims we know pointed us in the direction of the most famous restaurant so we could give it a try. The restaurant was quiet when we went in, but given it was lunch time it didn’t take long to fill with pilgrims and locals like. The pulpa was okay, tasty enough, a little chewy, and obviously very popular.
red flower along the camino
Back on the road again, the clouds had cleared and the sun was shining, about 18 C, it was great for walking. The path in residential areas are lined with flowers and in one place a rosemary shrub ran for about 50 feet, about 2 ½ feet high, it was starting to bloom.
One place I noticed an older farming couple unloading the wagon, beside it with huge wheel barrow of Kale. We have seen it growing very large garden patches, the plants about 6 feet high, with all but the top few leaves picked. I don’t know anyone who would eat that much Kale, so I am wondering what else it is used for…….
farmers with a wheelbarrow of Kale, Galicia Spain
Today we covered about 32 k, 4 big hills to go up and down, all in the last 8 k, so by the time we arrived at the hotel we were exhausted, and after the shower, and daily laundry we had a nap until dinner, which was at 8 pm.
Two more days to reach Santiago, we plan to walk about 36k over the next two days, so we are hopeful that things will be easier, but as I type this it is raining hard, so I am not sure, well at least it isn’t a cold rain! See you tomorrow!
we have reached the 100 k marker, Camino de Santiago de , Spain
We are back on the road again, Matt has joined us for the final stage, and we passed the marker that told us we have less than 100 kilometres to walk to get to Santiago de Compostela. Breakfast at the hotel was served at 8 am, so we were a little late getting started for the day, Bill’s ankle/shin is a little sore so he is not marching ahead as he might have been, and as you might know I stop for lots of pictures, so we took a long time to get to Portomarin (the spanish spelling for Portomarin is Puertomarin). It was around 4 pm when we arrived.
The morning was misty or more foggy, no rain, so that was a good thing, we didn’t need our ponchos. The mist hung in the air and clung to the plants and spider webs. Days like this I miss my macro lens and my tripod!
wet spider web
Delicate drew drops hanging on the web.
Just outside of Sarria we crossed the Ponte de Aspera, a small “romantic style” bridge built sometime in the 12 century.
A Ponte da Aspera_Sarria Spain
about 1:30 the clouds broke, the fog lifted and we had sunshine to walk into Portomarin. It was another great day, on the camino, Santiago de Compostela is almost in sight! I have noticed that some of the town names are spelled differently when I go to look up accommodation or weather conditions, Portomarin = Puertomarin is just one example. This can make internet searches very complicated and or interesting! I am slowly getting this worked out, and it is something I am going to keep in mind when travelling in the future.
Camino de Santiago, Leaving La Virgen del Camino on the walker’s route to Hospital de Orbigo, Spain
We left La Virgen del Camino, just outside of Leon Oct 2, 2012 about 8:30 this morning, not too long after sunrise, temperatures about 10 degrees C, a good walking temperature. It had been cool while we were in Leon, and with autumn fast approaching we anticipate cooler temperatures, today we did not need the toque or mittens we had bought! Our destination was Hospital de Orbiga, 29 kilometers down the road. We choose the quiet walker’s route, rather than the near the N12o because we did not want to walk near the highway. It was a very quiet walk, as there was very little traffic, and fewer pilgrims/peregrine’s that we were use to seeing, but we were not alone on the road.
The roses in many gardens are blooming…..
Roses by the road, Oncina de la Valdoncina
About 4:30 pm this afternoon with mid 20 degree C temperatures, we reached our destination of Hospital de Orbigo Spain. A long day and a lot of walking and we were both very tired. After checking in we showered, washed our cloths, and had a nap! About 6:30 pm we walked about town, and found the famous medieval bridge. Near the bridge is a wonderful restaurant where we have probably had our best pilgrim’s meal since starting our journey!
Medieval Bridge, Hospital de Orbigo at sunset
One of our favourite reference books for the camino has been “Walking the Camino de Santiago” written by Bethan Davies and Ben Cole, updated by Daphne Hnatiuk and published by Pili Pala Press. http://www.pilipalapress.com they have this to say regarding the history of the bridge.
“In the late ninth century. Puente de Órbigo, the multi-arched Gothic bridge that’s one of the most important of the camino, was built-in the thirteenth century, and though it has been destroyed by floods many times since, its appearance remains resolutely mediaeval.
The most famous episode in the bridge’s history is the quest of the lovelorn Don Suero de Quiñones. In 1434, rejected by his lady-love, Suero put an iron collar around his neck as a sign that he was still shackled to her. He vowed to keep the collar on until he had broken 300 lances in fights on the bridge with the best knights in Europe.
Many knights rose to the challenge, and Suero and his friends were kept busy fight- ing them off. The tournament took place during a Holy Year and began a couple of weeks before the Día de Santiago on July 25, the peak time of year for pilgrim traf- fic. Suero successfully defended the bridge against all-comers and eventually reached his 300-lance target.Taking off his iron collar, Suero journeyed to Santiago with his lady’s jewelled bracelet; it now encircles the neck of the statue of Santiago in the cathedral. It’s said that Suero’s story may have inspired Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
The jousting tournament is recreated next to the bridge at the beginning of June each year.”
Stork leaving nest_Puente la Reina
As we were walking throught Puente la Reina Spain, about 7:30 am on Sept 15, 2012 we spotted the stork sitting on his nest, seemingly watching the sun rise! just as the shutter was snapped, the bird took off….. He too was beginning another day as we were
Calle Mayor, Puente la Reina at sunrise, Sept 15, 2012,
restored medieval bridge, Lorca Spain
today was hot, we travelled 23 k in about 7 hours from Puente la Reina to Estella. the country side is beautiful farm land. The crops have been harvested, while the grapes still hang on the vine and olives still in the trees. According to the guide map our journey took us over some of the best preserved Roman Road on the Camino. It is staggering to think how long some of those rocks have been there, and how many feet have tread over them. It is not easy walking, the stones are hard on the soles of your feet. Good solid shoes are essential.
Tired and a little sore we arrived in Estella and found a place to sleep about 3pm and napped until 5. after that we did our laundry, found the grocery store, and had some wonderful tapas at one of the restaurants in the town square. Dinner is not served until after 8:30 which is late for pilgrims who want to be on the road by 7am, so dinner can be a challenge. Some Albergues as set up to accommodate this, for others you are left to your own devices.
A little tired and sore, all in all it was a pretty good day. Tomorrow, is suppose to be hotter yet, one steep climb, and one steep decent, and I am sure lots of hills as well for a total of 21.1k. I think we are getting fitter!
We left Pamplona about 8 am this morning, most of my photos are still in camera!
This was taken early this morning as we walked the Camino through the university of Pamplona. Today was not as tough as some of our days have been. We have lightened our bags, somewhat, the temperatures were a little cooler, mostly due to the breeze. We had one steep climb, more of a constant climb, over about 6 kilometres we gained approximently 310 meters, then once we reached the peak of Alto de Perdon the trail descended 250 meters to Uterga, and we arrived in Punte la Reina about 3 pm and promptly crawled into bed for a nap! after an hour or so we were able to muster the strength to have a shower and head to town for a short tour, tapas and dinner.
the map and itinerary shows tomorrow to be about the same distance 22k but flat! wish us luck!
We had a quiet day in Pamplona, those pictures are still in the camera, but here are a few from our previous days that I have not had time, energy or internet to share them with you.
Leaving Roncesvalles for Pamplona Sept 11, 2012
Leaving Roncesvalles for Pamplona on Sept 11, 2012, I am not sure the number on the sign behind Bill had yet sunk in!!!!!
our route sept 11, 2012 from Roncesvalles to Zubiri, 21.8 k
the route we walked sept 11, 2012 from Roncesvalles to Zubiri, 21.8 k, Zubiri in Basque means a village with a bridge, and I have photos of the old Gothic Bridge, Puenta de la Robia over the Rio Arga, that I will post another time.
Pilgrims on the camino de santiago, Zubiri to Pamplona, rolling pasture land.
Romanesque Bridge at Irotz Spain, and it’s reflection in the River. Sept 12, 2012
Between Zubiri and Irotz we found plenty of fresh ripe wild Blackberries to pick and nibble on as we walked, a special find! It was cloudy all day, temperatures were low 20′s C with a sprinkling of rain to keep us comfortable, it was not as hot as it had been.
Tomorrow, Sept 14, we leave Pamplona for Puente la Reina, 23.5k down the road, there is a 310 meter elevation gain about 2 hrs out of Pamplona, then a 450 meter decent, before arriving in Puente la Reina. I have taken lots of pictures of Pamplona, still in the camera, and if there is time, energy and internet I might just get to post a couple, but it could be a very tiring day.
