Hello All from a very sore Ken. This morning I got well bitten on the arms & legs by mosquitos when I set foot in the paddy fields in search of wildlife. My guide mentioned a good local cure & when we got back to the jeep he burned each one with the tip of his cigarette. It seems to work . I`ve had no itching nor swelling -- just lots of cigarette burns !! 
I hadn`t got far when I disturbed a beaver but I wasn`t quick enough with my camera & it looks just like a black dot. I`ll try to blow it up later to post it.
In the meantime we soon came across these wild black bulls trying to keep cool :-
Ken.
I hadn`t got far when I disturbed a beaver but I wasn`t quick enough with my camera & it looks just like a black dot. I`ll try to blow it up later to post it.
In the meantime we soon came across these wild black bulls trying to keep cool :-
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 30 Jun 2007 02:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Kattaddorra » 22 May 2007 07:17 pmOUCH 
'the cure sounds worse than the disease' as they say, Ken !
That's a great photo of those bulls and the wading birds.I hope you can blow up the beaver one to post too.
Have fun ....
Katt
'the cure sounds worse than the disease' as they say, Ken !That's a great photo of those bulls and the wading birds.I hope you can blow up the beaver one to post too.
Have fun ....
Katt
Kattaddorra- Posts: 1025
- Joined: 15 Jun 2005 12:32 pm
- Location: shildon
by Ken » 22 May 2007 10:32 pmCheers Katt.
The "waders" were actually greater flamingos. They were everywhere.
Ken.
The "waders" were actually greater flamingos. They were everywhere.
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 26 May 2007 10:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 22 May 2007 10:42 pmAnd here`s the enlarged pic of the beaver. Not a very good one I`m afraid , but it took me so much by surprise.
I was concentrating more on the paddy fields themselves.They were gruesome -- about a foot deep but with a very thick layer of "gunge" at the bottom.All slimy & full of all sorts of reptiles and insects.The rice crop was only a few inches high at the time & each field was surrounded by masses of high bamboo.
Ken.
I was concentrating more on the paddy fields themselves.They were gruesome -- about a foot deep but with a very thick layer of "gunge" at the bottom.All slimy & full of all sorts of reptiles and insects.The rice crop was only a few inches high at the time & each field was surrounded by masses of high bamboo.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 22 May 2007 10:58 pmThis shot gives some idea as to what it was like :-
It was here that I got bitten most. My legs & arms ended up covered in small streaks of blood.
Ken.
It was here that I got bitten most. My legs & arms ended up covered in small streaks of blood.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Michelle » 23 May 2007 08:26 amBrilliant pics again Ken. You certainly get around. I cant think where this could be though with such an odd mix of animals & birds.
Any more clues?
Michelle
Any more clues?
Michelle
Michelle- Posts: 828
- Joined: 27 Feb 2004 11:27 pm
- Location: Wynyard
by Wiccan woman » 23 May 2007 09:01 amFantastic pics Ken, thanks again for bringing them to us.
Is it somewhere in SPAIN ?
Is it somewhere in SPAIN ?
Wiccan woman- Posts: 689
- Joined: 14 Jan 2005 10:03 pm
- Location: Shildon
by Ken » 23 May 2007 08:15 pmWiccan woman wrote:Fantastic pics Ken, thanks again for bringing them to us.
Is it somewhere in SPAIN ?
Although its not Spain, unfortunately many of these lovely animals end up in Spanish bull rings because of their speed (which I can vouch for!
) & their agility :-
My next two pics will give the game away as to where I took the pics yesterday. Tonight I`m staying in comfort at what was once the home of a famous painter.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 23 May 2007 08:35 pmThis area is also famous for its wild white horses. I saw herds galloping but the only decent pic I managed to get was of these two just before they ran off as well :-
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 23 May 2007 08:49 pmThis place is very hot. It was 35 degrees C. when I took the pics & the rate of evaporation is 3 times higher than the rainfall.
Nearby on the flat shore marshes , salt is deposited at an incredible rate :-
The two main exports from here are rice and salt.
Ken.
Nearby on the flat shore marshes , salt is deposited at an incredible rate :-
The two main exports from here are rice and salt.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Michelle » 23 May 2007 10:01 pmIt can only be The Camargue.
Brilliant pics Ken. As Wiccan woman said "Thanks for sharing them with us."
Michelle.
Brilliant pics Ken. As Wiccan woman said "Thanks for sharing them with us."
Michelle.
Michelle- Posts: 828
- Joined: 27 Feb 2004 11:27 pm
- Location: Wynyard
by Ken » 24 May 2007 08:45 amSpot on Michelle.
Here`s one of Ken taking a break on the way back to base :-
Ken.
Here`s one of Ken taking a break on the way back to base :-
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Wiccan woman » 24 May 2007 09:07 amLovely pic of you Ken....tip-toe through the poppies.....
Poor bulls dont like the Bullfighting in Spain....i think it is horrendous they are such proud beasts and should not have to be put through something like that!!!! they dont stand a chance..... 
But brilliant pics once again Ken..thanks. x
Poor bulls dont like the Bullfighting in Spain....i think it is horrendous they are such proud beasts and should not have to be put through something like that!!!! they dont stand a chance.....
But brilliant pics once again Ken..thanks. x
Wiccan woman- Posts: 689
- Joined: 14 Jan 2005 10:03 pm
- Location: Shildon
by Daffy » 24 May 2007 10:37 amThank you Ken, once again for sharing your travels, wonderful photos and news.
Daffy
Daffy
Daffy- Posts: 444
- Joined: 01 Jul 2005 07:06 pm
- Location: Billingham
by Michelle » 24 May 2007 04:57 pmThe Camargue is a massive delta (360 square miles) at the very south-westerly tip of France ,west of the French Riviera.
Apparently there are only a few safe times of year to visit because of tides and bandits.
Here`s a bit from Wikipedia :
The Camargue is home to more than 400 species of birds, the brine ponds providing one of the few European habitats for the greater flamingo. The marshes are also a prime habitat for many species of insects, notably (and notoriously) some of the most ferocious mosquitos to be found anywhere in France. It is also famous for bulls and the Camargue horse.
Michelle
Apparently there are only a few safe times of year to visit because of tides and bandits.
Here`s a bit from Wikipedia :
The Camargue is home to more than 400 species of birds, the brine ponds providing one of the few European habitats for the greater flamingo. The marshes are also a prime habitat for many species of insects, notably (and notoriously) some of the most ferocious mosquitos to be found anywhere in France. It is also famous for bulls and the Camargue horse.
Michelle
Michelle- Posts: 828
- Joined: 27 Feb 2004 11:27 pm
- Location: Wynyard
by Benny » 24 May 2007 06:22 pmThanks, Michelle.
I hadn't heard of the place but it looks and sounds very interesting.
Bandits?
I hadn't heard of the place but it looks and sounds very interesting.
Bandits?
Benny- Posts: 775
- Joined: 05 Jan 2006 09:29 pm
- Location: Port Mulgrave
by Ken » 25 May 2007 10:25 pmProvence is a lovely part of France. There are hundreds of these little so-called "perched" villages scattered around with houses cut into cliff faces or built precariously on top of them :-
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Kattaddorra » 26 May 2007 08:02 amWonderful photos Ken, this 'armchair traveller' is really enjoying your trip
Katt
Katt
Kattaddorra- Posts: 1025
- Joined: 15 Jun 2005 12:32 pm
- Location: shildon
travels
by tigerrag » 26 May 2007 11:15 amlovely photos Ken - you do like your travels 
I heard of a little tip to do with mosquitos (but you know how gullible I am) eat lots of garlic - they hate the taste 
(actually so do I)
I heard of a little tip to do with mosquitos (but you know how gullible I am) eat lots of garlic - they hate the taste (actually so do I)- tigerrag
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 08 Nov 2005 09:59 am
- Location: Isle of Man
by Ken » 26 May 2007 09:48 pmThanks Katt & Tigerrag. ( Nice to see you posting again Tigerrag btw).
As well as so many beautiful places in Provence , there`s also some very interesting ones. For example , high up in the Luberon mountains is a little village called Roussillon which is the major supplier of ochre to the art industry :-
Ken.
As well as so many beautiful places in Provence , there`s also some very interesting ones. For example , high up in the Luberon mountains is a little village called Roussillon which is the major supplier of ochre to the art industry :-
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 26 May 2007 10:00 pmWe walked for half an hour through the quarries which resembled a wooded fairyland. The colours of the earth were breath-taking :-
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 26 May 2007 10:10 pmIt was so hot & humid but worth it. Those suede shoes I was wearing ended up rainbow colour. At times we were walking through ochre powder about 3 inches deep.
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 26 May 2007 10:25 pmI have to admit that I`m not usually impressed with the famous French cuisine(sorry Laurence) -- nor its price! , but lunch here was the exception , delicious,reasonably priced & accompanied by a decent beer.
The view from the balcony on which we ate was even better -- the village to our left with its shades of ochre-coloured houses :-
Ken.
, but lunch here was the exception , delicious,reasonably priced & accompanied by a decent beer.The view from the balcony on which we ate was even better -- the village to our left with its shades of ochre-coloured houses :-
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Michelle » 27 May 2007 11:18 pmKen wrote:Tonight I`m staying in comfort at what was once the home of a famous painter.
Ken.
Tell us more. Who was the painter ?
Michelle.
Michelle- Posts: 828
- Joined: 27 Feb 2004 11:27 pm
- Location: Wynyard
by Ken » 28 May 2007 09:40 amThis is a pic of his house & the drive lined with plane trees. He painted this scene several times :-
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 28 May 2007 10:58 amI might as well make it a double -- I enjoyed the odd beer at this little cafe which an even more famous painter used to frequent. In fact it was his local & features in one of his most famous paintings :-
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Nortonbeak » 28 May 2007 01:11 pmI asked my friend Anne about these photographs and if she recognised the scenes.
It was Paul Says Anne
It was Paul Says Anne
Nortonbeak- Posts: 724
- Joined: 31 Oct 2005 06:23 pm
- Location: Norton
by Ken » 28 May 2007 04:01 pmVery good Nortonbeak !
I didn`t think anyone would get the first one. The second is the most famous and the easiest. See if your friend can lend an ear again!
Ken.
I didn`t think anyone would get the first one. The second is the most famous and the easiest. See if your friend can lend an ear again!
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Nortonbeak » 28 May 2007 04:57 pmKen wrote:The second is the most famous and the easiest. See if your friend can lend an ear again!
Ken.
I think it has all gone "black again" or as they may say in French, Re-noir
Nortonbeak- Posts: 724
- Joined: 31 Oct 2005 06:23 pm
- Location: Norton
by Ken » 28 May 2007 08:39 pmYes. Both right. The first was Paul Cezzane and the second Van Gogh.
Here`s Van Gogh`s painting of that cafe at night :-
Ken.
Here`s Van Gogh`s painting of that cafe at night :-
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Benny » 28 May 2007 09:40 pmThat's loads better than that piece of rubbish 'Sunflowers' that he did.
Actually looks like something.
Actually looks like something.
Benny- Posts: 775
- Joined: 05 Jan 2006 09:29 pm
- Location: Port Mulgrave
by Ken » 28 May 2007 10:26 pmDepends which one you mean. He painted dozens of sunflower still life portraits ,perhaps the most famous being sold to a Japanese insurance company for $34,000,000 in 1987.
He led a very tormented life. He was a kindly soul in his youth & gave his worldy possessions to the poor. He lived in Arles (where I took the pic) in poverty & suffered ill health through malnutrition. He was a deep thinking philospher ( a big mistake ! ) and gradually went mad.
He set up an artists "union" in Arles but fell out with his mates,blamed himself & cut off his own ear as a penance. Being the generous man he was, he gave his ear to a poor local prostitute.
He eventually realised he was going doolally & admitted himself to the local asylum.
The infamous "Mistral Winds" of Provence were initially blamed as they are known to have sent so many people mad but eventually he came to suspect the heat of Provence & left his beloved Arles for a cooler Paris where he died at the age of 37.
Ken.
He led a very tormented life. He was a kindly soul in his youth & gave his worldy possessions to the poor. He lived in Arles (where I took the pic) in poverty & suffered ill health through malnutrition. He was a deep thinking philospher ( a big mistake ! ) and gradually went mad.
He set up an artists "union" in Arles but fell out with his mates,blamed himself & cut off his own ear as a penance. Being the generous man he was, he gave his ear to a poor local prostitute.
He eventually realised he was going doolally & admitted himself to the local asylum.
The infamous "Mistral Winds" of Provence were initially blamed as they are known to have sent so many people mad but eventually he came to suspect the heat of Provence & left his beloved Arles for a cooler Paris where he died at the age of 37.
Ken.
Last edited by Ken on 28 May 2007 11:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 28 May 2007 10:41 pmFurther North West of Arles ,still in Provence, is the Pont du Gard - an incredible achievement of Roman architecture & building.
The Romans were in the throes of founding the very important city of Nimes but realised that the local water supply would never be adequate. They scoured a vast area & found that the only source big enough was at Uzes some 20 miles away.
The difference in height between Uzes & Nimes was only a matter of feet & so a very carefully planned route had to be plotted to maintain the gravitational flow. The route had to cross a huge valley.
2000 years ago over 1000 people worked for 5 years on the construction of the Pont du Gard aquaduct.
The objective was to bring water to the city of Nîmes via a 34mile long route.
Ken.
The Romans were in the throes of founding the very important city of Nimes but realised that the local water supply would never be adequate. They scoured a vast area & found that the only source big enough was at Uzes some 20 miles away.
The difference in height between Uzes & Nimes was only a matter of feet & so a very carefully planned route had to be plotted to maintain the gravitational flow. The route had to cross a huge valley.
2000 years ago over 1000 people worked for 5 years on the construction of the Pont du Gard aquaduct.
The objective was to bring water to the city of Nîmes via a 34mile long route.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Michelle » 29 May 2007 02:43 pmSome fascinating bits of info there Ken as well as more interesting pics.
I recognise some of the places from watching "A Year in Provence".
More please if you have any.
Michelle.
I recognise some of the places from watching "A Year in Provence".
More please if you have any.
Michelle.
Michelle- Posts: 828
- Joined: 27 Feb 2004 11:27 pm
- Location: Wynyard
by Ken » 29 May 2007 10:43 pmO.K. Enough of the history lessons. I`ll post a few of the pretty little towns which featured in "A Year in Provence".
Here`s the little square in the lovely village of Lourmarin. Early morning so no takers for lunch yet :-
and here`s the little shop(on the left) where the author of the book ,Peter Mayle,still buys his morning paper :-
Ken.
Here`s the little square in the lovely village of Lourmarin. Early morning so no takers for lunch yet :-
and here`s the little shop(on the left) where the author of the book ,Peter Mayle,still buys his morning paper :-
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Ken » 29 May 2007 10:56 pmThere`s a beautiful chateau on the outskirts of the village & this is where he bought his wine from :-
And of course Ken couldn`t resist sampling a few :-
And of course Ken couldn`t resist sampling a few :-
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Daffy » 30 May 2007 02:11 pmKen thank you so much for posting all these photos and the wonderful stories to bring them alive.
Daffy
Daffy
Daffy- Posts: 444
- Joined: 01 Jul 2005 07:06 pm
- Location: Billingham
Ochre cliffs
by Rosebudkid » 30 May 2007 08:00 pmReally enjoyed your photos Ken,especially the ochre ones. Never seen anything like it,really beautiful. Is there any danger of the coloured earth being used up entirely by over-extraction? It would be interesting to know the reason for all that wonderful colour-is the ground rich in iron ore or something else?
Rosebudkid- Posts: 219
- Joined: 23 Jan 2007 04:54 pm
- Location: Kent
by Ken » 31 May 2007 09:04 amCheers Daffy & Rosebudkid.
A fairytale village such as Roussillon deserves a much better explanation than "iron ore" though.
In fact this is how the earth came to be different shades of red :-
Raymond d'Avignon was the Lord of the village who spent all his time hunting. His beautiful wife Sermonde felt lonely and fell in love with a troubadour called Guillaume. Unfortunately, her husband discovered their love affair. He invited Guillaume for hunting and killed him in the woods. When he came home at the castle, he prepared for his charming wife a delicious meal. Once she had finished her dinner, he announced her that it was her lover's heart she had been eating. Sermonde was extremely upset; she ran to the window and jumped out. Her blood coloured the earth around Roussillon for ever.
Ken.
A fairytale village such as Roussillon deserves a much better explanation than "iron ore" though.
In fact this is how the earth came to be different shades of red :-
Raymond d'Avignon was the Lord of the village who spent all his time hunting. His beautiful wife Sermonde felt lonely and fell in love with a troubadour called Guillaume. Unfortunately, her husband discovered their love affair. He invited Guillaume for hunting and killed him in the woods. When he came home at the castle, he prepared for his charming wife a delicious meal. Once she had finished her dinner, he announced her that it was her lover's heart she had been eating. Sermonde was extremely upset; she ran to the window and jumped out. Her blood coloured the earth around Roussillon for ever.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Chiana » 01 Jun 2007 09:44 pmLovely places Ken, love that last one, all the buildings nestled among the rocks.
Chiana- Posts: 294
- Joined: 05 Jul 2004 05:37 pm
- Location: shildon
by Ken » 02 Jun 2007 04:34 pmYes. It makes you wonder if the builders are incredibly skilled -- of just take risks !
Ken.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
by Michelle » 04 Jun 2007 08:55 pmThey all look so beautiful but I dont think I`d chance buying one !
Michelle
Michelle
Michelle- Posts: 828
- Joined: 27 Feb 2004 11:27 pm
- Location: Wynyard
by Chel » 05 Jun 2007 06:42 pmWow, I love just sitting back and seeing the places you go to. Saves me a bob
Chel- Posts: 610
- Joined: 01 May 2004 01:51 pm
- Location: Haverhill, Suffolk, heart in Scotland
by Firefly » 06 Jun 2007 03:49 pmMe too Chel. i cant travel any more so i love reading about Kens. where you off to next Ken ?
Babs
Babs
Firefly- Posts: 131
- Joined: 11 Mar 2004 09:58 pm
- Location: Shildon
by Ken » 13 Jun 2007 09:39 amThanks Chel & Firefly. Nice to know someone else enjoys them. In answer to Firefly my next travels will be in Poland in a couple of weeks.
I`ll edit this topic later in the day , shift it to "Photographs" and see if I can find a couple more interesting ones to add.
Ken.
I`ll edit this topic later in the day , shift it to "Photographs" and see if I can find a couple more interesting ones to add.
Ken.
Ken- Posts: 4038
- Joined: 26 Feb 2004 11:32 pm
- Location: Redcar
No comments:
Post a Comment