Author: Yvonne Wilson

While in Paris we went to see one of Patrick Blanc’s living walls. They are just beautiful to view, the fact that he is able to plant trees, bushes and flowers on walls, have them grow and not endanger the structure in any way is truly astounding and lovely. I am a person that has trouble making plants grow on the ground so I was definitely in awe.

If you are interested in reading more about his Living Walls you might enjoy visiting this web page: inhabitant.com/vertical-gardens-by-patrick-blanc/.

I borrowed the following statement from their web page:

“Plants have found a home on walls for centuries, but are sometimes incongruous with architecture, often breaking down the structural integrity of a building’s facade. Patrick Blanc’s Vertical Garden System, known as Le Mur Vegetal in French, allows both plants and buildings to live in harmony with one another. The botanist cum vertical landscape designer is probably best know for his gorgeous living wall on the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. But Blanc’s Vertical Garden System can be implemented anywhere: indoors or out and in any climatic environment.”

They are a wonderful mixture of beauty, architecture and skill, definitely worth a visit!

I have a friend that had requested I include as many photos of food as possible. Well here you go! I think you can safely say we ate our way through Europe. Good thing we walked so many miles a day!

Here is a few samples of just how magnificent the sky has been while traveling in France, Italy and Germany! No wonder I was always looking up, grabbing my camera and taking over 1500 photos! These are the actual colors that the skies were.

We always enjoy spending time in Castiglione Del Lago. Of course we do it the hard way, we take the train, find out the bus up to the old town isn’t running and walk…walk…walk…walk! It is always well worth it when we arrive though. Love the restaurants, lake, old castle ruin and stores.

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Our most favorite times in Cortona are first thing in the morning or late in the evening. You never know what you will find happening when the day tourists have left. It could be a magnificent sunset, a parade or an ice cream cone calling your name!

la Pieta o’ Deposizione by Ippolito Scalza 1579

The Virgin Mary holding the Savior

The Savior as he lay in The Virgin Mary’s arms

Mary Magdalene kneels, crying and lays her head on Him

Nicodemus looks down down as he holds the ladder, nails and tongs

This statue stands in the Duomo in Orvieto, Italy. It was carved from one piece of marble by Ippolito Scalza in 1579. It is titled “La Pieta o’ Deposizione”. It is the most beautiful statue I have ever seen and stayed in my memory from our trip to Orvieto last year. I was determined to get some close up shots of it when visiting this year. If ever a statue had the ability to have a soul, I believe it would be this one. It has such a profound affect on you when looking at it. It depicts The Savior as he lay dying off of the cross. The Virgin Mary holds him in her arms and her face shows such grief.  Mary Magdalene kneels with her head on his hand as she hold his foot. Nicodemus stands above them, looking down. He holds the ladder and tongs used to remove Him and the nails removed from His hands and feet.

While we were in Paris we visited some of the more unusual car dealers. Here are just a few that we came across

Strollong around beautiful Cortona, perfect weather in the mid 70’s. No matter how many times we come back it is always so wonderful to be here. Always looking for new shots to take, but I think I have photographed just about every inch of this town!

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