Azulejos from Portugal

Azulejos were not only use as decor elements but also had a more specific function of temperature controlling. The tiles were first introduced in Portugal in the fifteenth century , via Spain, by the Moors, who had learned the craft from the Persians. The Arab influence is evident on the design of these tiles that can be found inside and outside churches palaces, ordinary houses and even train stations or subway stations across Portugal.

Clever eh?! And of course beautiful, every country has its own way to deal with heat, here in the UK hot temperatures are quite unusual and matter of headline on the news…that’s what I am watching right now, although I can’t keep my eyes away from this beautiful art….

Credits: John Ferro Sims

Images from: The Gardens of Portugal,
by Helena Attlee,
Frances Lincoln Limited.

Dreaming of…

No secret unveiled when I say that ideally I would love to live six months (in winter) here in the UK and the remaining six in Italy. Having said that, I would then split the six winter months of the UK in half to fulfil the ‘once in a lifetime dream’ to own a house in South Africa. I have been to South Africa many times in the past few years and I have met some lovely people, ate some great food and fell in love with the country. I have to say Cape Town remain my favourite, although I have been to many other cities across South Africa and love them all.

One more destination to add on to my list for my next visit is Yzerfontein – why? Because I fell in love with this house and because in spring time you can spot whales along the coast line, and it’s just a short drive away from cape Town (80Km north).

Credits: Adriano Brusaferri for BravaCasa

Variable

The weather seems to be reflecting my mood swings…sunny spells alternate a cloudy sky throughout the day, until the night takes over and - it’s calm.

Images: Sunday afternoon in Brighton

My poetic Friday …

…..

Don't let nobody
Take you down
Just keep your eyes on the prize
And get your feet
Back on the ground
Keep the faith, baby, yea
Because it's just
A matter of time
Before your confidence
Will win out
But till that day
I said you've got to
Keep the faith.

Lyrics from “Keep the faith”  written and composed by Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett and Michael Jackson

Blue mood

Rather late on the day  I  have managed to get hold of the ‘password’, yes so many passwords to remember.. such a struggle. In the interim I even got lost on some wardrobe sorting, drawer cleaning and some quick reading that I even forgot what I was looking for. Several hours later the memory came back and together with it the password so that the new computer could have  been connected to the internet….complicated? Not really but … I got carried away…but now I am so glad the computer is connected so that I could read all your lovely comments plus I am back and running, with some of my favourite: blue. Almost everyone  likes some shades of the colour blue.  I particularly fancy some blue stripe cushions,  blue and white  porcelain tea cups or a lovely aquamarine ring … and what about some stripe light blue bathroom tiles. 

           

Credits: Morten Holtum www.holtum.dk/