Walking around Avignon, September 25, 2014

Today the weather has been lovely and fresh and we set out early this morning to walk up again to the Palais des Papes, but most specifically to visit the garden of the Rocher des Doms, up on a hill behind the Palais des Papes.

We set off down Rue Joseph Vernet and the sunlight on the buildings was gorgeous.  We stopped for coffee (no croissant, such restraint!!).

We then walked up to the gardens and enjoyed the views.

First we stopped so that I could get another quick shot of one of the towers of the Palais des Papes.  The sun was behind the building this time and I liked the light.

 This is a shot taken from the top of the Rocher des Doms looking east over some of Avignon's rooftops.  One of quite a few that I took.  The Rocher des Doms is the first inhabited site in Avignon.

 This is the famous 'Pont d'Avignon' made famous by the little song 'Sur le Pont' etc.  You can see the huge road that goes around the outside of the city walls and a little further to the west, just outside the left hand side of the picture, is the Pont Edouard Daladier that crosses over the Rhone and gives access to l'Ile de la Barthelasse and beyond that to Villeneuve lez Avignon and beyond that....well, where ever one might like to go.  L'Ile de la Barthelasse is over 700 hectares, 400 of which are cultivated, the Rhone flows on either side of it and it is the largest island delta in France.

This pic is looking toward Villeneuve lez Avignon, city of kings and cardinals although  I believe this is the Fort Saint Andre.  I will be sure to see this side of the river before I come home and I'll be able to give you a more accurate report!

I'm also including a couple of shots of work done yesterday using the Gelli Arts printing plate.  This time I used some of my own stencils that I brought with me.  I got interesting textures when I watered down the inks....not sure if it's my favourite texture, however.

I also spent a bit of time doing another version of the fruit plate, this time using watercolours.  I then decided that I prefer to use watercolours from a palette so I spent a bit of time squeezing out my colours onto a new palette that I had brought with me, empty and now quite full!  I'm leaving it out, waiting for the paint to dry, as it were!

Darn, I've gone and centred my typing again.....must learn how to get that right!!!  Anyway, I'm not terrifically pleased with this version, but I'm happy to be getting re-acquainted with my watercolours and will push on and do more with them.  Practice, practice, right??!!

 This is my new and very fresh palette, and I really have no excuse now, do I???!!!



But I'm having a lazy afternoon today,  Not sure if I'll get out the art supplies or not!  I'm also very much enjoying my kobo, and a snooze wouldn't go amiss!!

I'll be back.....