CHARLES SLUGA - Big, Bold, Bald and Beautiful :)

ALMOST THERE

2012-01-17T01:52:00.002+01:00

It is getting close!
The opening of my gallery and studio and also my new web site that is. I can't wait to get into the studio and get some painting done...it is going to be sooooo good to do that!
I have just returned from running a 10 day workshop at Toowoomba for the McGregor summer school at the University of Southern Queensland. It was a long gig as usual and very exhausting, but a great time was had.
A big thanks to the students that attended my class (see the scan of a photo of them below- sorry about the poor image quality).

The "Sluga" group.....trouble makers :)

Found a banner with one of my paintings on it

It was a tough class for them as the second week was based around them developing a painting based on music. We had access to all the musicians at the workshop and it was such a buzz to be able to walk into the practice rooms and sketch and take photos of the musos. I can't wait to do my own paintings related to the theme.
Had a great time in the evenings going to the concerts and/or having a few drinks. Had such a good laugh with some of the tutors and of course my students. For those that were there, I will never look at spoons, golf balls or chickens the same way again :)
The week finished with a concert by all the music students (most aged 12 to 17). It was held in a fantastic Theatre in Toowoomba (the name escapes me). They played a variety of musical compositions, but my favourite was when the Cold Play song "Clocks" was played....violins, cellos, violas and double bass....it was a great version.

The beautiful theatre

Anyway, I am home now and just about to have a bit of a holiday by the sea. Will be going to the Australian Tennis open which I always enjoy and then when I return....into the new studio :)
As soon as my new web site is ready I will let you know and I will also include a photo of my studio.
Cheers for now.

CHRISTMAS EVE

2011-12-24T08:18:00.000+01:00

Well, it is Christmas Eve and the kids are pretty excited in this house, I can tell you.
I have been cooking and listening to Christmas carols today.
I made a batch of a Croatian biscuit filled with a plum spread. The kids love them and put them up there as one of the best foods on the planet. They call them "Crabby" biscuits for obvious reasons that can be seen in the photo. Some of the plum spread has oozed out, but that had to do with the construction skills of my two girls. They had the job of puting the plum spread in and folding the biscuit dough.

My two girls think these Croatian Biscuit are one of the best foods in the world....and they would know :)

Second thing I made was a traditional Croatian dish called Mlince. It is a flour based side dish that is served with turkey. The form you see in the picture is the dry form. On Christmas day these are soaked in the turkey juices and served and I can tell you it is delicious. So I thought I would share this with the people out there that think I can't or don't cook :) I know it isn't much proof, but at least it is something.
Now for the plum pudding. In a few days I will be painting the walls of the studio (as mentioned in my last post) and that will certainly be different to cooking "Crabby" biscuits.
Enjoy tomorrow!


It may look average, but add the Turkey juice and it is transformed.

NEW STUDIO/GALLERY

2011-12-22T08:10:00.002+01:00

Well at last it has happened! I have a decent studio/gallery and it is a ripper!
In the main street of Yackandandah and a fantastically big space. At last I can spread out and do some large works and get into some mixed media and acrylic painting.....but not just yet. I need to do a few things to the studio first and set it up properly. This means painting over the ghastly fake wood panelling and putting up a gallery hanging system. That will be my job between Christmas and New Year. I love the windows in the studio....they remind me of Play School....I always picked the arched windows when it was time to look through the Play School windows :) I will post another image when the studio is finished being set up.

There's a bear in there and a chair as well........

The gallery will be open to the public from February and will coincide beautifully with the launch of my new web site. I will be announcing both on my blog, so you will hear about it!

While here, I want to also show you a photo that one of my participants of my last tour to Croatia sent to me. Thanks Amelia for all the photos and I hope it isn't too cold in Canada for you.
Anyway, I always rave about my favourite meal experience on my Croatian tour and Amelia has sent a great photo of each of the courses we had this year. Makes me salivate just looking at it and brings back great memories.

My favourite meal on my Croatian Tour - Ten wonderful courses

Finally I will take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year. I look forward to catching up with some of you next year. Ho Ho Ho and a Merry Christmas from me. Oh and thanks to those that have contacted me regarding the 2012 tour. I hope you get to share the experience with me and get to enjoy my favourite meal experience and maybe a wine or two :)

ADRIATIC JEWELS 2012 - INFO READY

2011-12-05T07:40:00.000+01:00

Yes folks! For those that are interested, the information package is ready to be sent out for the 2012 tour. If you enjoyed reading my blog from the trip this year, then join me next year for a great holiday!
Wining, dining, chillaxing and some painting in an amazing country appeal to you then....
send me an e-mail at sluga@spin.net.au and I will e-mail the pdf information to you.

Beautiful Hvar town at the end of the day

YACKANDANDAH - DAY ???

2011-11-14T03:57:00.000+01:00

As you may have gathered, I am back home. Have been for a few days now. Am nearly over the jet lag (which I always seem to get upon my return). Haven't been near the computer for days....have been forbidden to by the family. Anyway, thanks to all that came on my trip through Croatia....what a trip! Great fun and up there with the best I have had.
So if anyone out there is interested in coming along next year (October 2012), just shoot me an e-mail at sluga@spin.net.au and I will e-mail the information package for next year as soon as I have it ready.
For now, my next project is to get my new web site happening, do some painting (for myself at last), plan next years trip and a bunch of other jobs.
Keep an eye on the blog...although I will not be posting anything for a little while, as soon as my new web site is launched, I will announce it here.
For all those that read my blog while I was overseas and wrote to me....thanks very much. It is always nice to hear from people when I am travelling.

HONG KONG - Day 2

2011-11-07T11:42:00.001+01:00

So after a nights sleep that consisted of being awake since 3 a.m. I had a very leisurely breakfast. Sat in the club room on the 19th floor and had my breakfast while looking over the spectacular skyline of Hong Kong. I could have sat there for hours just looking at the scene. The skyscrapers softening off as they receded into the distance. School kids playing handball on the tennis courts below me and workmen working on a new building almost at the same level as me. You can see the view in the photos.

The incredible view while having breakfast

A closer view of the skyscrapers

Anyway, then went for a walk to the flower market road and the bird market (which I did last year). Sat at the bird market for a while and just listened to the birds. In a city as big as Hong Kong and as noisy, the sounds of the birds are a respite. Even though they are caged it was a peaceful place to be. Have included a little video just for the sound.

I am sure I took a photo of him last year...presuming it is the same one

Look closely - a bird in each one

Can you spot the irony?

Flower market road of course is great to walk along purely for the perfumes in the air of all the flowers in the continuous row of florists. I think if you couldn't find the flowers you want in these streets then you never would. Really is a feast for the eyes and the nose!

Just one of the florists on Flower Market road

Walked along the street that was meant to be the Goldfish market street, but didn't see anything. Maybe I had the wrong street or just the wrong time of day. Will try again tomorrow before I fly out.
The humidity was very high today and after only a couple of hours outside, I was drenched with perspiration. Those of you that know me know that I hate the heat...I would much rather he cold temperatures I was having in Prague(even without a coat), then melting in the heat. I have included a photo of myself after I returned to my room...you may be able to see the perspiration on my head and the beads of perspiration down each cheek....Oh to have hair to soak up the perspiration!

Wow, am I hot!......and I am talking temperature :) -look closely...perspiration..yuck!

Walked around the huge shopping centre connected to the hotel. It is a circular design and multiple levels and I did get lost. I actually felt like I was walking around in circles...then realised that I was..... because it was a circle :)
Afternoon tea in the club room and then back to my room at which point I was struck with the incredible desire to sleep. A result of Jet lag and the lack of sleep last night. Have been trying to fight it, but can't much longer. That is why I am writing this blog a little earlier than usual because I may end up falling asleep early.

The lobby of the hotel....nice!

This is probably my last blog post before I get home.
I will write a post when I get home. See you then!

HONG KONG - Day 1

2011-11-06T14:10:00.000+01:00

No photos! Not many words! Flight from Prague to London. Five hours wait in London then flight from London to Hong Kong. Now at hotel, need a shower, something to eat and some sleep. That's it :)

PRAGUE - DAY 5

2011-11-04T20:19:00.001+01:00

So my last day in Prague (I fly out tomorrow to Hong Kong via London).
Anyway I went to the main square today (where the astronomical clock is) and it was buzzing with a market selling all kinds of foods and a few other things ....you know the kind of things you might need...swords and the like :)

Market in the square

Anyway, I tried this thing called a Trdelnik. It is a kind of dough twirled around these tubes then cooked over coals until golden brown, rolled in icing sugar and then served. Was very popular and the locals seemed to be enjoying it as well as the tourists so I had one. I ate it while listening to a jazz band play in the square.

Trdelnik cooking

I saw these guys busking on the Charles bridge a couple of days ago and thought they were pretty good. The big thing is they also seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The music gave a great lively atmosphere to the square and the market.

Then as usual I walked around to try and keep warm and I ended up doing the Communist tour of Prague. There were four of us in total. It was quite fascinating and I have included a couple of photos from the tour.
The first one is of a building....it may look like any old building but this was the headquarters of the Czech version of the KGB called the STB. If men in black coats from here visited your home, you were never seen again...scary stuff. Now it is the police station:)

You don't want to be visited by the guys from here...then or now!

I think one of the most amazing parts of the tour was the visit to the Nuclear Bunker. This was a creepy kind of place and I couldn't imagine being down there (four floors deep) in the event of a nuclear attack.

Not short of gas masks in the bunker...creepy aren't they?

The reality is that you have about 4 minutes to get there after the warning of the approach of nuclear missiles, so you aren't going to make it any way.
They actually have a couple of bars down there now which they only use on occasion when they have bands playing.

The Bunker Bar

So I put on a Czech army coat (no it isn't the coat I was going to buy),held the Czech version of a Kalashnikov (yes it is real) and stood guarding against the Western Capitalist scourge :). If the gun didn't frighten them off, then my hat would:)

Don't touch my hat

It was good to do a tour that covered a different part of the history and after all it is not every day you get to go down into a Nuclear Bunker...thank goodness.
Finally I have included a couple of photos of some sculptures that I saw around the city. The one of the hanging man is done by a Czech artist that has done some quite controversial sculptures. David Cerny is his name and this sculpture is of Sigmund Freud hanging from a beam....hanging by his arm if you look closely.Apparently it is expressing the human condition related to our need to consciously make the decision to live life or to let go.

Sigmund hanging around

More guns.....need huge hands for these

Does anyone read this blog? Does anyone really want to read this?...isn't it a bit like watching the grass grow? I would imagine unless you are here it is a bit like looking at someones 3000 slides from their last holiday.....which reminds me...if you are interested in seeing my 3000 photos, you are welcome :)
Just thought I would add the photo below as it is something more pleasent than a nuclear bunker.
Saw this in a window on the way back to my room. It is a Thai massage and relaxation place. Obviously having your feet in warm water and having little fish nibble at your toes is relaxing...I would imagine it would be...unless they are Piranhas.
Anyway, that is all from Prague from me. Will see you in Hong Kong next.

Relaxing in Prague

PRAGUE - DAY 4

2011-11-03T18:24:00.001+01:00

Another huge walking day today and another cold overcast day.
Went up to the castle which gave great views over the city. On the way I walked over one of the bridges I hadn't walked over yet. Had my photo taken so you know I am here and not just taking images off the web.

In Prague..... cold and listening to the milky way

Later I walked up to another lookout and one of the interesting things I saw up there (apart from the magnificent view), was the shoes hanging off one of the transmission lines (well I presume that is what it was). I have included a photo, but this shows only a small selection of the shoes. I think it actually had more shoes up there than a shoe shop. Obviously some kind of tradition in Prague to throw your shoes (or more likely someone elses) up there.

Hanging shoe shop

View from the hanging shoe shop :)

Had a late lunch in a cafe....the beer went down well after the huge walk as did the apple strudel I had for dessert, which no doubt replaced any kilojoules I may have used up in the walk :) Oh well, no apple strudel for me when I get home. "No soup for you"
Someone has finally answered the final Radio game. Karen got it with Jack Johnson and the song Cupid. Now up until this point Leanne was in front, but since I found out she used the internet for some of the answers I am afraid she is disqualified, so the winner is....I have no idea!
I think I have changed my mind about going on a guided tour of the town. Have had a look at them and there is one that interests me. The communist tour of Prague. May do that one tomorrow....you actually get to go down into a nuclear bunker....yes, I know many of you are probably thinking who would want to do that.....well for those of you that know me.... I do! Will decide tomorrow.
For now I will leave you with a few more shots of Prague and say that one of the special moments for me today was standing on the bridge (where I had my photo taken), looking across at Charles bridge and the rest of Prague, the cold biting at my face and listening to "Under the Milky way" by the church on my MP3 player....a moment that will be burnt into my memory for ever....you don't plan these things as you know, they just happen...I guess it all depends on what else is happening in your life as well. Hello to all my friends from Prague.....I don't think my non-friends would be reading this:), but I could be wrong, so hello to you too.

Big Babies..."do you like my socks...Boom!..elasticated"..a selected few will understand :)

At the castle

Yet another shot of Charles bridge

Roof line of a section of Prague

PRAGUE - DAY 3

2011-11-02T18:42:00.000+01:00

Well no photos today I am afraid and a very short post. Didn't go the the castle as planned. Got up late and went for a walk to buy a coat. Spent hours searching, but didn't find anything appropriate. It was one of those overcast, dull and chillingly cold days. After the frustration of not finding a suitable coat I walked the streets and got lost (didn't have my map), so walked around until eventually after ages I found my way back to an area I knew. Cold, tired and feeling mentally flat I came back to my room. Ran a bath to warm up and decided to spend the rest of the day in my room reading, watching TV and relaxing. Not the best day I have had! Could be the weather or could be other things.

PRAGUE - DAY 2

2011-11-01T18:44:00.002+01:00

Today was a huge walking day.....walked and walked and walked around this beautiful city and took a million photos. Probably the best thing to do is just show you a few photos. Couldn't really decide which ones, but here they are. The number of people in the popular spots like Charles Bridge were astronomical,that is why I like exploring the side streets as well. Was thinking of doing a guided tour, but I have never been one to be in a crowd of fifty people following someone holding an umbrella, so I don't think I will.

Prague Castle - that is where I am exploring tomorrow

A photo taken over the million people on Charles bridge - what a roof line!

A slight lull in the crowd on the bridge :)

The famous clock

Looking towards Wenceslas square

If I joined a tour I could tell you what that building is called....but the price is too high:)

The Charles bridge from a distance. I am staying in a hotel just behind the middle spire

There was hardly any standing room in this place...very popular!

I like this statue

One man and an umbrella

Was very cold today and will be even colder over the next few days, so might buy a winter coat tomorrow. I like winter coats and can always use it at home. Anyway, the photos are probably similar to any photos you would see of Prague. My challenge has been to think of how I might paint Prague without it looking like a "cliché" - like all the paintings I have ever seen of Charles bridge for example. Have to think about that carefully.
One last thing...nobody did get the last Radio Game quiz that was posed in the post titled Hvar Day 3. Would you like me to tell you what it was?

PRAGUE - DAY 1

2011-10-31T22:01:00.001+01:00

Out of bed at 4 a.m. today to get to the airport to catch my flight. Dubrovnik to Zagreb, then Zagreb to Vienna, then Vienna to Prague. Flight to Vienna was delayed because of fog (as can be seen in the photo).

Fog at Vienna Airport

Thought I would miss my connection flight to Prague, but after doing the big sprint through the airport I just made it. Unfortunately though when I arrived in Prague, my luggage hadn't arrived. Also the shuttle transfer that I had organised wasn't there either. Anyway, caught a taxi to my hotel. Couldn't check in for two hours, but they had upgraded me to a Junior Suite. Off to a little nearby restaurant to fill in some time and have lunch. A good Czech beer and a Czech stroganoff - just what I needed. Back to the room and I fell asleep on the bed to be woken by the delivery of my suit case at 5:30. Unpacked then later went out for some provisions and explored Prague at night a little. Have only included one photo. Will be doing the big explore tomorrow so will include more photos and my impressions tomorrow.

A cold night on Charles bridge

Stood on the Charles bridge in the cold and had thought back to being in Chester in England a few years ago and how cold it was and how I tried to keep warm. Might have a look for a winter coat while I am here.

CROATIA - DUBROVNIK - DAY 5

2011-10-30T23:09:00.000+01:00

Well the last day of the tour and a free day for me. Always a bit sad to say goodbye to everyone and to end the tour. It was a great tour and I am sure I will never forget some of the times that were had on this tour.
So what did I do today on my day off? Slept in a little and then had a slow breakfast. Went to a tennis tournament with Mike and watched the finals of the women and mens tennis. It was a great setting and we sat and enjoyed a coffee while watching the action on the clay courts. It was the Jamnica Dubrovnik Challenge and had young players competing from all over Europe.

The tennis final in Dubrovnik

After the tennis went into the old city again and had lunch at a great little Bosnian restaurant called the Taj Mahal. Why it is called the Taj Mahal, I have no idea.

Good Bosnian Coffee at the Taj Mahal

One last walk around Dubrovnik then back to the hotel to watch the sunset from my room. out for dinner with the group and then we say our good byes. Always very sad to end the tour. It has been so much fun. A lot of work, but a lot of laughs too. The group bought me some IOU cinema tickets and a lovely bow tie as a gift. The bow tie of course is Croatian since ties were invented here.

The group gave me this cool Croatian bow tie as a gift

So up at 4:15 in the morning to start the day and my next journey to Prague. Stay tuned for my posts from Prague. No group, so it will be a very different experience. Good-bye beautiful Croatia and hello Prague.

Sunset view from my room

CROATIA - DUBROVNIK - DAY 4

2011-10-30T17:52:00.004+01:00

So off on a ferry to the nearby island of Lokrum today.

Mike and Gerry waiting as the lokrum ferry gets ready to leave

It is a peaceful oasis away from the cruise ship crowds of Dubrovnik. A forested island with an old monastery, peacocks,botanical gardens and a French fort, but not much else.Painted in a quiet setting in a courtyard of the Monastery.

A different view of the city as we sail to the island

The sunshine and the sounds of the birds was so relaxing.

Such a lovely place to paint

After the painting, a leisurely lunch, then back to Dubrovnik. Went to the bar situated on the outside of the wall of Dubrovnik again. We sat and watched the sunset while we soaked up the rays and had a few drinks. A cruise ship was leaving Dubrovnik and sailed right by us. Have a look at the little movie I took and make sure you have your speakers on so you can identify the song.The music you hear is from the bar (they put it on quite loud when a cruise ship goes by).

Enjoying the sun and a drink overlooking the sea

Jenny showing us her ballet moves

A great place to sit and enjoy the sunset

On the way back to the bus, I was separated from some of the group as they sang Advance Australia Fair as they walked through the streets. Funny how I always get separated from groups when they do that :).
Had a coffee in the Stradun (the main street) and headed back to the hotel. Dinner and then to bed. At about 10:30 I heard the others arrive from the old town. The group had gone to a bar in the city and then decided to visit me and tell me all about it. They came into my room and had yet a little more to drink and told me of there adventures. They had all had a fair bit to drink and I found the amusing thing was that they kept on telling me the same stories as if their short term memory had been lost :). So after I finally kicked them out(in a nice way) at 11:50 when I had heard the same stories 15 times, I went to bed.....and what did I find that they had planted in my bed?....a book, a bottle opener, the TV guide and a shoe.....but I had a little giggle to myself because of two things....one is that I know I would have been part of that group had I not been separated in the town and secondly, I could imagine how they were going to be feeling the next day. I have not mentioned any names to protect the identities of those involved :)

CROATIA - DUBROVNIK - DAY 3

2011-10-30T00:11:00.000+02:00

I am still one day behind..Oh well.
So I will start with the view from my room. Lovely to walk out on my balcony area,breathe the sea air and look at the islands.

Great view from my room

So today we spent the morning painting. It was incredibly busy in the old town of Dubrovnik because a couple of cruise ships had come in, but we managed to find somewhere relatively quite to paint.

The painting spot

A little French girl came up to have a good look at what I was doing and I had a discussion with her and her mother while I was doing my drawing for the demo. It was nice to have such a young person interested in what I was doing.

The French girl and her mother

Anyway after the demo, I had a coffee with Mike and Jo and since Jo has a print of the painting of the blue chaired cafe in Dubrovnik, she had to have a photo taken of us sitting at the same cafe.

Having coffee with Jo and Mike

Then everyone went off for a walk on the wall. Will only include one photo from the wall this time.
Later, I went to a bar that is situated on the outside of the wall of Dubrovnik and had a beer while listening to music and enjoying the magnificent view. One of my favourite places to enjoy a drink.

Relaxing with a drink and listening to music

Out that night for a night of classical music in an old church in the old city, then back to the hotel and to bed.
Well I have just been interrupted by four very drunk people, but I will tell you about that tomorrow since I am one day behind in the posts. Will catch up tomorrow.

CROATIA - DUBROVNIK - DAY 2

2011-10-27T22:36:00.004+02:00

Today began with a guided tour of Dubrovnik. Such a fascinating place with a rich history. Actually I didn't do the tour this time(well not all of it). Roberto (my usual guide) couldn't do the tour, but his mother (who also is a tour guide) did the tour. Roberto turned up just as she started, but she continued the tour and Roberto and I went and had coffee at the Coffee shop in Dubrovnik where people like to be seen.
Anyway, after the tour had lunch at a restaurant with a fantastic setting.

The wonderful setting of the restaraunt

We were going to walk the wall of Dubrovnik, but because the weather didn't look that promising we decided to go up in a cable car to the top of a mountain ridge that over looks Dubrovnik. This is from where the Serbs bombed Dubrovnik in the war in the early 90's. The view was spectacular and to sit up there and have a cup of coffee while looking down on Dubrovnik was quite amazing. One of the best views from a coffee shop I have ever had. There is also a very moving museum about the attack on Dubrovnik. I felt rather touched by it and couldn't speak for a while. Needless to say, the thing that Jeremy took away from the experience was the fact that he had to pay over three dollars for his cup of tea...how shocking! :)
Back at the Hotel we settled into the bar, had something light for dinner and had a few drinks before calling it a day.
By the way, it looks like I have stumped you all with the last Radio Game quiz. No one has got it for days :)
So to finish off, here are too many photos of the cable car trip (I know) and I know that none of them do it justice, but it was pretty spectacular.....you will just have to believe me!

On the way up in the cable car

At the top

Fantastic view

thought I would break up the panoramic photos with one of "Da Boys

.....and another one

...what a place to drink coffee

CROATIA - DUBROVNIK - DAY 1

2011-10-26T23:11:00.002+02:00

Again, it is late and I am too tired to write the post, so will do it tomorrow. In Dubrovnik now...wow! as usual.
OK, so the trip from Hvar consisted of a ferry trip from Hvar to Split, then a bus trip to Dubrovnik.
The day was long, but the scenery was great. have included just a few shots of the trip for you.
Poor Adrian was crook and the journey wasn't very pleasant for him (he is better now). Mary was sick a few days ago and obviously Adrian had the same thing.
Settled into our hotel with spectacular views(will include some shots in a future post). After dinner we went into the old city for a walk around. Something very special about walking around the old walled city of Dubrovnik at night. back to the hotel and straight to bed.

Getting ready to sail

Saying good-bye to Hvar

Sailing

On the way in the bus

Great views of the coast along the way

CROATIA - HVAR - DAY 4

2011-10-25T22:01:00.000+02:00

Not much to write today. Had a guided tour of the town and then the afternoon was free. Some painted, some shopped, some shopped and painted. I shopped and painted.
The interesting thing was that Adrian as usual sacrificed the guided tour to paint. I think he is up to about 457 paintings so far, but is he? Has he really been painting or was he just standing in the park today with his painting gear out and really having a swig of the bottle of gin? (see the photo). Adrian tries to tell me that the bottle has water in it for his painting.....sure Adrian, pull the other one :)

Is this man really painting?

The group looking at a painting of "The last supper"

The start of the guided tour

Off to Dubrovnik tomorrow!

CROATIA - HVAR - DAY 3

2011-10-24T23:04:00.001+02:00

Late and can't keep my eyes open. Will do this post tomorrow. Interesting day, but come back tomorrow to find out about it.zzzzzzzzz.
OK, I'm back.
So today we had a little trip around the island. We had a minibus which held 8 of us and also a tiny little vehicle (not sure if you can use the word bus) to take another couple. Mike and Jo decided to go in that one. We zoomed over the crest of the island along the winding road with great views and big drops. Poor Jeremy was a little frightened as our driver often drove on the wrong side of the road while enjoying the views. Jo and Mike were in the "Bongo Bus" as it was christened flying along trying to catch up with us as we had left a little earlier than them.
We stopped at the top of the crest for a fantastic view of the nearby Island of Brac and all the stone walls on the island of Hvar.

The stone walls of Hvar

Jo and Mike finally arrived and peeled themselves out of the Bongo Bus. Mike described the driver as the Croatian Formula 1 driver and Jo was just laughing because she couldn't drink her coke in the bus as it was just to bumpy.

Jo, Mike and the Formula 1 driver stand proudly in front of the "Bongo" bus

A quick photo shoot,back into the "normal" bus for us and back into the "Bongo" bus for Jo and Mike. I said goodbye to them as I thought I may never see them again and what do I get back for my concern....the bird!:)

Mike and Jo must be annoyed that I said good-bye:).....notice the "Bongo" bus doesn't have seat belts

The thrill seekers

First stop Vrboska and as usual we go and see a local who has been making and mending fishing nets on the island for 30 years. Rather sad really because I pick up on sadness and bitterness from him because none of the young people want to learn the trade as it is too boring and tedious for them. The craft will die when he does.

Mending nets for thirty years

Anyway we were all cheered up when Jeremy stood in a dog poo:)

Reflections are always good in Vrboska

All enjoying a coffee after Jeremy stood on a "Barkers egg"

Off to the town of Stari grad and a lovely lunch sitting outside. Food was delicious! We visited a local Artist after that which was quite interesting. he makes sculptures and jewellery from found objects, mostly dead animals...bones, teeth, wings, etc. Sounds morbid, but he comes up with very creative stuff. I even bought a bracelet from him. Won't say anything about it, but I know some of you in Australia will see it when you see me next.
When we go back to our town of Hvar we climbed up to the Spanish fort which overlooks the town and gives spectacular views of the islands.

On the way up to the Fort

I promised that the sunset is brilliant. So we stood there getting colder and colder, playing eye spy as we waited for the sunset. In the end the sky was a bit too cloudy and the sun disappeared behind the clouds and the sunset was a fizzer. Thought I was going to be killed by the group, but hey, what a magnificent setting to play I spy :)

This is as good as the sunset got I am afraid....I spy with my little eye.....

A few drinks and nibbles in one of the hotel rooms, then out for dinner. Went to a local Pizza place. The guy that owns it was huge....and that is coming from me who is 6 foot 3. This guy was 6 foot 8 and had hands the size of a dinner plate. Nearly crushed my hand when he shook it. Very friendly guy and was talking to us at out table. The hilarious thing was that while he was standing there talking to us, he had his enormous hand on Mikes shoulder and was rubbing his shoulder and back while talking. Mike did look a bit worried and his shoulder is still recovering today. We also thought the guy must have liked Mike and that is why he was giving him the "big hand massage". Pizzas were very good and Ivan (the big guy) shouted us each a Sljivovic after the meal.
Regarding The Radio Game". Leanne again gets the answer with "The Cranberries" and "Zombie". Can anyone stop her. She is now two points in front. Today it is:
"How many times must we go through this?
You've always been mine, woman i thought you knew this"

CROATIA - HVAR - DAY 2

2011-10-23T18:13:00.000+02:00

Well today ended up being a bit of a mixed up day. Can't say it has been my favourite day of the trip. First of all our guided tour of the town didn't happen...my fault for booking the wrong day. Tried to go to plan B and that didn't work and then went to plan C and at that moment was also told that I can't have the group in my unit for dinner as this was not agreed upon or arranged in advance with the owners of the unit....AAARRRRRGH..GRRRRR...was I pissed off! Anyway, the day was beautiful and sunny (well for the first half) and the group set up under the palm trees and did some painting. I didn't do a demo as I still felt a bit peeved (not a good state to paint under) and so just gave the students advice. We were going to climb the fort and watch the sunset, but since it clouded over I postponed that until tomorrow night.
So here I am sitting in my unit, which I can't have any visitors to and filling in this post. I have included some photos here of beautiful Hvar.
No one has managed to get the latest Radio Game quiz and no one got the orange car quiz. So I will include another car quiz in this post.

Breakfast setting at the hotel

Four heads on a wall

One of the views from the painting spot

Jeremy feeling rather Nationalistic while painting under the flag

Three painters

The view from one of the hotel rooms

Off on a little trip to a couple of other places on the island tomorrow..just hope it all runs smoothly and I don't have to go to plan B or C or be annoyed again....you really don't want to seem annoyed. I am like a spoiled child stamping my feet and feeling sorry for myself....well not really..how could I when I am in this setting :)

....and the car is?

CROATIA - HVAR - DAY 1

2011-10-22T22:55:00.000+02:00

OK, so it is late and I am tired so not going to write much again.
After spending a leisurely morning in Split we caught the Catamaran to the island of Hvar.
This is a small place and the place to totally unwind in the Mediterranean atmosphere.
I have been asked by the hotel if I could stay in an apartment separate to the hotel as they had overbooked. Since they had been so good to me over the years, I was happy to help.
So I am staying in a private apartment with a separate lounge and kitchen and an amazing view.
The only negative is that it is 178 steps up the hill to get there from the hotel. Oh well, it will certainly get the leg muscles working.
Have included three photos showing the panoramic view from my balcony and lounge. Not bad hey....worth the 178 steps.

View from my balcony

To the right a little

....and a little further to the right. Great view!

Out for dinner with the group. Unfortunately one of my favourite restaurants was shut for the season, but they have a sister restaurant which is new. So decided to try it....it is more upmarket than the other one. The food and service were great, but the price was also high which blew out the budget.

Looking forward to the meal

One of the desserts - great shaped bowl

Still though, it is dinner at my place tomorrow night which will bring the budget back into line, but also be a welcome break from restaurant meals.
Too tired to write any more.
Oh, the Radio Game.....Well done Cassandra for getting the last one...it was Dean Martin and That's Amore. Two points for that one I think, since I wrote it in Croatian.
Here is today's quiz.
"Another head hangs lowly,
Child is slowly taken.
And the violence caused such silence,
Who are we mistaken?"

CROATIA - SPLIT - DAY 4

2011-10-21T23:31:00.014+02:00

A full day of painting today. I started with a demo that worked out OK.

The first demo started and it wasn't long before we had spectators

Just had to smile to myself as I tried to concentrate and have a discussion (in Croatian) with a local and explain my demo to the group.....all at once. Who said I can't multitask?

Lunch at a restaurant with the group then back out painting. It started to rain as I was doing my second demo, but I continued as my paper was flooded and covered in rain spots.

There is only one thing more tragic than when you drop your chips....and that's....when it starts raining during a demo

How could Mary just read her book under an umbrella while I was getting soaked :)

I actually don't mind the look of it and may just add some finishing touches back in the studio. I like the water marks left by the rain as it shows the conditions it was painted under. May show it to you when it is finished.
Luckily it stopped raining as soon as I finished my demo, so the conditions for the students to do the painting were much better.

The group painting in beautiful Split

We all then went to a cafe in one of the major squares (actually the one we painted in the other day), had a coffee and strangely enough the men in the group sat and admired the beautiful women that walked by ( there seems to be a huge number of beautiful women in Split...not that I noticed....I was told by the other guys...I just drank my coffee....I promise).

The square where we had coffee

As we went out for dinner tonight there was a wedding happening in the area just outside of our hotel (still in the Diocletian palace). Lots of cheering, singing and even torches were lit. It was all rather loud and enjoyable.

The dramatic wedding celebrations

Off to Hvar tomorrow. I will miss Split as always and look forward to coming back again next year. The people that run and work at the small hotel we stayed in are lovely and always good to my group.
Oh....and one last thing...still no one has been able to get the Radio Game quiz from a couple of days ago.....Have I won? :)

Jim and Shirley model their new hats

CROATIA - SPLIT - DAY 3

2011-10-21T19:00:00.001+02:00

So I seem to be one day behind in updating my blog.
First of all let me say....YES!, no one has been able to get the latest Radio game question :)
So it rained and rained and rained today. Nothing to report apart from the fact that.....it rained. Split was quite beautiful really in the rain....reflections in the stone streets was lovely. Gave the group the day off and postponed the painting day. Did my washing, rested, walked, got wet, and went out for dinner with the group. Stayed up very late again and fell asleep so quickly when my head hit the pillow that I didn't even switch the light off. Woke about 4 in the morning to realise the light was still on in my room.
Anyway, here are a few photos from the "Wet" day.

The toilet at the restaurant confused us.Which is the hand basin? or do I need to be a contortionist or deformed to be able to use this?

Fish plate for dinner

The umbrellas tell the story

At dinner Gerry tried to convince Jeremy to get a tattoo

CROATIA - SPLIT - DAY 2

2011-10-20T00:56:00.114+02:00

It is 1 a.m here in Croatia. Just finished dinner and having a few drinks and a chat with Jim. Not going write anything for this post until tomorrow. Just tooooooo late to do it.

OK, I'm back! It is the next day, but I am going to complete yesterdays post which you may be reading tomorrow :)
So first of all we had a guided tour of Split. It really is such a fascinating place. Fantastically preserved and a "living" Roman ruin and a UNESCO world heritage site. Our guide was very good, but his voice and the way he speaks reminds me so much of a character called Gru from a film called Despicable Me. I have included a little snippet of him talking....you be the judge.

In the afternoon we set up to paint in a lovely square. I did a quick demo and then as always, sat at a cafe and had a coffee while people watching (one of my favourite things to do).

The square where we painted

Setting up to do the demo

Well into the painting. Question - which one is least likely to get hemorrhoids?

Today was the birthday of one of the people in my group. Jo Henderson who happens to be Aimee Henderson's mother :). So out we went for dinner at a little Restaurant called Konoba Varos.
We all had lamb which was cooked under a bell in coals for about 4 hours. Absolutely delicious and of course being a Birthday we had copious amounts of wine.

This group looks like trouble!

Our meal being cooked

Jim even attempted to sing Happy Birthday to Jo in Croatian (which was captured on video) and then Amelia sang it in Dutch and then of course later we sang it in English. I am not sure which language was the funniest, but I think it has to go to Jim's Croatian attempt. Well, it was funny to me anyway.

Gerry bought Jo some Happy Birthday glasses. Now I could have included a photo of Jo wearing them (and maybe I should have since it was her Birthday), but when Mike Henderson (Aimee Henderson's father) tried them on, I thought that I just had to use that photo instead.

Aimee Henderson's Dad - who's a pretty boy then? :)

Anyway, it was a great night enjoyed by all.
One other thing I have to mention is that the group have taken up knitting....yes you read that correctly.
After the painting afternoon, they came back to the hotel and met in a room and began knitting a scarf. Each person is having a go at a few rows. So not only are they painting, but now have taken on the creative pursuit of knitting. Jim as it turns out is a keen knitter as can be seen in the photo. I think from now on,while we are out painting we will see Jim sitting at a nearby cafe with a beer and do a little knitting. Maybe he will even teach Mike how to knit. Now, I would love to see that! :)

Purl one, slip, tie

To the Radio Game. Leanne has now taken the lead with her answer Tom Waits and Hold On. Can anyone stop her? I really thought I had you all tricked with that one.
So lets take it up a notch now.
"Kada svijet se čini da sjaji
Kao što ste imali previše vina
To je amore"
Yep, it is written in Croatian, so try and get that one:) No way!

One of the views from the hotel

Night shot looking in the direction of the hotel

CROATIA - SPLIT - DAY 1

2011-10-18T23:14:00.000+02:00

Very very very tired. Drove all the way from Opatija to Split. Had stops at Senj, Zadar and Trogir.
I am actually too tired to write much. Will put in a few photos (not one of them architecture).
Radio Game - point goes to Leanne again which puts her in front. Answer was Lou Reed -Walk on the Wild Side.
I said that was an easy one, so now for a much tougher one.
"Down by the Riverside motel,
It's 10 below and falling
By a 99 cent store she closed her eyes
And started swaying"

The wheels on the bus go round and round......

People ask- "Why the Goatie and earrings"? Well I can't do anything with my hair!

Gerry planking in Zadar

Another tour member bites the dust. Actually - Amelia listening to the wind organ in Zadar

Just liked the back lighting

CROATIA - OPATIJA -DAY 4

2011-10-17T23:11:00.001+02:00

So the last day in Opatija was a free day for everyone. I spent a leisurely day not doing much. Well first I had to organise to get my camera back and also had to follow up on my phone(which I had left in Italy over a week ago). Went and bought myself an earring, then went to Volosko again. In Volosko I sat in the sun, had a huge beer, listened to music and did a terrible painting. I could show you, but then I would have to kill you!
Had lunch with some of the group at Le Mandrac (remember the lovely restaurant that we had the long lunch at the other day?). Then back for a few drinks and nibbles with the group.
A bit sleepy now and we have an early start tomorrow for a long drive down the coast to Split. I love Split and can't wait to get there.
Anyway will just add some photos here for you to look at. Most are from yesterday as I couldn't post them then because my camera went for a bus ride.

Adrian-our most prolific painter. Mary says "I think I can see New Zealand from here"

No reason for the photo - just like the birds and shadows

Pussy cat wants that gull

The group - you would never guess what I said to make them laugh

Opatija

Car Quiz time - haven't had a car quiz for a few days. So, what is the orange beauty below?

The Orange Beauty!

The Radio Game - We have a winner from yesterday. Leanne gets it with Plan B and "She said" (which makes her equal first). Sorry Katherine, I know you had the answer, but you were about 4 hours too late.
Also I have received a few complaints about me giving the point the other day to Bohemikka for the Crash Test Dummies answer as the title of the song wasn't strictly correct. So the rule from now on is the points are only given to the person who gets in first with the exact answer.
Today's song (an easy one):
"Sugar plum fairy came and hit the streets
Looking for soul food and a place to eat"

CROATIA - OPATIJA -DAY 3

2011-10-16T21:39:00.000+02:00

So today was our excursion to explore the Istra region of Croatia. It is called the Croatian Tuscany because of the hilltop villages. We visited the tiny villages of Roc, Hum (the smallest town in the world), Motovun (known for the biggest truffle in the world found in the forests there) and Rovinj.
This will be a short post because unfortunately i left my camera on the bus, so the only photos are a few I got from others on the tour. When I hopefully get my camera back tomorrow I will update today's post.
Until then, I will just finish off with a couple of photos.

The "Boys"...Adrian is missing. Who is the odd one out here?

The "Girls"...who is the odd one out here?

Enjoying lunch by the sea in Rovinj

Finally the last Radio Game quiz has been solved by Bohemikka. The answer was
"Two Knights and Maidens" by The Crash Test Dummies. Well done!

Here is the next one ( I will be surprised if anyone gets it):
"I'm innocent I protested
she just feels rejected
had her heart broke by someone shes obsessed with"

Good luck!

CROATIA - OPATIJA -DAY 2

2011-10-15T23:20:00.002+02:00

Well this is always one of my favourite days on my tour. I think that the photos may describe the day, but a few words might help. First though a couple of photos from yesterday.

The view from the balcony of my room


Aimee Henderson's mother enjoying an icecream

OK, back to today! First of all we had a leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade to the little fishing village of Volosko.

People from last years tour may recognise the T-shirt - Thanks!

The morning consisted of painting and drinking coffee. I walked around and helped some of the painters and occasionally sat with the non-painters and had a coffee and chat.

Shirley and Amelia enjoying tea and painting

Adrian thought he could hide and paint, but I can see him through the restaurant

Aimee Henderson's mother and father :) (Hi Aimee) and Jenny relaxing and sketching

Gerry and Jeremy (a.k.a Truffle) painting together.

It was a very relaxing place for the non-painters to spend some time (just look at the photos).

Volosko - a great place to paint and have lunch

Sitting in a comfy chair outside, sun on my face, enjoying coffee and looking up at the fishing nets

In the afternoon we went to the restaurant in Volosko for lunch. Not just any ordinary lunch, but a de-gustation lunch at probably one of the best (if not the best) restaurants in Croatia. This magnificent meal is a delight and experience and continues to be one of the best meals I have ever had. The meal consists of ten courses all served with appropriate wines to match each course.

Looking out from restaurant "Le Mandrac"

The meal lasted from 1 p.m to 5:30 or 6 p.m. The group certainly enjoyed it and each course when tasted was accompanied by many "Ooohs" and "Aaahs" (as were the wines).

Water glasses, White wine and Red wine glasses

Jimmy is going to enjoy that wine with course number 8

The dessert however even solicited comments from some such as "this is orgasmic"....pretty good for a food to get that kind of response!. I have only included photos of the first course and last course and of course the photo doesn't do justice to the experience.

First Course - delicious and beautiful presentation

May not look like it, but this took some of the women to heaven :)

It is the taste sensation, the texture, the smell, the cutlery, crockery, the setting that all makes this a very special experience. It isn't only me saying this. For those of you that are reading this blog and know someone on the trip, just ask them what the meal was like....I need say no more!
The lovely Alma who owns the restaurant is a perfect host and her passion and love of food comes through when ever she talks about the courses we have. As always, she looked after my group very well and they all loved her.

Thanking the lovely Alma...some may say punishing Alma :)

After the lunch we all meandered back to the hotel and I don't think anyone bothered to have dinner.

Finally on another matter. No winner of yesterdays Radio Game, so the song remains unsolved.....does that mean I get a point?

Oh and finally, for those of you that know Mary.....she may have escaped being in a photo on my blog today, but it will happen soon.....she can run, but she can't hide! :)

CROATIA - OPATIJA -DAY 1

2011-10-14T21:29:00.001+02:00

OK, this is going to be very short. Left beautiful Zagreb today and travelled to our coastal town of Opatija. I slept most of the way on the bus. Checked into hotel and then gave the group an orientation walk. Had coffee at the cafe Wagner. Back to the hotel, dinner then bed. No photos and no more description. Will give you photos tomorrow.
MJP has hit the lead in the Radio Game with the answer from yesterday. Tom Waits with Hold On.
OK people see how you go with this one. Can anyone take the lead from MJP?
"They'd walk together
Out in the gardens
In all kinds of weather"

CROATIA - ZAGREB -DAY 6

2011-10-14T00:28:00.000+02:00

Well our first day of painting and it was pretty cool and overcast. Not the best conditions for painting, but we still did it.

Cold, but happy to be painting.

Walked up to the main square then decided to catch the Funicular up to the "upper town".

Up in the Funicular

After a quick demo ( in cold conditions) to illustrate simplification, we all went to a great little coffee shop for a coffee.

Jeremy still wants hotter coffee, but Gerry is enjoying hers!

The coffee is so good!

It was warm, the seats were really comfortable, coffee was great and the atmosphere was wonderful with all the Art work on the walls. Back out into the cold for another painting...brrrrrrrr!
For dinner we caught a tram back to the main square then walked up through the old part of the town to a recommended restaurant called Ivica and Marica (Hansel and Gretel). The building was basically made to look like a gingerbread house. You can see by the roof photo.

Cute roof on the Restaurant

The waitresses were dressed in "Gretel" type outfits as you can see by the shot of the waitress with me.

"Gretel" our waitress :)

The food was excellent...a highly recommended place. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered.

Five happy faces: Amelia, Jenny, Jeremy, Mike and Gerry

One of my quick studies (30 minutes)

On the way back, some of us detoured to a night club/bar called Peppermint. Talk about being the odd ones out. I think the young people that walked in were a bit shocked to see us "old farts" in there and probably thought they had come to the wrong place. Funny thing is the place had sixties type furnishing and even disco balls, and posters on the walls of Elvis, the Supremes and even Steve McQueen....felt like saying to the youngin's...hey, you might think we are old, but look around at the decorations, we were there first time around when it was original...well even if I was a baby at the time...I was still there :)
So now it is nearly midnight here and this is our last night in Zagreb. It has been a hoot and we are off to the sea tomorrow....Opatija.
"So, she left Monte Rio, son
Just like a bullet leaves a gun
With charcoal eyes and Monroe hips
She went and took that California trip"

CROATIA - ZAGREB -DAY 5 (updated)

2011-10-13T00:41:00.003+02:00

Well it is now12:35 and I have not long been back. I am just too tired to write anything.
I will just say that it has just been one of the funniest nights I have ever had. Also that I never thought that any one of my tours would end up going to where we went tonight. I can't really say any more except that I didn't choose and it was just sooooo funny. I may write a few things about today in tomorrows blog, but not now...just exhausted.

I can't even put a Radio game quiz in.

MJP won the last Radio game. Giving the name of the writer and one person who sang it...although not the one I was thinking of. One other person only named the song, but couldn't name the writer or who sang it. So MJP got it, which makes them equal first. MJP also got the name of the car first. James, how could you allow that?
Anyway, so tired and need sleep. Still laughing though...this is a day never to be forgotten....lol.

Ok I'm back the next day now to add a few things to the post for day 5.
Today we went to Plitvice lakes. It was a perfect temperature and the weather was beautiful for the walk. Two and a half to three hours walking around the lakes and waterfalls.

One of the many waterfalls and yes, the water is that colour.

A beautiful walk


No way was I letting them wear those hats out of the bus - not on my tour you don't!

Back to Zagreb and at six thirty we all went down to the bar as we were invited for drinks and nibbles with the manager of the Hotel.

On the long drive back I thought I would rest my eyes....nooooo I'm not sleeping!

So I met the manager and a few other of the staff with senior positions. Lovely people and a lovely hotel. The hotel was recently voted as one of the top 100 hotels in the world which they are very proud of. I certainly enjoy staying here as are my group.
After several wines our group retires for the night, but a few of us decide to go to a restaurant for dinner.
On the way Jimmy accidentally steps on a mouse in the street. He felt something under his foot, but said he thought he must have just stood on some dog poo. When told that he stood on a mouse he couldn't believe it. The mouse just ran straight under his foot....must have had a death wish! Someone said that maybe the mouses partner had run off with a rat and the mouse decided to end it all. Jimmy was saying that he is a Buddhist and that he even carefully move bugs, worms etc from the green when playing golf, so that they won't get hurt...and here he is squashing a mouse! It may have been the wine, but when he said "I may be a Buddhist, but I am still glad that I stepped on a mouse rather than dog shit", I just couldn't stop laughing.I laughed so much that I almost cried.....as I say, maybe it was the wine:)

Jimmy the Buddhist was so pleased it wasn't dog poo :)

Dinner at a great little restaurant and yet more wine. I had stuffed peppers which I had not had for years (another dish my mother used to make). Anyway I was wearing a white shirt and I accidentally dropped some of the tomato based sauce on it....damn, my good white shirt. I dipped my serviette in my water and tried to clean it off. Whoosh, out came the lovely waitress and asked me to stand. She then sprayed something onto the stain on my shirt (asking me to look away so that I wouldn't get the spray in my eyes). She told me to let it dry, then simply brush it off and the stain would be gone.....and it was! What magnificent service and she was so quick....it was as if she was watching me and waiting for it to happen. Gave her a generous tip that night....maybe that was the wine again:)
So walking back we have even more laughs and events that I can't even mention...but as I said earlier, the funniest night I think I have ever had.

CROATIA - ZAGREB - DAY 4

2011-10-11T22:32:00.002+02:00

WARNING: THIS POST IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN!

What a beautiful day it was today. The temperature was perfect for our guided tour of Zagreb. Dora, our tour guide was excellent. Informative, professional, spoke English very well and made the tour fun and interesting.

Dora, Shirley, Someone, Gerry

Jenny (same colour hair as Vincent?) and Shirley on their way to the market

I am not going to give you the interesting facts of Zagreb (you will just have to come next year!), but I will just say, the more I learn about this city and the more I absorb its elegant and relaxed feel, the more I love it. Such a great city!

The fruit and vegetable market. They even have cheap bananas! (for the Australians)

Anyway, I will show you some photos - sometimes you will see certain members of the tour group.
Not all of them at the moment, so if you are a friend or a relative reading this and are looking for them, don't worry - no one escapes my blog and they will all be seen on it sooner or later :)

I took a photo of Jo taking a photo....how interesting:)

After the tour we went to a restaurant which serves traditional Croatian food and we had a couple of courses and of course a little wine :). I had the kind of food my mother used to make before she became first a vegetarian and then a vegan (a sad day for me, because now I need to come to Croatia to enjoy that kind of food :) ). Sarma, mlinci, duck etc...very very nice. I followed this with a strudel. Of course I had to have a glass of Šljivovica (plum brandy) before the meal. Amelia (from Canada) also enjoyed a glass and you can see from the photo what this drink does to your eyes :)

Only one glass of Šljivovic

After the two hour lunch, a few of us went to a gallery that showed various works from the last two centuries. I have included a selection of photos I took in the gallery. I apologise for the blurriness of some of them as obviously I could not use a flash (or was it a result of the Šljivovica?) . You have got to love the "chicken legs" and the one of Vincent :)

Mike went from "seeing the light" to.....

....seeing the chicken legs? Yep ...real ones on a black cloth and framed.

Quite a blood thirsty painting if you study it.

Titled "Vincent in Brothel".....lucky I read the title because I might have mistaken
him for a gynecologist:) Whoops! - might have overstepped the mark there.
Hence the "not suitable for children warning"...but it is Art!

Quite like this!

For those dog lovers!

What a strange person.....the one on the left I mean!

Now to the Radio Game....Oh Karen, you just missed out again because of timing. The winner was M.J.P.
So at the moment it stands at Leanne -2 Karen -1 M.J.P -1. The answer to yesterdays quiz was Mumford & Sons - White Blank Page.
Next one is...this one has to trick you....many people have sung it, but one person probably is the one that stands out, but I will also accept who wrote it as an answer (and of course the name of the song):
"Your daddy's rich
And your mamma's good lookin'
So hush little baby"

Speaking of quizzes....James, here is your next one...this time half a car with the badge blacked out again. This car I should buy next year when I hit my midlife crisis.

Car Quiz

Anyway, back to the tour. After the gallery, sat at a coffee shop and enjoyed a coffee with a few of the group. Back to the hotel and then I went to Gerry and Shirley's room to swap some photos and enjoy a glass or two of red wine....well a glass anyway, since Gerry spilled too much of it on the floor:)

That will do for now as I think the pictures will also give an idea of the day.

Off to the lakes tomorrow, so talk to you when I get back.

CROATIA - ZAGREB - DAY 3

2011-10-10T22:12:00.000+02:00

So today will be the shortest post. Why? Because I am tired and that much of the day was spent at the airport collecting the group. So no photos today or any stories.
Simply the result of the Radio Game.
It was a close call, but a person from Australia just beat a person from England. Both had the answers, but the Australian was first. First in gets the point. So that now makes it 2 to 1.
The answer of course was The Chariot by The Cat Empire.
Ok, now the next one:
"You desired my attention but denied my affections, affections
But tell me now where was my fault, in loving you with my whole heart"
So, see you tomorrow with some pics and stories.

CROATIA - ZAGREB - DAY 2

2011-10-09T18:04:00.005+02:00

So today was my last day off before the tour starts. The group arrives tomorrow and the fun begins!


The morning view from my room

But to the important bit first......no one has been able to get the Radio game answer. Told you it was a hard one. I am not going to do any more until I get the answer to the last one. I will give you a hint...they are an Australian Band.

Where I wait for the elevator

OK, so what did I do today. Well nothing really...well not work anyway (apart from find a new restaurant I want to try with the group and make a booking).
Just walked around this beautiful city. It really is such a great city to walk around....very beautiful, cultured and not too busy.

Just one of the lovely streets

Through the park on the way to the central square

Always loved this view. At last one spire restored on the Cathedral, one to go!

Great tiled roof!

Even today with the main square blocked off for the Zagreb Marathon, it was still not too busy. This is the second time I have been here in Zagreb when they have had there Marathon and I didn't enter it last time either....damn Achilles tendon:)

As can be seen by the sign, the Zagreb Marathon is on

So walked and walked and walked. Probably just best if you look at the photos and leave it at that.

Interesting concept for a museum...might have to go there.

I have also included a couple of little videos as drums were a bit of a feature today. I wonder if my nephew William will enjoy these drums since he is a drummer in a band....maybe he will :)
The first video is from the Marathon. These people were simply playing the drums as the runners went by. It was quite entertaining.

The second video is obviously of the procession of soldiers, that I mention later in this post....the drums have a slightly different beat -Would love to have seen them march to the other beat:)

(I have checked this post and have a bit of trouble watching the video, but it may just be my little netbook - please let me know if it is OK for you)
Today I also saw a procession of soldiers in traditional costumes. Not sure where they were going, but the costumes looked great (have included some pictures). Later I saw two more who seemed to be guards at the St Mathews church (the one with the tiled roof) and they seem to be there for the day. Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

This guy gave the orders

Cool Uniforms....like something out of the three musketeers

Although the foot soldier does have a good uniform, it does look like he has a red pancake on his head....could be a tactical maneuver for battle though.

CROATIA - ZAGREB - DAY 1

2011-10-08T23:48:00.000+02:00

A very long day today. I am writing this at 11:30 pm so it isn't going to be a long post.
Travelled from the Watermill in Posara today to Zagreb. I had a five and a half hour wait at Rome airport between flights. Soooooooooooooooooooooo boring!
Anyway, I am pleased to say that here I am now at one of my favourite hotels - the Regent Hotel Esplanade. It is particularly nice this time because they have given me such a great room and after a long day it is a luxury and joy to be here.

I am enjoying being here so much that I have even included some photos of really exciting things like, my room, my bathroom, the view from my room at night and even some food.

My Beautiful room

My Beautiful Bathroom (look Marjorie, no leaf needed)

My Beautiful View

One of the perks of being famous in Yack! :)

The little collection of macaroons and jam and 4 plums were in my room waiting for me. The flower in the vase and the personal note from the manager welcoming me back to the Hotel Esplanade was a nice touch. That is the way an Artist that is famous all over....Yackandandah should be treated:)
Anyway, the only other thing I will say is that someone got the correct answer for the music quiz from Yesterday...Cold Play...The Scientist....Ok, they have obviously still been too easy. So here is the next one:

"We never yielded to conformity, but stood like Kings..."
That will test you all!
Oh and speaking of quizes....James...here is your car quiz. Since you know so much about cars, can you identify the sports car in the photo below and tell me how long it takes for it to get from 0 to 100km/h? :) I have even blacked out the badge to make it tougher for you....but I will give you a hint....it isn't a Maserati!:)

The "James" quiz

Posara - Day 7

2011-10-07T23:10:00.000+02:00

Ok, so lets start with the Radio game. Someone got yesterdays song which was Price Tag by Jessie J , but I did say it was an easy one. So here is the one for today....a little more difficult I think, but we will see if anyone knows it.

"Come up to meet you, tell you I’m sorry,
You don’t know how lovely you are.
I had to find you, tell you I need you,
Tell you I set you apart"

Today was the last day of teaching here at the Mill. It rained a few times, so it worked out well that we were here as we could use the studio. Pushed the students today with lot's of tasks, information and challenges, but I think they did very well. I am hoping that they also considered that they had success and that they didn't just use the painting as a measure.....if they used that as their only criteria of weather or not they succeeded, then I failed at my job.

Yellow Masserati

I am afraid the only photo I took today was of a little yellow Masserati in front of the Posara church. I would love to say that it belongs to the local Priest, but I am afraid it belongs to a Restaurant owner and he just happens to park it there. The Priest story is so much better, so I will stick with that one:)
Drinks and then dinner as usual and then drinks again in the sitting room. Plenty of talking and then good-byes to people that were leaving early in the morning. Karen and I had a discussion about elements of the universe, probability, science and anti-matter and we decided not to agree....even though I was right karen. Yes I know you are reading this and you may even be cursing me now :) Anyway outr discussion soon sent a few people to bed, so we thought we had better stop.
Always sad to say good-bye to everyone and some have decided to come back in two years for another workshop with me and a kind of reunion......although I may be making a presumption here that it is to my workshop they would come to.
So I will sign off from the Watermill at Posara and leave you with a photo of the group and also one with Mirella.

The Group (Karen missing, but Mirella included) - this is for you John (student from a couple of years ago)

The group below from left to right - Bev, Tina, Karen, Marjorie,

Blanche, Rita, Kim, Jane, Me, Marjorie, Sarah, Jill, Francis

The Group

Posara - Day 6

2011-10-06T22:53:00.000+02:00

So,first of all let me apologise to anyone that read my blog last night. I kept on falling asleep when writing it and when I checked it this morning I couldn't believe how many spelling and grammatical errors there were. I am not going to guarantee that I will not have any errors( I am sure that I have already had many in the other posts), but yesterday had an extraordinary number of errors....so hopefully it won't happen again.

Ok, on to today! Well just before that, I have to tell you a story about my bathroom, which I am sharing with a woman called Marjorie (although she doesn't really look like a Marjorie, but that is another story). Anyway, I had a slight concern that since the door has a frosted glass panel that she (or anyone else) could see into the bathroom when the light was on.

So I was expressing these concerns to the group over a few drinks one night and I asked one of them to come upstairs to the bathroom so that I could test my theory about being able to be seen in the bathroom through the glass panel. So we walked upstairs and to my amusement when I turned around about six extra women came up to have a look.......what they expected to see, I have no idea and I don't think that an extra six pairs of eyes would have made any difference to the final result...." five out of six women say they can't see through the frosted glass, therefore it is safe to go to the toilet and get undressed for the shower".

Anyway, I went to the bathroom this morning to find that they obviously felt that I still wasn't convinced of the opaque qualities of the glass and they had offered their own solution to my concerns. I don't think I need to say any more as the photo says it all and I feel so much better. However........ it did raise one question.....I just felt that they had stuck the leaf on upside down and am wondering why? :)

The Solution!

So back to today.We went to a hill top village with spectacular views and after a morning of painting had a relaxing lunch at a nearby restaurant where we sat outside and dined while looking at great views of the mountains.Came back to the mill late afternoon and we all had a siesta.
While the students were painting I took some notes of areas that I need to cover with each individual student. Our last day tomorrow and possibly our busiest as there is so much I would like to cover during the last day.
Dinner and then as usual talking and laughing in the sitting room.

Blanche told a great story about her father and his grandfather clocks,but Blanche always has great stories (and jokes). Another student named Rita also has some great stories and since toilets seem to have been a common topic of discussion in this group, I will attempt to tell the story she told us.

It happened many years ago, she tells us, when she was younger and had a much better body. She was in Florence and her husband had gone off to another part of Florence to look at something. She (Rita) was wearing a one piece kind of jump suit (it had shorts). Anyway, she needed to go to the toilet and went into a cafe and went to use the toilet. It was one of the squat type toilets you find in Italy in some places.
Anyway, she had to take off the suit to be able to go and she was not wearing anything under it. She placed the jump suit on the floor and then accidentally flushed the toilet at which point her suit was flushed down the loo.
So here she was in a toilet in Florence, naked , in a toilet and no one with her. She wasn't sure what she could do, then she spied the a very small corner of her jump suit in the toilet. It was hardly visible, but she managed to pinch the corner with her fingers and proceeded to pull her jump suit out of the toilet. It was dripping wet, but she put it on and with head held high and all the dignity she could muster she walked out of the toilet and through the cafe (reminding herself, that she would never se the people in the cafe again).
Out into the sun so that her jump suit could dry.
Now reading this, it may not sound very funny, but Rita is a great story teller and it was just hilarious listening to her tell the story.
So many other funny stories, but I can't possibly write them all and it is probably one of those things, that you had to be there for it to be really funny.
Final couple of things...Penny (from the class last year), you will be happy to know that I read your limericks from last year to this group and they were still as funny as ever. I enjoyed reading them again.
I have been listening to my mp3 player while I have been walking every day. Although I listen to a variety of songs, it is usually one song that stands out for the day. I had a friend once that I used to play what we called "the radio game" where we would hear a song on the radio and the first one to identify the song would win the point. Well here I will write a few words from the so called "song of the day" and see if you can work out the song. So this is a bit like that, but you have to identify the song from a sentence or two of the lyrics.
Why would I do this....I don't know, just something to do I guess....so here goes. I will start with an easy one:
"Ain't about the cha-ching, cha-ching
Ain't about the ba-bling, ba-bling
Wanna make the world dance"
So what is it?
Signing out for today!

Posara - Day 5

2011-10-05T23:17:00.003+02:00

Today was my day off and what did I do? Well 10 of the students and I decided to go to Cinque Terre and the other two students went to Lucca. So what can I say about Cinque Terre?....well probably not what you expect. I enjoyed it and it was lovely, but I was a bit underwhelmed by it all. Maybe I expected too much because of the build up of it all by so many people that have been there before.

Pretty town of Vernazza - Tourist filled

Again, don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as spectacular as I expected. Maybe the fact that there were so many tourists there didn't help me have a positive view of the towns. As pretty as it was, it just seemed to be filled with tourists and kind of felt a bit fake to me...like a theme park where all the American tourists go.....not that there is anything wrong with Americans...it is just that their seemed to be more Americans than Italians in these towns today.
Anyway, had a lovely lunch, did a bit of painting and explored a bit. It was very hot out in the sun and the shady parts were a bit of a respite. Marjorie and I had a lovely lunch of a special local anchovie dish washed down with a beer and followed by coffee and Tiramisu.

From left- Francis, Marjorie, Jill, Karen(at back) and another Marjorie

We later found the others having lunch and Francis and Jill both obviously were enjoying their pasta with mussels (as can be seen from the photo).

Francis and Jill having a pasta slurping competition :)

Getting a bit sleepy now, so will cut this short. Caught the train back to Aulla and were transferred back to the Mill. Mirella had dinner ready for us and then after dinner sat around and shared stories and jokes with everyone. It was a very pleasant evening and if I could keep awake now, I would give you a lot more information about the day and evening. Just can't stay awake though....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Oh! One last thing...apart from some of the stories and jokes told tonight,this is one of the funniest things I heard today. At dinner there was discussion about the toilets at the railway station we were at today. They were the squat kind and not very clean. When Sarah was asked "Well you know what you need to bring to Italy next time?", she answered...."Yes,a funnel". :) By the way, many students in the group are good at certain things...Sarah is good at putting up easels, finding the correct platforms at railway stations, telling which direction a train will travel .....and in the future I would guess she will be very good at using funnels.

Posara - Day 4

2011-10-04T23:03:00.002+02:00

Another lovely walk this morning up to Fivizzano. As promised I have included a photo of one of the scenes on the walk.

Posara at the bottom of the picture

Have also included a photo of one of the killer donkeys. You can see in the photo how cunning this donkey is.....hiding and waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting passer by.

The cold stare of a killer!

Anyway, today we spent the day painting in Fivizzano.
How foolish I was to think that I could walk through the market with a group of women without any of them stopping to look at things they could possibly buy. Wasn't too bad actually and we managed to get to out destination withing two hours :)
I have included one photo of the scene I based my demo on (and also a photo of the demo), so that you can actually see that I am working and it is not all eating, drinking, talking and relaxing....well not quite anyway.
The group spread out and tried various paintings of the market and most (if not all) had put figures in their paintings, which was an important part of the lesson.

The painting subject - Fivizzano Market

Finished Demo

Rita (The Poet) Contemplating shadows.

Kirstin met us in the park and brought a lovely spread for our picnic lunch. It was nice that she joined us for lunch as she had been working quite hard and needed a break. Kirstin keeps everything running smoothly and is chief organiser.


Kirstin and Blanche agreeing that wearing white trousers is "cool"

The group then did various paintings of the panoramic view or just did some painting exercises. Some, I am sure, sat back, enjoyed the sun and view and contemplated the information about the relationship between croissants and chickens that I had enlightened them with earlier on.

Back to the Watermill and I put some clothes in a washing machine to wash....problem was it was a washing machine in Italy....hence all dials etc were in Italian. So using my powers of deduction and my non existent interpreting skills, I bravely sent my dirty clothes on a journey that I wasn't sure that they would survive. For two hours my clothes were washed and finally when it was dark, I rescued my clothes. Obviously I missed the bit on the dial that might have said "Pronto cycle"...or so Marjorie tells me.Are you reading this Marjorie?, because I know you can't sleep until you read my blog....Oh and please make sure you put the shower curtain on the inside of the bath when you use the shower tomorrow:)
Anyway, will leave it there for now, as I have an early start tomorrow and a big day going to Cinqueterre with the group.

Posara - Day 3

2011-10-03T23:41:00.001+02:00

Started the day today with an early walk today to the nearby town of Fivizzano. A nice walk winding uphill for about 2 km. It was a nice view from the town back down the valley. Might take the camera tomorrow to show you the view.
On the way I saw two donkeys in a yard. Why do I mention that?Well, I read once that more people have been killed by donkeys than have died in airplane crashes. So deadly things these donkeys...killers!:). So, with great trepidation and the greatest amount of stealth I could muster and with heart beating fast I made my way passed these "man killers". Forget sharks, tigers, lions, etc.....it is donkeys you need to be concerned about! After talking about this to my class and obviously warning them about this clear and present danger, I was informed by someone that more people have been killed by falling coconuts than in airplane crashes. I was also told how dangerous pigs can be. So I came away today with a fear of donkeys, falling coconuts and pigs. Heaven forbid if I am ever riding a donkey under a coconut tree near a pig farm....my chances of survival would be virtually nil.
So today we went to a nearby village called Verrucola that has a castle.

Painting at the Castle at Verrucola

It was quite warm and the group spent the morning painting while being harassed by two small local dogs. Not harassed in a serious way...one drank the water from one of the the students water containers they were using for their paintings...and another student had one of the dogs pick up her sunglasses in its mouth and take them for a little stroll.

Pippi and the students

After the painting session we had lunch in the nearby restaurant. Was served by a tall thin tattooed girl with a deep tan and her mid rif showing,not that I notice that kind of thing or that it is really relevant.
The two cheeky dogs came into the restaurant for a visit and the owners of the restaurant obviously knew them as they called them out and tried to lock them out. But Pippi the dog and it;s friend soon found their way back in.


Marjorie, Frances and Sarah (a.k.a Tarzan) hard at work!

Back to the Watermill, a lesson on painting people in preparation for the next day of painting and then a little bit of relaxation.

Gin and tonic with the group before dinner, dinner in the dining room followed by a few more drinks and games in the lounge room. Some of us stayed up late and talked about a variety of things and had a lot of laughs. One story told was particularly funny and had us all in tears of laughter, but I will save the story for another day....it is probably one of those stories that will not be funny in the retelling anyway.
Will go for my early morning walk again tomorrow before outr day of painting in Fivizzano on market day.

Posara - Day 2

2011-10-02T22:26:00.000+02:00

So the first day of teaching is done. I had to split the group into two groups as there was such a large range of levels of experience. Unfortunately the demo I did today wasn't brilliant, but still managed to get the lesson across.The group are a good group of people and are mainly English with an American, a Canadian and an Irish person thrown into the mix.
This post I guess is really more for the people that have been here before. I have included a picture of the new dining room, the view from my room and also one of the hil top villages we see on the way to Posara from Pisa.


The new dining room- where the garage used to be

The view from my room.

Although she has retired,Mirella was back tonight to cook for us. Pasta with Porcini mushrooms followed by Wild Boar with beans and salad.

After dinner we sat in the lounge room (the old dining room) and I introduced everyone to the great card game we played last year called "Yes or No". As usual this game brought out plenty of laughs, but unlike last year I haven't got any photos of people laughing. Anyway, it is getting late and I had better get some shut eye before our big day tomorrow painting at a castle.

On the way to Posara from Pisa

Posara - Day 1

2011-10-01T22:22:00.000+02:00

Well no images for you today. After being picked up in Pisa and transferred to the Watermill at Posara I settled into my room. For those people that have been to my workshops here in the past here is a little bit of information.
I have met the students I will have for the week and some of you might know Blanche Pepper from Ireland who has been to a couple of my workshops - well she is here again and I am looking forward to hearing some of her jokes. For those of you that were here last year, Frances from New York State in the USA is back again, so it will be nice to have a couple of people I know in the class. The group seem very nice and I think will be a good group - all very relaxed and I am sure as the week progresses and people get to know each otherthe group will relax even more.
Other news- the renovations at the Watermill have been completed. What was the garage is now the new dining room and beside it a new kitchen.
Mirella the cook and cleaner has retired. John if you are reading this, I know you will be disappointed.:)
So tomorrow the real work starts and we have our first day painting here at the Mill.
Will let you know how it goes.

YACKANDANDAH TO PISA

2011-09-30T17:23:00.002+02:00

Yes, I know that once again I have been guilty of not updating my blog regularly.
Well, since I am now in Italy and about to spend the next six weeks in Italy, Croatia, Prague and Hong Kong, I promise I will update as often as possible....maybe even every day!

This first post will be short though. Simply because I am very tired from the long haul flight. I left my house in Yackandandah yesterday at 8:30 a.m and have finally arrived at my hotel in Pisa the following day at 9:15 p.m. Yackandandah time. That is about 36 hours spent in airports and flying.

Anyway, I am here now and pleased to be. Just a few quick photos and comments.

While waiting at Heathrow airport in London for my flight to Pisa I had breakfast in the Gordon Ramsay Plane Food Restaurant at the airport. I knew it had to be his restaurant - not by the name, but by the fact the waiter came up to me and said Good morning Sir, what the F&*^% would you like and make it F*&^ing quick! :) Joke!


Looking up at the Gordon Ramsay Restaurant. Glad they didn't swear at me!

They were very pleasant and I had the English breakfast. The orange juice was fresh, the poached eggs were shaped like tear drops and cooked beautifully and the bacon was incredibly tasty. Overall a very pleasant experience after the long flight.

Loved the big couches they had at Heathrow,
but people obviously thought they were beds.

The flight to Pisa was only two hours which seemed like nothing after flying from Australia. The most interesting part of the flight was when we flew over the French Alps. Couple of photos for you.

Yes, thankfully the wing is still connected to the plane
as we fly over the French Alps.

A closer view of those spectacular Alps.

Then finally after landing to my hotel and did I enjoy having a looooong shower. So am nearly falling asleep while writing this even though it is only 5 p.m. here in Pisa. Will try and stay awake. Might go to the fitness room in the hotel. It only has a walking machine and a couple of bikes, but the view is good.

Not a bad view from the hotel

WATERCOLOUR SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

2011-07-20T03:58:00.003+02:00

Has it really been that long since I updated my blog? Whoosh! Where did that time go?
Anyway, maybe I didn't update it because not much interesting has happened - SSDD :)
I have conducted a few workshops, done a few paintings, seen a few films, played some tennis, thought of the colours red, blue and black, read a few books, lost some friends, made some friends, ate out a few times, grew another hair, and watched a chimpanzee put a twig into her ear, but nothing out of the ordinary.
What else can I tell you??? I am looking forward to running my tour to Croatia this year. I have a great group of people and it should be a lot of fun.

So why am I updating my blog with such trivial things?
Just to let you know that I am still alive and to let you know that I am doing a demo for the Watercolour Society of Australia on Monday 25th July at 6:45. This will take place at the V.A.S building at 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne.

I quote what the WSA said in their latest newsletter: "Unconventional, humorous, irreverent - Charles is at his best when he has charged off in another direction and opened our eyes to something in the world that the rest of us have missed ...."

The question is whether this is true....or am I really conventional, not at all humorous, and respectful? Come along and make up your own mind...I dare you to :)

THE SELF

2011-03-14T06:51:00.010+01:00

Not so long ago I completed a large self portrait. It was painted on stretched canvas in watercolour and I found it quite confronting to do. My head is big enough as it is :), but when painting it this size, it becomes quite a journey into self discovery.
Anyway, the kids here at the local primary school in "Yack" are working on self portraits in their Art class and I was asked to bring my painting in and have a chat to a few of the classes about my process of painting.
The painting was unveiled and I was rewarded by a resounding and quite audible gasp of approval interspersed with comments such as "Wow" and "Awesome". What more could I want?
Children are always the most honest of critics and to have such a response was wonderful.

The response from the year 3 and 4 kids....love the expressions.

The year 5 and 6 kids seemed to be just as impressed. What a relief! :)

It was interesting how nervous I felt just before I unveiled the painting. I didn't think I would be, but it just shows how personal a self portrait is and how showing it to anyone, even children is quite nerve racking.

They had so many questions...which was great.
They had some fantastic interpretations of the painting too.

Alas, if only I received the same comments from the gallery directors and Art critics and judges as I received from the children! The question this raises though is which response means more? Children with their unbiased and honest response or the comments of people in the Art world that have power? Obviously one is better for the carreer and promotion, but deep down which means more to me?
By the way the judges, critics and gallery directors have not seen this painting yet, so maybe I will recieve the same response as I did from the kids. Fingers crossed :)

MELBOURNE WATERCOLOUR SHOW

2011-01-31T05:36:00.007+01:00

I will be exhibiting four watercolours painted on stretched canvas at the Melbourne Watercolour Show. The Details are below. I will be at the opening on Wednesday 9 Feb, so come along and say hello and see a mixture of watercolour paintings from some great Artists.

MELBOURNE WATERCOLOUR SHOW

10 - 20 Feb 2011
Opening: Wed 9 Feb 6 - 8 pm

Coke and Eros in Piccadilly Circus

GLEN EIRA CITY COUNCIL GALLERY

Corner of Glen Eira and Hawthorn Rd Caulfield
Hrs: 10 - 5

Click here to visit the website of the Without Pier gallery and see some of the works on line.

TOOWOOMBA

2011-01-18T04:51:00.008+01:00

So I have returned from the McGregor Summer School workshop held at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. Yes, I was there during the flood, but fortunately the university was on high ground. It was a stressful time for many students as they didn't know if their houses were flooded and all of us did not know how long we would be trapped in Toowoomba as it was virtually an island with all roads cut.
Rather than dwelling on the flood (as I am sure that you have all seen plenty of footage and have seen all the news coverage), I will just show one photo taken from my class room. The oval, road and car park all became one swimming pool. It seemed to rain almost every day and I have never seen so much rain.
I presume that it was because of the rain, but I have never seen so many frogs. Beautiful big green frogs everywhere. I even had two frogs in my bathroom at one stage and another sitting on top of the clock in the common room.

The view from my classroom

One of the Green Frogs in my bathroom

The organisers, Christine and Liz were run off their feet, but managed to keep cool heads and keep things running smoothly. I am glad I don't have their job!
Shannon (the Fairy Princess) would come to class every day and her bubbly personality was contagious and nice to experience - it helped dilute the pressure of the week.

Christine and Liz (no!-that is not a halo above Liz's head)

The workshop itself was great and it was probably one of the most creative environments I have been in. Courses covered many different disciplines- painting, sculpting, jewelery making, woodwork, beading, music, and many others. It was great to mix with so many different artists who are leaders in their respective fields.

Each night there were concerts held by the music students and also other forms of entertainment. One night we had a fancy dress ball/party which many tutors and students got into. As can be seen from the couple of photos below, the costumes ranged from things that were quite frightening to very pretty. I will let you be the judge of which is which :)

Carl Merten (the purple one) and Michael Winters ready for the fancy dress party

Shannon - The Fairy Princess

I didn't come prepared for the fancy dress, but two tutors (Kate French and Mignon Parker) kindly painted a decoration on my bald head.....they used their skills to change the back of my head into a woman's breast (including a nipple). You can tell that the party was obviously a very cultured affair!:)
My class even managed to drag me up for a dance, which is a rare thing and something that is probably best kept that way.

The workshop itself went very well and as usual I managed to take students out of their comfort zone and try new things. They all did exceptionally well and developed well over the ten days. Well done to them and a big pat on the back for all of them. To my returning students, I say thanks for returning. I look forward to the next Summer School.

Me, the class (one missing) and an unfinished demo

WORKSHOPS 2011

2010-12-02T04:00:00.000+01:00

Well since I haven't got anything exciting to report about being back in Yackandandah I thought I would let you know about the Workshops I have lined up for 2011 so far. Hope to see you there.....well at least one or two of them :)

CHARLES SLUGA - 2011 WORKSHOPS

Note: all dates below are inclusive

Workshops will be added as they are booked

TOOWOOMBA- USQ 43rd Summer School

10 Days - January 5 – 15 2011

Watercolour - A Journey and an Adventure

(click here to e-mail McGregor School for more information)

FULL (Waiting list only)

WODONGA - TAFE

An eight week watercolour program (one night a week) aimed at beginners

Feb 10, 17, 24 March 10, 17, 24 , 31 April 7

(click here to contact Katherine Rattray for more info or Ph: 02 60556699)

MERIMBULA - Sapphire Watercolour Group

4 Days - March 4 - 7 2011

Watercolour Workshop

(click here to contact Bob Ross for more info or Ph: 02 64950306)

SYDNEY COMBINED ART SOCIETIES - Art In Action

3 Days - May 13 - 15 2011

Watercolour Workshop

(click here for more information)

BATHURST- Mitchell School of Creative Arts Winter School

5 Days - July 4 – 8 2011

Watercolour - An Artist's Journey

(Phone "The Art Scene" on 02 9807 6900 for more info)

BALLARAT - Ballarat Art Society

2 Days - July 22 - 23 2011

Watercolour Workshop

(click here to contact Trish Irons for more information)

GRIFFITH - GALA

2 Days - August 6 - 7 2011

Watercolour Masterclass

(click here to contact David Martin for more information)

BRIGHT - Bright Art Gallery

2 Days - August 20 - 21 2011

Watercolour Workshop

(click here to contact Suzanne Simon for more information)

HERVEY BAY - USQ McGregor on the Bay

4 Days - September 16 - 19 2011

Watercolour Workshop

(click here to e-mail McGregor School for more information)

WATERMILL AT POSARA, TUSCANY

7 Days - October 1- 7 2011

Watercolour

(click here for more information)

ADRIATIC JEWELS TOUR, CROATIA

21 Days - October 10 - 30 2011

21 glorious days travelling along the Croatian Coast.

(click here to e-mail me for more information)

YACKANDANDAH

2010-11-11T00:06:00.014+01:00

Well here I am sitting in Yackandandah again and as usual am finding it hard to get my mind back here after travelling overseas. Such a contrast. Not a bad or good thing, just different and it takes a while to mentally adjust.
So since I took photos of views from every hotel I stayed at, I thought I would wrap it up by showing them all in order.

Pisa

Posara - didn't take a photo from my room, so this is a photo of one of the other rooms

Zagreb

Opatija

Split - didn't take a photo from my room, so this is at the front of the hotel

Hvar

Dubrovnik

Granada

Hong Kong

Yackandandah

Since I have been blogging nearly every day for over a month, I may now have a little break.
For those of you that have been reading my blog and think you may want to join me for my trip to Croatia next year, just send me an e-mail and I will send you the information for next years trip as soon as it is ready (probably the start of January). Hope you can join me!

HONG KONG - LAST DAY

2010-11-10T23:26:00.016+01:00

So I am writing this in retrospect as I am back in Australia now. My final day in Hong Kong before I flew back to Australia.
I decided to go for a walk in Victoria Park which was not far from where I was staying. It was like a little oasis in surrounded by sky scrapers. Lots of tennis courts and other sports courts.

Some of the sports grounds in Victoria park...amazing background

Soccer fields, running tracks, trees, ponds and paths. Quite relaxing to walk around and I saw quite a few elderly people doing Tai Chi. One in particular (pictured) was doing some kind of Tai Chi with a sword. Interesting to watch.

Don't mess with someone with a sword :)

Then I decided to catch the MTR (underground-tube) to Kowloon to go to a road called Flower Market Road. Yes, you guessed it...flowers. Actually it was two very large blocks of one florist after another...flowers absolutely everywhere, spilling out onto the street. Quite incredible to walk around.

Flowers on Flower Market Road

...and more flowers....and it goes on and on

The funny thing is that virtually every shop was florist and then suddenly I hear "Frosty the snowman" being played and there in amongst all the flower shops is a shop selling Christmas trees and decoration. It was such a weird contrast.

Bizzare to walk from a scene full of millions of flowers and Chinese signs into the
Christmas shop with "Frosty the snowman" playing through the speakers

So after smelling 45 million flowers I visited what they call the "Bird Garden" which was disturbing and interesting at the same time. Basically an area where all kinds of birds are kept in cages and sold. Saw a Macaw and sadly a Galah as well as heaps of other birds. The bird cages were quite interesting and the whole place was full with the sound of birds twittering (is that what birds do?).

Nice wooden bird cages....a pity they had birds in them

....and yet more wooden bird cages

How many birds can you fit in one cage?

They were also selling live grubs for birds and bags full of grasshoppers (pictured) to feed the birds. It was rather a strange place and even though I felt an overwhelming desire to release all the birds, I couldn't help myself walking around and looking at it all.

You may not be able to see this in the photo - bags full of grass and live grass hoppers

Then off to the airport for the last leg of the journey home. Not much to say as a long flight is a long flight...watching movies, not sleeping and looking at my watch numerous times.

HONG KONG - DAY THREE

2010-11-09T02:03:00.010+01:00

Well actually I have just woken, so am really finishing off day two in Hong Kong.
So yesterday I spent the day exploring Hong Kong and I found it all rather bizarre. The sky scrapers, the crowds, the noise, the modern mixed with the ancient, the West and East....felt like I was in the movie Blade runner in a way.

More signs!

Anyway, I found it all fascinating and will quickly just share some photos with you as well as some observations I found interesting.
There were so many Chinese medicine shops that I saw full of things I couldn't recognise and some things I could...like antlers, dried sea horses and fish tails. I am sure that there would be a few bits and pieces of some endangered species in there as well.

You can obviously even give "antlers" as a gift.
I have no idea what the things on the right are

So much traffic in Hong Kong that even the octopus get run over :)

Something else I found different was the fact that it seems as though builders use bamboo as scaffolding here. makes sense, but strange to see.

Scaffolding - Hong Kong style

I saw a man wrapping/binding live crabs.

What happens to these crabs?

Huge shopping centres with a million shops....one shopping centre even had an ice skating rink in the middle of it.

Don't often see this in the middle of a shopping centre

The market I went through at night in Kowloon - with people asking me constantly if I want to buy a watch...fake watches (which they admit)...fake Rolex, Tag Huer etc
The lights and enormous crowds in the Mong Kok area in Kowloon.
The fact that I felt like a giant in Hong Kong. Seems to be some very short people here (not that there aren't any tall ones), it is just that often when I was walking in a crowd or standing in a crowded train I felt like I was towering over everyone.

Love these trams...look like they would topple if they went around a bend

Anyway, I think I will do the stop over again In Hong Kong next year. It breaks up that long flight to Australia from London and there is so much more of Hong Kong I can explore, but for now, I have to get packing for the trip back to oz.
Which reminds me of an encounter I had yesterday. Two guys came up to me and asked "Do you speak English?" (They were Australian)
"Yes" I replied.
"Are you Australian"? they ask
"Yes" I reply
"Oh, even better" they say.
Then they ask " Where can I buy some F@$$ing shoes around ere"? (the "h" is left out on purpose)
Well if they were normal shoes they were after I might have been able to suggest a few shoe shops I saw, but since they seemed to be after F%$^#ing shoes, I couldn't really help them :)
In fact everything they seemed to say was preceded by the word "F$#%ing".
Anyway, it was rather a strange exchange and one that although I probably would have preferred not to have, I found amusing.
So it is goodbye Hong Kong until next year. Suppose I had better do some of the touristy things next time.
Will blog when I get back home.

HONG KONG DAY TWO

2010-11-08T13:23:00.004+01:00

Very short post. 8:30 pm, jet lag has hit and I can hardly keep my eyes open. So just one photo from today which is the standard expected shot of Hong Kong. Will give some details and stories tomorrow.

Lights of Hong Kong

More tommorow! zzzzzz

HONG KONG

2010-11-07T14:36:00.002+01:00

Finally here in Hong Kong and it seems like a week ago that I left Granada.
I usually do the long haul flight home, but am glad I have decided to have a couple of nights here on the way.
Won't write much as I am too tired and might just sleep.

Since I have done it at every place I have stayed over the last six weeks, I have taken a photo from my room (shown below).

Again the photo doesn't do it justice, but it is a spectacular view

Was thinking of doing a tour tomorrow, but have decided to simply explore city myself and take heaps of photos. So will let you know of my impressions tomorrow.

GRANADA - DAY SIX

2010-11-05T21:41:00.003+01:00

Not much to write today on my final day in Granada. Pretty much spent the day relaxing, trying to recover. Went for a few short walks. Went to a restaurant for dinner, but that is about it...oh and packed for tomorrow.

On one of my walks today (when I was in front of the Cathedral), an old lady (gypsy??) came up to me an offered me a sprig of Rosemary. I said no, but she was very insistent putting it in my hand...then she grabbed my hands and read my palms. In Spanish of course, so all I could pick up was two bambinos (I have two? or I am going to have two more?) and also that I had a strong and valiant heart (obviously doesn't know me). Anyway, this lasted about thirty seconds and of course (and I was waiting for it) she wanted some money. I gave her two Euro, but she was insisting that it is five Euro....you have got to be kidding...for thirty seconds work. I didn't know how to say "you have to be kidding" in Spanish, but I think she eventually understood.

If she was so good at reading my palm she should have realised there was no way I was giving her five Euro for something I couldn't even understand. She should have also realised that I have a cold, have been sniffling and coughing and sneezing and that my palms were probably covered in germs.
So rather than crossing her palms with gold, I probably just crossed them with germs....she will have a cold in a few days.
So that was about the most interesting thing that happened to me today.

So I am packed and ready to go tomorrow. Flights aren't the best...I fly from Granada to Madrid with a two hour wait. Then Madrid to London with an awful seven hours to wait and then a twelve hour flight until I arrive at Hong Kong at about 5:30pm on Sunday.
A couple of nights in Hong Kong so I will be able to have a quick look around and take some snaps.
So obviously I won't be blogging until I am there.
See you there!

GRANADA - DAY FIVE

2010-11-04T20:02:00.009+01:00

Well, not much to report today. Went and had breakfast in the Plaza Nueva and sat in the sun trying to dry my sinuses out - yuck!. Then came back to bed for most of the day. A pity to do so, but just too exhausted and "coldy" to do anything.
I did drag myself out of bed to go and have dinner in a nearby cafe. It was quick and the food average. Two young American women were sitting at the table next to me. One of them in particular used the word "like" a lot as many of that age do. To stop myself getting annoyed by it (because I am a grumpy old man with a cold), I counted how many times she said it over a period of time. It was my little form of entertainment since I was sitting alone having average food and it did entertain me. She averaged once every five seconds. That is twelve times every minute. I couldn't believe like how many times like she would like say like in one sentence like :)
Came back and rested and then went out to see some Flamenco dancing ( my last chance to see it, so had to go out even though I would sniffle through the performance) in the Sacromonte. This is a group of caves that were made into dwellings by the gypsy's. In fact the type of Flamenco I saw was called Zambra which was the typical gypsy dance and song. WARNING: If you have a headache for any reason do not go and watch flamenco. The clapping and the Castanets are not good for the head! Believe me...I know now!

It is amazing how loud clapping can be :)

Anyway, apart from the noise and the obvious touristy side of the event, it was enjoyable. Not quite what I had imagined, but enjoyable.

Black is what I imagine Flamenco dancers wearing

The woman in the white dress with red spots (pictured below) even asked me to dance with her at one stage...seriously....but I declined. For those of you that know me, you know I normally would have been up dancing in a flash, but the cold I have prevented me :)

Judging by the old photos on the wall, a spotted dress
seems to be the traditional costume of the dancers

Anyway, tomorrow is my last day in Granada and I am hoping I have more energy than today.

GRANADA - DAY FOUR

2010-11-03T18:07:00.020+01:00

Great! I have woken with a cold - runny nose, headache, sore eyes....but I am sneezing a lot, so it may be a bad case of hay fever. I am taking medication for hay fever though. Must be something in my room that I am allergic to. Cold or hay fever, still feel awful.
Anyway, that is enough complaining...you are lucky I am not going to carry on about my Achilles tendon...have to get that checked out when I get home.
So today walked to the Alhambra and on the way who should I bump into, but Washington Irving....well, a statue of Washington Irving. The author of the book "Tales of the Alhambra" which I have been reading while in Granada.

Washington Irving

A little further on I come across a scene that John Singer Sargent painted. I love the painting and couldn't resist having my photo taken there. There is even a stone bench where I am sure he sat when he did the painting.

Escutcheon of Charles V of Spain by John Singer Sargent.....

....and here I am in the same spot

So finally get to the Alhambra and what do I think of it? Is it something you must see before you die? Well I have to say that it is pretty incredible. The buildings and the gardens are amazing. In fact I have never seen gardens as impressive. They make the gardens I have seen in Italy seem rather insignificant in comparison. The entire place is incredible and would be even more impressive if it wasn't for the hoards of tourists....no, I am not a tourist, I am an Artist...there is a difference:)
It was very difficult to take photos without someones head getting in the way and virtually impossible to get a photo without anyone in it. The gardens were quieter than the Palace, but that is due to the sheer magnitude of the grounds. Anyway, crowds aside, it is definitely worth visiting.
It is difficult to know which photos to include, so I have randomly chosen ten photos of the Alhambra and its gardens.

When I returned from the Alhambra I did go to one of the tea houses and have a tea in a glass.

The tea house

Now, it is nearly seven p.m. and I am sitting in bed, sniffling and sneezing as I write this, wondering if I have the energy to go out for dinner later. I will see!

GRANADA - DAY THREE

2010-11-02T17:07:00.022+01:00

So I have missed the Melbourne cup again. I don't even know who won. This time last year I remember I was in London and it was cold. I considered getting up and finding a pub to watch it, but it was too warm and I was snuggled up in bed...bliss and nothing was going to make me move. This year however I am in Granada. Again I didn't get out of bed to watch it (probably wouldn't have been able to find out where to see it anyway) and I can tell you it is a lot warmer in Granada than London.
So today was another day of exploring. Didn't do any painting as there is too much to discover at the moment and I have a few days ahead of me yet.
Went for breakfast at a cafe nearby and had orange juice, coffee and something like a little baguette cut in half with tomato and prosciutto and then it was toasted. Many people seemed to be having it. The most amazing thing about the place was the number of dried hams hanging from the ceiling. Just check out the photo.

I am going to have to go back and count how many dried hams are hanging

I noticed in Granada the little bollard type things (I don't know what you call them) along the paths and squares here and they all have a little pomegranate on them. Granada meaning Pomegranate in Spanish I believe.

Granada (Pomegranate)...these are everywhere in the streets

This reflection of an old building reminds me of Dali

Walked by this stand of spices in the street and the aroma was intoxicating

So up through the ancient Albaicin area again with the Moorish architecture. Hearing Arabic music as I meander through the maze of tiny streets.

I could very well be in Morocco

Loved the name of this cafe (Cafe for cats)

Good wiring at number 5

One of the street signs in the Albaicin

Eventually I come to a square where some buskers are playing (little sample below) and many people sitting on a wall listening and looking at the view.

The buskers...they were good to listen to...but the setting helped

A small taste of the music

I walk up and am blown away by the scene. Looking down over Granada and the Albaicin towards the Alhambra which has an amazing backdrop of the snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains. It is really a breathtaking view and I am afraid the photos just don't do it justice.

Part of the Alhambra in front of the Sierra Nevada mountains...amazing view!

I sit for a long time listening to the music and looking at the view wishing that I had someone to turn to and say "just look at that"...well I did anyway...a couple of German girls who I ended up getting to take my photo for me.

A German girl takes my photo as proof that I am here

So back down to my street and out to have my Spanish lesson with the waitress. A bit of confusion, so in the end no lesson today. I will try and reschedule if it suits her.
I slowly walk back to my hotel passing a few guitar making shops with the sound of Flamenco guitar music filling the street. Think I am going to have to buy a CD of Flamenco guitar.

Just one of the authentic guitar makers in my street

So tomorrow I am off to see the Alhambra...am looking forward to that.

GRANADA - DAY TWO

2010-11-01T21:57:00.011+01:00

Well I had a good sleep in and woke late, but decided to have a lazy day with no rush to do anything.
Before I get on to the day I will just finish off the Croatia part of my Blog.
The last day was a free day and as I said always a sad day when the tour is over. We all had dinner at a nearby restaurant and the group gave me some gifts. They had a T shirt printed for me and I have to say that I know that it will be one of a kind in the world and it will only have meaning to myself and the 2010 Tour group. You may see me wearing it at a workshop or two:)
Anyway, a big thanks to all of the group. Some of you are home by now and others have gone on to new travel destinations. I am sure that I will see many of you again...thanks again for joining the trip...it was a hoot! :)

Croatia 2010

Now today in Granada - after a long sleep in and a leisurely breakfast I simply explored the surrounding streets today. I will include some photos tomorrow, but I found the streets of the Albaicin district wonderful with the Moorish influence. Bazaar type streets with shops selling colourful clothes, scarves, shoes, leather goods, tiles, chess sets, guitars and a heap of other things. Shop owners were chatting in Arabic and Spanish and the numerous tea houses decorated in beautiful patterns were interspersed amongst the shops. I will be going into one of the tea houses tomorrow.

One view from my room

At one stage I simply sat in Plaze Nueva today and had a red wine and tapas while people watching. When ordering my drink my Spanish was atrocious, but the waitress that served me has a day off tomorrow and she has agreed to have a drink with me and teach me some essential Spanish. Hopefully by the end of the five days, I will be able to ask for something in a restaurant without making a fool of myself and without the waiter looking at me with a confused expression and saying "best if you say it in English". Anyway, the cost of the Spanish lesson tomorrow will be a drink or dinner, depending on how well the lesson goes....as long as I don't have to order in Spanish...gulp!
Tonight I went to dinner at one of the restaurants with Arabic food and an exotic oriental ambiance. I enjoyed a lovely lamb dish with prunes and almonds cooked in the Tajeen. Lemonade (real) with fresh mint and then a Moroccan tea. The Lemonade and the tea were both poured into the glasses from a height of about two feet...it was quite impressive to watch really.

My Moroccan tea served in a beautifully patterned glass

The inside of the restaurant was dimly lit, relaxing and very Moroccan in style. I have included a couple of photos, but they don't do justice to the mood of the place.

Great little Moroccan restaurant

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was great with the decorations and the Arabic music.

Pillows and comfy seats add to the atmosphere

Yes, I have been talking about food again. Why is that? Well basically because I do enjoy food (as most of us do), but I also feel it is also an important part of immersing oneself into another culture (no McDonalds for me I am afraid). So I will continue to try different foods while here and yes I will probably mention it. Anyway tomorrow is another day to explore the town and I may do some painting tomorrow.
See you tomorrow when my Spanish will be oh so much better:)

GRANADA - DAY ONE

2010-10-31T22:10:00.003+01:00

Well after leaving the hotel in Dubrovnik at 5 a.m. I have finally arrived in Granada. It is after 10 p.m. and I am just too tired to write anything. I arrived when it was dark, so I can't say anything about Granada yet. Just seemed like a big city on the way in from the airport.
Will write tomorrow.

DUBROVNIK - DAY FIVE

2010-10-30T22:21:00.002+02:00

Well, always a sad day. The last day in Dubrovnik and the last day of the three week tour. We had lots of laughs and friendships were made and I always find it difficult to say goodbye to the group.
I planned on showing some paintings by the group on the blog, but only ended up taking photos of a few, so will not show any. Wouldn't seem fair to show works by some and not all.
Am not going to write any more as I need to pack and get some sleep. Am leaving at five in the morning to catch my flight. So I will finish off the last post of my Croatian tour in the next couple of days some time.
I am off to Spain tomorrow (Granada in particular), so a new adventure begins. One that I will be doing alone though. Will continue my blog in Granada so keep on reading.
Bye for now or should I now be saying Adios?

DUBROVNIK - DAY FOUR

2010-10-29T23:17:00.015+02:00

Today was a day out on the island of Lokrum painting.
What is out on Lokrum?...not much....an old ruin of a monastery, a cafe, a botanical garden and peacocks.
So let me share some photos and tell you a little of today.

Pat and Patricia enjoying the breeze on the way to Lokrum
- did you know that purple scarf that Pat is wearing is also used to store food?

The ferry ride to the island of Lokrum is very short (only about 20 to 30 minutes) and one of the first things you come across are Peacocks walking around everywhere. Watched them as they strutted around looking important.

One of the many Peacocks on the island

The thought of them today pecking for worms reminds me of another story from today. Peter and Ray had room service last night for dinner and Ray had ordered Salmon and a Salad, only to find a worm in her salad. Peter tried to phone room service to complain, but couldn't get through after numerous phone calls (probably becuase she was in my room having a chat after she delivered my room service - worm free).
Anyway as Ray was telling me the story she said the worm crawled out of her salad then died...which made me wonder how bad the salad must have been to kill the worm. Then she said she wanted it to be alive for when room service came to see them...it must have been the mood I was in today, but I had visions of Ray trying to keep the worm alive...giving it mouth to mouth and screaming at it.."Live damn it, live...stay away from the light...don't go to the light" :) Anyway, the worm unfortunately departed this mortal coil and went to meet it's maker and Ray ended up just having the Salmon.
So all that was just a side track as a result of thinking of Peacocks eating worms...so back to the day!

Beautiful Atrium at the Monastery

I did a quick demo painting (with an empahasis on how to paint shadows and interpretation of a scene) within the monastery walls and then the group split up to do their own paintings.

Peter finds a good place to paint - I had a desire to just lie on that wall and soak up the sun:)

Erika finds a place near the fire hoses???

Pat chooses to paint among the ruins and constructions

Lunch then at the cafe where we sat outside , watched the peacocks and were entertained by a guitar player who played variation of common songs. The music was very good and relaxing. It was also entertaining to watch him as he always had a beer by his side and a lit cigarette that never left his mouth. I remember watching him a couple of years ago and waiting for the ash to fall off his cigarette....I think it took about two and a half songs.

Great music and everlasting cigarettes and beer

Back to painting after lunch and most of us (including myself) had a go at painting some beautiful old olive trees. I didn't have much success, but enjoyed being there anyway as it was a lovely atmosphere.

Painting amongst the very old and twisted olive trees

Walked around the botanical gardens on the island that have a slightly run down feel, but are rather pleasent. In fact these gardens have the biggest collection of different variety of gum trees outside of Australia. As always I picked a leaf off one, had a smell of the leaf and immediately felt homesick.

Reminder of Australia

So back to the hotel and everyone came to my room for some drinks. We had some red wine, but also tasted some alcohol I had bought while on the island of Hvar. Very strong spirits- one made from plums, one from pears and one from apples, but all very strong. All as Peter calls them are "tonsil grabbers".
Then off to the old town on the local bus (which we have been using over the last few days) to see a classical concert in and old church lit by candles. It was most enjoyable and only two of my group fell asleep:)...seriously! I will not mention names, but will say it was two females:)

Great atmosphere to listen to a concert

Anyway, home on the bus again and I have included a photo below of the handles that you hold onto when standing for support in the bus. I don't know what they are called, but loved these-beer cans encased in plastic advertising one of the Croatian beers. Don't you think it is a clever way and place to advertise a product?

Advertisement for beer on the local bus

So tomorrow is our last day. Always sad when it comes to an end. It is a free day, so we will all be getting together for the final dinner tomorrow night.
Stay tuned!

DUBROVNIK - DAY THREE

2010-10-28T19:50:00.009+02:00

My demo painting

A short post today.
At last a beautiful sunny day here in Dubrovnik. The rain is over and it seems we will have another nice sunny day tomorrow.
So the day was spent painting and having lunch.
Some photos for you.

The group at work....but where is Micheline?

...there she is...hiding in the corner

...but what a nice place to paint!

Hope this doesn't mean bad luck for Baiba

Had to show a photo of a dog since I had the photo of a cat

The view from where we had lunch

Off to the nearby island of Lokrum tomorrow for some painting.

DUBROVNIK - DAY TWO

2010-10-27T18:50:00.019+02:00

Well another rainy day today....and cold...at least for the start of the day. I have been told that the weather has been very wet for a month and that it is all rather strange for this time of year. Actually last year and this year the weather has been cooler than usual on my tour. All other years have been very warm. Apparently though tomorrow is going to be rain free.
So what did we do today? Today we had a guided tour of Dubrovnik with Roberto. For years Roberto has been doing the guided tour of Dubrovnik for my group and I would say he is the best guide that I have ever had. He is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the tour very interesting and enjoyable with lots of stories.

Roberto explaining an interesting fact while people huddle from the wind

He is very articulate and he speaks seven languages. He only had to use one language for my group, but I wasn't really sure since I have a Canadian and a New Zealander in my group and we Australians know they talk "funny" :)
Which brings me to a little side story from yesterday. We were talking about Macrame (as I obviously often do:) ), and it seems as though Micheline, the Canadian in the group, has a rather strange way of pronouncing it....well it was strange to the rest of us. Now I don't know if I can explain the difference in the pronunciation of this word without you hearing it, but I will give it a go.
Canadians say - Mack -Roe -May
Australians say - Mack - Ra - Me
We all decided that the way Micheline says it makes it sound like some kind of fish species...like a special type of Mackerel. Ever since then we have been looking for "Mack-Roe-May" on the menu at fish restaurants :)
I may even film her saying it so that you can hear the difference.
Anyway, description of strange species of fish aside, back to today!
As I was saying Roberto did an excellent job of bringing Dubrovnik and the history to life.

This is the first piece of Graffiti in Dubrovnik - in Latin and dated 1597 (lower right)-
What does it say?....well you will have to come on my tour to find out,
unless you can read Latin :)

Roberto telling a story at the window of Dubrovnik's first orphanage

After the tour we sat in a restaurant and ordered lunch surrounded by decorations of a nautical theme and under the curious and longing stare of a large fish that looked like a groper in a tank by our table. I don't think anyone ordered fish.

Micheline looking carefully to find a fish dish which includes the head and eyes :)

The chairs in this place were large heavy wooden things that seemed to weigh a ton. The heaviest chairs I have ever moved. Anyway, I think that half the group have hernias now and the other half are trapped at the restaurant because once in, they couldn't move the chairs to get up.

You can't miss the boat frame in the background....and heavy chairs

Then after our lunch it was time to walk around the wall of Dubrovnik. Every time I do this walk the atmosphere is different and I still take a million photos.
I have included just a small selection of photos.

I lost Penny once in Croatia, but now she wears a bright red jacket
and yellow scarf so I can see her - can you find her?

Contemplating the fantastic view and the steps

Proof that I am here too and I remember taking a photo here last year

Micheline and Penny thinking...."not more bloody steps"...typical of Penny to swear:)

I just love walking around the wall of Dubrovnik

Peek a Boo

Jane from Yackandandah should recognise some of these views...Hi Jane!
Now as I write this I am sitting in my room, it is about 8:30 pm and I have ordered some room service and I am watching tennis on TV. It is nice to have an early night and be able to just sit back and relax for the evening.

The view from my room

So tomorrow the weather is supposed to be sunny and we have a full day of painting in the old city...should be a good day!

DUBROVNIK - DAY ONE

2010-10-26T23:17:00.014+02:00

It is late and it has been a long day, so this blog is going to be mainly images.
Normally on my tour we travel from Hvar to Dubrovnik by ferry, but this year, they stopped the ferry service early. So went to plan B - catch a ferry from Hvar to Split, then organise for a mini bus to take us to Dubrovnik.
The weather today was blustery and raining, but this made for some very dramatic scenery on the amazing drive from Split to Dubrovnik.
Below are some photos.

A happy little group looking forward to the ferry ride

Was just a little worried there was going to be mutiny
and that I would be thrown overboard

Cast off

Wasn't long before the gentle rocking of the ferry put Peter to sleep ...or was it that Ray was playing with her new phone yet again :)

Erika and Ray go out on deck to sport a new hair style

Dramatic low clouds

I am too tired to write any more, so no captions for the photos below......just examples of the great scenery on the way.

Goodnight! I am just to sleepy to finish the story of the rest of the day (will finish it some other time), and can't even be bothered checking for spelling mistakes....yawn! zzzzzzzzzzzzz

HVAR - DAY FOUR

2010-10-25T18:17:00.023+02:00

Our last day in Hvar and unfortunately it rained for much of the day. Today we explored a couple of other villages on the island.
Our mini bus arrived and it was soon discovered by some quick counting that the bus was one seat short. So four people had to squeeze into the back three seats of the bus. Luckily we didn't have far to go, so they didn't have to put up with, to use Ray's words,"something hard pressing up against their coccyx" for long :)

Can you pick who is having trouble with their coccyx?

Patricia looks pleased about having the front seat....or is it because she is next to the driver?

We took the old road over the hills and soon came across an elderly couple herding their goats along the road. The old woman was not impressed that we used the road and told the bus driver off as we drove by. He just smiled at the woman and said "what can I do?"

"Why are you using this *&%$ road you &%$*" says the friendly goat farmer

We stopped at the top of the hills to stretch our legs (and for those sitting in the back, to stretch their coccyges- plural of coccyx- I had to look that up!) and look at the views. As can be seen from the photos below there are stone walls everywhere. The stone walls were constructed many years ago by the farmers, not as partitions, but to actually move the millions of rocks so that they could access the earth for planting. Not a job for the weak!

Getting ready to stack some more rocks - they like a challenge!

Great view over the island

The stone walls go on and on!

"No Baiba, it isn't a toilet... you will have to wait!" :)

Some of the bushes by the road had a berry on them called Maginje in Croatian (I don't know what the English translation is) and some of the group tried them... they are still alive, so no nasty side effects....yet!
On to a little town called Vrboska and my favourite part here was taking the group to meet a man who has been making and fixing fishing nets for the island fishermen for at least thirty years. He has done other jobs in his life, but first learn't the trade when he was fifteen from his father.

Just some of the nets he will work on

Anyway, he is a great character and has a million stories about his life and the town. I could have listened to him all day. He was happy for all of us to come inside and see where he works and demonstrated a little for us. I have included a very short film of him at work, but you will have to put your head to the side because I turned the camera to the side to film (obviously wasn't thinking!).

Head to the side!

He also showed us a large tuna fish tail he had and gave everyone in the group a pomegranate....why? he just happened to have some in a box and wanted to give everybody one.

When it was time to go I took another photo of him standing at the door of his work place.

Fixing nets for over thirty years!...and he loves football (soccer)

He wanted me to take a photo of him with the women in the group... a ladies man! I told him that I will print a copy for him and post it to him.

Some of the ladies were worried about where he might place his hand
...I think that is why Baiba is holding his arm...to make sure he doesn't move it! :)

The saddest thing is that I asked him if there is anyone on the island to carry on the skill and there is not. I look forward to coming back next year and having another chat with him and am saddened that one day in the future when I visit with my group, he will no longer be there.
Anyway, after we left Vrboska we went to the town of Starigrad and it began to rain. Walked around a little and the went to a lovely cosy little restaurant called Jurin Podrum (if you are reading this Merran and Louise, it is the restaurant you went to last year). It is run by a lovely women called Silvija ("j" is pronounced as a "y" in Croatian). The food was delicious. I had the house specialty which was Octopus stew with grilled polenta....scrumptious...followed by lemon tart which had poppy seed in the base. Of course it was finished off with a glass of plum brandy to help with the digestion....something that is often done in Croatia.

The group will hate me for this shot-
photos taken during the chewing process are never great!

Back to Hvar town and then a bit of gift shopping and relaxation before packing for the trip to Dubrovnik tomorrow.