Another example of cropping photos

 

Top of the lift at La Villa, Italy (Dolomites)

Original

Background upper right - note houses



Section of the photo - bottom of lift

Gondola barely seen in original



 



Using photo software

Venice canal between the jail and the Doge's Palace

Detail of "Bridge of Sighs"

Detail of billboard

Detail of gondola stop

 

Taking a single photo and then using photo software to enlarge parts of it or to emphasize colors or shadows gives you a chance to see more of the scene. This is just one example. There are several parts of the one photo that are interesting. The next step might be to better enlarge the Gondola stop.





Speaking of getting lost

Liechtenstein is one of the smallest nations on earth. One would not think it was easy to get lost there. Ah, but then there is me. I was looking to get a passport stamp and ended up in a nice neighborhood with nice people who did not speak English. Even the postman couldn't help. Obviously, as I am writing this from California, we found our way out.

Concorso d'Eleganza at Italy's Villa d'Este

 Concorso d'Eleganza at Italy's Villa d'Este combines one of my favorite things (cars) with one of my favorite places (Lake Como). The bucket list got longer.

These photos belong to...

...with a very rare exception (and it is usually noted) these photos were taken by one of the McLellans (Mike or Marietta). Some have been cropped or Photo Shopped a tad to make them look better on this site.

Pictures of the two of us together were likely taken by some French person - we do not know why, but wherever we are the person we ask to take our picture is likely French.

Where are we? - A game.

Look at the plants. There are many tropical plants that are found in desert areas here. The house, however looks more colonial, maybe from the East Coast of Maine. The Gulf Stream brings the warmth of the coast of Florida across the Atlantic to Ireland and Scotland. You will find the same sea shells in Miami as in Cobh, Ireland and Nairn, Scotland. This bed and breakfast is in Lismore, Ireland, in County Waterford.

Yes, it is a surprise.

Rainbow over the Half Penny Bridge

Rainbow over the Half Penny Bridge, Dublin, Ireland. To the right is Temple Bar and to the left is the pot of gold. 

 

Edinburgh Castle

This is a working castle, still home to soldiers (like the Tower of London), and a living museum. The one o'clock cannon is fired to give the community and the boats in the harbor the time of day - set your watch. The story is that they considered a twelve o'clock cannon, but being thrifty they settled on the one o'clock as it saved eleven shells a day.

NOT HOLLAND

Just outside of Woodburn, Oregon, USA

 

Looking close

Close up of the photo below

Waterfall at grocery store parking lot

Cortina, Italy

(Cortina was the site of one of the first Winter Olympics)

Food

Traveling can make you hungry and open you up to new tastes as well. In Italy I tried donkey meat ragu and did not find it something I would order again. Not bad, but lots of things better. I did come back from Italy with a strong appreciation for Italian sparkling mineral water.

Scotland is famous for Haggis and most people like it until they find out what it is made from. I like it. I also like skurely and black pudding.

Ireland has lots of great dishes, but shepherd's pie is almost always a good choice. Colcannon is wonderful.

If you don't like kidney, try any other of the English pies. There is a pub on Rathburn Street in London that is worth the trip. If you need to, lug a small bottle of Tabasco along when going to the UK.

Having grown up working in the Chinese community, I admittedly like some nontraditional dishes. But, I had found it best to try something and enjoy it without asking what is in it. It is like eating sushi.

You don't have to be adventurous, just willing to try things. You know that for generations people thought that tomatoes were poison and did not eat them. And, who cured and ate the first olive? 

Clouds

Dublin center city

 

Cortina, Italy

 

Alta Badia Italy

All in the details

In top picture look above the center of the fountain and you will see this man (second photo) looking out of his window at Piazza Navona. Nice view.

Just noticed a second figure in a window to left above staff.

Favorite spots

Kensington Gardens, London UK

Speaking of sculpture

This is the back room at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Most of these are copies of famous sculptures. Note David that is really in Florence.

Donatello's David

As a follow up to the last post, I thought I might refresh memories by posting this. Donatello's David (bronze) was gilded. It is in the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy. It appeared to me, standing beside it, that is was life-size for a young boy. It is not large. At the feet of the sculpture is Goliath's head. It was done in the middle of the 15th century.

 

Notice the bottom picture's background. I would have sat on the step at that window for another hour if I did not have to move on. I kept thinking that it could not be true that I was there and there is nothing to keep me from touching the sculpture -- except good sense.

Powerful art

There is much in the way of great art in Europe. So much so that some people get on overload. As a sculptor and worker in glass, those are my favorites. I was greatly looking forward to seeing Donatello's David - a personal favorite in text books. I was not prepared for his Mary Madeline, a wood carving shown in the Duomo Museum in Florence. I was simply speechless.

Ca. 1453

Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy

I could live here if I could afford it.

I just like this picture

Walkway near the Roman Theater in Verona

I post on Trip Advisor because they have helped me

I post reviews, photos and notes on Trip Advisor because it has been very helpful to us as we plan our trips and itineraries. I post on the UK, Ireland, Italy, Austria, California and Oregon forums.  It is helpful to hear what other people have found out about where they are headed. You can read the ads, but it is more helpful to read the reactions and experiences of the travelers. Here are a few pictures posted. A crypt near Piazza dei Signori in Verona, Italy.

Mittenweld Germany

Just a note that the borders between Germany, Austria and Italy have been "moveable" over the generations. If you wake up in Northern Italy, Austria or southern Germany you need to check the hotel phonebook to know where you are. The locals are not all that different from one another.

Pointedy things in London

Nelson's Column

Outside Buckingham gate

Prince Albert Memorial

Central London TV and cell tower

 

It is interesting to me that everywhere I go there are towers and objects pointing to the sky.  It is not just at churches, but at other places. Continental Europe has a bunch, but so does London. (See posts on this blog for Ireland and Italy)

London Theater

While in London the last time we went to see Agatha Christie's "Mousetrap" at the St. Martin's Theater.  It is the longest running play ever. I cannot tell you how it ends or they will kill me.

It is a most civilized thing - this theater in London - there is a little dressing up and there is the full bar on each level. Watching good acting while sipping South African wine is good sport.