Last night, I have been searching for a photo that expresses Work for the 2012 Water Dragon Event. And posted one of my desk.
This morning I realized I made the perfect shot just yesterday. May I present to you:
I’m sorry he can’t stay and we only see his departure. He is too busy gathering food for his mother.
Isn’t it fun that Jake Sprinter decided to challenge us to think of work on a SUNDAY?
This week’s theme of the Sunday Post of the weekly 2012 Water Dragon Event is
So here is my contribution:
This is where I work when I’m at home. I love my desk!
Have a Work-Free Sunday!
Six Word Saturday:
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Though the left side of my skull is trying to take over my weekend, I won’t let it. Usually I wait far too long before I finally give in and look for a temporary solution in medicine. But my family does not need a zombie-mother. They need a smile. And so do I.
So together, we – the little white pill and I – will overrule this migraine and get out into the fresh air.
Do you have tips to get rid of and – better – avoid migraines? I’d love to hear them.
Happy Painless Weekend!
PS. If you want to see the pictures I’ve made of our walk, then click on Groen, Groener, Groenst. Don’t let the Dutch discourage you. It simple means: Green, Greener, Greenest 
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Want to play along? All that’s necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words.
<< Click the button for more Six Word Saturday at Cate’s.
Subject A. (on the right) is already waiting, hiding behind his hat and sun glasses.
Then suddenly, subject B. (on the left) arrives at the scene. He is wearing shades too.
After he sits down, he reaches into his pocket and…
… leaves. After a short while, his place is taken by yet another man, subject C. (on the left). Also in hat and glasses.
Could it be…
…
…
…
…
that he will order coffee too?
I am sorry. These men were simply enjoying a sunny afternoon, talking, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. I do apologize for my over-active imagination. It just won’t hold its tongue.
~
and then, suddenly
a boy turns into a man
finding his own way
~
It is my youngest son’s eighteenth birthday today. I’m so proud of him. He is turning into a wonderful young man. Unfortunately he’s rather camera shy – at least with me
My friend and co-worker Mootje, and Donkey – Together. I absolutely adore this image.
Other photos of April’s challenge at WordPress.com
Wouldn’t you love to come home, welcomed like this each day?
Well, I do!
Mosteiro Santa Maria da Vitória, more commonly known as the Batalha Monastery, is a Dominican convent in Batalha, in the District of Leiria, Portugal. It is one of the best and original examples of Late Gothic architecture in Portugal, intermingled with the Manueline style.
The convent was built to thank the Virgin Mary for the Portuguese victory over the Castilians in the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, fulfilling a promise of King John I of Portugal. The battle put an end to the 1383-1385 crisis.
It took over a century to build, starting in 1386 and ending circa 1517, spanning the reign of seven kings. It took the efforts of fifteen architects (Mestre das Obras da Batalha), but for seven of them the title was no more than an honorary title bestowed on them. The construction required an enormous effort, using extraordinary resources of men and material. New techniques and artistic styles, hitherto unknown in Portugal, were deployed.
Work began in 1386 by the Portuguese architect Afonso Domingues who continued till 1402. He drew up the plan and many of the structures in the church and the cloister are his doing. His style was essentially Rayonnant Gothic, however there are influences from the English Perpendicular Period. There are similarities with the façade of York Minster and with the nave and transept of Canterbury Cathedral.
He was succeeded by Huguet from 1402 to 1438. This architect, who was probably from Catalonian descent, introduced the Flamboyant Gothic style. This is manifest in the main façade, the dome of the square chapter house, the Founder’s Chapel, the basic structure of the Imperfect Chapels and the north and east naves of the main cloister. He raised the height of the nave to 32.46 m. By altering the proportions he made the interior of the church even seem narrower. he also completed the transept but he died before he could finish the Imperfect Chapels.
During the reign of Afonso V of Portugal, the Portuguese architect Fernão de Évora continued the construction between 1448 and 1477. He added the Cloister of Afonso V. He was succeeded by the architect Mateus Fernandes the Elder in the period 1480-1515. This master of the Manueline style worked on the portal of the Capelas Imperfeitas. Together with the famous Diogo Boitac he realized the tracery of the arcades in the Claustro Real. Work on the convent continued into the reign of John III of Portugal with the addition of the fine Renaissance tribune (1532) by João de Castillo. The construction came to a halt, when the king decided to put all his efforts in the construction of the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.
The earthquake of 1755 did some damage, but much greater damage was inflicted by the Napoleonic troops of Marshal Masséna, who sacked and burned the complex in 1810 and 1811. When the Dominicans were expelled from the complex in 1834, the church and convent were abandoned and left to fall in ruins.
In 1840, king Ferdinand II of Portugal started a restoration program of the abandoned and ruined convent, saving this jewel of Gothic architecture. The restoration would last till the early years of the 20th century. It was declared a national monument in 1907. In 1980 the monastery was turned into a museum.
The Batalha convent was added in 1983 by UNESCO to its list of World Heritage sites.
We have roamed the monastery and the surrounding area for hours. It was breathtaking, beautiful. I loved the rather sober interior with the exquisite details on the outside. Did you notice the worn steps? And the elegant nun’s robe? I hope it kept them warm, since the monastery was cold. Photo 120430-1201 is a detail of the huge dormitory, and 1254 a part of the Unfinished chapels.
I don’t know who was riding his horse in the last photos: I was too busy trying to photograph two dogs that entered the monastery time and again. Only to be chased away by the guard. It was hilarious.
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According to the Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Black Water Dragon, starting on February 4, 2012.
And since I love dragons, black and photography, I decided to follow Jake Sprinter on his inspirational weekly 2012 Water Dragon Event, if a little late.
This week’s theme of the Sunday Post is Vehicle.
This beauty was cruising the Dutch highways last Easter.
I have posted the photo in my Dutch blog Doldriest back then.
Chanced upon while taking a walk on a sunny Sunday.
Six Word Saturday:
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In the Netherlands, Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag) is celebrated each year on May 5th, to mark the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II.
The nation was liberated largely by Canadian troops, with the assistance of the British and American Armies (see Operation Market Garden) and French airborne (see Operation Amherst).
THANK YOU!!!!
On the 5th of May 1945, the Canadian General Charles Foulkes and the German Commander-in-Chief Johannes Blaskowitz reached an agreement on the capitulation of German forces in the Netherlands in Hotel de Wereld in Wageningen. One day later, the capitulation document was signed in the auditorium of Wageningen University, located next-door to the hotel.
After the liberation in 1945, Liberation Day was commemorated every 5 years. Finally, in 1990, the day was declared to be a national holiday, when the liberation would be commemorated and celebrated every year.
On May 4th, the Dutch hold the Remembrance of the Dead for the people who fought and died during World War II, and in wars in general. There is a remembrance gathering in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam and at the National Monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam. Throughout the country, two minutes of silence are observed at 8 p.m. On May 5th, the liberation is celebrated and festivals are held at most places in the Netherlands.
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Want to play along? All that’s necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words.
<< Click the button for more Six Word Saturday.
