Où donner de la tête?

It's difficult to keep up with the weather changes these days.
The trip to London early in April, graced by sunshine and a feeling of spring coming, has been followed by cold rain in Verona, very hot weather for someone who has spent 5 years in London, and heavy rain again.
So, in chronological order, here is a few snapshots of a couple of a recent week-end.
Since Verona is only 1h30 away from Venice by local train (7,5 euros single only!), I hopped on a train for the day when the weather was ideal and spent the day shooting. Of course my battery ran out 50 m from the Piazza San Marco and I could only find a shop selling batteries after the Rialto bridge. Such is the price to pay for having delayed buying a second battery. But that did not diminish the fun for very long.

 

One of the two is a reflection on the canal....

Spring

Finally time to start again, after all the changes.
The PhD being finished, I left London, with regrets, and moved back to Paris. From there to Verona, Italy for a few months of work.
I have tried to fit some training in this new organization, in Paris and in Verona. The remparts surrounding the old town of Verona are set like a park, with trees, a small lane and grass. It is a lovely place to be when the sun is out, something all too rare this winter and spring.

For Christmas, we (design by the girls, execution by yours truly) made carzy patchwork balls. More precisely they could be described as Frankenstein Christmas balls. But it was fun! I even made myself one... To go with it I had made little garlands of crocheted snowflakes and simple granny squares in coloured linen yarn from Namolio.

I have also managed to crochet a little bit. in January I managed to start and finish (thanks to the trip to BHM) a scarf in Malabrigo yarn (Bobby blue, superb colour). Hook 1.25, just assembling squares on the go (square N°39 from Annie's attic 101 granny squares) with a border to finish nicely. It was given unblocked, so looks a bit rumpled. Next one finished will be the Armorique shawl...

Tai Chi in Taiwan

Just back from Taiwan and the 4th World Cup Taijiquan Championship in Taoyuan, Taiwan with the Longfei Team!
A brilliant 10 days in fantastic company, training in Daan park (3 - 6h a day), seeing a little of Taipei, enjoying the hot springs in Beitou before going to Taoyuan.
Massive competition hall, nice set-up and lovely people from many countries.
And guess what? We did well!!!! Won in both group weapons forms (narrow and broadsword) and got placed as well in some solo forms....
I did not compete in push-hands but those that did had a hard time though they seem to have enjoyed it :-)
I feel so grateful to Barry and the other team members for the experience!

argh! didn't have time to go into the shop!

Daan Park in Taipei - training

Taoyuan - competition hall

group demo > 650 people

 

National palace museum

Temple in Shilin - Taipei

Longshan temple - Taipei