My favorite Manrique print:
Wind sculptures by manrique:
We went to Cesar Manrique's house - inspiring! He built it in the black 'lava fields' which colour the plains surrounding the 'calderas' (craters) which pockmark the arid moonscape of Lanzarote. The volcano blew and rolled lava down the hills and plains in the 1730's. This brilliant artist come architect took the natural bubbles forged by gases popping within the lava and tweeked them into a series of underground rooms, some partially open to the sky. A palm grows up from the centre of a circular living space, its leaves whispering as they touch the open air. A window stretches the artist's studio seemlessly into the jet black lava garden. It's truly magical.
Lava field from Manrique's studioWe walked up an old volcano and picnicked at the top. It was blimmin windy and I was glad not to be at sea.
On the stainless steel leg for the hydro generator front (are you still with me?) it's dissapointing, unfinished and frustrating and not entirely due to my blunderings in Spainsh but our fingers are crossed for the best. It simply HAS to work as Casper tells me this will be "the end of our power problems" and i can plug my hair straighteners in...
Hair straighteners? Hah! With Storm 11 forecast tomorrow, all I need is to stick my head out of the hatch! Is that sunshine I see in your photos? Think I saw some a few years ago. Keep the news coming ... even if it makes me sick as a seagoing parrot, it's good to know you're both well and enjoying yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThat volcano looks a lot like most of Fuerteventura! So desolate, we love that! Gosh and I see sun and short sleaves, I'm jealous! Here there is just darkness and rain. Enjoy!! Lots of love, Joosje
ReplyDeleteI think I have AT LAST understood how to get to this comment page ... I kept looking at the top! GREAT to hear you are surviving/thriving so well. Keep up your amazingly descriptions, Kate, (or are they Caspar's as well?). Particularly welc
ReplyDeleteome on this dark, wet, November Saturday evening when I have just lit a log fire, opened a bottle of wine and delight in thinking of you in warmer climes! LOTS OF LOVE FROM SUE k.
I meant to admit that I'd never heard of Manrique who did all those extraordinary creations on Lanzarotie and I'd only heard of Lanzarotie as a winter sunbather's paradise! Actually, Blackpool Sands on Sunday morning was pretty good, sitting in warm sun over hot coffee, watching a few brave surfers enjoying the cold sea in their wet suits! I had tea with Bru this afternoon and thrilled to hear you are to be back here for Christmas. It will be GREAT to seeyou both and catch up. Lots of love. S.K
ReplyDeletePrinted off the blog so far to give to John on his birthday (85 and much the same as ever). He Deeply Impressed, both with the adventuring itself and the writing - that ancient heart still beats for you Kate. Anyway. Feeling a bit clucky, been a wee while since the last post.... Trust it wasn't really the Last Post??? Yrs in rain and wind, Vxxx
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