Witley Court, Worcestershire

Witley Court was a spectacular country house. The 1st Baron Foley enlarged the property 1720 - 1733 and later, Thomas Foley VII hired the architect John Nash to design ambitious alterations.  Sadly, in 1937 the country house was destroyed by a fire.  It had staged the extravagant lifestyle of the Foley and Dudley families. Thomas Foley created his wealth as an iron master (associated with the period of the Industrial Revolution).  In the 1890's the fashionable society flocked to Witley Court, including one frequent royal visitor, the Prince of Wales and subsequently, King Edward VII. The romantic ruin is now managed by English Heritage.  Great Witley church with its Italianate Baroque interior was untouched by fire and is now the local parish church. It was a great place to visit in the Autumn but personally I think it would be spectacular in Winter after snow!

 

   

Sitges, Spain

Sitges is a coastal town in Spain's Catalonia region, southwest of Barcelona. Backed by the mountainous Parc Natural del Garraf, it's known for its Mediterranean beaches and seafront promenade lined with grand mansions. The compact old town and surrounding streets are filled with shops, restaurants and many gay bars and nightclubs. Sitges has been referred to as the Saint-Tropez of Spain  It is near to Barcelona Airport so a good place to spend the last late afternoon and early evening before a flight back to the U.K. A statue of El Greco and Sitges-inspired sculpture by artist Lorenzo Quinn is entitled “Looking into the Future” have become  permanent fixtures on the town’s seaside promenade, the Paseo Maritime.

 

 

Restaurante en Benifallet

Lunch today was at Restaurant Xiringuito  with Daniel and Gerard.  The food was delicious  and it was great fun choosing a variety of dishes from the six-course Plat du Jour menu and conversing in a mixed  dialogue of Spanish, French and English.  It was a popular venue with the locals and Gerard knew he had to book a table, even on a Monday. The cat was curious and peered up close to the lens.

St Mary the Major Morella Gothic Style 13 - 14th Centuries

The Archpriestal Basilica of St. Mary the Major Morella was an excellent example of the traditional Gothic style. The Baroque style altar was not dissimilar to that of the Cathedral in Toledo.  It was a challenge to photograph with the  paintings and figures of saints and detailed golden carvings.  I was not happy with my effort.  It was a great surprise to meet Clive from the Cambridge Camera club near the Choir staircase.