Category Archives: SMILES

“Biscay Balance”

Posted on October 7, 2012 by john graham

A life on the ocean waves of our Summer sea voyage, see “MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS” in the “TAG CLOUD” for earlier bogs on this theme. Exhausted by the first day of activities, I contemplate a rest with just some bingo —- … Continue reading →

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“Antiquarian Olympics”

Posted on September 27, 2012 by john graham

This is a continuation of my Summer holiday blogs.  For other blogs on this theme, click on “MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS” in the TAG CLOUD. From the first day at sea and the floating retirement village activity programme begins today.   A … Continue reading →

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“The Buzzing Bridge”

Posted on September 25, 2012 by john graham

Arrived at Lisbon in Portugal.   Early morning spectacular skies as dawn breaks, red colours the edges of the silver clouds. A distant view of a sleek-looking suspension bridge framing the harbour approach.  Marred only by the usual paraphernalia of all … Continue reading →

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“One Man’s Legacy” – 3

Posted on September 23, 2012 by john graham

For earlier blogs in this series, click on “MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS” in the TAG CLOUD.  This is a continuation of my visit to Sagrada Familia and illustrates the rear elevation of the Basilica which is a modern intepretation of Gaudi’s original designs.

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“One Man’s Legacy” – 2

Posted on September 20, 2012 by john graham

When I finally managed to get inside the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, 46 years after I had first visited it, this is the miracle that I found. For earlier blogs in this series, click on “MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS” in the … Continue reading →

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“One Man’s Legacy” – 1

Posted on September 18, 2012 by john graham

The first port of call on our Mediterranean cruise was Barcelona.  For earlier blogs in this series click on the TAG CLOUD on “MEDITERRANEAN REFLECTIONS”.  I decided to take a step back to 46 years earlier in my life ——— the … Continue reading →

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“Mediterranean Reflections”

Posted on September 16, 2012 by john graham

This is the start of a series of blogs about a summer cruise through the Mediterranean – somewhere I have visited quite a lot during my life.  This is not a travel log, there are better sites for that, nor … Continue reading →

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“Flowers are Friends”

Posted on August 16, 2012 by john graham

In this wettest of summers, the garden has kept growing at a furious pace, weeds and all.  Everywhere is endlessly green.  Perhaps this is the real green party :-). The trouble is that the rain and the green get relentlessly … Continue reading →

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“Raise the Praise”

Posted on August 14, 2012 by john graham

For the last two weeks I have been lying in bed, lounging on a sofa or sitting in a pub glued to the London 2012 Olympics on TV.  This retirement lark has real advantages. The joy of the Olympics is … Continue reading →

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“Sad Happy Birthdays”

Posted on July 5, 2012 by john graham

When you are young, birthdays are occasions to look forward to:- presents, parties, friends to play with, candles to blow out, wishes to make and a cake just for you with your name on it.  Birthdays are a good-time celebration … Continue reading →

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