Tuesday, July 31, 2012

SPORT VS ART


I would have to be the most unsportingly inclined person you could ever imagine.
Nevertheless, in the spirit of the Olympiad, I find my own way to enjoy the Sporty Fest currently happening in good old London Town.

It melts a mother's heart to see proud Princess Anne actually having the chance to award the Silver Medal to her own daughter, Zara.  Well done Zara, with the world and half the royal families of Europe watching you!
I love that the royals came to cheer on One of Their Own.
Family support has to be key for an elite athlete.


Kate and Harry, getting in touch with the Australians.
Three cheers for all our Aussie athletes!

Naturally, I watched and enjoyed the Opening Celebration.
Loved the meadow scene at the start, and wished we could have seen it better.
Of course, seeing the athletes marching, and checking out their outfits is all part of the fun.  I quite liked the Australian dark green blazers, but my fave would have to be the Ralph Lauren uniforms of the USA. 



The pleated skirts were perfect, and I think preferable to the skimpy white skirts of the Aussies.
Dare I be so disloyal?  Well, it is only fashion. 



I think Michelle was onto it. 
She wore a pretty white pleated skirt to the pre-games Buckingham Palace Reception.


The Queen always looks stunning in blue.  Here she is at the swimming.
To me, this colour is so much better for her than the Apricot dress she wore for the Opening.  It was a beautiful dress, but seemed to make her complexion sallow, imo.

Meanwhile, amongst all this sportingness, Kate visited the Royal Academy of Arts, in another elegant and stylish, pale grey number:



Which brings me to Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado,
showing now at Queensland Art Gallery.



Reader, it is fabulous!  If you are local, don't miss it.  On until 4th November.


We are having another cold snap round here.
It has been close to zero in the mornings this week (and that is inside our house!) 
Something had to give under the stress of such coldness;
last night our 18 year old electric hot-water system died, sending a stream of water running away under our house!
Mr C turned off the taps and the power, so there were no warm showers this cold and frosty morn.  Oh my aching scar tissue!
Numerous phone calls to plumbers eventuated in one promise to bring a new system and install today.  Fingers crossed and still hoping.

Keep warm, and may your Team of Choice win a medal!

xx


20 comments:

  1. Great post Patricia,
    It is nice to see the Royal's taking part in all the events. Kate is so lovely and demure, i really like her and her style.
    Sorry about your heating system..yikes.. you must be cold. Hope it gets fixed today for you.
    I am glad that you are so much better Patricia.
    Enjoy the games. Phelps lost yesterday.. but may the best teams win.
    hugs and a happy wednesday
    val

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    1. Thanks, Val, All praise to the tradesmen who arrived this afternoon and installed the new unit. We now have our lovely warm water again:) Agree with you re Kate - she gets is just right, and has taken well to her royal life. Hugs back to you too. P.

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  2. I've been enjoying the Olympics, especially the swimming and the gymnastics. That's a gorgeous little fan.

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    1. Those are 2 sports I can understand and don't mind watching, especially the gymnastics. Must look out for them. My daughter brought me the fan from Spain a few years ago, and it is very special to me.

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  3. Golly - for once you might be colder than us! I hope that heating gets fixed pdq for you!

    Loving every minute of the Olympics, but was not too sure about the US uniform in the arena - I think I prefer the Aussies. US looked a bit too military I thought, but their kit on the field is smashing.

    Agree Eventing is a top sport, and seeing all the royals out as royals but also as cousins, mother and grandparents of a silver medallist was lovely.

    Would turn all my screens off in a heartbeat to go to that exhibition with you though - love the El Greco and Valezquez paintings and the fearsome, austere beauty of Spain. There's a dry heat to those pictures which burns a permanent place in your brain. xxx

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    1. Your wishes worked - the heating unit was replaced pdq this afternoon. I was amazed, as have been disappointed by tradies so often in the past. Yes, for once it is colder here, I have no doubt, but it never lasts long. I would love to go to the Spanish exhibition with you - there are nearly 200 paintings, some of the big name works from the Prado. You describe the dry heat very well; I am fascinated by it all. I'll do more posts on it during the next 3 months.
      PS sorry to hear you have been unwell, and hope you are on the mend. xxx

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  4. I'm afraid I've not been interested in this Olympics this time Patricia, maybe because we have other things going on at present and I've lost the plot since the opening ceremony. The American team uniform was smashing but I reserve judgement about the berets.
    Thank goodness the hot water system is once again operational, we Aussies like our showers.
    xx

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    1. Have to admit I have not actually watched an event since the Opening, just the bits on the news. Hope all is well at your place, and we were impressed at the fast and efficient same day service. Old folks like us def need warm showers on cold winter morns! xx

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  5. I like the photos you have found! I think Kate is THE most beautiful woman ever! I have watched a bit of the Olympics and it's such great entertainment. London has truly done a magnificent job of hosting the games. Glad to hear your heating is back on. Your blooms are beautiful. Are they from a florist or did you grow them inside?

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    1. Hi Sanda, actually we grew those blooms outside in the garden. While it is down to freezing in the early mornings, the temp does rise to 18-20C in the mid-day, so plenty of sun for flowers. I too am very impressed by Kate, and her sense of style which is just right for the times.

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  6. I am amazed at how fast your plumber (tradesman) worked. Nice to be back to normal. Every time I see Kate, I'm reminded of Diana. I remember when we watched her every outfit and appearance. Special magic for Kate is how happy she looks.

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    1. We were very amazed to have such good service, too! It must have been the tone of misery in my voice when I rang what was the third plumber of the morning. They were so efficient and arrived with the new unit about 5 hours after the call. We paid $100 extra for same day service but it was worth it in the middle of a cold winter. Kate does look happy - is there a little secret, do you think?

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  7. Hi Patricia
    The cake recipe is in comments of my post on making the cake, two days ago. If you don't find it let me know and I'll email it.

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    1. Thanks Sanda, found it, and it sure looks delicious. I have never seen frozen coconut in Australia, but will figure out something. This one would be good to share with my rather large family one day soon. Thanks again!

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  8. What a moment for Princess Anne, and a hurrah for her skilled daughter.
    I have no TV ( our own decision ), so I enjoy these pictures very much.
    Thank you!

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    1. Hi Mette, Great moment indeed - I think the best pictures are on the blogs, as it happens. The TV is full of commentators and few good shots like this one. Glad you enjoy!

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  9. Hello, Patricia ! I agree with everybody else, Kate is always so perfect, it's almost scary ! Good idea to have paid a bit extra for same day service, you were lucky to obtain it. The TV is always on here during the Olympics ; I'm glad I'm on holiday and even when I'm not watching, I still hear the commentary. Keep well !xx

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    1. Hello, Silver Bunny - Yes, you are right, Kate is almost scary perfect! It makes me hope she can keep it up indefinitely - quite a challenge, I should think. Enjoy your holiday and what a good time to watch the Olympics. I wonder what the closing ceremony will be like? Love your holiday house! xx

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  10. Loving hot water these days, Valerie, and appreciate it more than ever after losing it for a day. Googled Spanish uniform, which I missed at the opening. Oh My, I don't know what to say! Definitely Over the Top! and of course, there would be a sound reason the Queen wore apricot - you are probably absolutely right :)

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