Well I got there - and was totally overwhelmed! Brenda had booked tickets for 9am- 2pm so we stayed in Granada overnight to be there in time - if you miss your allotted time, you don't get in. It was FREEZING that time in the morning with frost on the cars. We had planned to start with the Nasrid Palaces and then explore further. However, I was so blown away by the whole astounding experience, the Nasrid Palaces were all I could take in. I will just have to go back . .  again . . .  and again . . .  . . .  and  . .  again!!!! I will just load the images - they don't need words to describe them. Not being able to use flash I couldn't get a lot of the shots I wanted, But I am very happy with the several hundred I took. Here is a selection -  . . . . so, you can see, I have enough inspiration to last for the rest of my life. Truly wonderful . . . . . x

Phew! it's 34 degrees centigrade here in the Charente Maritime - too warm for the this English Rose! I am ensconced in Sue and John's lovely cool house. Teaching here September and October seems to be a very good idea - it should still be warm but not baking!!!  There are fields upon fields of sunflowers and grapevines in this area of France, it is stunning and so peaceful, 3 cars have driven past the house today. There are plenty of places to walk - around the hamlet or out into the fields. The sloes are about to ripen and the walnuts are on their way. There is inspirational colour and texture every where you look from flowers to old distressed doorways and brick work - gorgeous. The light through the grapevines is beautiful the Campsis in Sue's colourful courtyard garden is fabulous this year Hollyhocks self seed every where - it is SO frustrating, when I try to grow them they get rust!!! So to the workshops and the main reason I nipped down here to see Sue. That an