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April 1, 2026

Volcà del Croscat - a dormant volcano (“the last eruption dated back to about 14,000 years Before Present”). It was “quarried … until the early 1990s, exposing the internal structure of the cone”

Lovely walk, but incredibly windy!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cros…

A dramatic, stratified quarry landscape is dominated by red and brown earth tones under a cloudy sky. This is the excavated side of the Volcà del Croscat

March 31, 2026

After eating too much at the all-you-can-eat buffet, we went for a wander around Perpignan.

A close-up view of a round cactus showcases its sharp, white spines and ribbed green surface. It has little baby cacti budding off it. A large sculpture of a woman in a blue dress riding a bird is mounted on a building's exterior wall. A stone courtyard features a dark polished stone statue of a woman sitting contemplatively on a pedestal, framed by a column and barred windows in the background. A grand cathedral interior features ornate stained-glass windows and intricate architectural details with a seating area and an altar at the center. This is the Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste. A close-up of a carved stone sculpture depicts a deceased figure with closed eyes and intricate details in a dimly lit setting. A tomb in the Basilique-Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

March 31, 2026

Had lunch at an all-you-can-eat buffet in Pollestres. The food was pretty good (Sushi, Chinese dishes, French dishes, lots of desserts) and the decor was next level (at least for the avid science fiction fan in me!).

A futuristic scene featuring glowing lights and the word cyberpunk illuminated on a ceiling display. A futuristic dining room features a round table with blue chairs, illuminated by modern circular light fixtures and a moon-like backdrop. A reflective, metallic dome-shaped fixture hangs from the ceiling, displaying distorted reflections of a brightly lit interior space with people and various objects. A futuristic, illuminated UFO-themed ceiling decoration is seen above a bar area.

March 31, 2026

Stonefly, maybe? #insect #insectphoto #macrophotography

A flying insect about 3-4cm long - with long antennae and detailed wing patterns - sitting on a wooden tabletop. Possibly a stonefly

March 30, 2026

Villefranche-de-Conflent, Ar Bilig Crêperie, and a dog called Misty. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vill…

A stone fortress with rounded turrets stands beside a narrow river gorge cutting through rocky terrain. Mountains rise in the background under a partly cloudy sky. A road bridge runs parallel to the fortress wall on the right. A river flows through a scenic landscape with trees, mountains, and a clear blue sky. A small tan and white terrier mix stands between a chair and a wooden shelving unit inside a French restaurant. The shelves hold inverted wine glasses and bottles. A French government alcohol regulation notice is visible on the left wall. Her name is Misty and she is lovely! The facade of A river flows under a bridge surrounded by rocky terrain and trees, viewed through a narrow stone gap in the town walls of Villefranche-de-Conflent. A narrow stone pathway is flanked by ancient stone walls, leading towards an archway with mountainous terrain in the background. A long stone-arched passageway recedes into the distance, with each arch framing the next in a repeating pattern. The walls are rough-cut stone with patches of moss and ivy. A central drainage channel runs along the paved floor. A narrow, cobblestone alleyway is flanked by rustic stone buildings and leads towards a distant mountainous landscape under a cloudy sky.

March 29, 2026

#silentsunday

The main street in the French town of Cerét is lined with plane trees with no leaves yet, colorful storefronts, and outdoor seating under a clear blue sky. It’s such a wonderful town with a great market in Saturdays.

March 22, 2026

#silentsunday the munching was loud!

A group of sheep with fluffy wool is grazing on a green pasture.

March 15, 2026

#silentsunday

An enormous sculpture of a winged figure is displayed outside a modern building, designed to appear as if it is flying along two iron rails.

The sculpture is called the “Maschinenmensch” (Machine Man). It is described as “half locomotive, half human figure, half iron devil, half iron angel” — a steam-breathing figure bound to a rail track. The museum’s own text says it represents the conflicted feelings people have had toward technology: fear on one side, hope for progress on the other.

A Polish artist created it in 1989, based on a caricature from 1884. It is roughly 6-7 meters long and 3 meters tall.

An enormous sculpture of a winged figure is displayed outside a modern building, designed to appear as if it is flying along two iron rails. &10;&10;The sculpture is called the “Maschinenmensch” (Machine Man).&10;&10;It is described as “half locomotive, half human figure, half iron devil, half iron angel” — a steam-breathing figure bound to a rail track. The museum’s own text says it represents the conflicted feelings people have had toward technology: fear on one side, hope for progress on the other.&10;&10;A Polish artist created it in 1989, based on a caricature from 1884. It is roughly 6-7 meters long and 3 meters tall.

March 8, 2026

When we were young, my brother, cousin, and I would rope in my mum and my aunt to help us serve cream teas at our local Scout hut. Missing my mum very much today, so this scone (from a packet given to me by a dear friend) was just the thing to unlock some happy memories of her this afternoon.