Thursday 31 May 2012

The Oldest Half Timbered House in Braunschweig.

"In this house became Ludwig Spohr on 5th April 1784 born."  So reads the plaque above the door of one of the oldest houses in Braunschweig, the birthplace of Ludwig Spohr, a composer, violinist and conductor.   Highly regarded during his lifetime, he wrote nine symphonies, ten operas, fifteen violin concertos, four clarinet concertos and various works for small ensembles.    His parents encouraged his early musical abilities, his mother was a gifted singer and pianist and his father played the flute.  Duke Karl Wilhelm gifted him money for his studies, and aged 15,  Ludwig became a member of the Duke's chamber orchestra in Braunschweig. 

Spohr held various musical posts throughout Germany, and practised at Beethoven's home, working on the Piano Trio Op 70, No 1, The Ghost.   He wrote that,  "the piano was out of tune and Beethoven's playing was harsh and careless."  Spohr invented the violin chinrest and orchestral rehearsal marks.  Having been pensioned off early against his wishes, he then broke his arm in 1857 which ended his career as a violinist, although he continued to conduct orchestras and ensembles.  He died in Kassel in October 1859, and his work is now rarely performed.

This corner section of the "Spohr House" dates from 1357.
The corner section of the house is the oldest, dating from 1357.  You can see the door to Spohr's house to the left, which was added in 1748.  The wing to the right was added in  1518.  This house mostly survived the war, sustaining little damage, but has been extensively restored.  The photo below shows detail of the wooden structure of the house. 

A close-up of the 1357AD section of the timbered house.


Wednesday 30 May 2012

Europaplatz and Speaking English in the Buergerpark.

Flags of the EU Member States at Europaplatz.
The flags of the European Union Member States flutter in the wind outside the Volkswagen Hall in Braunschweig, and a furled Union Jack can just be glimpsed at the end to the right.  The huge VW Hall holds 8,000 visitors, was built by the company for the people of the city, and opened in September 2000.  It holds events from tennis and boxing, to pop concerts and conferences, and is the home of the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig Basketball team.  I have yet to go inside, everything I'd like to see happens to be on later in the autumn when I'm back in Devizes.  The building is oval in shape, and although not particularly attractive, is a very popular venue.  Davis Cup Tennis was played here in 2001.

The main entrances to the VW Hall in Europaplatz.
Today I met some friends here for a walk in the park, and for them to practise their English.  We met at the main entrance, and I arrived early of course, and found that there are no seats on which to sit!   Eventually I found a circular bench around a tree trunk near the bank of the River Oker, and perched there in the chilly wind until my friends arrived.  We wandered along the riverside walks and over the many decorative bridges, until we came across this classically styled folly. 

A classical folly in the Buergerpark.
Built in 1805, this portico was added to the facade of an earlier building of 1730. Its columns are in the Doric style.  It was badly damaged in the war, but later reconstructed here, and forms a nice feature in the green landscape beside the river.  A slow amble is more tiring than walking 10 miles, so it is a nice cuppa and early to bed for me tonight.

Tuesday 29 May 2012

A Quick Writeup after Watching an Exhausting Game of Tennis.

The view from my front window of two hot air balloons wafting over the Windpark, with a distant "Brocken" on the skyline to the left.

Did anyone else watch the tennis match tonight between Serena Williams and Virginie Razzano?  I almost walked out of the room, the tension was too much to bear.  The French player eventually won, but after unbearable tension in the crowd and some slightly odd line calls from the umpire.

I have been sneezing all day, which is a bit of a nuisance in "Graff" the book shop, where everyone is heads down and reading quietly.  There must be something in the air!   Yesterday was Pfingsten, Whitmonday and a public holiday here.  The week already feels out of joint, as today feels like Monday!   I haven't much to report really, I withdraw some cash for my trip to Hamburg this coming weekend, and bought myself a new black handbag, one that goes over my head and across my chest.   It's hands free, and is safe for carrying valuables and cash. 

I forgot to take my camera with me today, so missed several good photo opportunities, but I will make up for it tomorrow when  I meet my "English Speaking" walking group in the Buergerpark.  We will wander along the banks of the River Oker and admire the scenery in English.  Goodnight, sleep tight!

Monday 28 May 2012

The Half Timbered Buildings of Old Brunswick.

A house rebuilt in 1974, from an original of 1644.
After spending yesterday afternoon in the park listening to music, drinking beer and eating Currywurst, I had  a quiet day today!   Fortunately  tennis from Paris was on "Eurosport"  most of the day, and   love watching tennis.  However by mid afternoon I had to force myself away from the box, and go out for a walk.   Once again it has been very warm, so that was a good excuse to be extremely idle.   

It is difficult to know where to  begin to describe these interesting wood carved decorations on the half timbered buildings.  I've selected a few of the most interesting,  although there is  another part of Braunschweig I need to revisit, one largely untouched by the war, and where some original buildings still stand.   Above  is the detail on a house in the Magniviertal, with an inscription in old German script across a beam.   A tooth frieze is over the windows, and a line of rope and pearl pattern above that.  Blue and brown grotesques decorate the triangular shapes above the beam.   I would like to live here! 


Yellow grotesques in triangles, with a diamond frieze below, and oval patterns underneath.  These designs problably have a meaning.

A step frieze across the lower beam and chain frieze above, with decorated consoles. (end beams)  A green hatch door can be seen top left, with a rope and pearl pattern around the doorway and windows.






A diamond band across the beam with consoles decorated in green with tan coloured spots.  I cannot find a reference to the name of the pattern underneath the beam.  All the patterns are repeated irregularly.  I will post more information about the older buildings in another blog.

Sunday 27 May 2012

Classics and a Picnic in the Park.

The stage and orchestra
The open-air concert today in the Buerger Park was wonderful, with the music of Richard Strauss, Mozart, Richard Wagner and Franz Lehar performed during the first half, and then in the second half, the modern music of Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, Leroy Anderson, George Gershwin and Cole Porter to name but a few, all performed on the open stage. 

The city's Theatre Orchestra played with vigour, and accompanied the soloists who sang, "I could have Danced all Night,"  "Anything you can do I can do better,"  "and  "I Love Paris in the Springtime."   We sat in the shade under a pink flowering horse chestnut tree, drank beer, ate crisps and a Currywurst, and watched the crowds doing exactly the same thing.  Apparently 18,000 people attended the concert which is sponsored every year by  Volkswagen, and with free entry to all.

I heard the concert last year and the lovely green balloons were again much in evidence, most tied tightly to garden chairs and to the wrists of small children.  The whole occasion was good fun, and took place in wonderfully warm weather in the large park beside the River Oker.


A distant stage and the lovely green balloons.
The nearest green balloon in this photo was tethered on a twisted string, and I had to wait until the wording came round before I could quickly photograph it.  

Saturday 26 May 2012

The Medieval Fair in the Burgplatz.

It was hot here again today, and even hotter at the "Medieval Fair" in the Burgplatz, where the man with the white  fuzzy bead played a medieval blacksmith, who was being forced by two overseers to produce chain, blades and other assorted metal objects over a very hot forge.   The grubby, leather clad man holding a halberd, and with a horn hanging from his belt, came over and whipped him when he stopped working!   Well, we all laughed of course, and the children thought it great fun.

Unfortunately this is probably close to the reality of life in the middle ages, when being a peasant was not  a very good career option.    I remember this fair from last year when it  drizzled all day, and the great unwashed medieval participants had their face paint streaked in the rain, and the sackbuts got soaked.   I liked the man dressed in red below, I can imagine characters like him wandering around 15th century Brunswick. 

The fair takes place in front of Henry the Lion's palace  in the  Cathedral precincts, which adds a great deal of atmosphere to the occasion.  Various stalls sold their medieval wares, but fortunately the food was not medieval, the bread was baked on the day at the local bakery,  and the beer was brewed by Wolter's just down the road in Braunschweig.


The two overseers make sure the blacksmith works hard.
It was difficult to take photos that show the true flavour of the time.  The intrusion of modern dress, road signs, watches and mobile phones didn't help!

The Burgplatz, with half timbered buildings in the background.

Friday 25 May 2012

The Half-timbered Buildings of Braunschweig

"Half-Timbered Architecture in Braunschweig."
Today I bought this little book, which I'd been eyeing  since last year.  It gives the locations of the most interesting half-timbered buildings in Braunschweig, and also details of the construction and the names given to all the individual designs and decorations.   The detail on the house pictured left, was originally built in 1552 and stood at Sack 5, but when severly damaged in the last war, was reconstructed, as many buildings were,  and now stands in Burgplatz 2a, opposite the Cathedral.   I will have to translate the information, and hope to add more detail from time to time.   

The photos below show old Braunschweig, a city that before the last war, had around 2000 half timbered  houses in this style, and the largest concentration of timber constructed buildings in Germany.  The photo shows houses in the Martini Quarter.  The fact that they are so many storeys high, makes them  so interesting.  The tallest half-timbered house I have visited in England is the "High House" in Stafford.  Built in 1559 it is the last remaining, tallest, timbered Tudor house in England.

Houses in the Martini Quarter.
I mentioned in a previous blog that the city was so crammed with buildings, that there were problems constructing the tramways because the houses overhung, and the bends were very tight.  The photo below gives you some idea of how close together the houses were, and how it was possible to lean out of the window and touch the roof of a passing tram.

Road or tramway construction in Suedklint.

Wednesday 23 May 2012

A walk around Watenbuettel and eating Asparagus.

A small Watenbuettel Church.
It is the asparagus eating season here, the vegetable is plentiful, cheap to buy, and is a very popular dish with meat or fish.   Yesterday afternoon some members of the choir + their spouses went to Watenbuettel, a small town 5 miles outside Braunschweig, for a short walk around the town and then to "Gasthaus Mueller" for Spargelessen, a meal with asparagus.  This trip is an annual event for the choir, who go to a different venue each year. 

We had a gentle walk along a shady track beside the River Oker, which ended with us drinking either water or beer, (I had one beer,) and then singing favourite folksongs to the accompaniment of C on the accordian.  It was a very happy occasion, and a good time was had by all.  After refreshments, walked on past a pig farm, where several rather indolent beasts lay  mud covered in the hot sun in big holes in the ground, very nice! 

We arrived at "Gasthaus Mueller" at 5.45pm feeling ready for our meal, which was very tasty.  I had two fillets of salmon with asparagus and potatoes, all covered in a butter sauce, and drank one more small beer. Cheers! 

Walking the track beside the River Oker.
C plays the accordian.
The Mittelland Canal with an approaching barge.
The photo above shows the Mittellandkanal, one of the large canals that form a transport network throughout Germany.  Three great rivers, the Rhine, Danube and Elbe dominate the waterways of Germany, and they are connected by a network of canals in the north, and by the river Main and the Rhine-Main-Danube in the south. With the lake regions of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg near Berlin, these waterways are cruised  by many self skippered barges.  The barge in the lower photo was carrying tons of gravel, and can be seen approaching Braunschweig Harbour in the background.  There is a mega sized lock nearby at Wedtlenstadt.

Canal construction in Germany began in the 17th century, and continues to this day.  The network is industrial sized, and not at all like the dainty canal network in England.  These self-skippered barges are probably the homes of the owners, just as our workboats used to be.  I've seen several barges with the family car on the roof of the wheel house.

For some reason here, someone had the bright idea of christening me in the canal, but I know the German word for christen, so I decided to run for it!

The giant barge "Vulkan" approaches Braunschweig Harbour.



Tuesday 22 May 2012

Nothing in Particular on a quietish Tuesday.

Road repairs.
Well the day started quietly enough until I heard the sound of car horns, the screeching of brakes, and the chug of what sounded like a bulldozer!   It was a large lorry pulling a smaller truck, which was piling gravel onto the side of the road.  In the lower picture you can just see the arm sticking out the side of the green cab,   left of the hedge.  This road is busy in the morning, but at least this week this work started after the rush.   Last week in the middle of the morning rush hour, work started on the repairs to two tightish bends further down the road to the left.  At the temporary traffic lights, a long queue of discontented commuters built up outside my window, and backed up  through Timmerlah. 

Then the buses ran late, so all in all, it was not a happy time for any of us.  Of course, in the afternoon and evening rush, there was a repeat performance of the mega hold ups.

The lorry empties gravel into a small spreader truck.
Today has been very hot, much too hot at 28c. The hobby group meets here on a Tuesday afternoon, so this morning I had to nip out for orange juice, refreshments and salad stuff.   I was sitting at the bus stop, when a friend pulled up in her car and said,  "Jump in, I'm going to "Real," you can shop there."   "Real" is a huge out of town mega supermarket, the sort of place where you cannot find anything that's on your shopping list.   I pottered, and found everything except for a can of my favourite mackerel fillets in curry sauce, but I have two tins in my larder already, so I won't starve.  

I was back home within an hour, did a little housework, (not much, it was tooo hot,)  then drank two glasses of orange juice while watching a repeat of Maria Sharapova defeating Na Li in the ladies tennis from Rome.

Repairing the other side of the road, you can see the spreader arm clearly here.
We had a nice afternoon sewing, knitting and chatting.   M shortened some jeans she has been meaning to do for the last year, and I did the same with a pair of mine, and now that they are finished, I don't know why it took me two years to get around to the job.  C is knitting a pretty summer top for her proposed cycling holiday from Munich to Innsbruck, then over the Alps to Venice.   No, No, definitly not a holiday for me, never in a thousand years will you get me on a bike again!

Monday 21 May 2012

A 15km Walk in the Elm Forest.


Monika and the group make their way through the forest.

I didn't think I'd make the walk, but with the aid ot two painkillers taken at 8.40am, I set off for the tram into town, just to see how my ankle felt.   Fortunately I had no pain, so I met my friends outside the Theatre, and we set off in the car for the Elm Forest.  It was hot, but in 23c in a forest, it remained mostly cool.   The 15km walk took us around the lower part of the forest, with some short diversions to places of special interest. 

It is beautiful woodland, thickly forested but with fire breaks and small clearings, where at wooden benches and tables, you can sit and enjoy snacks, drinks and a chance to rest your weary legs and feet.


Anna takes a look at what might be underneath the massive boulder.

Here we have stopped at the "Golden Stag," the so named huge quartzite boulder that is sand "frozen" with quarzite.   There are many legends attached to this place, and a nearby monument, engraved in the old German script (Fraktur) and much weathered, told the history of the place, but of course, none of us could read any of it.



Elmsburg, the remains of the small castle in the woods. 


The stones in the background mark the position of Elmsburg, a small castle that once  stood in this place of dappled sunlight.   Built in the 11th century, it was surrounded by a wall and defensive ditch.  The castle was abandoned in the 16th century and only the foundations remain, other stone having been removed for building houses in the local area.  Much excavation has taken place, and the burial places of eight former inhabitants have been unearthed in the church floor. 



All that remains of Elmsburg, foundations, some walls and nearby well.


The remains of "Warburg," an 11/12th century settlement in the forest. 

The photo shows what was the defensive moat and ramparts, viewed from my standpoint on the causeway, with the  central mound to the right in the photo.  Excavations have uncovered evidence of early settlement, with pieces of crafted stone and mortar, two hearths, an oven and the foundations of a tower. Metal working took place here, with arrowheads, horseshoes, spurs, knives, scissors, chainlinks and meat hooks being uncovered.   It seems to have been a place much fought over, and  for a time was occupied by the forces of the Archbishop of Magdeburg, until he was replaced by repeated battles for ownership and power.


"Warburg" now, with its houses standing around the central tower of the later castle. 

Last year I visited the castle, for a day of singing at a gathering of local choirs.   Unfortunately it drizzled all day, but our spirits were not dampened.

Sunday 20 May 2012

A Saturday afternoon's hobble around Braunschweig.

The 12th century moated city of Henry the Lion.


I had a quiet day today, as on Friday evening I ran to catch a tram and pulled a muscle in my left ankle. I am hoping to walk 14km on Sunday with the walking group, so I needed an easy day.   Fortunately, most of the pain has gone, and I will dose up with painkillers, so as not to miss my walk in the beautiful Elm Forest.

Braunschweig was first established beside an easy crossing of the River Oker, which flows through the city.  The above photo shows how the river was manipulated to form a moat around Henry's castle and the twin towered cathedral.  The street names still bear witness to the number of gates that allowed access into the walled city.  The Louise Schroeder House stands in Hohetorwall, High Wall Gate, and the tram I use to travel to the English groups crosses the Fellersleber Tor.  The river was dammed in places, and these sites are also retained in the street names.  On the M3 or M5 tram, I enter Braunschweig along Waisenhausdamm.
The "Marien Fountain" in the Altstadtmarkt. 

The fountain of the Virgin Mary is an unique example of late Gothic art.  It was the centre of a busy market and social life in medieval Braunschweig.  Since its destruction in the last war, an copy, made in 1988 stands on the former site.  Parts of the original lead fountain, cast in 1408,  can be seen in the Altstadt Museum, to the left in the photo.  The fountain is decorated with motifs from the bible, the history of the city and the empire.
Half timbered houses in the Burgplatz, typical of old Braunschweig.  The various carved and painted patterns in the wood all have individual names.


Braunschweig once had the largest number of half timbered houses of any city  in Germany, and was crammed full of houses like those above, and all in very narrow streets.  The old trams had problems negotiating the overhanging buildings, and it was possible to lean out of a window and touch the tram roof as it passed by.  During the allied firebombing in October 1944, 90% of the old city was destroyed.  Many half timbered buildings have been reconstructed, and the city has "Traditional Islands," where you can get sit, watch the world go by, and get a taste of how the city once appeared.


Saturday 19 May 2012

Singing A Canon and a Canonball in the Apse Wall

I forgot to take my camera with me to my new music group last evening, so the only picture I can find of the venue, the Louise-Schroeder-Haus,   is  on the  brochure to the left.   Louise Schroeder was an SPD German politician and the first female member of the Weimar National Assembly during the Weimar Republic.    As an educator and activist in the "Worker's Welfare Institution" movement, she was under the scrutiny of the Nazi party during the 1930's and 1940s for her socialist stance.   After the division of Germany she became the mayoress of West Berlin from 1948-1951.  This house was established in her memory, and is used of the education of local people.   Volunteers run a variety of groups, from languages to painting, walking and singing etc,  just like the U3A in Great Britain. I have joined the singing group and run an English speaking walking group.   **This paragraph is long, but the format will not let me start a new paragraph. The old format worked well, so why change it to something not as easy to use.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr**  Rant over, and below I start a new paragraph under the photograph of the "Ocean Drum."

This is an "Ocean Drum" so named because inside, seen lying at the bottom, are tiny beads, which when the drum is gently rocked between the skins, makes the sound of  waves lapping on a beach.  It is so realistic, that it is easy to  think there is water and sand inside the drum. 

Last night was a new experience for me, as we made vocal sounds depicting the movement within the drum.  Keeping our eyes closed and with each of us staying in tune, we reacted to the different sounds made by the other singers in the group.  We started together on a single note, and amazingly arrived together with a gentle conclusion.  It was all so very relaxing.  We sang some songs in German and English, and also sang a "Canon," a short song which is sung by different singers in rotation.   Which leads me onto the  "Canonball lodged in the Cathedral Wall."    How's that for a good link!

I've only noticed this phononema this year, I've walked past this very spot for the last three years and not looked upwards.  The choir apse has a canonball imbedded in the wall, a left over from the siege of Braunschweig in 1615.  The inscription, just visable on the column below the ball, dates it to August 20th 1615.   

The city of Braunschweig had been struggling to resist the Dukes, and stay independant as an imperial city since the 15th century.  The Dukes moved to Wolfenbuettel, but never gave up their claim to govern the insubordinate city.  Around 1600 they enforced their claim with military force.  The hardest siege of all was undertaken by Duke Friedrich Ulrich in 1615, and lasted for three months.  Braunschweig almost gave up hope, but received outside help, and the Duke had to accept the city's right to independence once more.  His sucessor Duke Rudolf August, finally succeeded in conquering the city in 1671, and ended the citizen's dreams of independence.
                                           

Friday 18 May 2012

My Visit to the Schloss Museum.

   The 1881 Throne.

I was not able to take photos in the museum, but I've found this one that  shows the 1881 replica throne in the throne room.   Several state rooms in the Schloss Museum have been reconstructed from old photographs, with reproduction paintings and furniture especially made or sourced from benefactors.  Some artifacts are the originals, those that were removed and hidden for safe keeping during the war.  The building was badly damaged in 1944,  and lay in ruins until it was completely demolished, amid much protest, in 1960.  The site became the Schloss Park, an area for sitting amid gardens and fountains. 

One of the most imposing rooms was the state dining room, with a very long, central table, set out for 20 places.  Several places had a touch screen in the shape of the place mat, where the history, aspects of life in the Schloss,  and the lives of those who lived there could be read about in detail, a rather imaginative way of displaying information I thought.  I had an audio guide in English, and after working out how to operate the gadget, I enjoyed the commentary about the various rooms, the paintings, styles of furniture and the activities that took place in each room.

The Museum in the left wing and the Library to the right.


In early 2004, a scheme began for the building of a new shopping arcade, but keeping the former facade of the Schloss.   Much of the stonework, columns and architectural detail had been saved after the demolition, and were used in the reconstruction. Amid objections to the huge cost of the development, much of the scheme had to be financed by the businesses that took up the shop space.

The shopping arcade occupies the centre of the building, whilst the left wing houses the museum, with the library in the right.   Some rooms are set aside for public and private functions. The Quadriga can be seen below, and also a monumental statue to Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Braunschweig astride his horse.
Schloss Arkaden, with the library entrance shown right.
A view taken in 1901.


Thursday 17 May 2012

"Himmelfahrt" a public holiday, and a Walk through the Woods

Janet heads off for the airport.
Our walk this afternoon would have been much nicer had the weather been a little warmer,  but with me wearing socks, two jumpers, a scarf and a pair of gloves, and with Janet also warmly clad, we set out  on the 4 mile return walk through the woods to the airport. This pleasant walk along  Waggumer Weg, a wooded flat track, is just my sort of walk, and leads directly to the airport with its imposing facade.  The airport is used by a gliding club, and we watched several gliders being towed up into the air, then releasing their towropes and gliding gently back to earth.  
I don't know what this is called,  but maybe it's a "Yellow Tipped, Two Spotted" butterfly?
The facade of Braunschweig Airport constructed in the 1930s.

Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport is used for business jets and unscheduled traffic, as well as by the German Aerospace Centre, with their special mission aircraft to discover and research phenomena in the atmosphere.  Braunschweig University also has some aeronautical departments here.  Volkswagen, the Wolfsburg car manufacturer, is a major shareholder and uses the airfield as a base for its own airline fleet.  Volkswagen operate regular services to its other European sites and subsidaries, such as Skoda, Audi and SEAT.
This executive jet landed this afternoon and taxied onto a side apron.   The airport is equipped with a 1,560m asphalt runway and a 900m grass runway.

The following services operate at the airport:
Test flights by the Research Airport's partners.
General business traffic.
Pilot Training.
Glider training.
Parachuting sports.





 





Wednesday 16 May 2012

Henry the Lion and Princess Matilda from England.

Henry and Matilda, founders of the Twinning Group.
This morning I visited the Schloss Museum in Braunschweig, where it was not permitted  to take any photos.  I will write up about the visit tomorrow, when I can find photos from other sources.  

Left: Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony, founder of Braunschweig and builder of the Cathedral, lies with his English wife Matilda on their stately tombstone.  They are interred  in the Cathedral crypt, with other members of the ruling Guelph family, who ruled Braunschweig until 1918.  Here they have lain, stonestill  throughout the centuries, with Henry holding a carved representation of the cathedral, and Matilda, her  hands clasped in pray.  Matilda was the daughter of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and died in 1189, and sister of King Richard I of England.  A fuller history can be read on Wikipedia.

Yesterday in the Schloss Museum, I stood in front of the Guelph family tree, and traced it to the last Duke of Braunschweig, who said farewell in 1918 at the end of the First World War.  Many Dukes and Duchesses had similar name combinations, and I was reminded of  "Genesis 1-5"  the begatting genealogy, where at the end who have no idea of who begat whom!   I'm at a loss as to remember which Duke married which princess, the number of children they produced, and to whom, for property, financial and for reasons of continued power, they were married off!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_the_Lion

Empress Matilda lies beside her husband Henry the Lion.

Henry holding a model of Braunschweig Cathedral.
The cathedral walls are hung with marble and carved wooden monuments, all in memory of the  former wealthy families who lived in Braunschweig.  Although badly damaged in the last war, the cathedral is complete again and these treasures rehung. 

Originally there was another photo here, but it has suddenly disappeared into cyberspace.  It showed a "Grinling Gibbons"  type delicately carved wooden monument.   I am using an updated Blogspot format, which is not as easy to use as the former.  Maybe you have noticed that sometimes the print is of different sizes and it is impossible to standardize.   Ahhh,  the wonders of modern technology.   Hi di ho!