Making the right decision shouldn’t always have to be a brave decision. But, when you come under constant pressure from history’s most despicable lying narcissist, a certain amount of bravery is unfortunately required.
Bravo, NobelPeacePrize panel for recognising the importance of Maria Corina Machado in her continuing fight to uphold the principlesofdemocracy. Even while having to remain in hiding, she provides opposition to the bulldozing of basic humanity by another despicable autocratic… the one in Venezuela.
As a panel, you have shown the world we don’t have to give in to the demands of bullies (former DPP’s excepted).
Until we speak again, you’ve also spared us from what would have followed if the world’s oldest grumpy teenager had been given the reward for a mega sense of entitlement.
Is Cardiff more than the sum of its parts? That’s a more difficult equation than you might think. After all, it has at least six quarters for starters! As I gaze over the dock feeder canals surrounding Chez Juno, I’m thinking of adding a ‘Duck & Swan Quarter‘ into the mix (?).
Looking at any city these days, it’s increasingly difficult to determine the DNA when so many multinationals populate identikit shopping malls. But, here in the ‘Diff, we at least still have ‘TheArcades‘. Yes, other cities have an arcade or two, but here, the city centre has somehow retained six of its originals within Cardiff Council‘s thirst for demolishing sections of its history.
I would write my own personal tribute, but I can’t top that of Joao Morais…
With full acknowledgement to the original source, I replicate an ‘OdeToTheCityOfArcades‘ for those of you with failing eyesight:
Now if you truly had to choose
what Cardiff things would you enthuse?
A Central Market hot Welsh cake?
A pedalo round Roath Park lake?
The revelry of rugby days?
Pontcanna, Splott, The Bay, Cathays?
Consider, though, you may have missed
our FINE ARCADES from off your list.
They’re beautiful, you must concur,
ideal to any choice flaneur,
and full of any experts who
delight in sharing what they do.
You want a vape, a tailored shirt,
a pair of shoes, a vintage skirt?
A hair cut, board game, something sweet?
A gin, tattoo, or bite to eat?
These grand Arcades, each one unique,
are more than merely worth a pique.
They even offer – though mundane
a place to shelter from the rain.
It’s sometimes easy to ignore
the wealth of riches at your door.
If any place of many trades
deserves cascades of accolades,
it’s Cardiff’s great, first-rate arcades!
Until we speak again, thanks Joao, you put beautifully into words one of the many things about Lovin‘ the ‘Diff!
For more information on these fabulous arcades you can visit: thecityofarcades.com
Shipbuilding, whaling, jute, journalism, bridges, creative design, and dolphins… what’s not to like about the fabulous city of Dundee.
Well, the whales bit is a stretch these days! But, according to the informative Verdant Works Museum based in an old jute mill, it’s whale oil that led Dundee to be the centre of the world for the jute industry (until India eventually took over).
At the time, Dundee was known as ‘She Town‘ because the women made up the majority of the paid workforce… poorly paid by men, of course. But apparently, they held their own in Victorian drunkenness and misdemeanour statistics.
Then there is journalism… a tradition commemorated in the central square by – of all characters – DesperateDan & Minnie the Minx…
Most recently, the creative design reinvention has been recognised in the iconic V&A Museum (the first outside of London). An essential element of the building is apparently based on the cliffs of the Scottish coastline…
Then there are those all-important bridges across the River Tay. The sweep of the Tay Railway Bridge has been an emblem of the city back to Victorian times. With the Tay Road Bridge or more recent addition…
Until we speak again, Scotland’s forgotten gem on the east coast has long been on my list. The wait has been well worth it. Even the locals came out to provide a welcome…
City centres invariably have to cater for the masses. If it’s gems you’re looking for, then head to where the discerning people go… the leafy suburbs.
Even though I’ve known it in my head, it’s taken quite some time for me to venture into the quiet Victorian terraced streets of Pontcanna in my home city of Cardiff. Home to at least three of the city’s finest dining establishments.
If it’s useful boxes, you need to be ticking, then ThomasbyTom Simmons will probably fill your page. A restaurant developed by a proud Welshman, tick. Quiet and leafy surroundings, tick.
A menu focused on quality rather than quality (with a tilt towards excellent Welsh produce), tick.
Tasty beeftartar starter with flavoursome bread and olives, tick.
Sumptuous BeefFillet and a delicate LambChop, tick.
A Spanishwine from the Ribera del Duero estates to simply die for, tick.
Finished off with a smooth Penderyn Welsh Whisky, tick.
Until we speak again, don’t tell the masses, but Pontcanna has more than this hiddentreaure to be luring discerning folk into the quiet backstreets.
Once upon a time, I travelled often to Norwich for work purposes. As well as sampling some of the previous post’s mention of its history, there was one particular oasis of tranquillity, the PlantationGarden…
Most visitors and a good few locals may be completely unaware of this beautifully quiet corner tucked away behind the Roman Catholic cathedral. The garden was created out of an old chalk quarry in the first half of the 19th century.
For me, it was always a place to quietly prepare or reflect on the consultancy work project of the time. The gentle sound of the ornate fountain greatly enhances the meditative qualities of this amazing space.
Until we speak again, years further on, I can honestly say that all of those precious elements continue to aid contemplation. Staying chilled!
Yes, York and Bath and Edinburgh are fabulous visits if you’re looking to indulge in historic reflection (all covered in previous posts). However, our islands making up the UK are steeped in history. The city of Norwich is a showcase example of what can be gained given the foresight and will to preserve our heritage.
With the Maids Head Hotel, Norwich lays claim to the oldest of its kind in the UK.
Its Winepress restaurant also provides a great option for dining while reflecting on that history…
Just a few steps, and you’re back many centuries on Elm Hill...
The wonderful maze of huts making up Norwich Market are also flanked by the Guildhall as a fine example of past civic pride…
And for those who enjoy a religious veneer to their travels, it is yet another city that boasts two fine cathedrals amongst the very numerous preserved churches throughout the city centre…
Claims to be its oldest pub (Adam & Eve) seem to come with a qualification, but the opportunity to prompt historic reflection with a fine local beer proves an unqualified success…
Until we speak again, if it’s history you want, Norwich has it covered… even in your hotel bathroom…
So the cliche goes… but for a good reason. Regulars here will know I like a short and focused menu when enjoying a good restaurant. Buenos Aires Argentine Steakhouse in Chiswick, west London hits the spot perfectly.
I’m not counting, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they had more Malbec red wines than starters or mains (but not combined)…
However, what they also have are some fabulous PadronPeppers (with Malbecsalt, of course); nicely continuing my Padron PeppersWorldTour following a recent revisit to Alegoria restaurant in Barcelona!
And, the most perfectly succulent mediumrareFilletSteak, I just had to add the Patagonia Malbec Reserve for a simply magical Sunday afternoon meal.
The chunkychips and peppercornsauce just added to the shear culinary delights.
Until we speak again, move over Gaucho, there’s a new Argentina favourite on the block.
Nature may well provide us with the most awe-inspiring beauty (woke apologies to the right wing bigots who simply don’t understand such concepts). It also provides the influence for breathtaking man-made inspiration.
Gaudi is known for a particular style of architecture as seen dotted liberally around the fine city of Barcelona. But, do we recognise the influence nature has as a central feature of his designs?
In the still incomplete La Sagrada Familia, the tree influences the dominant strength of the whole structure…
The playing with light also provides a constantly shifting natural life within the ongoing construction. Gaudi demonstrates a distinct sensitivity not only to the religious aspects of constructing an iconic cathedral, but also to our relationship to nature…
However, even in Park Guell, a truly nature inspired creation, the presence of trees within the design of structures is abundant. As seen in the viaduct structures at points around the park…
Until we speak again, if you must go to Barcelona as a tourist don’t forget your umbrella… but not because of the likelihood of rain. The locals are in rebellious mood these days. The focus of their ire has shifted from the interesting concept of Catalan independence to acting against over-tourism by squirting water over tourists. Now, if they would only learn to throw some of that lovely wine, I might linger around a little longer!
It’s difficult to address the subject of Krakow without a mention of AuschwitzBirkenau…
Or even the WieliczkaSaltMines…
But an abiding memory of my recent visit is of Kazimierz… the vibrant Jewishquarter before everyone was either murdered or herded into the smaller neighbouring Podgorzeghetto. All that remains of the ghetto walls is the tombstone-like section in Podgorze…
As for Kazimierz, it’s now once again a thriving area of young people and tourists enjoying cafes, restaurants, and music venues.
However, many signs of its Jewishhistory haunt the atmospheric streets…
As for eating, the choice is abundant. My recommendation goes for some traditional fine Polishcuisine at Zalewajka. The porkknuckleterrine, potatocakeswithwildboargoulash, and house Polishredwine provided a fine feast to mark my visit.
Until we speak again, Kazimierz offers a warm welcome… but don’t forget an umbrella!
Current day Stag & Hen do’s have nothing on the Nazi’s when it comes to leaving a place wrecked after a visit…
On a recent visit to Warsaw, I was so happy to have visited both the Museum of Warsaw and the Warsaw Museum of Uprising. Combined, they provide a chilling reflection on the scale of shear destruction inflicted on this city.
However, they also provide the beacon of hope when we see what can be achieved in reconstruction using remaining photographs and plans the evil occupiers failed to destroy.
The OldTowninWarsaw may look a little shinier than say that in Krakow, but there is a renewed sense that history shouldn’t be obliterated and then simply left forgotten.
Sensitive reconstruction can be so much better than bland modernism (though wider Warsaw can claim both). It may well be more tourist orientated today, but that shouldn’t detract from the economic value that brings to the World Heritage site. Planners and architects the world over could learn a lot of positive messages from the instruction provided by Warsaw.
Until we speak again, I recommend you come support and enjoy the thriving reconstruction of a devastated city. But, be wary… the spectre of Russian surveillance may never be far away!
JUNO's VIEW 