ART IS NOT AN END BUT A BEGINNING: The Venice Biennale in pictures

venice 06

This was our third time at the arts Biennale in Venice (we went in 2013 and 2015 as well).

venice 28

As ever, there was absolutely loads to see.

venice 26

And the two days we had to explore just flew by.

venice 20

Long days of art-spotting…

venice 18

…followed by nights of sipping Aperol spritz by the canals.

venice 24

I could do this for a living!

venice 14

But as I can’t, at least I know I can come back for more in two years.

venice 17

As Ai Weiwei, said…

venice 27

“Art is not an end but a beginning”.

venice 13

venice 29

venice 25

venice 23

venice 22

venice 21

venice 19

venice 10

venice 11

venice 15

venice 16

venice 12

venice 01

venice 05

venice 07

venice 08

venice 09

venice 30

venice 31

IN PICTURES: Village life and countryside walks in Cumbria

I don’t normally travel within the UK, but last weekend I went to visit a friend who recently moved to Cumbria.

Cumbria01

Cumbria02

The area is very scenic, perfect for long walks (weather permitting).

Cumbria03

Cumbria04

Cumbria05

Cumbria06

We visited Bolton Castle, which is really nice and has great views over the countryside.

Cumbria07

Cumbria08

Cumbria09

There are many nice villages nearby, so we spent a couple of hours window shopping and sampling Wensleydale cheese in Hawes.

Cumbria10

Cumbria11

My friend runs the beautiful Brownber Hall, so we had plenty of time to relax in style, watching goldfinches flying by.

Cumbria12

Cumbria13

Cumbria14

IN PICTURES: Street art and sunny days in Berlin

berlin29

Berlin was great – as always.

berlin04

I visited on a sunny weekend in August, a beautiful time to go.

berlin15

For the first time I managed to visit the Reichstag (it’s free to go but you must book in advance).

berlin11

The cool cupola by British architect Norman Foster is definitely worth a visit.

berlin12

And it’s a great place to take weird self-portraits.

berlin10

The street art around the East Side Gallery was a bit more damaged than I remembered.

berlin16

But it’s still quite impressive.

berlin17

And there are lots of other great street art all around the city.

berlin18

berlin19

This was also the first time I visited the impressive Berlin Cathedral.

berlin24

From the top you get great views over the city.

berlin28

berlin27

berlin25

And inside there are many amazing details too.

berlin26

Sundays in Berlin are always great for brunch.

berlin22

After eating at the lovely Napol Jonska in Prenzlauer Berg, we walked around Mauer Park.

berlin20

This is a great area to see remains of the Berlin Wall in a less touristic area.

berlin21

berlin23

berlin05

But we also stopped at some of the highlights – like the Brandenburg Gate and the memorial next to it.

berlin08

berlin07

berlin06

berlin09

Berlin never disappoints!