Scaffolding and benches

This is an outside view of the Fountain Room at Maulbronn Abbey. It was being restored when I visited but I have a feeling I'll be back here someday. Photo taken in March 2014.

Looking out

More details from the Maulbronn Abbey. The painted ceilings were gorgeous, unfortunately the light inside was low and my photos don't do it justice. Photo taken in March 2014.

Maulbronn fountain

 

This fountain is at the heart of the Maulbronn Abbey. Apparently the original monks decided to build on this site because of the amazingly clean and fresh water they found here. Photo taken in March 2014.

German script

I have no idea what this says, but it looks neat. Found inside the Maulbronn Abbey near Stuttgart. Photo taken in March 2014.

Courtyard view

I love those covered walkways you find in old European Abbeys. Maulbronn reminded me a lot of the Mont Saint Michel in Normandy. Photo taken in March 2014.

Hausle in Hermannsdorf

I absolutely adore these cute wooden garden houses you find in Southern Germany. This one also has a nice bench where you can watch the fruit trees and flowers grow! Photo taken in March 2014.

Kloster kitty

Sounds like a place I would like! For more signs, visit Signs, Signs. Photo taken in March 2014.

Details

From the ceiling of the Maulbronn Monastery near Stuttgart. A beautiful place to visit. Photo taken in March 2014.

Shadows in the Kloster

Inside the Maulbronn Monastery. It's a large complex of beautiful, old buildings which is under UNESCO World Heritage protection. Photo taken in March 2014.

Bus stop

I found this Bushaltestelle in a small village just outside of Stuttgart. I love the timbered panels and that they've installed a nice, long bench so people can wait in comfort. Photo taken in March 2014.

Hallo Pia

Meet Pia, the Stuttgart kitty. Photo taken in March 2014.

From the outside

Here is a look at the Porsche Museum from the outside. It was designed by the architecture firm Delugan Meissl.

It's a very impressive building, especially when you  walk underneath and see the reflections in the mirrored tiles. The next time I'm in Stuttgart, I'm going to visit the Mercedes Museum. Photos taken in March 2014.

To the winner, the spoils

Many of Porsche's motor sports trophies were on display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Photo taken in March 2014.

Highlighted

Remember the VW Beetle from earlier this week? It's the first thing you see when you enter the Porsche Museum. I love the way it has been displayed. Photo taken in March 2014.

Newer models

Here is a line-up of some of the newer model Porsches at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Beautiful cars. Photo taken in March 2014.

Reflections in a hubcap

A Porsche within a Porsche (and a bonus auto-portrait). Photo taken in March 2014 at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. For more reflections, take a look at Weekend Reflections.

Go Speedracer!

I believe this is a Porsche 917, one of the cars used to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Found at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Photo taken in March 2014.

Anniversary Porsche

This particular car was used to celebrate 50 years of the Porsche 911. You'll find more signs at Signs, Signs. Photo taken in March 2014 at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

Shiny red

A shiny red Porsche 356 as seen at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Photo taken in March 2014.

Call the fire brigade!

Let's just hope they don't show up in this! Photo taken at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, March 2014.

German original

An original Volkswagen Beetle on display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Photo taken in March 2014.

Hibiscus

One of my favorite flowers, especially when they have big, beautiful blooms like this one at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Photo taken in April 2013.

Tropical green

More from the Garfield Park Conservatory, something about the pattern and the shades of green on this leaf attracted me. Photo taken in April 2013.

Signs of spring

It didn't feel like spring time when I was in Chicago last April. But I still liked this sign that I found in the Garfield Park Conservatory - someone took the time to arrange all the pennies in the fountain into this nice message. Photo taken in April 2013. For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

Botanical beauties

A beautiful red flower found at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo taken in April 2013. For more red, visit Ruby Tuesday.

Tropical

A little taste of the tropics in Chicago at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Photo taken in April 2013.

Resting place reflections

Mies van der Rohe is a famous architect who was born in Germany and later died in Chicago after an illustrious career. I was lucky enough to catch some reflections in his gravestone when I visited Graceland Cemetery in Chicago recently. Photo taken in April 2013.

For more reflections visit Weekend Reflections. You can also see one of van der Rohe's early works on my other blog, Berlin 365.

Giant red snail

I'm not sure what these giant snails were promoting, but they were all over Sydney when I first arrived in Australia back in October, but they were gone when I left the country. In any case, I thought they were cute! For more red, visit Ruby Tuesday. 

Photo taken in October 2013.

Australian benches

A nice pair of benches outside Saint Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

Photo taken in October 2013.

Mural and bench

A cute mural with a comfy-looking bench in Sydney, Australia. What more could you ask for? For a look at more murals, visit Monday Mural. 

Photo taken in October 2013.

Another Vickie

Unfortunately, I ran out of time (i.e. lost interest) in posting the rest of my shots from the Farewell Canada Tour. I promise to get back to it one of these days. In the meantime, here are some shots from my Australian Adventure. Since I ended with Vickie in Montreal, I thought I'd start with another likeness of her in Sydney. This statue stood in Dublin, Ireland until the late 1940s when it was put into storage. I guess they did some spring cleaning in the 1980s when it was gifted to the city of Sydney. 

Photo taken in October 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Vickie

Here's a look at queen Victoria herself - the main attraction of the square.

After all the years, I think she's still got it! Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Victoria Square

A different angle on Victoria Square. Enjoy the blue sky - for more of them check out Skywatch. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: More water

There's no shortage of fountains in Montréal! I especially liked this shallow one near Victoria Square. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Symmetry and signs

More from Montréal. Something about this scene appealed to me - the windows with those flower boxes and the woman standing there. And I also love that the stop signs in Quebec are arret signs! They don't even have those in France; they definitely brought a smile to my face. Photo taken in July 2013. For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

Farewell Canada Tour: Fountain fun!

I found these playful figures in this small fountain very appealing. The work is entitled Hommage à Marguerite Bourgeoys. She was apparently one of the important pioneers in the development of the city of Montréal. She especially championed the idea of education for girls. I can definitely stand behind that! Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Black and white water

I love fountains - in color or black and white! Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Just reflections

A look at the skies of Montréal as reflected in the windows of the Palais de Justice. Photo taken in July 2013. For more reflections visit Weekend Reflections.

Farewell Canada Tour: Greenery among the benches

This little oasis looks like the perfect spot to take a break in the middle of they city. I found this lovely spot just near the Palais de Justice in Montréal. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Old city architecture

One of the things I love about Montreal is the architecture. You almost feel like you're walking the streets of Paris. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Impromptu concert

This pair of musicians took advantage of a street piano in Montreal to give an impromptu concert. They were quite talented and they drew quite a little crowd. It's nice to have opportunities like this to bring people together in big cities. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: The cock and the pirate ship

Montreal was filled with fascinating murals. Here's another one which I have entitled "The Cock and the Pirate Ship." Feel free to make of it what you will, I'm getting Portuguese vibe though. For more murals, check out Monday Mural. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Lined up and waiting

If you're looking for a place to spend eternity, there are several openings here at Mount Royal Cemetery! These stones are lined up and waiting for new tenants. I do like they way they are so shiny - the green grass is nicely reflected, but I hope someone will plant some flowers once these graves are in use. The weekend is here, for more reflections take a look at Weekend Reflections. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Black and white boy

A family from the Netherlands who came to Canada in the 1950s dedicated this memorial to all other Canadian immigrants who arrived in this country on a quests for "distant horizons, diverse possibilities and searching for the self". Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Little Emma

By the dates on this stone, Emma was certainly a full-grown woman, but those pink flowers and the tiny tombstone suggest something childlike. Photo taken in July 2013.

Confidential to my sister: Happy Birthday!!!

Farewell Canada Tour: Simpson lady

I was surprised to find quite a few Simpson graves in the Mount Royal Cemetery. It certainly isn't a very French-sounding name! In any case, I definitely liked the look of the pensive lady and the way the name stands out. Hope you are enjoying this tour of the cemetery, for more cemetery shots, visit Taphophile Tragics. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: Through the pearly gates

No trip up the Royal Mount would be complete without a visit to the cemetery. It is said that some famous people are buried here - I didn't find any of them! But I'll show you what I did find in my tour of the cemetery this week. Photo taken in July 2013.

Farewell Canada Tour: The plaza

A final look at the Royal Mount. This plaza stretches out in front of the chalet and you can get some great vista shots from the railing. I miss Montreal already! For more skies take a look at Skywatch. Photo taken in July 2013.