Wedding in the Gatineau Hills

Last weekend, on a perfect summer day, a chartered bus picked up a group of guests at the Wakefield Mill, Quebec

It took them to Le Belvédère, a breathtaking wedding venue at the top of one of the Gatineau Hills. Bill and I were among the lucky guests. We were there to celebrate the wedding of my nephew James to Casey, a charming and capable young woman. Not to mention beautiful.

 We walked to the belvedere from the large parking lot. 

 In a masterstroke of hospitality guests were greeted by waiters with glasses of ice water. It was a steamy day.

From left, my eldest brother Ron, me and my brother-in-law, Peter.

My brother Tom and his wife Kim -- the parents of the groom. 

My great nephew and niece, Jakob and Ella. 

We were surrounded by the magnificent scenery of Gatineau Park.

The bridesmaids arrived first. 

The groomsmen relaxing after the ceremony.

The wedding is called to attention. 

 And a new partnership is brought among us.

 From left, Bill, Peter, me.

 Bill and I found our names at the beautiful table.

The wedding party made a charmingly splashy entrance. Great dj. 

 Casey and her bridesmaids.

James and Casey at the head table.

 That's Kim in the middle with Tom on the right. Kim's brother Kevin on the left.

As dusk fell James and Casey patiently posed for their official photographer.

Ella and her dad Richard made a new friend, Denver, while roasting marshmallows around the campfire.

Then we went back inside for the speeches.

Speeches.

 Casey the bride led the dancing which got more and more sensational.

We cleared the floor for one of the youngest members of the party, Ella's new friend, Denver, breakdancing.

When the dancers' heads started to light up, we decided it was time to go.

Our chariot awaited to take us home for the night.

Aga Khan Museum 2015

John and I and our friend Nancy made our second visit to the Aga Khan Museum and Park yesterday.

On our last visit it was winter, the reflecting pools were empty and the garden trees and plants were bare.  So we were thrilled to see the park with trees in leaf,  the flowers in bloom and the pools full of water.

We began our visit with a tour of the gardens. We had an engaging and knowledgeable guide.

We started at the front of the museum facing the Ismaili Center and the reflective pool. The Center was designed by Charles Correa and the gardens by Vladimir Djurovic.

The north garden room was bordered by wild roses. The designers have favoured native plants including Service Berry trees for the central courtyard.

Here we're facing the Aga Khan Museum which was designed by Fumihiko Maki. Our guide described the reflective pools which are made of black granite and quite shallow

and make a lovely splash as they flow gently over the edges of the pool.

The last two winters have been harsh in Toronto and many of the trees, shrubs and conifers have been damaged. Last winter's ice storm hurt one of the redwoods planted beside the Center. Won't they look wonderful in a hundred years!

The crystalline roof of the Prayer Hall in the Center in its bed of purple-flowering Russian Sage.

The view of the Museum and park from the Aga Khan's personal viewing porch near his office on the roof of the Ismaili Center. Lovely!

After our tour of the new garden we made a quick visit to the superb permanent collection of His Highness' Museum.

John loved this Shi'ite Standard or 'Alam. The tag says it is probably Deccan, and made of pierced metal, from 17th century Hindustan.

I of course wanted to see new illustrations and calligraphy. I loved this Muraqqa', which translates as a "patched together" album in book form that juxtaposed calligraphy, drawing, sketches and paintings.

This is Rustam Killing the Dragon. Attributed to Sadegi, Tabriz, Iran, ca 1576.

How about this demon escaping from a Persian palace

or this Dish with a Portrait of a Court Lady, Iran, 1620-40. The Aga Khan's collection is exquisite.

When we left the museum a light rain added reflections to the marble patio. We look forward to visiting often over the years and watching the park mature.

Librairie Yvon Lambert

Paris has some excellent art book stores.

 One of the best is the Librairie Yvon Lambert. We went there many times.

 When we arrived for the first time the store was celebrating the launch of a new book of photographs by François Halard. The cards in the window are reproductions of Halard's photographic details from Cy Twombly's paintings.

 That's a new limited edition of Halard's work in the case. On the walls some of his prints after Twombly.

 Halard has also photographed Twombly's home and studio.

 An Halard picture from Twombly's home and a view into the bookstore.

 Librairie Yvon Lambert specializes in the high art and conceptual part of the art book spectrum.

Here's a view from the shop into the gallery.

 Bill bought a Cy Twombly exhibition invitation printed in the 1980. Lambert discovered them when he closed his Paris gallery several years ago. Look how happy Bill looks.

 I could hardly tear myself away from the window displays.

On our next visit the Halard exhibition had closed and the gallery featured a selection of books and Cy Twombly textiles hanging from the wall. 

 Lovely art books you won't find anywhere else.

Not sure, but these look like David Shrigley.

We got the Twombly framed when we got back to Toronto. It's lovely.