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Saturday, June 26, 2010

A little bit "French"!







"Die Winkel op Paternoster" (it translates as : The Shop at Paternoster) is probably the most photographed building in this postcard- pretty town.

I decided to focus on some interesting detail and liked this French-looking corner where the three red shapes met. The red objects are: the barn door, the frame of the blackboard menu, and the red dragon on the antique enamel signboard (Mobiloil). I call this scene a little bit French because Afrikaans-speaking families have French genes among others!

Wow, I realize now that I am o-o-o-o-old enough to remember village shops with enamel signs! The rust from the screws would run down the paint of the outer walls! At about five years of age I carried our freshly-laid eggs in a brown-paper bag to a shop called "Driewald Kontantwinkel". The shop owners gave us credit for Mom's lovely eggs!

Reminiscing aside, this shop at Paternoster is a 'must visit'. Who can resist West Coast delicacies, home baked confectionery and colourful preserves? The shop brims with nostalgic items like enamelware and old porcelain. A coat rack with hats.....postcards..... a feast for the eyes!

23 comments:

  1. I have just been enjoying your photographs, paintings and writing on this my first visit. It is a lovely blog. Eileen

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  2. Lovely to meet you, Eileen!Welcome to my blog.

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  3. Lovely memories... And your painting is great to capture a small intimate part of that!

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  4. Very cool blog. My daughter just returned home to US after spending some time in SA. She will enjoy your blog too.

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  5. Hi Marie, nice that you explored a portion of the beautiful photo..the shadows on the wall, the crimson and black combo are eye catching!

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  6. You always make me so nostalgic Marie! A trip must be forthcoming up the West Coast soon! This is really lovely and, as you say, recalls your French Huguenot roots!

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  7. LOVE this one Marie, especially being able to see the whole pic of the shop in the photo! What a lovely place!

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  8. Thank you, Marian.Sometimes zooming in on a subject can be effective.

    Johanna, I hope your daughter was able to visit this quiet and unassuming coastline!

    Padmaja, yes it turned out limited in colour and those shades were all I needed! Thank you for your comments!

    Liz, I found out about such lovely camps, etc. As I go blogging further down the coast it becomes too far for day-trips. We must plan.....and thank you for picking up on the Hugenotes, you made the eleventh generation French descendant peeking over my shoulder very happy!

    Maree, to see that 'winkel' makes such a call on all the senses, very colourful.

    Thank you, Cathyann! I thought afterwards that I almost had the colours of the French flag there.

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  9. Magical and nostalgic paintings. Congratulations.
    A kiss from Spain.

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  10. Absolutely beautiful crop of this scene, Marie. I so love shops like this!! And of course, now I have to have toast and jelly for breakfast...I do love your painting; gorgeous palette and nice composition!

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  11. Ah thank you Loli, how is your work going?

    Sherry, yes, I have been introduced to toast and jelly by my little grandsons in Texas. I think you will prefer to skip the 'bokkoms on toast'on the blackboard in my painting!

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  12. I feel like I'm traveling when I come to your blog. Thank you for all your wonderful posts!! Love the painting!!

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  13. marie,

    the nostalgic painting goes in tune with the nostalgic words you put in...

    in any country the olden days are the golden days...

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  14. Wonderful, Marie! (I like the striking and yet simple pallette in this one.)

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  15. Thank you, Manon! Armchair travelling had become laptop travelling!

    Sethu, you put it so poetically. I must remember you words!

    Thanks, Linny! There is something going for a limited palette!

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  16. Marie, I see about ten paintings in those two photographs! I like the red and blue combination in your painting. And what wonderful memories. Its always the simple things in life that bring back the fondest memories. When I sail across the ocean, I will definitely visit this wonderful shop :)

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  17. Thank you Theresa!

    Catherine, you are right, the complete building with its old boat offers a lot of eye candy! You know, it is a type of trademark in Paternoster to Buy these old boats and cement them down in front of the cottages! OK just follow the trade winds, I'll see you!

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  18. What a great painting with the blackboard sign! I miss a lot about the "good ol' days".

    Also enjoyed your previous post with the fishing paintings. If God doesn't count the time spent fishing, I should be in great shape!

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  19. I love this Marie, It is so charming with these elements.

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  20. Beautiful, gentle, poetic. Such are your works. Thank you for this insight.

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  21. Thank you, Dean,Jana, Barbara and friend.

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  22. Great crop and very nostalgic subject. I always love paintings with old bikes especially with these whicker baskets. The red and black palette is very striking.

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