Serre Che ski Sunday roundup

by admin on January 21st, 2012

Under Prorel lift on the way to Briancon

Another lovely day on the slopes of Serre Chevalier. Slightly busier than yesterday and no where near as quiet as it’s going to be tomorrow – judging by the many tour coaches being refilled by many a happy skier in the car-parks of Monetier, going back to wherever they hail from.

The conditions are mostly excellent, there are a few patches of ice in places – the top section of the Luc Alphand in the shade comes to mind and even a few slushy patches – not quite soup, but getting on that way – at the top of the runs leading to Briancon from the top of the Prorel lift.

I did a totally different set of pistes today, the red run down to the very bottom of the Prorel cabin will be one I won’t be repeating, but it can’t all be lovely all the time. There is a boring little walk at the end – oh the horror.

Briancon old town in the background

The best time to ski is 10am-3pm, the Sun drops off pretty quickly as does the mercury. The light is different though to just a few weeks ago. Instead of going dark when the Sun comes off there is about and hour of still strong indirect-light rather than shadow, this has extended the day. I actually finished at about 4.15pm – and I would whinge about it if I could, but I won’t as it was still pretty pleasant.

Not going to labour the point, but these weeks coming up till Feb 10th are the best, get on it – come on the Iran match is going to kick off just as soon as the US can arrange it, you may as well get a taste of heaven before we’re all there in person.

Perfect snow in Serre Chevalier

by admin on January 19th, 2012

No one on Cucummelle about 10am this morning

It is like Serre Che is the ski station that time forgot. I keep meaning to have a day off to rest my weary legs, but I just can’t at the moment.

It is brilliant and no one is here. Because of this there are no lumps or bumps on any of the pistes. I love this, you can make massive long turns without worrying whether you’re going to come into contact with any doubtful terrain or any other stranger on the mountain.

I hear Austria is too full of snow, Savoir is a bit choker, but here? Honestly it’s a dream. The sun is shining – we’re up to about 8 oC at 2000m. This is lovely to ski in, which is why I’m getting as much in as possible before the school holidays start on Feb 10th.

There is no snow predicted for a while, but there is ample on the pistes. The wind has thinned out some of the more exposed slopes – Col du Vent in Monetier has been scoured at the start and the off-piste side of this face – Neyzet – is very patchy at the entrance.

Other than that pretty perfect conditions – it’s those north-facing slopes maintaining their finish that makes a difference.

Collectable Chinese Pottery

by admin on December 27th, 2011

The earliest findings of pottery in China date back to almost 18000 years ago. Although Porcelain is a term referring to all ceramicware that is white and translucent irrespective of its composition and purpose,it has become synonymous with what is referred to commonly as China ;such has been the contribution of china towards this art .
                       Pottery is of two types- a coarse one intended for everyday use and  finer ,thinner bodied ware intended for special occasions .It is later versions of this latter that usually constitute the 'collectable ' list. Earliest recorded evidence of porcelain in China date back to Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 220 A.D.) . But it was during the Sui and Tang Dynasty (581-907 A.D.) that porcelain as we know it today ,or at least a close resemblance of it , came into being . how to improve eyesight naturally

   Chinese pottery  usually utilises a combination of raw materials like Kaolin ,Petunse , Feldspar and quartz. The abundant availability of these raw materials in China perhaps contributed to the development of this art . The city of Jingdezhen plays a central role in the history of chinese pottery. During the Ming dynasty ,this art grew to include  innovations in design and techniques as also an openness to foreign themes .The works of the   Xuande and the  Chenghua  era are still considered one of the most valued items .
                     These Chinese collectable pottery can be variously classified.Some of the types are :-
 Sancai
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                    These are usually but not always tri-colored.Made during the Tang Dynasty,these were mostly uses
                    as burialware .

Jian teawares :-
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                    These blackwareswere usually made using iron-rich clay  that produces a characteristic 'hare's fur ' pattern
                      on the surface on glazing .
 
Ding ware :-
—————
                    This is considered one of the finest porcelains ever produced . These relied more on their elegant ,
                     understated designs and lack of ostentation . Typically they were made of a white paste with a glaze that
                    collects into 'tears ' which characterizes them .

 Ru ware :-
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                     These were finer with a brilliant lustre . They were made in a range of colours with red-brown speckles  
                     which are considered a merit rather than a defect .

 Jun ware :-
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                      Boasting a thicker body and a turquoise and purple glaze , these were much sturdier than their
                      predecessors .
Guan ware:-
—————
                       The body of the porcelain became very thin with the glaze attaining  maximum thickness. Guan ceramics
                        are also referred to as' Brown  mouth 'because of their color and are very popular and the subject of
                        much imitation .
Quinbai ware :-
 —————–
                       This is a clear blue-white porcelain  which has incised and moulded decorations .

Blue and white wares :-
——————————–
                       Developed with a typical blue and white underglaze ,only a few examples of this original work
                      exist in the world .

             Chinese pottery ia also classified based on the colour palette or the famille used :-

              Famille verte  -utilizing  green and iron red with overglaze colors
              Famille Jaune-same as above with more of a yellow ground
             Famille Noire uses a more black ground
              Famille rose using soft colors , mainly pink and purple ,this has remained one of the most sought after work .

             A notable design technique used in many of these pieces is a process called reticulation ,cutting out
            small holes during the clay stage which on glazing leaves beautiful transparent  windows throughout the porcelain .