Farmer's Market

When I was in Italy back in 2012, I strolled through a lot of fantastic markets but, I have to say that the one in Bolzano was one of the most picturesque I saw.  Just look at all those perfectly shaped vegetables so neatly displayed.

And the selection of sausages and cheeses was just as inviting as the vegetables.

We stopped in Bolzano for lunch on our way up into the mountains but we got sidetracked by these wonderful displays of fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses.  If you can't find something delicious to fix for dinner here, you simply aren't looking.

The Home of Polo

Last fall I had a post on my Phoenix Daily Photo site about attending a polo match in Scottsdale.  It was a fun match but, it can't compare to attending a match in the home of polo, Argentina.

A few years ago on a trip to Argentina, I had an opportunity to attend a match at Campo Argentino del Polo, the huge polo grounds located in the heart of Buenos Aires.

This handsome statue greets visitors as they enter.

The polo grounds have been located in this spot since 1918 and they can seat 30,000 people.  

The grounds have been the home since 1928 to the Campeonato Argentino Abrieto de Polo, the most important polo event in the world.  The event is described as the international championship event at the polo club level.  

I'm not sure who won this match I attended.  The fact is, I knew very little about polo at the time I went and have only recently learned a tiny bit more.  What I do know for sure is that it was a fantastic experience to watch this majestic game in the most important polo spot in the world.

Holly Village

I stumbled on to this place quite by accident when I was walking back toward central London after a visit to Highgate Cemetery.  (I posted about Highgate here.) I took this photo and the one below but, I really had no idea what it was.  I wanted to slip through that arch to get a closer look but, a sign reading "private property" kept me out.  When I came across the above photo again, I examined that sign out front that read Chester Road and I went to my trusty London map and found the road and a little mark identified as "Holly Village".  So, off I went to Google and found the following information.

Holly Village was built in 1865 by Baroness Burdett-Coutts a little known Victorian Philanthropist.  She had the architect Henry Darbishire design the property of 12 houses (some detached and some semi-detached) including the above elaborate gatehouse.  It was built in a style that is now called Victorian Gothic.

The above photo was taken from the side as I walked past.  Apparently all the homes are now privately owned and they all surround a park-like green space that is common to all the homes.  One article I read said that the homes here are highly sought after and owners tend to stay in them so there are seldom any for sale.
Be sure to check out the link above, the website has lots of photos from inside  the village that I didn't get because of that "private property" sign.

Just Up the Road a Bit

I have lived in Arizona for many, many years now but I had never eaten at the Rock Springs Cafe just 50 miles north of Phoenix.  I've driven by many times but never have stopped even though its reputation for good food and delicious pies is well known around these parts.  Since my sister lives in Prescott Valley and I live in Phoenix, we decided that this was about half-way for both of us so we decided to meet there this last Friday.

The cafe is full of western charm and despite how open this dining room looks when I snapped the photo, it is one very, very busy place.  By the time we left, there were people waiting in a long line for tables.  My sister warned that we should get there early to beat the crowds, so we did.

Out in back of the cafe, there is quite a lot to see and this sign will help you find your way.

And, there really is a spring and it's full of rocks so it's easy to see where this place got its name.

My sister and her husband were happy to pose for the typical tourist shot for me.  Thank you Judy and Chet.

If you are like me and keep driving by but never stop, I recommend that you pause for a while.  If you don't have time for a meal, take home a delicious pie.