The while-we-wait-for-river-cruises photo quiz

[ljandgb]

1 hour ago, knoxclone said:

SIntra park in Portugal!

 

You got it!  

 

It is the most schizophrenic architecture I've seen in a while.  Technically the building is Pena Palace.  It was a chapel from the middle ages, then a convent was built in the early 1500's but was damaged in the 1700's by lightning and an earthquake.  Construction began to make it a palace mid 1800's.  It was used less than 100 years before the monarchy fell and it became state property and a park.

[ljandgb]

Here’s a wide view. It’s hard to get a good picture as it sits atop a steep hill. 

[jpalbny]

So that's what it looks like! Peña Palace has been on our list for a while.

 

We climbed from the train station, partway up the hill, back in 2012. But we stopped at the Moorish Castle. Then we went back down to Sintra to tour the National Palace instead of continuing on to Peña. We looked at going back to Sintra for the 2019 trip, but no time for that. 

 

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by jpalbny

[Coral]

59 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

So that's what it looks like! Peña Palace has been on our list for a while.

 

We climbed from the train station, partway up the hill, back in 2012. But we stopped at the Moorish Castle. Then we went back down to Sintra to tour the National Palace instead of continuing on to Peña. We looked at going back to Sintra for the 2019 trip, but no time for that. 

 

I was supposed to be there in April/May for my 50th birthday trip..... COVID BAD.....

[knoxclone]

Heres my offering!   Have not decided if it will be super easy or not.  Name the town and the river?

 

[ljandgb]

Wow, that is just weird.  I have no idea.  

[Coral]

2 minutes ago, ljandgb said:

Wow, that is just weird.  I have no idea.  

I am lost also. Looks Eastern European. Maybe one of the former Soviet Republics.

Edited January 9, 2021 by Coral

[notamermaid]

I was also thinking it is a colossal head like you find - or used to find - in Eastern Europe. It is just that the guy looks a bit more Western. Perhaps it is a reference to an industrial site or city proud of its history of steel production?

 

Cannot make out any names on the signs. Blue are the motorway signs in Germany, but the traffic lights and the surroundings are not necessarily German. Could be but I think it is not.

 

Linz in Austria?

 

notamermaid

 

[knoxclone]

Nope not in Linz, and not in Eastern Europe. 

[ljandgb]

Ok, so not easy. Can we get a clue?

[notamermaid]

Yes, I think we need a clue. But I will ask a question. Is it on a roundabout?

 

notamermaid

 

 

[AnhaltER1960]

The direction signs (white on blue background) are used in several countries. As there are traffic lights, obviously no motorway, but innercity traffic. Those oval plates around the traffic lights are also used in several countries. In combination I would suggest Belgium or the Netherlands.

The statue shows some sort of engine, generator or similar with a wing on the right. Winged wheels are symbols for railways, but it is not a wheel. So my working theory is, it shows some industry pioneer in (steam-) shipping, railway, elecricity or similar. Warm or cold ?

[notamermaid]

Good idea, that. I was considering some pioneer, but in aviation.

 

As regards country also still clueless. Inner city, I agree. Unless it is within an airport area, perhaps.

 

notamermaid

 

[ljandgb]

I agree, looks like a traffic circle.  The "machine" reminds me of my grandmother's old meat grinder, which doesn't bear pondering in this circumstance, but maybe symbolizes something about what tech does to humanity??  (I'm stretching here.)

[notamermaid]

I was thinking about a meat grinder, too...

 

Blame my imagination, but my other idea, apart from the pioneer, was something with a hidden meaning like "the daily grind".

 

I think I have too much time to think. This is what not working for four weeks does to your, i.e. my head.

 

notamermaid

 

[knoxclone]

Ok - did not realize it would stump folks!  

It honors the father of the European Recovery Program and was very near (walkable) where our ship was docked. 

 

The wing is a symbol that is scattered around the city. 

 

[knoxclone]

Oh, and its not on a round about as far as I can remember - it was in a park.. next to a pumping station and bridge which was too far for me to walk over.

[Coral]

George Marshall and Germany somewhere?

[knoxclone]

Getting warmer, but not in Germany... Suggest thinking about winged horses?  🙂

 Maybe this is fairly new?  I photographed it in 2017.  I will google and see...

[notamermaid]

If it is something to do with Europe, perhaps Strasbourg or Brussels? I am somewhat completely lost. Cannot find any reference to it. Marshall is sculptured "striding towards new friends". You would not believe how may head sculptures without body and winged animals with Europa sitting on them, are scattered around Europe and the internet.

 

If it was erected in 2017 I suppose it was during celebrations for 70 years of the Marshall Plan. Do not remember hearing about celebrations in big style. There certainly were commemorations in Parliament, etc.

 

notamermaid

 

Edited January 10, 2021 by notamermaid
maths problem

[AnhaltER1960]

ok, Arnhem, Netherlands, Rhine River. An old pump incorporated into that monument near the Arnhem bridge.

[knoxclone]

Correct!  Congratulations AnhaltER1960!!

 

I was told by the guide that it was officially called the Sphinx of Arnheim by the artist.

 

The old pump was purchased at the time with funds from the Marshall Plan, hence the shout out to Secretary of State Marshall.   The wing appears in the pump manufacturers logo,  and further references the Battle of Arnheim and Operation Pegasus.  It sits near the Old  Rhine Bridge now renamed the John Frost Bridge... otherwise identified in WWII history as a Bridge Too Far.

 

You're next!

Edited January 10, 2021 by knoxclone

[notamermaid]

What an unusual sculpture. I would never have thought of Arnhem. Well done, @AnhaltER1960.

 

notamermaid

 

[ljandgb]

Soo....NOT a meat grinder. LOL

 

Very good.  Quite the stumper.

[AnhaltER1960]

Hope that lockdown wont last too long .... soon I will have to scan my analogue pics ... running out of digital ones....

 

This here is -obviously- not the river itself, but an excursion nearby. Name the river and the location  that you can see in the photo. The first one to guess gets to post the next photo.