Village life in Transylvania

©LRMallowsSept2007Transyl

Belgian coast

©A FourBees digigraffitipic ☂☀☁

The Belgian coastline is -sadly - pretty bland. Especially if you're used to the rugged coastline of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.
Anyway, sometimes in desperation for a spirit-lifting glimpse of the waves, I find myself at the seaside Belge-style.
Knokke-Heist is a bizarre place - a blend of dunes and designer shops.
The dunes are pleasant and the sea air refreshing, however the old trouts botoxed up to the eyeballs with skin the consistency of a leather handbag, schlepping in and out of Louis Vuitton are like something from my worst nightmare.
Two coffees and a tiny piece of apple pie cost 13 euros which really takes the biscuit...or not, probably couldn't afford it.
Knokke-Heist is all about money and nothing about nature.
Nevertheless, there were some brave young lads doing kite-surfing in the freezing March waves....brrrrr!

Banksy in Brussels

©A FourBees digigraffitipic ☂☀☁

I know it's not a real Banksy - what on earth would the legendary graffiti artist be doing in this out of the way part of southeastern Brussels.
Unless he was collecting a parcel....the TaxiPost depot for all Brussels is just around the corner and when those nasty postmen leave a note to say 'you were out when I called to deliver this parcel, now you have to travel half way around the Earth to collect it yourself at a time that is totally inconvenient for anybody with a job or a life', you will find yourself here in Veeweide If you can find the depot, that is.
When I go for my early morning constitutional along the Anderlecht canal-side, people are always coming up to me and wailing pathetically 'Ou est le TaxiPost?'.
I'm lucky, I suppose, I live just around the corner from the beloved TaxiPost, however I only ever went inside once, to collect my STEELY DAN tickets, when the greatest band in the world played at Forest Nationale.
Back to Banksy - it's not a real one, but it's quite a clever stencil, and in an unusual location on a patch of grass by the canal....

Bring me a halibut!

©FourBees2007
Slovakia has some beautiful home-made signs for shops, services etc.
Here is a shot I took in Piestany, a gorgeous spa town in Central Slovakia.
I recommend the waters, very envigourating.

Brussels bulldogs

©FourBees graffiti gallery Nov2007

For fans of Brussels graffiti, here's another picture from Anderlecht. I'm sorry I can't post more at the moment, I'm SO busy writing a guide book (about Romania) that every waking moment is devoted to typing.
However, during the last couple of days the weather in Brussels was so glorious that I just had to take advantage of it - for who knows when we shall see the sun again?? - and jog off to Anderlecht's beautiful Neerpede Park to feed the ducks.
The graffiti lads obviously had the same idea as the waste land under the ring road was occupied by half a dozen artists in hoods and anti-paint-fume face masks, resembling urban guerrillas armed with aerosols.
However, as their artwork reveals, most of them are sensitive souls...
I'm trying to get up my nerve to ask one of them to come and decorate my bureau wall with a giant mural.
However, one lad was painting a pair of large-breasted sci-fi maidens indulging in a little frisky sci-fi frolicking, and I'm not sure that's quite what I want. How would I explain that one to the landlord??
Anderlecht's graffiti genii definitely have a thing about dogs, they appear to be quite a common theme.
This one looks pretty terrifying.

Brussels graffiti art masters number one

FourBees presents a series of seven fabulous works of graffiti art from Brussels.
These are found in the Anderlecht district of the city where FourBees resides.
The collection is for FriedClyde who appreciates great graffiti art - hope you enjoy these!

©FourBees digital art gallery

Brussels graffiti art masters number two

I love these portrait style graffiti works of art, they make walking around Anderlecht a real joy.
Talent and humour combined.
©FourBees digital art gallery

Brussels graffiti art masters number three

What an attractive chappie!
©FourBees graffiti art gallery

Brussels graffiti art masters number four

I think it's disappointing that some other graffiti artist felt the urge to scribble over this beautiful portrait. The squirly bits are quite pretty, though.
©FourBees digital art gallery

Brussels graffiti art masters number five

©FourBees digital art gallery

Brussels graffiti art masters number six

©FourBees digital pix

Brussels graffiti art masters number seven

Digital graffiti art gallery by ©FourBees

This is especially for FriedClyde - another collection of fantastic art from under the ring road near Neerpede park in the Anderlecht district of Brussels.

Brussels beauties

A fantastic shop facade on Chaussee de Mons in southern Anderlecht.
This 'Sporting' lettering reminds me a little of the fandabeedozee neon signs in Budapest dating from the 1960s which are dying out now. They would announce cafes, eszpresszo bars, cipobolt (shoe shop), fodrasz (hairdresser's), oras (watchmaker's) and the like. [Elnezest, hogy nem tudok irni magyar ekezettel ezen a rohadt gepen...]
©FourBees-thinks-Anderlecht-is-very-central-European-shot

Brussels babes

Anderlecht's main square, Place de la Vaillance, (Square of Courage) is the most beautiful of all the squares in Brussels.
Personally, I prefer it to the Grand'Place which is always too crowded and overwhelming for my hermit taste.
© FourBees homey shot