Thursday, August 7, 2014

Good Fences

In Portugal once again.... where we holidayed a couple years ago.

This is the Quinta do Seixo...  in the Douro region of Portugal.  A very modern visitor centre for Sandeman port.  Even though it was not open for the season, there was staff there, and, they did open just for us..... we had our tour and then we tasted some port.  Several varieties of port....  and, of course, we bought a few bottles to take home.















This is their trademark motif...

I love this photo because it looks like two people dressed like the "Don" as they call him... they look like they are whispering to each other...

It is so weird how this photo turned out... it is actually the door handle (inside and out) on a clear glass door leading out onto the front area of the visitor centre...

... and, even though I stray a bit...there is a fence in the background...



















Here is the story of "The Don" ..   taken from the Sandeman site.
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In 1928 George Massiot Brown was an artist working for the Lochend Printing company, who approached Sandeman for business.  Sandeman requested some designs for posters, and the remarkable silhouette of the Don was born.

Dressed like the Spanish caballeros de Jerez in a Portuguese student's cape and wide brimmed hat, the Don cuts a dark, dramatic figure within glass of ruby coloured Porto.

George Massiot Brown was well aware that French poster artists were very much in vogue, so signed his artwork as G. Massiot to hide his Scottish origins.

Little did he know that The Don would be the very first iconic logo for a wine.  Recognized throughout the world, The Don represents the mystery and sensuality that communicates the Sandeman brand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

............ and, here are a few more fences ..although the fences were barely there.. some fine wire and posts ...















A short wall that surrounds the visitor centre... just below steps from which you look down upon the river Douro and terraced hillsides of grapes..















View from the other side of the centre..
















... another cement wall...

and, a stop on the way out to get a better shot of the entrance to the centre...stone and cement ...
















If you want to check out some other great fences, click on the button below and it will take you to Tex's site... the Run-a-Round Ranch




18 comments:

21 Wits said...

Excellent captures, great fences!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Lovely scenes with fences.

Unknown said...

Great scenery, the blossom on the tree is so beautiful, I did manage to spot the fence in the background.

TexWisGirl said...

really gorgeous place! and thanks for explaining the door handle! that really did look like 2 dons standing and whispering! :)

thanks for linking in!

Mary Ann Tate said...

Never mind the fences...the pic of the port was my favourite:) Loved the picture of the terraces too.

Debbie said...

a very cool story and very beautiful images. i wish your pictures were bigger, they really are wonderful!!!!

Breathtaking said...

Thank you for your visit today.Lovely images of a beautiful part of Portugal that I know well.
I will visit again.

GranthamLynn said...

Cool. I like the door handle you have to look close to realize.
Thanks for visiting my decorated
fence and gate. I miss that place.
Have a good weekend.
Sherry

Grandma C said...

I like the door handles. They would look great on a gate. wink wink

lorik said...

Your pics make we want to visit Portugal too!

Roan said...

Glad we got an explaination for the door handle. I thought a couple of zorros were standing there. Beautiful scenery and fences.

betty-NZ said...

What a unique door handle! Love it and the scenes you share, too.

CJ said...

My first thought was that the Spanish Inquisition had shown up to put everyone on the rack. But I guess the only rack around is a wine rack.

I didn't realize that was on the door ---thought people were dressed for a party or play.

Interesting story.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Vee, That must have been a wonderfully exciting trip!

MICKAN from QUEENS FIELD¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮ said...

The door handle looks perfect in that place. And the other photos are lovely. What a place!

A Colorful World said...

Such a breath-takingly beautiful place! I bet your trip was amazing! Love the fences, and think that photo with the door handles turned out great! Interesting story about that logo.

Maria Vaz said...

Ha! That wonderful trip to the Douro Valley. Moments to remember forever!

Abi said...

Ooh this looks magical. I really miss my visits to Spain - funnily enough, my parents are out there is week. I am a bit envious it has to be said.
I hope you had a wonderful time V.