Egidio has for this week chosen our destination: Fun! In fact I just returned from one of those – namely fantastic gardens. Please go to his beautiful site for more inspiration.
He asks ”What is your fun destination? What are some fun things you do? Some prefer seeing action and crowds, such as sporting events or concerts. Others prefer quiet moments with a book in hand.” I guess my answer could be: Travel and quiet moments alone. Those two can be opposites, but maybe not always…With a camera in hand, I can lose myself in photographing and shut out the world. I do need them both to feel good.
I love watching my dogs having fun – what could be better than that? And, when the children were small, we had entertainment all day from the whole family.
This is an old favourite photo of Mille and Totti, my first lagottos. They brought so much warmth, laughter, tears and joy. Talking about destination Fun! I still miss them, both had their own charming peculiarities, just like children have.
A great joy has always been hiking beautiful landscapes, especially in the delicateness of Spring and the colours of October. I am always excited to head out there for new adventures. Open landscapes and forests – they let my heart and soul breathe and my spirit soar.
Nothing beats the art of Mother Nature – but much fun is to be had at museums and exhibitions as well. I don’t have to go far away for interesting art…there is a great exhibition site just 10 kilometers away.
Being a teacher for many years, I have a natural interest in young people, their education and upbringing. I still have some students that stay in contact with me. In fact yesterday one of my students had his dissertation and is today a professor in mathematics. He contacted me, so I could follow it on zoom.
Many of our castles have jousting games with knights and horses. During my last years before retirement, I had a student who now is so skilled he won the Swedish championship several times in these games.
I often go to the nearest castle, Hovdala, that hosts these games – not just to see my old students but also to see the youngsters having fun. This sweet young man with shining eyes……might one day grow into a handsome and chevaleresque knight!
My most frequented destination is my garden – and it is always fun to see things grow, be it children or plants. Right now the grapes are ripening and soon the glass house will leave its last cucumbers and tomatoes, chili, paprika and physalis for letting my Mediterranean plants glow. I am immensely grateful for being able to enjoy the beauty and scent of acacia, jasmin, bottlebrush and camellias – despite our cold climate.
Travel, yes, that has been my way since I was 16. Destinations chosen because of architectural marvels in beautiful cities like Prague…
…for natural wonders as Catedrales in Spain
…for hiking among the glaciers in Greenland,
Iceland and Norway … and the majestic mountains of middle Europe.
But also for the opportunity to meet people of different origin and with different customs.
Back home again, there is another spot I always return to – for continuing the fun – my computer. All those photos have to be taken care of. Blogging, writing messages, making cards for birthdays, Christmas and other festivities.
To sum up my fun destinations, they are: hiking in gorgeous nature at home or abroad, visiting cities with great art and architecture, spending time with my family, working and enjoying my garden – and photographing it all. Finally – it is fun to upload and try to make the best out of my photos at the computer…
We look forward to seeing your responses and having us all share in the fun. Don’t forget to use the “lens-artists” hashtag when responding to Egidio, so we can easily find it in the Reader. Egidio is happy to say that pingbacks are finally working on his site too.
Last week, Ritva had us working on common objects. The response was terrific, and your posts were great. Creativity shines!
Tina will host a new challenge next Saturday at noon EDT in the USA. Stay tuned. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
Leya 
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Such a rich and full life you show us here. From your sweet lagottos to a personal expression on paper, and all the experiences in nature and around the world in between. Lovely.
I am glad you liked my post, Lindy, and I am grateful every day to be healthy still. Some problems with knees, feet and fingers – but we always get something along the road.
Wonderful and fun memories Ann-Christine.
Thank you, Anne – what would we do without cameras?
I don’t know! The only time I left my camera at home, a big fire started! I’ll take that as a message. 😊😍😉
♥
Wonderful fun moments and memories. Your dogs are so beautiful
Thank you – miss them, but has got Milo now, my newest Lagotto.
Ahhhh….Ann-Christine….what a gorgeous post! Your images are breathtaking! You started with one of my favorites…watching dogs having fun…and it continued. I especially love that image of the young boy at the jousting match and your shot of Cathedrales. Gorgeous!
Thank you, Patti! So glad you enjoyed them. It is a great joy when pictures make me remember happy moments – and others like them too.
Your photos are varied and beautiful!!
I am glad you liked them, Nora, thank you.
Ann-Christine, I think I could lose myself looking at your photo catalog. The images you shared here left breathless. The beauty was everywhere, whether in the castles, beaches, mountains, and your garden. That macro is a beautiful eyeful, just as the whole post. Thanks for sharing the fun in your world.
Oh, thank you, Egidio! A lovely comment and my pleasure to share with you!
It sounds like a good life, Ann-Christine. I love that first shot of sky and fields, but then so many other pleasures. Even jousting and that handsome young man. Long may it all continue xx
Thank you, Jo. And may we have a good life as long as we can. ♥
All your photos are beautiful and your editing skills upgrade the photos I am sure. So many beautiful photos to choose from, but nature wins, Alaska, Norway – so wish to capture them with my lens also. Always a joy to visit your blog
Thank you, Ritva – I must say the same: Always a joy to visit your blog!
❤
Wonderful gallery, Ann-Christine! My favorites are the mountains in Iceland and Norway!
Thank you, John!
I enjoyed reading about your wide range of fun activities, and share many of them, especially travel and photography. I love your landscape shots in particular – that one in I think either Iceland or Norway with the perfect reflections particularly caught my eye 😮
Thank you, Sarah – the perfect reflections must be from Switzerland!
I couldn’t agree more with your words and the wonderful photos you’ve picked to illustrate them. We are lucky that you share your fun with us, Ann-Christine.
I am lucky to be able to share with you all. You know my aim is always to send some joy and beauty!
Dear Ann-Christine,
what a nice collection of ‘fun-things’ documented with beautiful pictures.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 :-):-)
♥♥♥♥
Fun to be had in every area of your life! Excellently catalogued in photographs.
Margaret, thank you, I am grateful every day.
Wonderful pics bringing out the fun spirit
Thank you, so glad you found the fun spirit in them!
Beautiful Ann-Christine. all the photos invoke the wonder of your journeys ❤️
♥ Thank you, Brian!
Ann-Christine, from jousting to enjoying the wonder in a child’s eyes, you have a lot of fun in your life. Enjoy!
Well Anne, thank you, I do have a lot of fun…but too many interests to find time to enjoy them all!
hello a. c.,
a very interesting selection of photos that you present to us for this week, i really like them. especially the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th and the last one.
many greetings robert
Thank you!
Please take me there
♥
Wonderful post Ann-Christine! I loved all of the images and agree wholeheartedly with each of your choices. Of course all are beautifully photographed, and I agree with you that part of the fun is the editing process. I remember when your glass house was first completed and how happy you were to be able to be outdoors no matter the weather. I’m happy to see you still love it!
Thank you so much, Tina – and yes, I am still happy about getting another ”season”. So glad you enjoyed my post, Tina!
What a gorgeous and soulful tour Ann-Christine. I love your beautiful photos and views on fun, travel, nature, family, and gardens. I do wish I’d traveled more, but maybe I will.
You look young and strong – never too late!
Thank you.
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