…just want to say – have a great weekend! Wish you long walks, nice smells, lovely company and good food!
Animals
CFFC: Letter L – Needs to have at least two syllables
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter L – Needs to have at least two syllables
Well – it had to be a lagotto of course…and a Lego Lady (or two).
Sofia – Day and Night
The symbol of the city, Sveta Sofia – Saint Sophia, stands on a 48 feet high pedestal at a big crossroads in the city centre of Sofia. The 24 feet, copper and bronze statue by the sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, was erected in 2000, and stands in a spot once occupied by a statue of Lenin, and before him, a statue of Apollon.
Sophia was considered too erotic and pagan to be referred to as a saint, and she is not even highlighted, like many other statues are. Still, she carries the symbols of power (crown), fame (wreath) and wisdom (owl). The crown is also a reference to the Goddess of Fate – Tyche, inspired by the old emblem of Sofia dating back to 1900.
I think I prefer this handsome gentleman in traditional uniform…He kindly let me take a photo, and I was so pleased.
A walk with more of my impressions of the city –
The main shoppingstreet is Vitosha – and you can see the Vitosha mountain at the far end
The theatre in an enchanting setting!
In the header – the gem of the city: The Alexandar Nevski Cathedral
We met this old lady walking alone along Solunska Street at night. Later we found her – and a friend of hers – sleeping in the buzzle of restaurants and people
Buying an Icon – someone?
Vitosha Street
The Russian War Monument…was best seen in the late evening light
Of course I have to finish with a gorgeous tram…at least I think it is gorgeous. Not new, emerald green, squeaking and rattling along the street – no risk being run over!
The Early Bird Catches the Worm
Yesterday morning I went with Totti for our daily morning walk – but soon realized that this morning would be something special. Frosty, no wind, sun from a clear blue sky. This grey autumn, there has not been many opportunities for the two of us to really enjoy the early mornings… so, I went back after three minutes, grabbed my camera and the car keys – and off we went.
The path starts 5 minutes from my home, up in the forest. No cows today, they have been taken to the barn for the winter. Silence, but for some small birds chirping happily in the first rays of sun. Follow the path down and turn right at the bend, and you will soon see…
…your own shadow on the left side of the path, in the golden morning light.
In the corner, down to the right, the shadow of Totti is sitting down, waiting patiently for me to go on walking. And not only his shadow…himself as well…
On turning right, the sun is peeping through the old trees in the east, gently providing long shadows and turning the frost into shiny green.
Totti is enjoying the fresh air and some good rolls in the leaves. Breathing is easy – and I feel so grateful for being alive on a day like this.
As we walk down the path, I look right – and a wall of glorious trees is looking back at me. This is indeed my country.
This morning, I will remember during the long and rainy winter days to come. But now, both Totti and me are getting hungry for breakfast… having spent some refreshing, silent hours in our favorite landscape.
I hope you are returning with me – or else you will not have any breakfast!
(As usual, click for a larger view.)
Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word in November -Y2 – Fun-loving
My pick for Paula, at Lost in Translation, is Fun-loving. I had an early morning walk in the forest today, and after a frosty night, the sun promised some lovely hours in the last autumn leaves. Who is having most fun? Totti or me?
Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Pets
My favourite pets in the snow…a winter many moons ago.
Thursday Thoughts: Sofia – City Trees and Wildlife
Sofia’s many parks offer beauty and relaxation, but also the streets and separate old houses are accompanied by trees – now in autumn clothes.
Many people in Sofia and Plovdiv care for the wild animals, birds, dogs and cats, feed them and seem to want them in their city. In one of the Sofia parks, about 5-10 dogs were lying in the grass, sleeping. Suddenly one of them heard my camera snapping and looked up. When I later uploaded the photos, I noticed his ear – he was marked. Hopefully that means the dogs are somehow supervised and taken some care of.
Finally, people also activated their own dogs and we never saw starving or badly treated animals. The conclusion is – the cats own Plovdiv, and the dogs own Sofia!
Seven Day B&W Photo Challenge – Day 5
I was invited by Raj (XDrive) to join the Seven Day B&W Photo Challenge. (Thank you, Raj)
The Rules are
• Seven days.
• Seven black and white photos of your life.
• No people.
• No explanation.
• Challenge someone new each day
Today I would like to challenge Basil and Cheryl at Two Brown Feet
And, please, participate only if you have time, no compulsion. Always on to some new exciting places!
It is All About Cats…
In Plovdiv, the old capital of Bulgaria, it was all about culture and – cats. Everywhere in the streets, on window sills and in the parks.
And it seemed the yellow ones were those who ”owned the place…”
Others were peacefully sleeping on the window sills – at least in the old town.
In the newer part of the city, the competition was heavier…and the master himself both fighter and supervisor.
The captain…
…supervising the poor little ones who had to secretly crawl out to steal apiece of bread
The bold breadwinner –
…you would not be there for long…
Back to Ireland – Ruins and Cows
Looking through my photos from Ireland – I found an old abbey I had not posted on. I am convinced there were not many visitors, as we only saw it from the car. We were looking for a nice place to have our evening picnic – I wanted cows and my husband wanted ruins – and we found the perfect place!
To get there, we had to park at the church, climb some fences and walk a straight gravel road over the meadows with grazing cows. Just my thing.
I wondered how this abbey had looked when new – it was still impressive out there in the middle of all the green. Not much sun, but we had our fruit and sandwiches sitting on the ground against the wall. The Irish landscape offers never-ending glory.
The farewell was accompanied by the most gracious crowd (in the header), and lastly by a lone beauty standing by the road. I really have to go back to Ireland – soon.
Leya 
Du måste vara inloggad för att kunna skicka en kommentar.