Thursday Thoughts – In the Hive

17 augusti, 201717 augusti, 2017 / Leya / 18 kommentarer

My number one goal with the London trip was Kew Gardens. I think the year was 1977 last time, or maybe 1979. As you who read this blog will know, I love gardens and flowers. Maybe especially English gardens, because of their soft and soothing architecture and lines. But this time, I also found the most mindful spot – The Hive.

A well thought through installation, and a high quality space for mindfulness.

The Hive stands 17 metres high, set in a meadow of wild flowers. The installation is connected to a real beehive, from where you, through several canals, are able to follow the sounds and vibrations of the bees.

We all know the importance of bees, and as scientists have proved – without bees we will not survive on this planet.

In this structure, you cannot shut out the light – you cannot stop it from seeping in. Looking straight up from the ground beneath, there are also… feet to be seen…

…and inside the construction, the blue sky is visible from every corner. Slow down and listen to the bees working, humming soothingly. Add some distant music… and this will be your reaction…

Meditative moments…Mindfulness…

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Welcome to Little Venice!

16 augusti, 201716 augusti, 2017 / Leya / 17 kommentarer

When in London, I try to visit a new part every time – and this time I walked along Regent’s Canal to Little Venice. They say Lord Byron coined the name, true or not, anyway it is a charming area with its moored boats and little ”gardens”.

How about joining me for a little walk?

Along Regent’s Canal

Under the bridges

Grand Houses along the canal

Some boats were more homes to flowers than to people…

Inviting you to sit down and read a good book!

Minimalistic

Coot in Green

Two for you

Loveliness

Thursday Thoughts – A Goodbye

29 juni, 201729 juni, 2017 / Leya / 10 kommentarer

Summer it is, and I just have to visit The Garden of My Dreams – maybe for the last time. The old couple owning it, will sell it this summer. If it is not already sold… To sneak in is maybe wrong, but somehow I just have to… say goodbye.

Every year I have talked to the little man and his beautiful wife, about all their travels throughout this world to collect plants, and about the birds he kept ringing every spring.

Some of my favourites are still in flower, and if you follow me through the garden, I will show you some of them. My absolute favourites are the thistles, so they will need a picture of their own. I hope you will enjoy the flowers just as much as I do.

Wordless Wednesday

28 juni, 201728 juni, 2017 / Leya / 4 kommentarer

16 juni, 201716 juni, 2017 / Leya / 9 kommentarer

Walking Botanical Gardens is a pleasure I never can get enough of…

No matter how large or small – I just have to visit. These pictures are from Dublin.

CFFC: Gardens

23 maj, 201723 maj, 2017 / Leya / 8 kommentarer

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Gardens

My favourite garden is here in Sweden…but I can sometimes dream of having a really grand garden…with big trees and open grounds with perfect lawns. And of course, in my dreams there is always a giant greenhouse with rare and exotic plants.

Yes,,,you can always dream…

Ant Invasion and a Teenage Party

20 september, 201620 september, 2016 / Leya / 7 kommentarer

At least once a year we visit Wanås, the park and the new installations. A must!

Rafael Gómezbarro’s installation ”Casa tomada” wants to portray the stream of refugees in the world, where the climbing ants are symbols for the hard working migrant. The installation comes from Bogota´and the house of parliament there.

Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg are the artists behind the installation ”In dreams”. You can hear the sound coming through the forest before you find it. Want to party?

The artists compares this to Alice in Wonderland…

…and I cannot but agree

you meet creepy beings…

…and feel dizzy, like in a dream…

Want to know a bit more about Wanås and the exhibition? Click here.

Vilnius – Lace Curtains and Glass Giants

3 september, 20163 september, 2016 / Leya / 6 kommentarer

Why do many of us love things with history, crafted things with ”life” inside – more than the newest of new? We know that we cannot stop development and the growing cities, but my heart aches when everything old is falling apart and being replaced with – what? Soulless machine made things, gigantic glass houses …and more.

As I was walking north, out of the restored Old Town Vilnius, the typical wooden houses appeared again – and I had been waiting for them. In Uzupis we saw some, but now their full glory hit me. Planted in lush gardens, they were also home to several cats and dogs.

All animals seemed well kept

I bet someone put food in this box every day – to help the cat

Chained dogs – they all were, but tail wagging and well fed. This one had a tin roofed cottage and a thick blanket inside

City dog – do you see the difference…?

All gardens were soaked in flowers…

The houses may be dilapidated, but the owners’ love of fruit and berries, flowers and details like colours and lace curtains…

…bring gracefulness and beauty to any worn down house. This is what life was in the old days. Now they are all living in the shadows of glass giants and heavy traffic. And, soon they will all be gone, the houses and their inhabitants, and all that is left will be some photos and maybe glimpses in old people’s memories.