Hiking

Giant’s Causeway – The Loveliest Day

/ Leya / 30 kommentarer

Soaking wet after the dog walk tonight, I desperately long for a lost summer. When in Ireland (a rainy country they say…) this May,  we had sunshine, 20 degrees C and no wind on the north coast. I just have to go back for the photos…think I will show you just How…lucky we were, and what a glorious day we had at Giant’s Causeway. Our landlord told us the weather had not been this beautiful any day this year, 2017.

The walking distance makes this trip a half day tour, but in full sun, everything is just amazing and you can walk any distance… There was even the possibility, for elderly or disabled people, of using a van.

The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. (Although legend has it built by the Irish Giant Fionn…)It is located in County Antrim on the north coast of Northern Ireland.

The area was declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. According to Wikipedia, there was a poll in 2005, where Radio Times’ readers voted the Giant’s Causeway as the fourth greatest natural wonder in UK.

 

 

 

Most of the columns are hexagonal, although there are also some with four, five, seven or eight sides.
…and flowers grow between the terraced pillars
The little pools make the area more alive…
Excellent playground – if you are careful…
…and bring granddad!

The Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site is today one of the most popular tourist attractions in Northern Ireland. Read about the legend of the two fighting giants from Ireland and Scotland, and the building of the Causeway, here.

A Walk at Lindö – In the Best Company

/ Leya / 9 kommentarer

Every summer we take walks at Lindö in Blekinge – a protected isthmus with lovely flora and fauna. Always windy, and this summer rather cold as well. But Lindö is a must – The Blekinge archipelago is a source of harmony and joy.

 

 

Small fishing boats…
…and on the shore has been built a little house where people are welcome to sit down and make themselves a cup of coffe or tea, while warming up or birdwatching.
Approaching autumn makes the shores empty…
…but timeless in their beauty.
…so we headed back to the shore and the stony paths…
…passing abandoned boathouses and…
…the lonely pier

The Road to Swedish Midsummer…

/ Leya / 19 kommentarer

These last two nights have been magical. Please join me as I try to convey something of the magic…There is only little time left …in four days the Magic will be broken…

Close to my home, there is a National Reserve for wild orchids –

Last night I spent a couple of hours walking there, just before sunset.

Many of my favourite flowers grow here…

…so Time does not exist when I sit on the boardwalk or just walk slowly through the grasses and the open fields –

All my senses alert and my mind at ease. These days are the best ones in my life.

A Peaceful Walk in Belfast

/ Leya / 23 kommentarer

Murals in Northern Ireland, are strong symbols and depicting the region’s past and present political and religious divisions. There is peace now, but 1968-1998, ”the troubles” between working class protestants and catholics were very severe. I remember hearing and reading of them as a young girl. The IRA bombings made black headlines in our papers. In my first teaching classes I remember using a text called ”The Sniper” – about Northern Ireland. It was a ”must” to see these murals in reality.

In Belfast, it is estimated that there are approximately 300 quality murals on display,  These murals are mainly to be found in two streets – Shankill Road (protestant) and Falls Road (Catholic) in western Belfast.

The themes of murals can range from the 1981 Irish hunger strike, with strike leader Bobby Sands,  to murals of fallen heroes and international solidarity with revolutionary groups. For example we found Cuba’s Fidel Castro and South Africa’s Nelson Mandela.

After walking these two famous streets, we went to the Peace Wall. This wall goes all the way along this street, and most of the paintings are very neatly done. If you look closely, every letter and separate painting is covered in texts on peace. Imagine how wonderful it must have been to participate in the making! Finally, ”War is Over”!

Travel theme: Earth

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

Travel theme: Earth

Earth Day. I listened to her, as I do every day, but as this was a very special day, I walked with all my senses, even more intently listening…

P1070161_copyPlanet Earth is mostly water – the Blue Planet. Today was a lucky day, because the blue was clear and intense – in the skies as well as in the water on the ground.

P1070163_copyAnd the tiny wood-sorrel made last years’ leaves look green and fresh again…

P1070179_copy…maybe not all of those leaves were that lucky, but slowly drifting in a fresh pool is beautiful as well.

P1070192_copyLike the clouds. They all meet here – the sky, the clouds, the earth, the trees and the water.

P1070193_copyWe all belong here…to this planet and in this world and in this universe…

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I believe all of us know…and my best friend knows it too. He felt so good today, running around, bathing and frolicking in the leaves…

Howling when he was told we were walking again…

P1070217_copySo, this day, Earth Day, has been a beautiful day of belonging and pondering about what we have and how grateful we all should be.

We are not here forever…only for some short moments we can dance in the light. Let us take good care of each other, and of our Planet Earth – we want our children and grandchildren to feel this gentle belonging and the joy of life…and above all, it really is the animals’ and the plants’ planet, isn’t it. They were here first. We are responsible.

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Marsh – and Bog Beauty

/ Leya / 9 kommentarer

Spring usually releases water, water…

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…and more water…and the enigmatic bogs and marshes thrive.

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There is stillness and harmony in the silent pools – no wind disturbing them.

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Fallen trunks make intriguing reflections…

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…and lonely stumps create green, smiling islands…

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…with tiny, nodding inhabitants.

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Sometimes a loving couple find their home here. And I believe – I understand them.

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Thursday Thoughts

/ Leya / 16 kommentarer

Spring is finally here. I am so grateful. Today we had a great 10 kilometre hike, me, my mother and Totti. We were out the whole afternoon, and brought food and coffee as well. The first day this year for eating outdoors, which is something we highly treasure here in Sweden. A short gallery of the day – we were all very happy and enjoying every second!