CFFC: Alleys, Driveways, Parking Lots, Dirt Roads

I will stick to dirt roads for Cee’s challenge – one summer road (with me and Mille) and one winter road. For more entries, click here.

It would be fun to know what the English speaking world calls this kind of summer road! In Sweden we call it a ”tvättbräda” – a wash-board (translated). I guess it might have another name for you?

 

 

SL-WEEK 36: Women

 

Sylvain Landry – Women. International Women’s Day.

In the header – The old and the new China.

 

Young Chinese girl of today

Rome – a connecting nun.

My mother, here 79 years old. Still hiking, still curiously looking forward to things…

A woman – not passé even if she is ageing.

Travel Theme: Early

Getting up early you will often be greatly rewarded. Silence, Only You, Magic in the air.

For more interpretations of Early – click here.

 

 

 

The Lark has Arrived –

They say the lark has arrived in Skåne – the southernmost landscape of Sweden. That is where I live, but I have not heard her yet…Every year they come early, trying to be the first ones to find a place to nest…and every year some of them will die – when winter will not let go. Nesting on the ground is dangerous in any case.

That is the way life works. You have to be brave and take risks in order to succeed. Migrating birds, people who have to leave their home countries in order to survive. But we all have to face this – maybe not risking our lives…but still.

And Winter has not loosened his grip, yet. We are patiently waiting…all except Totti. This is his season, his temperature, his joy. Lagotto Romagnolos do not come with a zip…

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SL – WEEK 34: Trees

Sylvain Landry. My favourite theme…Trees. They are an important part of my life. In fact…in many ways they represent  Life to me. My Silent Sunday entry from my ”own” forest, should have been my entry here…but I will have to pick another one.

From the Pyrenées – a hot summer long ago…lovely hikes and my daughter in a tree.

 

Saturday Snow and Sorting Out

To my great surprise, it was snowing heavily this morning. I knew it would come…but just two days ago I heard the lark had arrived. Always the same thing – get ahead of the others…it might work to your advantage – or not.

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I finished my prunings today, giving my pot plants (about 170 plants) new soil and a new life. I had a cup of coffee while contemplating their thankfulness.

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Time for the dog walk – should I forget, there is one young man here who is quick to remind me…so I had better call my mother it is time to go.

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A thin layer of white – and Totti is totally happy!

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Suddenly his nose went into the air…

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…and two deer gently sailed away between the trees.

Home again I started on the bookcases – a project I have wanted to start upon since long, but somehow never did. So many books…and so hard to sort out or throw away.

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Now I must do it. These are some of my old university studies…more than 30 years old. A photo at least before they go…surely to make room for others though. How I enjoyed reading them in those days! With all my notes and translated words inside, I went through them again, sitting by the fire. But, I’m sure I will never re read them. So, Goodbye, dear friends. Parting is such sweet sorrow…

I wonder, do you have the same difficulties …parting from old friends?

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Thursday Thoughts

One of very few ”outdoor” days this week. No rain, and even a tiny drop of sun…

I went out to test my new Panasonic in nature. Totti rather liked it…and so did I.

What do you think?

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The rains have left high water levels everywhere.

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Still, easy to walk and no need for big boots – it has also been very windy this week.

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Many trees again…have fallen. Wet feet and wind – means difficulties to stand upright.

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Today’s hike was lovely though. and sometimes there seemed to be Spring in the air. Bird song and singing brooks.

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Much water to deal with for the trees…that is the only good thing with the wind now…

A Better Year to Come

I hope the world will see a better year, 2016, with peace and love in heart and mind. And I hope for a joyous, Happy New Year to you and yours!

My last post this year, is from my walk in the forest today. Contemplating 2015 and what will come with the new year. The sun spilled its glory from an almost clear sky  – so – what better to do than spending the whole New Year’s Eve outdoors, hiking?

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Freezing cold from the start…

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…with the sun trying to reach over the tree tops.

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Succeeding now and then – here from the south.

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We had not walked here since the last great gale, and several times the path was totally covered in fallen trees.

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The untouched parts were shimmering in the low, golden sun.

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Some parts remained white and slippery, and my boys had to walk slowly not to fall into the mud.

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Some of my favourite ice – in Sweden we call it håris (hair ice) – and if you look closely, you will understand why. (The header picture)

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Heading home again, the sun setting and the real cold returning.

2016, we do not know what lies ahead of us, we can only hope, and work each one of us to make a better world for ourselves and for our fellow passengers on this planet.

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The road may be uneven, slippery, narrow, filled with obstacles…but I want to believe there is a light shining us through. Safe travels!

 

 

4 Days to Go – Thursday Thoughts

Soon the winter solstice will be here. Much longed for, maybe more than ever this year. No snow – except for one single, great day – and many dark and drizzly days.

Here a series from one of the better days, this week in fact. Notice the play of warm and cold this time of the year.  Warm colours if you turn in the direction of the thin rays of the sun – and the cold colours or darkness if you turn towards the sun itself.

One of my favourite spots in ”my” forest, is the passage between two of the grass meadows to the west. Here, Mille used to stand waiting for me by the big oak tree.

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The other spot is on my way back from the open landscape to the forest path. The majestic beech trees all aglow with the last rays of the low sun. 2.30 pm.

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