Wordless Wednesday
Landscape
Finally – A Bright and Sunday Hike
My winter moodiness lifted today
10 degrees below zero (C) – a frosty, crisp and clear day!
Hiking for some hours – breathing and staying outdoors as long as…
…the sun was up
By 3.pm it is time to go home
As we turn back, the sun is setting and the rays are orange warm
The leaves of 2017 lingering still, basking…
I turn around for a last shot – and the forest is glowing. Soon only the highest tree tops. I cannot say how grateful I am for this day. Not to talk about Totti – rocketing through the forest, rolling in the cool frostiness, barking with joy.
Thursday Thoughts – The Importance of Balance
Magnificent Gran Canaria. Thinking of climate changes and how the tiniest changes in temperature will give massive domino effects. And already do. On everything living. There are examples all around you, if you just take the time to see them. Then imagine…
Just look at, for example, the importance of water – Some simple pictures from an ordinary vacation speak of what small changes in water supply can do to an arid island.
Just take away some water here…
…and this will be the result
Just add some water here…
…and this will be the result
Yes, they are simple examples – but things to consider if you find it difficult to see what is happening to our world. Nature is a Wonder of balance, and we must stop abusing her and disturbing the delicacy in which she is made. Which path do you want to follow – the ”fighting for a better world” or the simple ”adapting to whatever happens” one? Do we really have a choice? I think we have.
WPC: Growth
Growth – despite everything…
Wordless Wednesday
Thursday Thoughts – The Magic of One Photo
”Have you ever tried to sum up your blogging year
in a photo?” says my dear friend Gallivanta, at silkannthreades.
If I could find one picture, one picture only, that would be a symbol of my 2017?
I know what, and who, has been on my mind every day this year. We walk together every day and we talk every day. But many things she no longer remembers. When I talk about the old days, her childhood and when her grandchildren were small – she smiles. Glimpses. For a short moment there is that old shine in her eyes. My Mother.
She is in my thoughts every hour of the day.
To sum up my blogging year is more difficult. Travel, colorful places, family, good friends, nature, animals…and photography. The inner journey. Despite all my travels and meetings with lovely people and lovely places – a day alone with my thoughts has always been my best day.
When I think back, there are so many wonderful people who left us this year, both famous legends and close friends. The frailty of life. In so many countries and places on Earth, things have changed for the worse. Our planet, our world, is suffering.
True, there has been much light, but maybe more of darkness in the world this year, 2017. Still, I always search for the Magic…in everything. I try to see the beauty in every grain of sand, and I hope I can convey at least some of it to you as well. I need this magic – to look away from the darkness, to survive. I guess there might be more people than me who feel the same.
So. The header photo is my choice, dear Amanda.
Thursday’s Special: Darkness and Light
“They say there is no light without dark, no good without evil, no male without female, no right without wrong. That nothing can exist if it’s direct opposite does not also exist.”
Laurell K. Hamilton, Incubus Dreams
For Paula, an early morning, driving up the mountains of Gran Canaria.
What I Came to This Island For
Roque Nublo (Clouded Rock, Rock in the Clouds) is the famous volcanic rock on Gran Canaria. It is 80 m (262 ft) tall, and its top is 1,813 m (5,948 ft) above sea level. It is the second highest peak of the island after Pico de las Nieves, and a famous landmark.
This is a glorious hiking area (as you could see from earlier posts, we made a couple of walks here), and several years ago we did the main trail up to the peak. I totally fell in love with the nature here, so we saved this hike for the last day.
Pico de las Nieves in the faraway clouds, and the pinnacle in the middle is called Roque del Fraile (monk)
The pictures speak for themselves – but we took the car very early in the morning, before sunrise, because the narrow, winding roads will have you driving for a couple of hours to get to the starting point.
We were among the first to start walking, and that was the idea. Later in the day there will be more people coming. And…what do you think they do, the first thing… when they have reached the top…?
The island in the ocean behind is Tenerife with the majestic volcano Teide on display.
This year we made the trek around Roque Nublo as well – to see its beauty from every direction. Look closely at the first pictures, and you will see a person in red standing in the sun below the peak.
Is he not beautiful! Worth visiting – and returning to.
Canary Pearls
Montaña de Arucas on the north coast of Gran Canaria boasts a view of the town as well as almost the whole island. An early morning view from up there is not bad. The church (Not a cathedral!) San Juan is a real beauty. From the narrow streets its spires look almost unreal.
We continued our roadtrip to some northern pearls, Teror and Firgas.
Teror is the religious heart of the island, and every year, September 8, pilgrims come here from the whole of Gran Canaria. They all come because of Nuestra Señora del Pino, their patron saint.
The church, with the same name, was built in the 18th century in Moorish and baroque style. Very special.
Some of the 16th century houses along the street. Many famous for their skillfully carved balconies.
At the end of the street you can also see one of the great pines growing outside the church
Gargoyles on the west side
The altar and the Virgen of Snow and Pine
After a slow and meditative walk through Teror, we headed for Firgas. Mineral water con gas, was my first thought – but the small town is also known for Paseo de Gran Canaria with its cascading water and tiled benches decorated with landscapes and historical symbols of Gran Canaria. On the walls – city arms.
A closer look at the cascades in the header!
If you walk further up the stone steps, above Plaza de San Roque, you will find tiled maps of the largest 7 islands in the archipelago. A geography lesson well worth a visit!
Lost – and Found
On our way in the early morning for another mountain hike – we suddenly came upon this strange settlement. A set of caves with real doors and windows. Dogs barking and people up and on the move.
Guanches? Strictly speaking, the Guanches were the indigenous peoples of Tenerife, but the name came to be applied to the indigenous populations of all the seven Canary Islands, those of Tenerife being the most important or powerful.
Guanches refer to the aboriginal Berber inhabitants of the Canary Islands, and it is believed that they migrated to the archipelago around 1000 BC or perhaps earlier.
The population probably lived in relative isolation up to the 14th century, but after the Spanish conquest of the Canaries they were (almost totally) ethnically and culturally absorbed by Spanish settlers.
A bit touristy this settlement…and yes, soon a bus arrived with camera people swarming out…But, on the other side of the road, people were, for real, living in caves. Nobody looked that way…And if you look closely at the header picture, you will find the dog standing there – the one I used for Abandoned or Alone in Cee’s B&W challenge.
Well, when we continued driving towards the mountains, we realized we were lost – this was a dead end road – and not at all the road leading to our planned hike….But, instead we had found these interesting caves!
They day was turning into evening, so we had to return to our apartment. Again passing this strange wind mill. Why do you build one right in the factory- and shopping ghetto?
Leya 
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