The Prettiest Town in Ireland

24 oktober, 201724 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 35 kommentarer

According to the tourist information, the small town of Adare (/æˈdeɪr/; Irish: Áth Dara, meaning ”ford of [the] oak”) in County Limerick, Ireland, is one of Ireland’s prettiest towns.

When we visited, the weather was, as I guess the weather is most here, rainy with short glimpses of sun. And the village is pretty – with thatched roofs and brightly coloured houses. About 3000 inhabitants, so I felt rather at home – the same size as the village I live in. Above is the main street.

A couple of beautiful churches and monasteries

Old houses …

…and modern ones

The most strange veranda…

The disadvantage with thached roofs…

Despite the rain, we ventured out towards Desmond Castle, on the north bank of the river Maigue. And we were lucky – the sun came through!

I will be away for a couple of days – see you soon!

Back to Ireland – Ruins and Cows

23 oktober, 201723 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 32 kommentarer

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.

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: In the Distance

19 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 9 kommentarer

I guess Cee’s In the Distance also applies to a less open landscape. A glimpse of …something at the end of the path.

Fire and Sand

17 oktober, 201718 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 20 kommentarer

Tonight I learned that the special light today – the sun never came through and it had a strange orange shine – originated from the effects of the fires in Spain/Portugal, like sand from Northern Africa.

I had brought my camera, heading for the forest, for some last shots of the autumn leaves – but the morning resulted in these shots of the unusual phenomenon. Not very clear or bright, but you can even see orange glittering water!

CFFC: Letter I – Needs to start with the letter I

17 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 18 kommentarer

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Letter I – Needs to start with the letter I

The letter I, from Cee’s challenge, meant some memorable moments – In the header: Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden.

Ice cold Iceland

Icelandic horses

Icy Tännforsen, Sweden

Dewy Morning Walk

16 oktober, 201716 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 30 kommentarer

The urge to rise early grows with the intensifying of autumn colours. This morning I had my share of beauty and tranquility, quietness and delightful dew. If you love nature like I do, I hope you will enjoy this 2 1/2 hours walk – shortened to some minutes only…

…and back homewards again, following this country road of oaken sentinels. A better start of a new day is not easily found!

Travel theme: Calm

3 oktober, 2017 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

Travel theme: Calm

Thursday Thoughts – Avenues

21 september, 201722 september, 2017 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

Avenues…trees. In spring, summer, autumn or winter… They inspire and give comfort. The closeness, the narrow path or road in between…

They make me – they force me – to stop and feel the athmosphere, take a photo, enjoy.

I love all constellations. firs, pine trees, birches, aspen, oak trees… I do not have to walk in there, I am completely satisfied with standing still, breathing the air and the feeling…

…letting my imagination run free. How do you feel?

Giant’s Causeway – The Loveliest Day

5 augusti, 20176 augusti, 2017 / 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

1 augusti, 20171 augusti, 2017 / 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.