Heading for South Iceland

17 januari, 201617 januari, 2016 / Leya / 59 kommentarer

As we only had a few days in Iceland, we wanted to show our friends a piece of Route No 1. Luckily we were blessed with a sunny day, even though the sun this time of the year only is up between 11 a.m and 4 p.m.

We started off around 10 a.m to be on the road for the sunrise.

And soon, the sky turned yellow and orange, revealing the hot springs steaming.

On our right side, the sun was awakening, and I waited for the first rays to hit the mountains on our left side. A creamy lilac across the snowy white.

Soon Hekla, the most famous volcano – and one of the most active ones (last eruption 2000) – crowned the wheaten landscape in all her glory. The farms still there below her snowcapped face.

Faraway at sea – a glimpse of Västmannaeyar with Heimey. We wanted to go there with our friends, but unfortunately the ferries took a longer route this time of the year. And I can still, vividly, remember how heavy the sea was last time we went. And, how sick I got from it…

These islands are otherwise well worth visiting. Maybe best in summer though. Puffins and other birds nesting, and you can still see the lava stream from the latest eruption burying houses and almost the harbour as well.

Along the south coast, the road is straight and easy to drive. The beautiful low, golden light followed us throughout the journey.

For today, we finish at Eyafjallajökull. Further along the road we will visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss – and of course Vik, with its black beach and roaring waves.

Detta bildspel kräver JavaScript.

Cee’s Black & White Challenge: Lights

15 januari, 201615 januari, 2016 / Leya / 16 kommentarer

Evening lights along the road. For more lights – click here.

Thursday Thoughts

7 januari, 20167 januari, 2016 / Leya / 43 kommentarer

Leaving for Iceland for some days – only near Reykjavik this time. We will be spending some bathing time with friends. I just realized it is 10 years since our last visit. Hopefully this will mean some good times.

Wish you all a great weekend!

SL-WEEK 27: Pride

5 januari, 20165 januari, 2016 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

I am immensely proud of my daughter, who after high school went to New Zealand as a volunteer worker – natural science. NZ is far away from home – in fact they are our antipodes – and she did not know anybody there. I never got the opportunity to go when I was young, so a bit envious I was…

She handled it perfectly well and worked with everything from clearing the djungle to setting up traps for rodents and vermin.

This photo reached me after some weeks – and the pride I felt was overwhelming. A working girl, with knife , machete and saw – doing good things for Mother Nature. My Daughter.

Now she is studying to become a dentist, and when finished, she is determined to go back to NZ to live and work there.

For Sylvain Landry – Pride

Travel theme: Waves

2 januari, 20162 januari, 2016 / Leya / 14 kommentarer

Travel theme at Ailsa’s – Waves. Mine are lava waves – show us Your interpretation! Click here for inspiration.

A Better Year to Come

31 december, 20151 januari, 2016 / Leya / 15 kommentarer

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?

Freezing cold from the start…

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

Succeeding now and then – here from the south.

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

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

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

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)

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.

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

18 december, 201519 december, 2015 / Leya / 17 kommentarer

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.

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.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Faraway

17 december, 201517 december, 2015 / Leya / 10 kommentarer

Cee is asking us to present something faraway. Switzerland is rather representative for this in its landscapes. I chose one traditional photo of a glacier for the concept ”faraway” and the other one following Cee’s example with something up front, close, and then the rest faraway.

SL-WEEK 24: Machine

15 december, 2015 / Leya / 8 kommentarer

Machines I’m impressed by are the mountain trains – here in Switzerland. They climb, sometimes very steep, several thousands of metres and they go down the same way. Seemingly undisturbed, effortless. And they are comfortable as well.

For Sylvain Landry. What machines are you impressed by? Join in and let us know!