Getting up early you will often be greatly rewarded. Silence, Only You, Magic in the air.
For more interpretations of Early – click here.
Nature
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…
In Between
Rain, sun, snow, storm, sun, rain, and snow again.
A couple of days ago we had all of this on the same day, and then – One Glorious Day. I will take you for a walk that day…if you want to!
There was heavy frost in the early morning – but the sun promised a lovely winter’s day.
Some miles from home, all frost was gone – the sun had been working hard.
Inside the forest though, in the shadows, it was still very cold. I had to put on my gloves for taking photos.
Do you remember the hair frost? This is even a whole hairbrush!
Lake Värsjön is a lake I have never visited before – and it turned out to be a little gem. Lovely paths to walk and the ice like a painting.
The sun was very strong and made it difficult to even look at the ice. No sunglasses…unfortunately. I did not know I would visit a lake!
And, I found a tiny beach – but the water is not hot here…like in Iceland. So, no bathing!
Instead I enjoyed the silence and the warmth of the sun, listening to the creaky sound of the ice breaking up.
Time to return home for breakfast – to make scones, celebrating the joy of having the rest of the morning for my son and myself.
Travel theme: Abstract
WPC: Seasons
Jen at WordPress asks us in what season we are now. In Sweden we are still in Winter, but with glimpses of Spring. The ice is breaking up and the sun is getting warmer. A beautiful time with the colours returning.
For more seasons, click here.
Cee’s Black & White Challenge: Weather
Weather is an essential topic for people in Sweden. We talk about it every day. We watch the reports on any device within reach and we complain about it to anyone who might listen. So, a very interesting challenge, Cee! Click here for more weather!
Shibaozhai – Precious Stone Fortress
In the Territory of Zhongxian County of Chongqing there is a rock on the Yangtze river, with a vermilion 12-storey pavilion built against it.
No post was made on this, because I thought the weather was too bad and my shots could not give a fair picture of its beauty. Tonight I happened to find this pavilion again…and a post just had to be written. This is a beautiful piece of art – try to forget about the miserable weather conditions and just enjoy.
Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), Shibaozhai consists of a gate, a pavilion and a temple.
The bridge out to the cliff is rather tricky to walk. A good advice is to walk in the middle…
…and then follow the marble reliefs.
The gate is covered with some vivid reliefs, and within the gate is the 184 feet high 12-storey wooden pavilion. It is the tallest specimen of ancient architecture with the most storeys in China. A breathtaking view when the pavilion comes in sight just around the corner.
Originally it was only nine storeys high,
but in 1956 three more (called Kuixing Pavilion) were added. A spiral staircase in the pavilion can take tourists to the top to reach the temple.
Inside the pavilion, there are steles and inscriptions of past dynasties on each floor. And on your way up, you can also admire the Yangtze River from the windows of each floor.
At least some of it…in the drizzle.
Upon arriving at the top of the pavilion, there is a flat stone dam. Here stands the ancient ‘Lanruo Temple’ at the highest point of the Precious Stone Fortress.
The so-called Rice Flowing Hole has a legend to it. According to this legend, rice flowed from the hole every day after the temple had been built. A greedy monk wanting even more rice to flow from the hole made it larger – and from that day no more rice appeared.
After the water level rose because of the Three Gorges Dam Project, millions of people had to leave their homes for ever, and the Shibaozhai too was threatened to disappear in the water. Thanks to measurements to protect the pavilion, we can still visit this masterpiece today.
Go back to the first photo again – and you will realize that the whole village beneath the pavilion is now submerged.
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.
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.
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.
A thin layer of white – and Totti is totally happy!
Suddenly his nose went into the air…
…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.
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?
Travel theme: Flutter
Ailsa’s Travel theme goes all the way to Tibet this Friday – See more Flutter here.
Thousands and thousands of prayer flags, fluttering over the mountain roads.
Böneflaggorna sänder bönerna mot himlen
Caught through the window – but not in the act…
There were some soft, grey feathers lying under the feeding tree yesterday. There were quite a few suspects as well: the magpies, the sparrow hawk and the goshawk. Today I spied a fourth suspect-
I gave a loud shout and grabbed the camera before he jumped off the trunk. A beautiful cat, but that is no excuse…
Leya 
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