Tankar

The Colours of China

/ Leya / 14 kommentarer

I am very grateful that this was my fourth time in Beijing – the weather made the Great Wall almost invisible. The autumn colours – that’s what I had been waiting for, and they were there…somewhere in the fog and drizzle.

My last visit was an early morning some years ago, and the Great Wall emerged in all its splendour in the morning haze.

…this time

the most colourful things were all the umbrellas. It takes some imagination to see the colourful surroundings here, but on our way down, the fog decided to reveal some of its secrets.

A small glimpse of jewellery …

…before settling again.

This drizzle followed us and haunted us for many days – but I found other things than landscapes to shoot…and the one day on the Yangtse River with the most spectacular views…the sun came through. And not a wind.

Golden Day – Clouds Rising!

/ Leya / 30 kommentarer

Yesterday’s drizzle finally brought out the sun. The first time this Autumn, and Glorious.

This walk in Vedema I usually do two times a year – Spring and Autumn.

Each season has its glory…in little things too.

Seing the sun again made my heart sing with every autumn leaf, fruit and berry…

…every spider’s web and pearl of dew.

The trees rejoiced in showing off their splendid grace and colours.

On reaching the lake, I began to realize what was waiting behind the trees, and there it was, the hidden glory unveiled…

A wonderful ending of the walk, and I can leave for China tomorrow –  full of expectations and so grateful for this day!

See you in two weeks.

Drizzle Dreams

/ Leya / 12 kommentarer

Should i go out today…? I never have to wonder – I have got Totti, my lagotto.

Some days I wish I did not have to, but…often you will find yourself in another mood, in another weather. in other thoughts.

Even if I walk the same paths as the day before…

…I will find new views and new thoughts will enter my mind.

During the walk, the drizzle speeded up, and darkness laid a soft filter on everything.

Larchtree gold is shimmering…

…and grass is bathing in diamonds.

There is a special light in the darkness…

…and a soft forgiveness in the silence.

An Autumn walk with my family.

WPC: Extraordinary

/ Leya / 34 kommentarer

When in Riga, we dined at a unique, medieval restaurant named Rozengrals. Being the oldest in Riga it dates back to the 13th century. The food is genuinely medieval and cooked according to the original recipes. Everyone working there is accordingly dressed and the five big halls are all in candle light from the vaults.

So, from the outside, and the steps down into this cellar, it looked very ordinary – we thought there might be an exhibition or something down there…but it turned out to be something even more special! A restaurant.

Excellent food – the best in Riga – a truly extra(ordinary) place. To be recommended! (Click the link for more history and information, and the first part of the menu.)

Rozengrals heter den unika restaurangen. Det nämndes i skrift redan 1293 som festlokal för Rigas stadsstyre. Miljön är den äldsta i Riga, där rester av den första stadsmuren ingår. Det största rummet var ursprungligen en brunn. Det finns plats för hela 150 gäster samtidigt i fem salar. Allt känns väldigt äkta och genuint.

Rätterna är dokumenterat medeltida och tillagade enligt grundrecept. Jag tog rökt havsöringsfilé med fläder. Rätten serverades redan på 1000-talet vid det franska hovet.  Det var absolut en av våra bästa och mest originella måltider.

For more of extraordinary – click here.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Small Subjects

/ Leya / 18 kommentarer

Maybe a cup of coffee is no small subject…but as a cup, it is. Even smaller are morning dew drops. Join in with Cee’s B&W and let us know how you look upon ”Small Subjects”!

Riga – a Gallery of Colour and Artistic Form

/ Leya / 7 kommentarer

Riga is situated on the river Daugava. 2010 the inhabitants were 706 413, a third of Latvia’s population, and the city is the biggest in the Baltic area.

The header shows a picture of the House of Blackheads. The story about this building starts in the 14th century, when there were  three city guilds established: one for craft, one for trade and the third guild of the foreign traders – the Blackheads.

Riga has so much to offer a visitor – in this post I will share some of my favourite impressions from streets and corners – daytime and night time. Later posts will include architecture of old Latvia and of Jurmala – the old seaside resort, now being slowly restored to its former glory after being neglected during the Soviet time.

First out – the puppet theatre, where we were fortunate enough to sneak in and talk to one of the puppeteers. He let us take some photos but wasn’t very English speaking. Very sweet though. We understand that this art form is much more revered in the Baltic countries – they have performances every day.

train bridge over Daugava
The Cat House – built by a rejected businessman who put up cats on his roofs with their behinds turned in the enemies’ direction…
Stairs in a shopping centre
Dancer for peace
Amber tree in a jewellery’s window – at least 100 cm high!
Art diversity…
Street – still possible to sit outdoors
Through a window
Sky Bar at Radisson Blu

WPC: Happy Place

/ Leya / 28 kommentarer

A happy place where I can relax and get away from a busy life…WPC wants to know my secrets…and then they are secret no more. Near and far, some easily reached when needed, some only in my world of memories.

For more secrets, click here.

 

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Sitting in my garden listening to  bees humming in the flowers.

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Walking in ”my” forest every day…

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Far away…not easily reachable, but still…in my memory a place of utmost happiness.

Coromandel, NZ.

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Any Kind of Camera or Photos of Photographers

/ Leya / 8 kommentarer

In Rome…anything might happen. This photographer was very dedicated. See more here.

Thursday Thoughts – Late

/ Leya / 18 kommentarer

Slowing down means that I can have late, soft mornings if I like…but, I can also use the early mornings for hiking and reflecting.

Earlier this week there was an opportunity for a chilly, but sunny morning with no wind. I left my son at his job and went on to the wetlands I usually visit a couple of times each season.

The air was clear and cold, no wind, no sound.

I wondered if the birds had gone south all of them, or some would, like me, try to survive the harsh winter months. And…there they were…

When the fog lifted, I saw the cormorants – like old statues – sitting there, silently waiting.

When I was a child I was very fascinated by these spectacular birds…and I still am.

They are unreal, living statues…drying their wings.

Fascination. If you no longer can feel fascination or curiosity, I guess your life is… over.

When you look closer, but still cannot perceive the fog lifting or the morning light sifting through the leaves…

…when your first thought, walking through this morning forest no longer is: ”Why, this looks like powder snow!”…

…when you no longer stop to admire nature’s master weavers…

…or other little inhabitants on this Earth…

Then you are in danger of losing yourself…Your Self. I am so grateful I listened to my body and soul, realized where I was heading and took the consequences.

Think about it…Find your Self, do not lose yourself – if you have the possibility to choose.

Just think…this morning might not have been… mine.

SL-WEEK 14: Memory

/ Leya / 10 kommentarer

A Memory, for Sylvain Landry. One of the most heartbraking cemeteries I have visited ever – and I have visited many. This is the Jewish cemetery in Warsaw, where thousands and thousands of Jews are resting after the war massacres. Nobody left to care for the graves. Crumbling stones and solemn trees. A tragedy never to be forgotten.