The city on the water – Stockholm – founded by Birger Jarl in the 13th century.
Busy, yet calm.
A gallery of what Stockholm is to me!
Thursday Thoughts – A Capital Visit
Thursday Thoughts
Thursday Thoughts – A short visit to Alnarp Castle and grounds
Who can resist waterlilies? I can’t. If I had a pond in my garden, I would try growing them. Their beauty is irresistible. Alnarp had a very tiny pond but it was well kept.
Gunnera is a fascinating species, and I can never resist taking photos of this gigantic plant. Natural umbrellas a rainy day?
There were several Himalayan birchtrees, very white and stately. Betula utilis, the Himalayan birch is native to the Western Himalayas, growing at elevations up to 4,500 m (14,800 ft). Utilis means ”useful”, and refers to the many uses of the different parts of the tree.
The white, paper-like bark was used in ancient times for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts. In fact it is still used as paper for the writing of sacred mantras, with the bark placed in an amulet and worn for protection. Some areas of its native habitat are being lost due to overuse of the tree for firewood.
(European) Smoke trees are interesting things…I first saw one in New Zealand many years ago. It looked something out of this world, I thought – and I still think so!
I guess this stump once was an oak tree. Still impressive though, and left as a monument at the back of the castle.
After our stroll in the arboretum, we sat down to admire the castle and its grand wisteria on the front facade (in the opener). That will be something to return to next spring!
Thursday Thoughts – The yearly visit to Wanås
My dear friend Viveka (of Myguiltypleasures) and I went to Wanås Castle – we usually do once a year. And we enjoy the art and our delicious meal, chatting along together.
If you like outdoor exhibitions – and surpises – let’s go!
Carola Grahn is the new artist this year, and she deals with Sami art and beliefs.
The giant boxes with logs at the entrance were impressive, but then the glassed wall was our first stop – at the sight of the blue mountain.
This is a rather impressive size of art work for the little pond, but we liked it. You can read about the artist’s idea below in the gallery.
The natural theme as well as the Sami connections were ever present. The ”building” made of birches shows a free interpretation of a sign on a Sami sacred drum.
Thank you for being our lovely company here at Wanås, and hopefully you want a new tour next year!
Thursday Thoughts – My Wild Garden
A pause in the welcome rain…and I could take a stroll in my summer garden. You probably know that I strive to make it bee and insect friendly. And some things are coming along nicely, at least my old apple tree. Let’s go and see!
The old apple tree gave in some years ago, but I decided to make it come alive again – with the help of clematis and honeysuckle. I tried several clematis, and finally this one was the winner. In the pot, an orange Clarkia.
As you can see, the wild flowers are growing after the long draught. Everything withered and yellow – but wild flowers are hardy and made to live here. Species of Scabious are popular among bees, beetles and butterflies.
The old tree is filled with various insects, sometimes so small that I can hardly see them.
Honeysuckle is now an established climber – but it took some years. Summernights are filled with their lovely scent.
One of my insect hotels found its place here too.
Two bird baths by this tree, one on the ground for the big birds and one hanging for the smaller ones. Keeping them filled is essential to the birds. I have a third one on the ground for the hedgehogs.
Clarkia was a new acquaintance to me, but I like its soft colours accompanying the old trunk.
Agapanthus is a sweet friend of mine, and this year it has developed 17 stems. I got the plant from a dear friend who passed away some years ago. I am very grateful for this gift, and I think of him every time I admire it and water it.
The tour ends in my glasshouse, where there are only edible plants during summer – and some cacti. This big lady is flowering now, having 8 buds. A joy!
Thank you so much for visiting and walking with me in my favourite place!
Thursday Thoughts – Wild Orchids
So, I went down there again for the lesser butterfly-orchid, and there it was, in full bloom. But, I could of course not resist all the others… A few weeks every year they are there for us to admire and marvel. So, here we go again. The orchid I came for this evening was the two white ones in the middle section.
To get the most out of a visit to the lesser butterfly- orchid, you should come late in the evening. The otherworldly scent can not be felt in sunshine.
Thursday Thoughts – Midsummer and Wild Orchids
We have reached the longest day this year – already. So fast the days , hours and minutes flow. Time is Unstoppable. The flowers are just beginning their parade and the birds have released their first fledglings. From now on, it will get darker for every day we open in our calender. But, for all of you down under – summer is returning!
I hope you will enjoy a walk with me to some of the wild flowers and orchids of June in Skåne. Most of them are different Dactylorhiza. Wishing a Happy Midsummer to you who celebrate, and a lovely weekend to all of you!
Thursday Thoughts – Ronneby Brunnspark
Summertime we visit this park often – not just because of the closeness to our summer house, but also because of its outstanding beauty. Please enjoy a short Thursday walk with me for some summer glory!
The beauty is there even if there are no flowers. Only silence and soothing greeeeeeen.
But the waters are alive, and
the rhododendrons magnificent.
The laburnum was past its best,
but still quite lovely. At least the bumble bees thought so!
And well, who can resist this colour? I can’t.
Thank you for walking with me!
Thursday Thoughts – Spring Hikes are…
Sheer Happiness!
This hike we do every spring or summer – and it is always a treat. It takes about three, four hours, walking among old and strange trees planted here from all over the world … and it is close to the sea.
This place is home to numerous orchids (a meadow of them in the header) and Pasque flowers – just as beautiful when they are over!
The last flower blooming could also be the last hideaway for a little bug…
This hike is a perfect outing for schoolchildren – but, today we had to step away from the path for several hundreds of kids. Smiling and cheery ones though.
Blindworm or slowworm – I see them quite often. In fact this is a lizard, but legless. This guy was a beauty, about 30 cm long, slim and well fed.
Driving home on old roads to enjoy the flat and open views of the southern part of Skane. A good day we had. And the light lasts far into the night.
Thursday Thoughts – The Best Time of the Year
Thursday again, time flies, and faster in the warmer seasons. There is much to do in my garden, but forest baths are essential. I try to take good care of the best season here up north. Life is short, I try not to waste it – but it is difficult to live in the moment…I wonder how many of us succeed in really doing that.
Spring colours in Skane. So longed for and so needed. But a cold spring and early summer. Everything is late. There are few insects and pollinators as the cold and windy days have taken their toll. Still – I hope you will enjoy a piece of our late spring too!
A forest bath is never wrong. Healing and uplifting…if I could I would fly out over the treetops, savouring everything green. I know you would fly with me.
Thursday Thoughts – Flowers at Charles University
More flowers from the small botanical garden in Prague city. I can recommend a visit if you are in Prague!
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