Thursday Thoughts

Thursday Thoughts – Bunratty?

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The name Bunratty, Bun Raite (or possibly, Bun na Raite) in Irish, means ”river basin” of the ‘Ratty’ river. This river, alongside the Bunratty Castle, flows into the nearby Shannon Estuary. We visited for some hours and really enjoyed its genuin feel.

 

Bunratty Castle Plaque in Irish and in English

The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Norsemen settlement/trading camp reported in the Annals of the Four Masters. in 977. But several castles were built – and lost – here.

The fourth castle, the present structure, was built around 1425. In 1956, the castle was purchased and restored by the 7th Viscount Gort, with assistance from the Office of Public Works. He reroofed the castle and saved it from ruin. The castle was opened to the public in 1960, and with its genuin 16th-17th century furniture, tapestries and works of art it has become a great tourist attraction.

 

The Great Hall
In a tiny room upstairs – a grand lit!
Surely they did not bring it up the narrow stairs…
Intricate and detailed woven structures
Interesting clockworks(?)
…flying over the spectacular tables

 

 

 

 

Thursday Thoughts – Through the Car Window

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A fine day – through the window. Windy and cold, but strawberry fields are here…

So…summer it is!

Thursday Thoughts – Waterford Crystal

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Waterford, Ireland, has a long tradition of crystal making, in fact since the 18th century, and is well worth a visit.

If my cupboards were not already full of things…but, no, I did not buy anything. The temptation was not a little one though…What do you think about these?

Thursday Thoughts – A Kindred Soul

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In Dublin there are many capturing buildings, but never did I imagine myself trying to photograph shopping centres…and with such relish.

St Stephen’s Green felt like a rather newly built, modern place, with all the light and all the windows I could dream of.

So, we went inside to explore. And I truly found a dream of white and green – the same fresh green colour dominating many of the interior decorations we saw in Ireland.

Quite the cake! We walked through the whole building and found the architecture fresh and matching in every detail.

Then we walked up to one of Dublin’s oldest shopping centres, Powerscourt. I wanted to see the old mahogany staircase – original from the 18th century.

Live piano music filled the air with dreams from another century…

…and the open court was an old style dream – filled with lovely tea drinkers chatting away…

But nowhere was the mahogany staircase to be found. We marvelled at old hat shops and new hat shops, colourful furniture, jewellery stores and old, wooden floors. Where was the staircase? When we had given up trying – we finally found it on our way out, at the back of the store.

I first saw it in the mirror, and was so taken in by it, that I found myself in the mirror as well…

In the 18th century…the wood carvers were very skilled. The smooth feeling of the wood, the beauty of colour and shine, the intricate patterns… I wonder how long it took them to finish this magnificent staircase.

I guess I loved both shopping centres – but only in one of them had a kindred soul.

Thursday Thoughts – An Eternal Love Affair

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My lifelong relationship with books and literature makes me visit every library I come across. Going to Dublin meant I would be able to visit one of the most fantastic libraries I know of –

Trinity College, Dublin – I had seen the Long Room in some photos before – and of course the Book of Kells. This old library makes a perfect Harry Potter setting….and already walking through the gates, into campus, sent pleasant electrical shocks along my spine… Soon I would enter the magic…

Irland 2017 363_copy

The long Room is the main chamber of the Old Library, and is nearly 65 metres in length, housing around 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books. It also contains the oldest surviving harp in Ireland.

Just to the left of the Shakespeare bust, is the magnificent spiral staircase. And then –

So many great men and women have walked this wooden ground…
…and forever left their footprints in our world…
All books are handled with the utmost care
And the marble busts in each row – are all famous men (yes…men, of course…..)
This is indeed a remarkable Old Library – The Long Room

Thursday Thoughts – Easter Art

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This time every year there are many art exhibitions in Skane, the south part of Sweden. I visited some of them, and also had some photographs of mine hanging…

The gallery in Isgrannatorp had several artists on exhibition, and Annika Ekholm’s gallery showed her own paintings as well as her son’s ceramics. Enjoy some of the art from the two galleries!

Isgrannatorp with Anders Bratt, Helen Andersson and Magnus Åkesson.

Magnus Åkesson
Magnus Åkesson, aquarelle
M.Å.
Helen Andersson
Anders Bratt

Björnekulla with Annika Ekholm. The exhibition is in the old stable.

”Happiness is colour”

Thursday Thoughts – Easter Rain

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Rain, rain…Easter Rain. But inside, indoors – there is much to be seen and contemplated this week of exhibitions and art work. And good food, and good thoughts. I will be spending this week with my children and plan to visit some nice exhibitions as well. In fact, some of my photos will be up too. Exciting…

More reportings from the exhibitions later…

Wishing you all a Happy Easter!

 

Thursday Thoughts – Today I Finally Met Arthur!

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Maybe you  have heard of him…Arthur, the dog who crossed the jungle to find a home.

I have followed his adventures ever since I first heard of him a couple of years ago. The Swedish multi sport team in Ecuador, trying to win the world championships. Instead the team leader, Mikael Lindnord, found that in the middle of the jungle, his team of four had got a fifth member…Arthur. Mikael had never had a dog of his own and never thought of getting one – he was a tough athlete and a determined leader for his team.

But this street dog caught his heart…and from one meat ball, given to a starving dog – they became friends forever. Finally, after many hardships and paperwork and stubborn authorities…Arthur arrived in Sweden and was taken care of by Mikael and his family.

P1060786_copyTonight I met him. And I totally understand why he is King Arthur. He owned the place from the first second he entered through the door. I do not have one single, proper picture…but I loved every minute of being close to him and listening to their story. Seeing the very special bond between Mikael and Arthur.

Mikael himself says that Arthur stands for Hope.  The Lindnord family have also started a fund for homeless dogs in Ecuador – there are many ill treated and abused dogs in the world… Maybe there is hope for them with people like Mikael, who was prepared to even let go of his team’s victory to save this dog’s life. Mikael says he recognized himself in Arthur that very first day…they both stand tall, and never give up. So, how could he let Arthur down, when the dog put all his trust in him ?

P1060832_copyIf you love animals, and dogs in particular, and believe there is still love and compassion on Earth – Read the book!

More about Arthur? Read  this blogpost at barefootandrunningblind.wordpress.com. Impressive photogallery and more about their life and adventures!

Thursday Thoughts – Feeling Blue

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Mmm…tonight I’m feeling blue. So…I will return to one of the velvet blue mornings in the Galápagos archipelago. Blue, oh, so blue…this last morning of our great adventure.

Early morning, Galápagos, Santa Cruz, leaving our ship in the pangas. heading for the mangroves, the birds and the turtles.

Blue- footed Boobies, shining – waiting for the sunrise. Frigate birds high up in the sky.

And the admirers arrive in their tiny boats…but we do not care…

…just keep following our morning routines…and chores…

…on the lookout for food. Here I am – Mr. Lava Heron, grey and blue.

And the admirers return to their ship, a bit more light blue…but still. Knowing these are the last glimpses of Paradise.

Thursday Thoughts

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Spring is finally here. I am so grateful. Today we had a great 10 kilometre hike, me, my mother and Totti. We were out the whole afternoon, and brought food and coffee as well. The first day this year for eating outdoors, which is something we highly treasure here in Sweden. A short gallery of the day – we were all very happy and enjoying every second!