Travel theme: Camping

I have done much camping in my days…many of us have. As a child I loved it, then as a young woman in love, we camped all over Europe during the summers. Some camping in the mountains, hiking and some camping with my students…but now, it is over.

Or… almost.

If staying at a Berber camp for two days, in tents, and having a camp fire in The Sahara Desert, is camping, then I have camped again… last month. Our tent was the one to the right, with a yellow entrance carpet.

At the far end of the camp were the toilets – and to my great disappointment, they were ordinary toilets – just like those at home…The washing basins outdoors though.

The adventure started with a marvellous camel ride over the dunes, and enjoying the colourful sunset from the top dunes.Back at the camp, we were treated to a real feast – or at least it felt so after our long day…

We had some delicious tagine by candle light in the main tent, and then we sat by the fire under the stars, listening to each others’ stories. Just existing.

We all slept well that night, but some of us woke up early…trying to find our way in the dizziness of the silence of unfamiliar surroundings.

I had expected it to be very cold during the night – we had been told to bring warm clothes. But three o’clock in the morning the air was soft and smooth, fresh and only a bit cool.

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Finally back at our tent, I admired yesterday’s fireplace in the clear morning light, went inside the tent, and fell asleep again.

Before leaving the camp the day after, I enjoyed the sun seeping through our carpet, and the joy of photographing our tent in daylight. The bed was very warm and comfortable, and we were provided with all sorts of bed linen, blankets, duvets, etc.

A last look at the camp and the ”restaurant”, then we left what had been the highlight of our journey.

IMG_6755_copyThe rest of my desert adventures will have to wait for a post of their own.

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I was just thinking that, maybe one day…we will be back in the Sahara again…

Go for more camping here.

Travel theme: Breathe

Ailsa’s Travel theme this week is about taking it easy – and breathe. Nature is the place to be…and that almost says it all for me.

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Autumnal crisp air, walking with my dogs and my children – Breathing. In the header, the Swedish lakes and faraway mountains of Lapland.

Travel theme: Poetry

Travel theme this week is all about poetry.

 

William Wordsworth´s poem To Daffodils is one of my favourites. Especially since I found this marvellous illustration on it. Showing my students this piece of ”art cartoonery” from an unknown artist has been one of my ”musts” in life.

Travel theme: Balance

Balance – here is my absolute favourite from Madrid and my Glorious students!

Go to Ailsa for more interpretations.

Students' intricate connections...

Students’ intricate connections…

Travel theme: Refreshing

I find the colour pink very refreshing…

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Ailsa wants some good solutions here…and what about roses? New Dawn or old bush roses – I find both of them charmingly fresh. Other solutions? Click here.

The roses on the left come from a more than one hundred year old bush. An old lady had them growing in her garden and I asked if I could get one - which I could!

These tiny roses come from a more than one hundred year old bush. An old lady had them growing in her garden and I asked if I might dig up a piece – and she gave me permission to do so. They still are a feast to the eye every June.

Travel theme: Sensory

 

Ailsa at Where’s My Backpack ? wants us to use our senses – and one of the places where most senses are at work is the Jokhang temple in Tibet. The dense smoke and all the people – eating, waiting, praying…

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…and the Tibetan landscape…its vastness and immense beauty, Its total silence is overwhelming.

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Travel theme: Creative

I am working on a photo book for my parents, and came across this old photo…Some years ago there was a competition about recycling milk Tetra Paks, and my son and daughter immediately wanted to participate. Here is what they came up with. Sowing together all these by hand…Emma wearing the dress and David photographing and editing.

Not very comfortable…but they almost won the whole competition – second prize in Sweden!

Being creative is always great fun – click here for more!

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Travel Theme: Early

Getting up early you will often be greatly rewarded. Silence, Only You, Magic in the air.

For more interpretations of Early – click here.