Lens-Artists Challenge #362 – Sports, Sporting Events and Fun Games

/ Leya / 40 kommentarer

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

– Henry David Thoreau

I feared this would be a difficult challenge for me – I don’t do sports anymore even if I enjoy watching some of them. My daughter was in a gymnastic team and my son an avid skater. My husband a handballer and myself, I was a swimmer, runner and a horse girl. I definitely never (?) photograph sports. Fortunately I have my archives and hoped to find some pictures anyway. Beth´s challenge gives you many possibilities!

Well, searching my memory and archives paid off – here are some different sports and games:

Sports are such a great teacher. I think of everything they’ve taught me: camaraderie, humility, how to resolve differences.

– Kobe Bryant

In Bhutan, the national sport is archery. We went to see some teams compete at a sports arena – and their long shooting bows were incredibly sharp.


I’m a competitive person and I love the challenge of mastering new things.

– Sasha Cohen

Some of my son´s happiest moments were in the big bowls of Malmoe skate park. And still are.
(Photo by David P.) The skateboard was with him on all vacations for several years – at Figueres as well. I wonder what Dalí would have made out of it…

Sports involving both animals and humans are the most difficult ones. Cooperation is essential. One of my old students is a Swedish champion in jousting.

The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.

– Ernie Banks

A spectacular racing event was the famous reindeer race in Jokkmokk, Lapland. Reindeer are very tough to train – they are not like our pets. To handle them, you have to keep your tongue steady in your mouth too!


It’s a crazy world, so sports and athletics and music can be a form of escapism.

– Eddie Vedder

Finally some competitions/sports for dogs. I never really liked that, but if we wanted to buy our dogs it was necessary to let the breeder have his certificates. Good memories though – Totti won Swedish and Danish Champion titles.

Totti at Hovdala championships
Hamar, Norway for a dog show. This is Totti’s son.
More competitions…Me and Totti to the right

– In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.

 – Edward Hoagland

And Totti held a boxing title too…shared with Mille of course. Those were the days – daily entertainment in our garden!

Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.

– Michael Jordan

In the header, debating monks at the Sera Monastery in Tibet. A popular sport where the ”performers” loved to show off both their versatility and knowledge. I wish I knew their language so I could follow their intelligent arguments!

A massive thank you to Beth for this challenge that got me hard working and showed me I need to take more photos of sporting events. When you join us, (I know you will find something in the end, even if you despair like I did…) remember to tag Lens-Artists and to link back to Beth’s original post.

Last week meant so many beautiful doors raining over us! A big thank you to Sofia, and to all of you for sharing your doors and doorways with us.

Next week it is Anne’s turn to lead us, Saturday 30th August. Until then, take care and be kind.

Thursday Thoughts – Madeira Gardens

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

Another lovely walk was through the Gardens of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro. A property belonging to the Blandy family.

They boast some of the most valuable and rare exotic plants on the island. Starting in 1885, the Blandy family has developed the gardens to a today’s Mecca for botanic lovers.

They are renowned among other things for the splendid Camellia selection – but unfortunately we arrived after that intense bloom. On the other hand – there was so much else to see. Here is a short gallery:

The garden is situated with a beautiful view over Funchal, and luckily we had it all to ourselves for an hour or two. I’ll give the plant names a try: First out – a Gladiolous, in a fabulous combo of colours, Gazania, then some slipper flowers (yellow and red), a crassula (Buddha’s Temple?) and some beautifully cut and trimmed hedges.

Next are bluish and pink flowers in Watsonia, Brunfelsia and I guess a Risp. The last picture shows a Japanese Pagoda tree.

This was a relaxing and interesting visit to one of Madeira’s most renowned gardens. I recommend a visit if you go to Madeira!

Lens-Artists Challenge # 361 – Looking Back to #20: Doors

/ Leya / 37 kommentarer

So, let’s go back to challenge #20 titled Open Sesame: Doors and Doorways, hosted by Tina. This time it is Sofia who will make us look back…

Doors can lead you to other worlds, or to what is behind what is in front of you.

– Stephanie Torbert

Inconspicuous doors might hide treasures too…but I prefer very old doors – with patina. The first gallery is from a walk in Rome.

Three doors from Rome to start with. One of them a lost door in Ostia Antica.

More Madeira, with everything from a cartoon family to a restaurant with the menue handpainted on its walls. The door is invitingly open!

On a walk in Monte’s tropical garden, we found an enchanted door…

Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else.
― Tom Stoppard,

Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.

– Eugene O’Neill

The Rila monastery in Bulgaria holds numerous beautiful doors and doorways.

More mysterious doors – I still wonder what the message said in that note … The second one is the entrance to the Ice Hotel. ( Reindeer pelt on both doors. ) The last one I found in the cat city of Kotor, Montenegro.

Back to Madeira – These three green doors were all found on walks in Funchal. The first one leading to a vineyard, the next ones to an abandoned house – and a pair of abandoned shoes. Doors do say something about the owner too…

Finally, I have to finish with two of my favourites – a door and a gate – both in Tblisi, Georgia. Both faded beauties, once elaborately made. What would I find in there, if I walked up those stairs or disappeared behind the gates? Another world for sure.

We’ll enjoy your posts as we revisit Tina’s challenge of 2018 and hope you will have fun! Feel free to follow some of Sofia’s suggestions, or all of them. Maybe you know the story behind the doors and doorways you pick? Remember to tag Lens-Artists and to link back to Sofia’s original post so we can find you.

Last week was my, Ann-Christine’s, challenge on Fairs, Markets and/or Festivals. These are the cultural events that define a society, and it was great to see what you had found from around the world. Next week it is Beth’s turn to lead us, Saturday 23rd August. Until then, take care and enjoy your days ahead.

Thursday Thoughts – Monte Palace Tropical Garden

/ Leya / 17 kommentarer

This garden is worth a visit every time. It’s a tropical plants’ Paradise with origins from the 17th Century, and a totally calm and harmonious place to stroll any time of the day.

Monte is situated high up in the hills, overlooking Funchal. The paths wind through the green hills and the soothing sound of water is everywhere. Even if the views are great from the streets, the view from the church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte, is worth walking all those steps.

I hope you enjoyed the walk as much as I did! Going down again? There’s an optional ride from olden days to take…

…expensive, but a must try once you are here. The wicker and wooden sledges started transporting people from Monte to Funchal in the 19th century. I guarantee you will be in safe hands sliding down the cobbled streets.