Lens-Artists Challenge #318 – Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

/ Leya / 38 kommentarer

Patti is challenging us with a very important thing – to find beauty where we might not immediately think we could. Because, there is beauty everywhere if we just look for it! Please visit Patti’s inspiring post for more!

This is Highgate, London. Below the massive growth of ivy, this beautiful statue of a resting woman had just been rediscovered when we visited in 2014. We admired every detail – the artist made her look so real, just sleeping -about to wake up any minute.

In Tblisi, Georgia, 2019, most buildings and open places were dilapidated or worn down. Walking past this yard, I was really taken by the shadow and reflections, the tranquility, and the lovely cat.

More Tblisi. After a climb up one of the hills, three resting beauties awaited us in this yard. So calm and relaxed as only cats can be in the sun, they even let me take some photos.

A burnt down house lent some of its books to a beautiful photo. (An exhibition by Helene Schmitz) I often find great beauty in old and worn things, but these books sent an ache in my heart. Books should never be thrown away or burnt. This artist really found a way to make the disaster in her own home into something beautiful.

Finally, a stinging nettle in evening light – a dangerous beauty!

A special thanks to Tina, who invited us to explore our neighborhoods last week. Thanks for sharing your “world” with us. Next week it’s my turn, Leya, to lead. Until then, be safe, stay curious, and be kind!

I hope you will join this challenge – as we search for beauty in surprising and unexpected places. Beauty is seen in a wider context–beyond the typical. For an added challenge, Patti suggests us to come up with a surprise – something that you find beautiful but other people might not. Show us your beautiful and unexpected finds and tell us where you discovered them. Be sure
to link to Patti’s original post and include the “lens-artists” tag so we can enjoy your images.

Thursday Thoughts – Leeds Castle

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

The first historical record of a building is listed in the Domesday Survey of 1086, where the ‘Manor of Esledes’ was owned by Odo the Bishop of Bayeux, who was also the half-brother of William the Conqueror.

Leeds Castle has a long history of noblemen, kings and queens, but it was not until the 16th century that King Henry VIII transformed it from a fortified stronghold to a magnificent royal palace.

Leeds Castle was the last Castle to visit on our tour, and here I found the indoors to be the most interesting part – but let’s have a short look at the roses first, and the multitude of Hollyhocks!

Jumping into the 20th century, during the 1930s, Leeds Castle became one of the great country houses of England and a centre of lavish hospitality for leading statesmen, European royalty and film stars. The interior decorations are very stylish in cool colours, giving it quite a modern feeling. There are not many castles you feel you actually could live in – but Leeds Castle, yes.

In 1974 the castle and grounds were finally left to a specially created charity called the Leeds Castle Foundation, whose main aim was, and still is, to preserve the castle for future generations to enjoy. The reputation of Leeds Castle as a leading visitor attraction and conference venue grew, and in 1978 it was chosen as the location for the Middle East peace talks that preceded the Camp David Accords of the same year.

Since then Leeds Castle has become one of England’s top tourist attractions with over 600,000 visitors a year.

Lens-Artists #317 – Walking the Neighbourhood

/ Leya / 36 kommentarer

Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe.

– Ronald J. Garan, Jr.

Tina challenges us to walk the neighbourhood, and I decided to take Milo for this warm Autumn day walk. On opening the front door, I caught sight of one of our neighbouring cats waiting for a meal – in the shape of an innocent bird…

I turn right out on the street, and pass my favourite car (belonging to one of our neighbours…) I love the colour and the shape, but don’t even know what brand it is. We’ve had some heavy morning dew for a couple of days, and it stays with us for almost half of the day.

My ordinary morning walk passes by these lovely stone fences – there is a road in between those two. And on that road is always an old, yellow cat lying – sun or rain. He is totally deaf, but somehow everyone knows about him and he survives every car and every new year.

And I love that old wooden gate.

Now the sun has burnt the mist away, and further down the street I find a bucket of sand toys resting from yesterday’s fun.

As we pass by some more houses and hedges along the road, we finally get to the horses’ play ground. Milo finds a friend and the heat takes its toll – my curly friend will not move another step until he’s got his bath and a cool drink!

Next day, we went to our summerhouse – and I hope Tina thinks it’s ok to take a walk there as well… after all, it is a lovely place by the sea!

When we walk from the house and turn left, we must pass the apple trees to get to the road leading to our hike. I am always happy to find the old oak is still standing! I have to check on him a couple of times a year. When we pass one of the parked cars, I find this pretty young ”butterflytobe”, a Cossus cossus (Swedish name: större träfjäril). We walk by the lama meadows too, and I get a loving look (?) from a really handsome guy.

The beautiful cranes are leaving for warmer places. I hear and see them every day, but the geese are still here. Sailing gracefully on the quiet waters. Unfortunately we missed out on the ferry to one of the islands, and were told that last week was the last time to catch it. And there were no canoes for hire anymore – they still looked colourful and inviting though. Maybe next year?

I think we all get to understand each other a little better by sharing our neighbourhoods for this week’s challenge! Be sure to link to Tina’s original post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.

Finally, big thanks to Egidio and all of those who responded to his Fun challenge last week. There were fun responses throughout the whole week! Finally we hope you’ll join us next week when Patti once again leads us on her beautiful Pilotfish site. Until then, stay safe, be kind and enjoy every day.

Macro Monday – Cone Orchid (according to the local people)

/ Leya / 15 kommentarer

We visited a vineyard in Kent, where I caught sight of this little beauty. The farmer simply called it Cone Orchid because of its shape.

Anacamptis pyramidalis? After googling – maybe. A very compact, coneshaped orchid that I had never seen before. The field had maybe 20-30 of them, all of them fading.

Thursday Thoughts – Inside and Outside

/ Leya / 24 kommentarer

Arundel castle again – still in use by the Dukes of Norfolk – interesting! But after so many castles, maybe you too need a rest?

I really loved that dog…I should take out my sewing machine.

Time for a rest again, before entering the Castle itself.

A truly impressive castle that didn’t disappoint inside either. I would have loved a sleigh ride with that beauty…I guess it’s on wheels as England doesn’t get much snow?

Thank you for good company. Now there is only one castle left…Leeds Castle. Maybe next Thursday. Have to rest again!