Travel theme: Pastel

In northern Spain, we feasted on bay windows (I have always wanted one…). Mostly white and covering the whole front of the houses, but I also found some in colour. For Ailsa, pastel is the choice.

 

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CFFC: Bridges

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Bridges

I have one special favourite of all bridges…the old Roman bridge in Switzerland, Verzasca valley. Read my post about this valley here.

Another favourite bridge, actually an aqueduct, is Pont du Gard in France. But you can no longer walk Pont du Gard. I did in 1976, on top, about 50 cm width and I had my Swedish clogs on. I guess I should be grateful to have survived that walk…

Click the link for more beautiful bridges!

The Verzasca Valley

Thursday Thoughts – Magnificent Tullstorp

We were so fortunate to get a guided tour at Tullstorp, the world famous dressage stable run by Jan Brink. Situated only fifteen kilometres from where we live, this was a fantastic opportunity for a look into another world.

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As a young boy Jan Brink played hockey in his home village, but as all the young girls were hanging at the stable, he gave the horses a chance…In some months he was hooked, and this was to be his future career. He studied at Flyinge and in Germany for some years, and then went for an international career.

 

Jan Brink is one of the best riders in the world and a seven-time Swedish dressage champion  – five times on the number one dressage horse Björsell’s Briar.

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Brink has won five medals in international championships, and in 2005 he was the first Swede to win the dressage championship in Aachen.

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Jan Brink is a self-made man, and unbelievably hard working. Going for shampionships,  educating new horses and riders –  and top class horse breeding serving customers all over the world. According to him, having talent is far from enough – you must be prepared to work hard and go for your dreams.

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The magnificent Tullstorp was built by a humble man, and a perfectionist – Jan Brink. Every detail in harmony.

 

The dressage arena…in late evening light. Thank you, Jan, for a magnificent tour!

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Celebrating Mother at Hovdala Castle

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A nice lunch at the restaurant and then a stroll in the beautiful surroundings was perfect for my mother’s 81st birthday.

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We were lucky with the weather…

P1040736_copy…and with roses and poppies as well.

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The conservatory has been restored over the years, and is now a building used for exhibitions as well as wedding  ceremonies.

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Inside is a cool, white dream.

P1040751_copyMy mother was happy today – and so were we.

 

CFFC: Doors and Drawers

Two favourites from Riga! Drawers from Tom’s Drag and the door from a walk in old town.

 

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Doors and Drawers

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.