Art

Kites – A Marvelous Day On the Beach

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

From all over the world they gathered here on Fanö for a fortnight – just to enjoy…

Relaxing over a beer and a barbecue, and

…releasing their new kites for others to marvel at

Or, gliding down the beach in good winds –

In the afternoon, the sky seemed totally filled up – no more room for new kites…

 

But in this glorious weather, we kept strolling along,  getting even more favorites!

But in the end – believe it or not – our own shining sails were filled as well –

and…

We flew up, up and away…

Leaving solid ground, rolling with the colourful wheels…

Realizing that we just could not take any more kites – at least for the rest of the… week…?

Even the dogs wanted to go home for a good night’s sleep…

and the small children got tired of playing along…

So…some people took their bikes and rode to town,  while others walked the lonely beach ahead, contemplating –

It had been a marvelous day – Good Night for now, and thank you for tagging along!

 

 

 

 

Vadstena – Town and Castle Villa

/ Leya / 8 kommentarer

Vadstena – is named a city despite its only 6000 -7000 inhabitants. This is a very charming place, where the main street still has got all the shops gathered – just as they would have been in the Middle Ages. The buildings in the city center date mainly from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

And – people live in them. It is not a museum, even if you are tempted to think it is.

The old town is well preserved and the streets have not changed much over the centuries. The Town Hall is Sweden’s oldest, dating back to the early 15th century.

A look into our lodging as well – the Castle Villa in charming Jugend style. All in all it was a lovely stay – to celebrate Spring and our son’s birthday.

Vadstena – Castle and Abbey – A One Day/Night Stay

/ Leya / 22 kommentarer

Vadstena Castle was originally built by King Gustav I in 1545 as a fortress to protect Stockholm from enemies approaching from the south. Indeed it looks massive and strong today as well.

By 1620, when the castle was completed, all the kings of the House of Vasa had contributed to its construction. Since 1620, the castle has been very well preserved, and is one of Sweden’s best examples of Renaissance architecture.

In the fog and greyness, it looks stern and almost hostile – but in the evening sun, I could almost imagine a Cinderella somewhere…

P1130419-Redigera

Vadstena Abbey, close by, was the motherhouse of the Bridgettine Order. The abbey started on one of the farms donated to it by the king, but the town of Vadstena grew up around it. It was active from 1346 until 1595, but there are still a handful of nuns here.

The castle on the left hand side and the abbey on the upper right hand (The red dot: Här är du!)

The Abbey is now turned into a hotel – and a beautiful one. The different houses decorated in different styles, and we stayed at ”The Castle Villa” in Jugend style.

We had breakfast under the old vaults,  and I had some difficulties in resisting the pots for sale. Swedish design inspired by China.

 

 

 

The 3 Day Quote Challenge : #3

/ Leya / 7 kommentarer
So, how can I resist the lovely ”Gypsy” turned into ”Living in Paradise” – as I have followed her adventures with faithful Matilda and handsome Jack? Through gardening, rough wilderness and gentle house sitting, and today more of her talented art…Thank you for nominating me, dear Pauline! I am so glad you are back again –  I will go for it – after all… it is only 3 days!

The rules :

  • Thank the person who nominated you.
  • Post a quote on 3 consecutive days.
  • Share why this quote appeals so much to you.
  • Nominate 3 different bloggers for each day.

Please join in if you love challenges and think you will have fun with it!

 

 A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.

John Keats

Thursday Thoughts – Beyond Beauty

/ Leya / 21 kommentarer

In the fertile Punakha Valley, where the Mo Chhu (Mother river) and the Pho Chhu (Father river) meet, lies Punakha Dzong – Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). It was constructed in 1637 and maybe the most impressive building in Bhutan – also considered the most beautiful dzong in the country.

Bhutan 2018 663

The very size of Punakha Dzong is impressive, 180m long and 72m wide, but the elaborately painted gold, red and black carved woods, the brass roof and the location adds to the light perfection.

You walk the bridge, and enter through this gate…
…pups lying in the sand under the trees…
The first court yard with the huge chorten and the old bodhi tree.

Punakha served as Bhutan’s capital for over 300 years and the first king was crowned here in 1907. Since the mid 1950’s, Thimpu is the capital, but Punakha is still the center for official meetings, the kings’ weddings and other important ceremonies.

In this temple, in the southernmost courtyard, lies important relics in a sealed casket. Only the King and the highest Lama may enter this room …
– except for the guards.

The dzong, like all the other dzongs in Bhutan, has suffered fires several times, but is always restored. Due to its location by the two rivers, it is also vulnerable to the floods following climate change. In 1994 a glacial lake burst and destroyed parts of the building, and before that, in 1897, there was also a severe earthquake.

The temple is grand and holds thrones for the King as well as for the high Lama.

There are 300 monks in the dzong, and our guide told us that today the monastery schools are almost like ordinary schools – you take different subjects like science and mathematics along with languages and the scriptures.

Meeting over…
…two of the monks carrying the books, the scripture rolls, back.

The young monks are very curious and good at English.

The junction of the two rivers, seen from inside the dzong.

And so we left this magnificent fortress – without using the middle, golden steps, made for the King only. A breathtaking visit – only there was so much more we wanted to see, hear and learn – but maybe next time…

 

WPC: Lines

/ Leya / 16 kommentarer

Cheri asks us to pay attention to Lines – and my choices are natural ones as well as man made. Unfortunately the magic of the old tree is only left in photos and memories now. Last summer it finally gave in to old age.