WPC: Time

Time – we are all moving in it – and through it. And looking back…through what we think is a clear window frame, we realize the blur and the shadows. Time changes everything, and we can never know or be certain about the way everything looked or worked…

Not in Ostia Antica, Rome, and not even yesterday, at home. In our minds we can imagine or remember – but the moment in time is gone.

 

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Thursday Thoughts

One of very few ”outdoor” days this week. No rain, and even a tiny drop of sun…

I went out to test my new Panasonic in nature. Totti rather liked it…and so did I.

What do you think?

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The rains have left high water levels everywhere.

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Still, easy to walk and no need for big boots – it has also been very windy this week.

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Many trees again…have fallen. Wet feet and wind – means difficulties to stand upright.

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Today’s hike was lovely though. and sometimes there seemed to be Spring in the air. Bird song and singing brooks.

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Much water to deal with for the trees…that is the only good thing with the wind now…

A Better Year to Come

I hope the world will see a better year, 2016, with peace and love in heart and mind. And I hope for a joyous, Happy New Year to you and yours!

My last post this year, is from my walk in the forest today. Contemplating 2015 and what will come with the new year. The sun spilled its glory from an almost clear sky  – so – what better to do than spending the whole New Year’s Eve outdoors, hiking?

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Freezing cold from the start…

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…with the sun trying to reach over the tree tops.

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Succeeding now and then – here from the south.

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We had not walked here since the last great gale, and several times the path was totally covered in fallen trees.

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The untouched parts were shimmering in the low, golden sun.

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Some parts remained white and slippery, and my boys had to walk slowly not to fall into the mud.

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Some of my favourite ice – in Sweden we call it håris (hair ice) – and if you look closely, you will understand why. (The header picture)

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Heading home again, the sun setting and the real cold returning.

2016, we do not know what lies ahead of us, we can only hope, and work each one of us to make a better world for ourselves and for our fellow passengers on this planet.

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The road may be uneven, slippery, narrow, filled with obstacles…but I want to believe there is a light shining us through. Safe travels!

 

 

4 Days to Go – Thursday Thoughts

Soon the winter solstice will be here. Much longed for, maybe more than ever this year. No snow – except for one single, great day – and many dark and drizzly days.

Here a series from one of the better days, this week in fact. Notice the play of warm and cold this time of the year.  Warm colours if you turn in the direction of the thin rays of the sun – and the cold colours or darkness if you turn towards the sun itself.

One of my favourite spots in ”my” forest, is the passage between two of the grass meadows to the west. Here, Mille used to stand waiting for me by the big oak tree.

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The other spot is on my way back from the open landscape to the forest path. The majestic beech trees all aglow with the last rays of the low sun. 2.30 pm.

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CFFC: Buildings and Trees

Why not join in this challenge – Buildings and Trees? Click here to be inspired!

My choices this week are a summer photo where the tree is dominating, and a winter photo where the building is dominating.

 

 

WPC: Transition

Everything is in transition.

The WordPress Challenge is to show this in pictures.

The old houses in Jurmala outside Riga most certainly were – living evidence of transition not always being a word with a less positive meaning.

 

Snow and Mist – Magle Wetlands

I left Hovdala in the best of moods, heading for Magle, the water and the birds. I imagined the strong cold and the water would make some grand mist.

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Driving down the narrow road I saw the sun throwing diamonds my way…

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…so, I stopped to collect them…

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…and I became very rich…

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And, richer I would be, further along the road – at Magle.

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The mist had risen from some parts of the ponds, but at the far end – it hadn’t yet. It took me some time to get there though, as only the footprints of one single person were there before mine.

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I certainly was richly rewarded. As the sun slowly warmed up the air – unveiling the ducks, swans and cormorants. A heron gliding low in the mist.

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The mute swans were showing off their beauty, while the ducks seemed busy just staying warm.

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I was looking for the whooper swans, but they were not there. Following the path further on, I finally found them.

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Three of them were balancing on the thin ice – while finishing their morning toilet.

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The bench where I usually rest, birdwatching,  was not very useful today…

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Looking back a last time, I realized this was the finest winter day this year. Hopefully there will be some more diamonds to collect this winter… I enjoy being rich.

 

Winter – One single day…

So, Winter decided to pay us a visit – for one day. 40 cm snow yesterday night – rain again tomorrow…I keep an eye on the weather report at least three times a day, so I knew. Clear sky today and about 5-15 degrees below zero.

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Starting out early for the sunrise – very cold. 15.5 degrees below zero.

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I was alone up at Hovdala, and nobody had walked the path since the snow – so I got warmed up…

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I was lucky to get white frost as well, and no wind.

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On walking back I decided to take the road further on instead of the untrodden path. Now the soft, pink light arrived in full splendour.

 

After two hours, I was heading back to my car, even if I could have stayed longer, I was getting hungry…and my plan was to stop at the wetlands at Magle as well. It took me some 15 minutes and finally some help from a kind man (whatever he did driving out here in absolutely nowhere) to open the frozen door. Unfortunately I had locked it – which was a bad idea in this cold weather. (How unused to this am I…? No snow at all last year)

I went to Magle as well – and saw the fog rising from the water, the swans and ducks slowly floating in the shimmering water, and the frosty herons flying low.

This was a magnificent day, made possible by weather gods and my year off. I’ll save the shining  Magle post for a rainy day…

 

 

#242 Reseminnen – Travel Memories (349/365)

Från min senaste resa till Kina och flodfärden på Yangtsekiang, kommer jag för alltid att bära med mig minnena från Water Village. En resa in i det gamla Kina, sinnebilden av kinesisk tradition, konst och måleri, ja även poesi. En oförglömlig vandring i en gången tid. Om du är intresserad kan du gå till hela inlägget. Klicka på länken under bilden.

From my latest trip to China and the Yangtze River, there is one memory that will never be erased – the day we visited Water Village. This day was a hike into the heart of Old China. The essence of every art form, be it painting, writing, marriage traditions…  Unforgettable, true beauty.

If you want to know more, click here for the full post.

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If you want to know more, click here for the full post.