600 Years and More – of Wisdom and Beauty

Publicerat 23 juli, 2017 av Leya under Hiking and Walks, sommar, Summer, Thoughts, Trees

They say oak trees grow for 300 years, and stay in their glory for another 300 years, and then decay and die their last 300 years.

One of my favourite places to meet a 600 years old friend, is Gökalv in Blekinge, Sweden.

We have many things to talk about, and I have learned so much about life from him. He may be rugged to touch, but his wrinkles are mild and forgiving.

I visited last week again, and found him standing there as usual, waiting for me. This time in splendid evening light.

His advice I always follow – stay true to yourself and help others to do the same. Be kind and helpful to all living beings on this earth. That is why we are here together.

When I looked at my photos, now uploaded…I realized his voice was not just in my head or in my mind –

He Discovered Me – Love at First Sight

Publicerat 6 oktober, 2016 av Leya under Animals, Hiking and Walks, Thoughts, Travel

In the little village of Ziga, Navarra, Spain, I met him.

He discovered me already the first day at the hotel door.

Our eyes met, and it was instant Love, and it was mutual.

”Follow me”, he said, and I do not know who followed who that short day…

He led the way at an elegant, fleeting pace, played around with this little boy, and then …

…inspected many interesting smells along the road. But still keeping an eye on me.

I noticed his red necklace and was happy that he surely had an owner. An owner who cared for his well being –

Because obviously he was well nourished – greatly loved by someone, someone more than me…

I kept telling him how handsome he was – and he liked it. I gently touched his ears and face, and he jumped up on the stone fences and posed for me – like a Best in Show dog…

As both he and I knew the tour was coming to an end, I just had to take a close-up photo – and he gladly let me do it. (My own dog at home never does… )Then he jumped up and posed for me one last time. He secretly flashed his lovely brown eyes, puffed my hand from behind – and was gone.

I looked for him the next day, and when we were leaving, but never saw him again during our stay in Ziga village. He is forever in my heart.

Weissfluhjoch and Weissfluhgipfel – Cool and Windless White

Publicerat 30 augusti, 2015 av Leya under Flowers, Hiking and Walks, Mountains, Summer, Thoughts, Travel

In famous winter sports’ Davos – in fact 8 communities instead of one – we took the Parsennbahn up to Weissfluhjoch, 2662 metres, and from there to Weissfluhgipfel, 2844 metres – still snowcapped.

About 5 pm, but still warm… no wind, no people. Stunning views in all directions.

Silence

A harsh area for plants and flowers to survive in, but still, they are here. I was happy to find Ranunculus glacialis – isranunkel…

…and Saxifraga – purpurbräcka, hidden in the crevices.

The buildings here includes of course a restaurant, but also a meteorological station and a centre for research on snow and avalanches. There is a daily forecast on avalanches sent from here all over Switzerland.

Oh, the Silence – and the Air

The distant views …

…and the clouds of white

Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard – A Hot Hike

Publicerat 14 augusti, 2015 av Leya under Flowers, Hiking and Walks, sommar, Summer, Thoughts, Travel

Switzerland, St Moritz alps. At 2456 m. we started our hike at Muottas Muragl – a panorama walk filled with majestic views and stunning flowers.

A very easy walk with no steep climbing, but still 24 degrees C…I met some wise elderly people who just walked for maybe half a mile to see the views and the flowers.

Alp clover and hikers – we all tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. Not easy in an open landscape.

Soon the views were opening up, and the valleys revealing all their secrets. And we could see St Moritz down there.

Leaving the morning dew and lovely coolness for beating sun as it rose higher in the sky.

Drinking water – fresh and clear. But also for putting our feet in. Not many degrees in glacier water – hardly for bathing. Every brook or flow offers a welcome break.

Majestic mountains and some rest in the shadows…when possible. My hat was very useful.

As this is an easy walk, many families had a delightful day out. Holding hands is a good idea when it is too steep.

Crossing an area where water had undermined the path and falling stones and mud slides made it dangerous to hike, we had to pass through a tunnel of corrugated sheet metal. Some holes were made in it for the view.

And we were richly rewarded in the end. Alp Languard in all its beauty – and cows! The end of a spectacular walk

On our way down with the lift (15 minutes), we met this lovely family…(Can you spot the dog?)

Some of the many flowers on the road…a feast to the eye. I found it rather difficult to focus my shots as the heat made drops fall onto the camera as well – but when we arrived at 1800 meters, the heat was 30 degrees C and more. So the day was well spent. I hope you enjoyed the trip too.