Cyprus Troodos Mountains
Sponsored images from 
View allAll Photos Tagged Boast
This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet. framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing scenery that is simply spellbinding.
Madikwe Game Reserve in the North-West Province of South Africa boasts the highest density of elephants (Loxodonta africana) in country. This herd, along with others, enjoyed the waterhole at Jaci's Lodge where we stayed while in the reserve. Conservation status: Endangered
The lush date farm boasts an array of green hues, accentuated by the beauty of sunlight streaming through its leaves.
The city of Prato boasts important historical and artistic attractions, with a cultural span that started with the Etruscans and then expanded in the Middle Ages and reached its peak with the Renaissance, when artists such as Donatello, Filippo Lippi and Botticelli left their testimonies in the city.
The Pescatorello fountain is made of marble with marine animals dominated by the sculpture of a young fisherman, designed by Mariano Falcini and sculpted by Emanuele Caroni and Ulisse Cambi. On an octagonal base there is a large circular basin with two swans on either side.
The people of Prato also nicknamed it the Duck fountain for the swans carved on the edge of the pools.
Fingal Head boasts some of the most spectacular examples of columnar jointing to be found in the whole of NSW. The name "Fingal Head" is actually derived from a fabled Scottish hero who was involved in the folk story surrounding the creation of Fingal Cave in Scotland and the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. The local indigenous Goodjingburra clan's name for Fingal Head is Booninybah - Home of the Giant Echidna: "Booniny" means Giant Echidna. The spectacular columns of Fingal Head resemble the spines of an echidna, and so the Goodjingburra believe that the spirit of the echidna inhabits the headland.
Spetses, an island boasting a long naval tradition, is famous for its significant contribution to the 1821 War of Independence. It was here that the revolution flag was raised on 3rd April 1821. The island has managed to retain its individual traditional character thanks to its well-preserved grand captain mansions, still bearing eloquent witness to the island’s glorious past.
The Mangaotaki Valley boasts stunning limestone outcrops and rugged landscape, which are reflected in the Mangaotaki and Waitanguru Falls walks.
Picturesque native bush with a backdrop of more of those stunning towering limestone cliffs ,massive rock formations and fine specimen trees.
Visit the stunning farm location at Mangaotaki Rocks Piopio, near Waitomo, where the troll and campfire scenes in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey were filmed.
St Fiaac’s Church is situated on a mound overlooking the picturesque village of Clonegal and the valley of the River Derry in County Carlow.
The Church was built in 1819. The Anglican house of worship was designed in the Gothic aesthetic and has a tower and belfry. It also features three double stained glass windows depicting the Good Samaritan, Good Shepherd and resurrection of Christ.
St Fiaac’s was built on the site of an older house of worship. The graveyard boasts stones from as far back as 1777, making it one of the oldest used cemeteries in Europe.
The Snowdonia National Park boasts vast areas of natural beauty and unique scenery. It is known as Eryri by Welsh a name that can be translated as “the place of the eagles”.
The park which covers 838 square miles is one of the three natural parks found in Wales and the oldest one being designated as one in 1951. The area of the Snowdonia National Park has so much to offer to visitors that if you are visiting it for the first time you will wonder why it took you so long to do it.
Both the scenery and the activities that can be done here are so diverse that anyone will find something to suit their taste.
Taking a very pleasant walk along the Hunters Bay Trail, thanks to the recommendation of our friend Daniel Gibson, we were able to see beautiful colors on the opposite shore. As you can see, the colors were so attractive and captivating that we couldn't take our eyes off them.
These beautiful houses by the bay can boast an enviable quality of life.
Press "L" to enlarge the image.
Available at fineartamerica:
fineartamerica.com/featured/colorful-foliage-along-hunter...
_________________________________
Follaje colorido a lo largo de la Bahía de Hunters, Huntsville, Muskoka, Ontario, Canadá
Dando un paseo muy agradable por el Hunters Bay Trail, gracias a la recomendación de nuestro amigo Daniel Gibson, pudimos contemplar hermosos colores en la orilla opuesta. Como puedes ver, los colores eran tan atractivos y cautivadores que no podíamos quitar la vista de ellos.
Estas preciosas casas junto a la bahía pueden presumir una calidad de vida envidiable.
Pulsa "L" para ampliar la imagen.
Disponible en fineartamerica:
fineartamerica.com/featured/colorful-foliage-along-hunter...
* * *
From the south to this pass are 38 hairpin bends, Italian tornante. On the Northern side, it boasts a vertical gain of 1,808 m and 48 hairpin bends, all of them numbered on a stone by the road. Maximum gradient is 14.00 %.
And the road itself, popular with motorists and bikers from around the world, included in the list of the most spectacular and dangerous planets roads.
* * *
The Stelvio Pass road - a route to the high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.757 m, Eastern Alps, Northern Italy
* * *
See my new photos in My Travels album:
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/32471946373
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/31451599502
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/31483466285
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/31332977845
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/30940480806/
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/30000457571
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/29854284351
www.flickr.com/photos/paradox_m/29784257215
* * *
Tам, где красота встречается с адреналином
* * *
С юга к этому перевалу ведут 38 крутых поворотов-шпилек, по-итальянски tornante. На северной стороне, при перепаде высот в 1808 м дорога насчитывает 48 крутых поворотов, пронумерованных на придорожных камнях. Максимальный градиент 14 % .
А сама дорога, популярная у автолюбителей и байкеров со всего мира, включена в список самых опасных и захватывающих дорог планеты.
* * *
Дорога на перевал Стельвио (2757 м), Северная Италия, Восточные Альпы.
Ascension 7 boasts its main religious attraction is the shuttle through the stars, where the rich and those of high status pay millions of credits to board and ascend to the next plane of existence.. These individuals are never seen again, Of course not everything you hear is 100% true.
A beautiful contemporary house boasting 360 degree ocean vistas set in the region of Aqua blue. An eclectic mix of rustic and modern styling on your very own private island.
Please do take the time to visit-
We hope you enjoy your visit and thank you for being mindful of our tenants.
Alternatively, see what other rentals are currently available within the White Dunes Estate portfolio - HERE
No awards please❣ Only real comments :-)
This 18th-century church boasts the highest tower in colonial Quito and a wealth of fascinating art, including paintings that show volcanoes erupting over the church roofs of the city and the capital covered with ashes.
Legend says that the tower, the only unblessed part of the church, is possessed by the devil. Supposedly the only person strong enough to resist the devil was a bell-ringer named Ceferino, and no one has dared enter the tower since he died in 1810.
***
The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Merced is located in the Ecuadorian capital Quito. The white building has five domes and a square tower. The building is decorated with Incan and Moorish inscriptions. Construction started in 1701. The tower was completed in 1736 and the basilica was consecrated in 1747.
Surrounded by greenery and rivers amidst picturesque terraced farmland, Lamahatta is a small mountain village that now boasts of an upcoming eco tourism destination. Located at an altitude of 1700 meter above sea level and around 23km from Darjeeling, this tourist spot is gaining momentum by leaps and bounds. It has been developed as a honeymoon destination and is a paradise for honeymooners as it offers solitude, picturesque beauty and a feeling of being amidst nature, a perfect platform to get to know each other. Lamahatta is very well connected to Darjeeling- Kalimpong state highway. The beauty of the place is further enhanced by a new garden developed recently surrounded by prayer flags and wide variety of flowers and orchids.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia is located in Nova ScotiaBlue Rocks, Nova Scotia
Blue Rocks in Nova Scotia
Blue Rocks is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Lunenburg Municipal District in Lunenburg County.[1][2] It stands to seaward of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, somewhat to the east. For many years a fishing village, it was discovered by many artists and photographers (including Joseph Purcell, William E. deGarthe, Jack L. Gray, Wallace R. MacAskill, E. Earle Bailly and others) beginning in the 1940s. Today the village boasts many artists, and there are also numerous guest houses to be found among the fishermen's dwellings.
Blue Rocks is known as one of the best kayaking spots on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
The Church of Our Lady boasts the world's second-highest brick church tower. A timeless reminder of the craftsmanship of Bruges' builders. The tower, supported by eight strong powerhouses, stretches no less than 115 metres into the sky.
A world filled with art treasures
The Church of Our Lady welcomes you with a rich collection of paintings, 13th and 14th-century painted crypts, e.g.
The tomb of Mary of Burgundy and her father Charles the Bold. These 15th and 16th century monumental tombs combine grandeur, opulence and symbolism in a timeless tribute. The remains of Duchess Mary are in a coffin that can be seen through the glass floor under the mausoleum.
The ‘Madonna and Child’ by Michelangelo. This world-famous white marble statue is the only work by Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime. It was bought by the rich Bruges merchant family Mouscron, of which some members are buried at the foot of the statue.
Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Samarkand, also spelled Samarqand, has been at the crossroads of world cultures for over two and a half millennia, and is one of the most important sites on the Silk Routes traversing Central Asia. It is probably the most famous Uzbekistan’s historic city. It boasts very impressive architectural monuments and a rich history.
Shah-i-Zinda is a necropolis and an important place of pilgrimage. The name, which means "Tomb of the Living King", refers to its original, innermost and holiest shrine – a complex of cool, quiet rooms around what is probably the grave of Qusam ibn-Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Mohammed who is said to have brought Islam to this area in the 7th century.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak boasts of being one of the most boisterous singers in the songbird family and they love to use their easily recognized songs. Although the females are lacking in the vivid colouring of the males they don't lack for singing ability and can keep up with the males.
They love a habitat of deciduous and mixed forests where they nest close to the ground in a tree or tall shrub even though they are mostly seen in the tree canopy. The nest will contain a clutch of 3 - 5 eggs which will be incubated for 13 or 14 days and may be repeated between May and July.
This male is gleaning for insects, seed, buds or fruit within the tree branches.
The Guitar Hotel
The Guitar Hotel brings 638 luxury guestrooms and suites to the resort. Designed to resemble back-to-back guitars, complete with guitar faces and brightly lit strings, this engineering masterpiece reaches 450 feet into the sky, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling glass panes. Boasting the sun-filled and sunset-laden South Florida skies, The Guitar Hotel is truly an architectural marvel that redefines the South Florida skyline.
The show is a daily spectacular featuring a series of orchestrated outdoor music and light shows showcasing the LED lights built into all sides of the brand new and immaculate The Guitar Hotel. The lights are programmed to change color and intensity and are choreographed to different songs. Six high-powered beams of light accentuate the production by projecting at least 20,000 feet into the sky. The six lights mimic the strings of an imaginary guitar neck.
The Gate of Seville fortress is one of the most emblematic elements of the extensive and extremely rich architectural heritage that Carmona boasts.
Although archeological remains dated between the 14th and the 12th century B. C. have been found, it has been shown that the origins of Carmona date to the 9th century B.C., which is why this monument – which was declared as being of historic and artistic interest, even before that honour was bestowed on the Giralda in Sevilla – reflects, as if it were a diary, the milestones and events in the history of the West which the town has taken either part in or witnessed.
Indeed, the culture of all the inhabitants of the peninsular, whether they be the western Mediterranean peoples, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Moors and, finally, the Christians, can be said to have been engraved on the ashlar stone of the Gate of Seville.
In order to repel Roman army attacks, the Carthaginians built a bastion on top of the original tower – dating from the VIII century B.C. – giving it the first traces of its present heavy, powerful quadrangular design. During the rule of the Roman Emperor Augustus, the Carthaginian structure was reinforced and reformed, as can be seen in the group of defensive gates that have survived to the present day. A temple was built on top of the bastion, from which the base is still partly preserved.
These alterations and additions and others carried out by the Romans, especially in the first century AD, transformed Carmona into “the strongest city of the Betica during ancient times”, as Julius Caesar, who himself was very familiar with the town´s defensive capability, proclaimed.
During the Islamic period, several additions and alterations were carried out; a horseshoe arch from the Caliphate period, – dating to the 10th century -, and another external pointed horseshoe arch from the Almohad age, (12th century). Later, during the reign of king Pedro I, in the 14th century, other alterations were made to the site.
In the 1970s, the houses which adjoined the fortress were torn down and, in 1973, the last major changes were carried out, enabling the restoration and opening of the Presos Bajo and Alto rooms, the Aljibes courtyard and the Golden Tower, from which magnificent views of all the town of Carmona can be enjoyed.
Oakleaf hydrangeas boast white pyramidal bloom clusters with color-changing capabilities. They emerge creamy white and age to dusky pink and green as summer progresses. By late fall, petals become light tan and papery, persisting on the stem into winter or yielding dark brown seeds for added interest.
On/Off -Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to comment or add to your favorites! It is greatly appreciated!
Last "est" (for now). The muskox has the longest hair of any North American mammal. Or as Bernie put it, it's the shaggiest. Another "est" that the muskox can boast...their underlayer of fur (called qiviut) is the warmest natural fiber...eight times warmer than wool.
This bull was photographed on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska.
Lüdinghausen boasts three castles and a very scenic village to walkabout the Altstadt, the concentration of castles in this part of North Rhine-Westphalia is the highest in Germany which is saying a lot.
The castles in the Münster region are typically Wasserschloss or moated and the castle pictured here is no exception, Burg Vischering or the fishermans castle as I have dubbed it due to its owners love for the sport.
It would not have been surprising to find out the moat was kept stocked with fish during his day and I can imagine almost seeing a fishing pole thrust out one of the moat side windows while basking in the sun.
The castles in the Münster region are typically Wasserschloss or moated and the castle pictured here is no exception, Burg Vischering or the fisherman's castle as I have dubbed it due to its owners love for the sport. round the outside.
I took this with my D750 and Tamron SP 24-70mm 2.8 G2 Lens at 24mm 1/100s, f/11 ISO 100 processed in LR, Topaz Denoise, PS +Lumenzia, finished with Focalblade
Disclaimer: Not trying to be realistic in my editing there is enough realism in the world, my style is a mix of painterly and romanticism as well as a work in progress.
♥ Best is always inside the blog, thanks for taking the time ♥
DETAILS, LINKS & MORE PICS: IGOTIT BLOG
▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴▴
Find me:
Festive Coquette males boast elegant, green cheek tufts which are tipped with white. During courtship these tufts are flared outward and the male bows his head before the female, exposing a patch of pale blue bare skin on his crown. Feeds on a wide variety of flowers at almost any level, and regularly visits feeders in some areas. The nest and eggs of this species have been described, but overall its reproduction has been poorly studied. doi.org/10.2173/bow.fescoq3.01
At Macuquinho Lodge, the bokeh are the flowers of Manacá-da-Serra (Tibouchina mutabilis) a pioneer tree of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Wishing everyone a Peaceful Bokeh Wednesday!
Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!
© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated by any means without my written explicit permission, including the use on websites and similar medias. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.
My instagram if you like: @thelmag, @thelma_and_cats and @teg_photo_arts
Member of Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature
Juvenile - Festive Coquette males boast elegant, green cheek tufts which are tipped with white. During courtship these tufts are flared outward and the male bows his head before the female, exposing a patch of pale blue bare skin on his crown. Both sexes display a white rump band as do many others in the genus, but Festive Coquettes lack the rufous on the head. They inhabit humid forests, forest borders, second growth, and cerrado where they are usually seen foraging at flowering trees and behaving similarly to other coquettes. The nest and eggs of this species have been described, but overall its reproduction has been poorly studied.
This was sitting in a branch right in front of a flower, which composes the bokeh background. Wishing you all a Peaceful Bokeh Wednesday.
Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!
© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated by any means without my written explicit permission, including the use on websites and similar medias. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.
My instagram if you like: @thelmag, @thelma_and_cats and @teg_photo_arts
Member of Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature
Graig fawr margam.
This wood boasts six sites of archaeological interest including a World War II station and a 14th Century Monk's Bath House. Kestrel buzzard sparrowhawk little and tawny owls were all reported in 1990. There are dramatic views from the upper footpath and a spectacular bluebell display in spring
Deventer boasts many historical landmarks such as the Proosdij, the oldest brick-built residence in the Netherlands (twelfth century!). There are monumental buildings all around you, with stunning facades, historical churches and ancient squares. Proud to be the main attraction is the Lebuinis church, which is visible from far and wide. In other words, a town with a wealth of history, but is it old-fashioned? Far from it. Deventer is vibrant, frivolous and bustling: a contemporary-monumental town.
Deventer is on two banks of the Ijssel. From the Ijssel quayside in the old centre, there is a view of the other side. It shows a green oasis: the Worpplantsoen. Walk or cycle there, via one of the two bridges connecting Deventer. Or use the foot ferry called Stokvis, which is a nickname for people from Deventer originating in Hanseatic times. From the other side, you are afforded a panoramic view across the town, with the Lebuinis church as stunning eyecatcher.
Would you like to take a rest from all the sights and sounds of Deventer? Recharge your battery at one of the many pubs and restaurants in this Hanseatic city. There is plenty of choice: there are more than a hundred, including trendy coffee places, authentic lunchrooms, grand cafes, restaurants, a food hall and a town brewery.
The Nevada Gold Rush of 1904-1907 was the main reason for Rhyolite's rise and fall. The mines in Rhyolite, it's said ran their course by 1909. All that remains are mostly stone structures which were built to serve its 8,000 to 12,000 residents. The town boasted 85 mining companies, a railroad and 3 major stage coach lines during its existence. It all ended when funding for its mining was halted by investors. By 1924 the last resident of Rhyolite died.
✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧
My friend, Skye Donardson, created this gorgeous underwater utopia. It boasts everything you could want to get your mermaid on. Magic... check. Whimsy... check. Color, lots of glorious color, check check check. Being a sim owner myself, I know the challenges of creating a space that not only appeals to my own inner artist, but will appeal to the masses as well. When all is said and done building and creating spaces in Second Life IS art and we all know art is a subjective wench. Not everyone will like what I like and I realized this as I was building my own sim. But I can almost guarantee that most people will enjoy Skye's Mermaid Garden. I will admit I took artistic license and embellished this piece, I mean, I've yet to encounter a fish in Second Life that blows bubbles. Still, the beauty, the color, the sparkly glamour, the whimsy is all Skye. So, get your inner mermaid on and go visit!
Skye's Mermaid Garden: Mar Australis 160.211.4
Skye's Flickr stream: www.flickr.com/photos/17717241@N07
✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧✧ ✧
Sagrada Família, Barcelona, España.
El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, conocido simplemente como la Sagrada Familia, es una basílica católica de Barcelona (España), diseñada por el arquitecto Antoni Gaudí. Iniciada en 1882, todavía está en construcción (noviembre de 2016). Es la obra maestra de Gaudí, y el máximo exponente de la arquitectura modernista catalana.
La Sagrada Familia es un reflejo de la plenitud artística de Gaudí: trabajó en ella durante la mayor parte de su carrera profesional, pero especialmente en los últimos años de su carrera, donde llegó a la culminación de su estilo naturalista, haciendo una síntesis de todas las soluciones y estilos probados hasta aquel entonces. Gaudí logró una perfecta armonía en la interrelación entre los elementos estructurales y los ornamentales, entre plástica y estética, entre función y forma, entre contenido y continente, logrando la integración de todas las artes en un todo estructurado y lógico.
La Sagrada Familia tiene planta de cruz latina, de cinco naves centrales y transepto de tres naves, y ábside con siete capillas. Ostenta tres fachadas dedicadas al Nacimiento, Pasión y Gloria de Jesús y, cuando esté concluida, tendrá 18 torres: cuatro en cada portal haciendo un total de doce por los apóstoles, cuatro sobre el crucero invocando a los evangelistas, una sobre el ábside dedicada a la Virgen y la torre-cimborio central en honor a Jesús, que alcanzará los 172,5 metros de altura. El templo dispondrá de dos sacristías junto al ábside, y de tres grandes capillas: la de la Asunción en el ábside y las del Bautismo y la Penitencia junto a la fachada principal; asimismo, estará rodeado de un claustro pensado para las procesiones y para aislar el templo del exterior. Gaudí aplicó a la Sagrada Familia un alto contenido simbólico, tanto en arquitectura como en escultura, dedicando a cada parte del templo un significado religioso.
The Expiatory Church of the Sagrada Familia, known simply as the Sagrada Familia, is a Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Begun in 1882, it is still under construction (November 2016). It is Gaudí's masterpiece and the greatest exponent of Catalan modernist architecture.
The Sagrada Familia is a reflection of Gaudí's artistic plenitude: he worked on it for most of his professional career, but especially in his later years, where he reached the culmination of his naturalistic style, synthesizing all the solutions and styles he had tried up to that point. Gaudí achieved perfect harmony in the interrelationship between structural and ornamental elements, between plasticity and aesthetics, between function and form, between content and container, achieving the integration of all the arts into a structured and logical whole. The Sagrada Familia has a Latin cross plan, five central naves, a three-aisled transept, and an apse with seven chapels. It boasts three façades dedicated to the Birth, Passion, and Glory of Jesus. When completed, it will have 18 towers: four at each portal, making a total of twelve for the apostles, four over the transept invoking the evangelists, one over the apse dedicated to the Virgin, and the central dome tower in honor of Jesus, which will reach 172.5 meters in height. The temple will have two sacristies next to the apse and three large chapels: the Assumption Chapel in the apse and the Baptism and Penance Chapels next to the main façade. It will also be surrounded by a cloister designed for processions and to isolate the temple from the exterior. Gaudí applied a highly symbolic content to the Sagrada Familia, both in architecture and sculpture, dedicating each part of the temple to a religious significance.
Deventer boasts many historical landmarks such as the Proosdij, the oldest brick-built residence in the Netherlands (twelfth century!). There are monumental buildings all around you, with stunning facades, historical churches and ancient squares. Proud to be the main attraction is the Lebuinis church, which is visible from far and wide. In other words, a town with a wealth of history, but is it old-fashioned? Far from it. Deventer is vibrant, frivolous and bustling: a contemporary-monumental town.
Deventer is on two banks of the Ijssel. From the Ijssel quayside in the old centre, there is a view of the other side. It shows a green oasis: the Worpplantsoen. Walk or cycle there, via one of the two bridges connecting Deventer. Or use the foot ferry called Stokvis, which is a nickname for people from Deventer originating in Hanseatic times. From the other side, you are afforded a panoramic view across the town, with the Lebuinis church as stunning eyecatcher.
Would you like to take a rest from all the sights and sounds of Deventer? Recharge your battery at one of the many pubs and restaurants in this Hanseatic city. There is plenty of choice: there are more than a hundred, including trendy coffee places, authentic lunchrooms, grand cafes, restaurants, a food hall and a town brewery.
The Daylily Cottage boasts 2 bedrooms, a sunroom with water views, and a private dock. The house comes fully furnished with 700 additional prims for your decor. It can be rented unfurnished with 1000 prims.
No longer available, sorry!
Deventer boasts many historical landmarks such as the Proosdij, the oldest brick-built residence in the Netherlands (twelfth century!). There are monumental buildings all around you, with stunning facades, historical churches and ancient squares. Proud to be the main attraction is the Lebuinis church, which is visible from far and wide. In other words, a town with a wealth of history, but is it old-fashioned? Far from it. Deventer is vibrant, frivolous and bustling: a contemporary-monumental town.
Deventer is on two banks of the Ijssel. From the Ijssel quayside in the old centre, there is a view of the other side. It shows a green oasis: the Worpplantsoen. Walk or cycle there, via one of the two bridges connecting Deventer. Or use the foot ferry called Stokvis, which is a nickname for people from Deventer originating in Hanseatic times. From the other side, you are afforded a panoramic view across the town, with the Lebuinis church as stunning eyecatcher.
Would you like to take a rest from all the sights and sounds of Deventer? Recharge your battery at one of the many pubs and restaurants in this Hanseatic city. There is plenty of choice: there are more than a hundred, including trendy coffee places, authentic lunchrooms, grand cafes, restaurants, a food hall and a town brewery.
Deventer boasts many historical landmarks such as the Proosdij, the oldest brick-built residence in the Netherlands (twelfth century!). There are monumental buildings all around you, with stunning facades, historical churches and ancient squares. Proud to be the main attraction is the Lebuinis church, which is visible from far and wide. In other words, a town with a wealth of history, but is it old-fashioned? Far from it. Deventer is vibrant, frivolous and bustling: a contemporary-monumental town.
Deventer is on two banks of the Ijssel. From the Ijssel quayside in the old centre, there is a view of the other side. It shows a green oasis: the Worpplantsoen. Walk or cycle there, via one of the two bridges connecting Deventer. Or use the foot ferry called Stokvis, which is a nickname for people from Deventer originating in Hanseatic times. From the other side, you are afforded a panoramic view across the town, with the Lebuinis church as stunning eyecatcher.
Would you like to take a rest from all the sights and sounds of Deventer? Recharge your battery at one of the many pubs and restaurants in this Hanseatic city. There is plenty of choice: there are more than a hundred, including trendy coffee places, authentic lunchrooms, grand cafes, restaurants, a food hall and a town brewery.
Crewe's platform 12 boasts few facilities and even fewer people seeing as it rarely gets used.
It does however come with a nicely curved set of protected red awning supports which, with the Victorian brickwork on the left, have been used to frame the arriving train in the fading January daylight.
Avanti West Coast 'Pendolino' 390153 is captured running in to platform 6 with the 1.49pm London Euston - Liverpool Lime St (1F18) service.
Better viewed large - comments off, thanks.
3.40pm, 6th January 2022
I stand in awe as I gaze upon the magnificent stone bridge that spans the gorge, connecting the old and new sections of Ronda, a captivating city nestled in the heart of Andalusia. The historic quarter of Ronda boasts a rich heritage, and this bridge, a testament to the city's past, serves as a remarkable reminder of its Moorish roots.
As I step closer, I marvel at the bridge's imposing structure, its sturdy arches gracefully reaching across the deep chasm below. The stone, weathered by centuries of history, exudes an air of grandeur and resilience. It's hard to fathom that this bridge, known as Puente Nuevo, was built by the Moors during their reign in Spain, serving as one of their last strongholds.
The view from the bridge is breathtaking. Looking down, I see the rushing waters of the Guadalevín River cutting through the rugged landscape, carving a path between the towering cliffs. The sound of the water echoes through the gorge, creating a melodic symphony that adds to the enchantment of the scene.
From this vantage point, I take in the panorama of the city. The whitewashed buildings of Ronda's old town extend before me, their terracotta rooftops contrasting against the vibrant greenery that surrounds them. The streets below bustle with activity, filled with locals and tourists alike, drawn by the allure of this historic gem.
The bridge stands as a symbol of Ronda's resilience and the blending of cultures that have shaped its identity. It's a testament to the architectural ingenuity of the Moors, who left an indelible mark on the region. As I take my last glance at the bridge and the city beyond, I can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to witness such a remarkable piece of history in this captivating corner of Andalusia.
20220521_RX_02842_RONDA
The Netherlands boasts 22,000 miles of cycle paths with more than a quarter of all trips in the country being made by bicycle, rising to 38% in Amsterdam itself. This compares with just 2% in the UK and much less in the USA. Multistory 17th century terrace mansions line the canals throughout Amsterdam as taxes used to be levied based on street frontage. Originating as a poor fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century due to its lead in developments of global trading technology. During that time, the city was the global centre for finance and trade and become the wealthiest city in the world. Ships sailed from Amsterdam to the Baltic Sea, North America, and Africa, as well as present-day Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Brazil, forming the basis of a worldwide trading network. Amsterdam's name derives from Amstelredamme, from the city's origin as a dam of the river Amstel. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Kobern-Gondorf boasts two castles but this is the most visible, the Oberburg which perches 200m above the village with steep stepped vineyards to the valley floor, to the left of this picture are the desolate ruins of the Niederburg destroyed in 1688 and sits 50m lower than the upper castle .
The Oberburg was built in the early 12th century over an existing Celtic hillfort and was held by the lords of Isenburg-Kobern until the middle of the 14th century.
When the last male heir to the fiefdom of Kobern died, it was sold to the Archbishop of Trier who neglected it and it fell into ruin.
Some minor stabilization was done in the early 20th century and in 1989 a cute little restaurant was built next to the bergfried, both castles are open to the public free of charge all year round.
I took this with my D750 and Tamron SP 24-70mm 2.8 G2 Lens processed in LR, PS luminosity masks and DXO Nik
Disclaimer: Not trying to be realistic in my editing there is enough realism in the world, my style is a mix of painterly and romanticism as well as a work in progress.
This album's name is dedicated to my favourite game of all time Elder Scrolls Online and race of all time, The Argonians (reptile humanoids). There's a story for you to read below about some of them towards the bottom.
What does Ku Vastei mean? Read below
By Lights-the-Way, Mystic of the Mages Guild
It is hard to describe the culture of my people. Often my tongue stumbles as I try to explain, but it is my hope that ink and quill will give me time enough to gather my thoughts. And perhaps, though such writing, I will finally connect the parts of me that now feel so divided; my homeland of Murkmire and my new life within the Mages Guild.
These journals are to become my ku-vastei. And, as I write that, I can think of no better topic to begin with.
Ku-vastei roughly translates to "the catalyst of needed change," though such a direct translation in no way does justice to the original meaning. Another translation could be "that which creates the needed pathway for change to occur" or even "the spark which ignites the flame which must come into being."
Perhaps a more direct analysis should be first presented. Ku-vastei is a noun, a thing or person. Vastei directly translates to change, an important part of my culture. Ku is harder to speak of. It is that which leads to change, though not that which creates change. An important role, as stagnation is a fate worse than death.
Take a boulder which sits atop a cliff, teetering in place. It must fall eventually. The ku-vastei does not push the boulder off the cliff; rather, it picks the pebble which holds the rock in place. And so it falls, not by a push, but by a pathway cleared.
Ku-vastei is revered, just as change itself is revered, for to look back at what was means to stumble as you move forward. Sometimes, a little push in the right direction is all someone needs to remember such wisdom. Other times, they may need to be shoved.
-------------------------------------
The Gee-Rusleel Tribe
by Emmanubeth Hurrent, the Wayfarers' Society of Wayrest
I've had the privilege to speak to two different Miredancer elders now, and I've learned a great deal from both of these conversations. The "Gee-Rusleel," as they call themselves, are among the most introspective Argonians I've met in my travels. They also tend to be the most pleasant. For all their reclusiveness and wariness, I've never met a people more willing to share a meal or a game of Shells and Stones. They are skilled crafters, with a particular knack for working with Hist amber and egg shells. They are also peerless navigators, guiding their flat-bottom boats effortlessly through the swamp, master weavers, and skilled cartographers.
The most defining characteristic of the Miredancer tribe, however, is piety. This deep reverence for the Hist has earned them the right to name a "Sap-Speaker" for countless generations.
According to the elders I spoke with, the Sap-Speaker is the Hist's direct intermediary. (This is, of course, subject to debate. Many tribes boast unique methods of communion with the Hist. But as far as I have seen, the Miredancers make the most compelling case for the methods they use.) Sap-Speakers often go into seclusion for days or even weeks on end, venturing either down into the roots or high into the canopy of leaves in the uppermost branches. Here, they commune with the Hist. Indeed, the word that one of the elders used was "journey."
These journeys into the Hist tax the Sap-Speakers, but are thoroughly private affairs. After days by themselves, the Sap-Speakers emerge to hide away with old books, scrolls, and tablets. I asked after the purpose of these periods of seclusion, and this is what the elders told me. "The Sap-Speaker enters the embrace of the Hist to learn from the great tree," one elder said. "While in close contact with the roots and branches, the Sap-Speaker receives visions and other forms of communication that neither you nor I would understand."
The other elder continued. "Even the Sap-Speaker finds some of what is shown to be mystifying and confusing. I have heard that a Sap-Speaker is treated to ancient metaphors, arcane secrets, and visions that make little sense to creatures so far removed from sap and pulp." Apparently, the second period of seclusion allows the Sap-Speaker time to reflect on what he or she was shown, as well as time to consult with the ancient writings of Sap-Speakers who came before. After a suitable period of study and reflection, the Sap-Speaker emerges to reveal the Hist's will to the tribe.
I attempted to get more information about what happens while the Sap-Speaker meditates among the roots or branches, but I'm not sure the elders knew much more. They did tell me that the only nourishment the Sap-Speaker receives during these periods of seclusion is provided by the Hist itself in the form of sap, leaves, and the otherwise forbidden fruit of the tree.
There is a price to pay for the gift of Hist communion, however. Ingesting large quantities of Hist sap is a dangerous affair, even for Argonians. Sap-Speakers routinely suffer the effects of sap-poisoning, including "gold tongue" (permanent change of mouth pigmentation to a golden hue), unbidden hallucinations, "bark-scale" (thickening and darkening of surface scales), and other maladies they were reticent to talk about. The current Sap-Speaker, Thumarz, was in seclusion during my visit to the tribal village. I hope to meet him someday. If he's half as wise as the elders I interacted with, I'd no doubt learn a great deal from him.
Despite their deeply religious nature, the Miredancers also seem to have an obsession with games of all types. They are particularly fond of the games Nine-Shells and Shells and Stones, as well as sports such as the popular "teeba-hatsei" (also known as "hip and tail ball.") In addition to lovingly explaining their own games, they wanted to know everything I could tell them about the games we play back in Wayrest. I must admit, their enthusiasm was quite infectious! And I found it highly amusing to watch them try to re-create Deceiver's Bones from the vague description I provided.
The Miredancers are also inveterate gamblers, but they often forget to collect their winnings. Unlike the games of men and mer, Miredancer competitions appear to be completely devoid of malice or injured pride. Victory and defeat seem more like afterthoughts than objectives, due in no small part to their phlegmatic disposition. As in most things, their focus is strictly on the moment—the now. It pains me to leave their village, but I still have many more tribes to study. I doubt any of them will be as fascinating or as friendly as the Miredancers.
["the tribe is not currently in the game but in the world of the game"]
Cawfields boasts one of the best-preserved and most scenic stretches of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. The wall at Cawfields stretches across a steeply sloped site and terminates abruptly in high cliffs, where the land has been cut away by quarrying. On this stretch of the Wall is a large milecastle, easily accessed on foot.
Cawfields is one of the best-preserved and easiest to access parts of Hadrian's Wall. Add to this the excellent views from the steep slopes of the site, and you have a very enjoyable historic attraction.
The quarrying that produced the picturesque reservoir below the milecastle may have begun at the time Hadrian's Wall was built, but it was not until 1902 that the Newcastle Granite & Whinstone Company began to quarry Cawfield seriously.
Quarrying continued until 1952 when pressure from groups interested in preserving Hadrian's Wall forced the closure of the site. The deep quarry pit became a reservoir, landscaped to provide a picnic area with access to the Wall.
Svolvær is the centre of municipal administration in the borough of Vågan, which includes the islands of Gimsøy and Austvågøy.
The city is nicely exposed to the sunshine, and the sun itself is only absent for one month a year, from December 6 to January 6.
Svolvær is situated by the sea and is surrounded by beautiful scenic areas and well-known mountain formations like Svolværgeita (the Svolvær Goat), Fløya, Tuva, Blåtind, Kongstinden and Tjeldbergtinden.
Svolvær is the centre of municipal administration in the borough of Vågan, which includes the islands of Gimsøy and Austvågøy.
The city is characterised by seafront promenades, fishermen’s cabins (rorbu), fish landing stations and distinctive mountains. A lot of people are familiar with Svolværgeita crag, which was first climbed in 1910. The pride and sense of victory felt by many after jumping from one of the “goat’s” horns to the other, will often be the memory of a lifetime.
Svolvær is one of the gateways to the Lofoten Islands with its airport and daily calls by the Coastal Voyage vessels and the express passenger boats to Bodø and Narvik. The ferry between Svolvær and Hamarøy (the realm of Knut Hamsun) also offers daily crossings.
The borough of Vågan is one of North Norway’s major centres of art, boasting the largest number of resident artists in the north. The North Norwegian Artists’ Centre is well established in Svolvær, and in Kabelvåg we find the Nordland County Council College of Art.
The engineering industry in Svolvær is among the biggest in North Norway, and Vågan is also one of the country’s major sea farming boroughs.
Festive Coquette (male) - Festive Coquette boast elegant, green cheek tufts which are tipped with white. During courtship these tufts are flared outward and the male bows his head before the female, exposing a patch of pale blue bare skin on his crown.
Wishing everyone a happy St. Patrick's Day and a great week ahead!
Thanks a lot for your visits, comments, faves, invites, etc. Very much appreciated!
© All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated by any means without my written explicit permission, including the use on websites and similar medias. All rights reserved. Please contact me at thelma.gatuzzo@gmail.com if you intend to buy or use any of my images.
My instagram if you like: @thelmag, @thelma_and_cats and @teg_photo_arts
Member of Nature’s Spirit
Good Stewards of Nature