PUBLISHED:

www.tripsavvy.com/venice-in-may-1548151

www.reidsitaly.com/places/venice/plan/getting-to-venice/t...

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The Grand Canal forms one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. Public transport is provided by water buses and private water taxis, and many tourists explore the canal by gondola. It is 3.8 km long, and 30 to 90 m wide, with an average depth of five meters.

The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon.

Because most of the city's traffic goes along the Canal rather than across it, only one bridge crossed the canal until the 19th century, the Rialto Bridge. There are currently three more bridges, the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte dell'Accademia, and the recent, controversial Ponte della Costituzione, designed by Santiago Calatrava, connecting the train station to Piazzale Roma, one of the few places in Venice where buses and cars can enter. As was usual in the past, people can still take a ferry ride across the canal at several points by standing up on the deck of a simple gondola called a traghetto, although this service is less common than even a decade ago.

Most of the palaces emerge from water without pavement. Consequently, one can only tour past the fronts of the buildings on the grand canal by boat.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_(Venice)

Two Cows

Democrat:

You have two cows. Your neighbor has none.

You feel guilty for being successful.

You vote people into office that put a tax on

your cows, forcing you to sell one to raise money

to pay the tax.

The people you voted for then take the tax money,

buy a cow and give it to your neighbor.

You feel righteous.

Barbara Streisand sings for you.

Socialist:

You have two cows. The government takes one and

gives it to your neighbor.

You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.

Republican:

You have two cows. Your neighbor has none.

So?

Communist:

You have two cows. The government seizes both

and provides you with milk.

You wait in line for hours to get it.

It is expensive and sour.

Capitalism, American Style:

You have two cows. You sell one, buy a bull,

and build a herd of cows.

Democracy, American Style:

You have two cows. The government taxes you

to the point you have to sell both to support a

man in a foreign country who has only one cow,

which was a gift from your government.

Bureaucracy, American Style:

You have two cows. The government takes them

both, shoots one, milks the other, pays you

for the milk, and then pours the milk down the drain.

American Corporation:

You have two cows. You sell one, lease it back

to yourself and do an IPO on the second one.

You force the two cows to produce the milk

of four cows. You are surprised when one cow

drops dead. You spin an announcement to the

analysts stating you have downsized and are

reducing expenses.

Your stock goes up.

French Corporation:

You have two cows. You go on strike because you

want three cows.

You go to lunch.

Life is good.

Japanese Corporation:

You have two cows. You redesign them so they are

one-tenth the size of an ordinary

cow and produce twenty times the milk.

They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.

Most are at the top of their class at cow school.

German Corporation:

You have two cows. You engineer them so they

are all blond, drink lots of beer,

give excellent quality milk, and run

a hundred miles an hour.

Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation

per year.

Italian Corporation:

You have two cows but you don't know where they are.

While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.

You break for lunch.

Life is good.

Russian Corporation:

You have two cows. You have some vodka.

You count them and learn you have five cows.

You have some more vodka.

You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.

The Mafia shows up and takes over however many

cows you really have.

Taliban Corporation:

You have all the cows in Afghanistan, which are two.

You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's

private parts. Then you kill them and claim a US bomb blew

them up while they were in the hospital.

Florida Politics:

You have a black cow and a brown cow.

Everyone votes for the best looking one.

Some of the people who like the brown one best,

vote for the black one.

Some people vote for both.

Some people vote for neither.

Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.

Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell

you which is the best-looking one.

Check out Quirky Cow products here!

... It's a mystery to me, the game commences

for the usual fee, plus expenses ..

"The Entertainer" is a single by singer Billy Joel released as the only single from his 1974 album Streetlife Serenade. The song peaked at #34 on the US charts

Tunes

-------------------------

Lyrics

I am the entertainer

And I know just where I stand

Another serenader

And another long-haired band

Today I am your champion

I may have won your hearts

But I know the game, you'll forget my name

And I won't be here in another year

If I don't stay on the charts, oh

I am the entertainer

And I've had to pay my price

The things I did not know at first

I learned by doin' twice

Ah, but still they come to haunt me

Still they want their say

So I've learned to dance with a hand in my pants

Let 'em rub my neck and I write 'em a check

And they go their merry way, oh

I am the entertainer

Been all around the world

I've played all kinds of palaces

And laid all kinds of girls

I can't remember faces

I don't remember names

Ah, but what the hell? You know it's just as well

'Cause after a while and a thousand miles

It all becomes the same

I am the entertainer

I bring to you my songs

I'd like to spend a day or two

I can't stay that long

Naw, I got to meet expenses

I got to stay in line

Gotta get those fees to the agencies

And I'd love to stay but there's bills to pay

So I just don't have the time

I am the entertainer

I come to do my show

You heard my latest record

It's been on the radio

Ah, it took me years to write it

They were the best years of my life

It was a beautiful song but it ran too long

If you're gonna have a hit you gotta make it fit

So they cut it down to 3:05

I am the entertainer

The idol of my age

I make all kinds of money

When I go on the stage

Ah, you've seen me in the papers

I've been in the magazines

But if I go cold I won't get sold

I'll get put in the back in the discount rack

Like another can of beans

I am the entertainer

And I know just where I stand

Another serenader

And another long-haired band

Today I am your champion

I may have won your hearts

But I know the game, you'll forget my name

I won't be here in another year

If I don't stay on the charts

Arctic Thyme, (Thymus praecox arcticus) 'Blóðberg' as it is known in Iceland, can be found across the island as it thrives in sandy and gravelly soil. The pretty purple flowers have long been used to make tea and Blóðberg is considered a staple among Icelandic herbs. It is said to have medicinal properties as well as health benefits such as strengthening the heart and head, cleansing the blood and contributing to menstrual regulation.

An extract from today's Journal:-

This part of Iceland is uninhabited, there is no grazing land for horses or sheep, just vast expenses of lava fields and black sandy soil from eruptions dating back to the last Ice Age. Then when you least expect it, there are fields of wild flowers, fast flowing rivers, waterfalls, or steam rising from the ground. Today we had the opportunity to take a swim in a hot spring, but everybody seemed to have forgotten to pack their swimming costume.

"In the United States, there is no project so audacious for which people cannot be found to guarantee the cost and find the working expenses."

-- Jules Verne.

This apparel store/café as it looks is located in Gion Shirakawa Historic Preserved District. It is one of the Kyoto neighbourhoods where you can feel the authentic atmosphere of the old capital.

I read a news article at least seven years ago saying that Kyoto City was recruiting a business operator who would remodel a certain historic building in Gion District and utilize it in their business. I enlarged the small picture in the article and realized that the building in the subject was a fine restaurant that I had had dinner at before. The building, both exterior and interior, was a typical traditional one in the district - no large windows or feeling of openness on the facade. The owner had closed the restaurant for a reason and donated the property to the city, then they city proposed this plan to let somebody transform the building into something that they wanted for their business while keeping the good parts unique to old buildings in order to revitalize the district as well as to preserve the historic building in return for assisting some remodeling expenses and the rent.

This is *the* renovated building. When I walked past it 6.5 years ago, the exterior was still in the condition of the abandoned restaurant. This evening last year, I was overwhelmed by how it had transformed into another business. This is just one example of a successfully renovated case - there are many cases that the city is involved in across the old capital.

京都・祇園白川保存地区ののアパレル店／カフェ。以前は料亭でしたが市の再生プロジェクトによって生まれ変わったようです。

After a rainy day, the sun is warming up the air above the trees and heavy fog is starting to ascent from the forests of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This is always a great view what I will never get bored of watching. To watch this permanent changing formations of the fog has got the same mediative effect to me like watching a campfire burning or looking at the sea surf. You can forget everything around you and become calm and relaxed. Maybe I should talk to my health insurance, if I can get payed the expenses of my tours as a medical cure.

Nach einem regenreichen Tag beginnt die Sonne die Luft über den Bäumen zu erwärmen und es steigt dichter Nebel aus dem Wäldern des Elbsandsteingebirges empor. Das ist immer wieder ein toller Anblick der mich nie langweilen wird. Die sich permanent veränderten Formen des Nebels zu beobachten hat auf mich die gleiche meditative Wirkung wie die Beobachtung eines Lagerfeuers oder der Blick auf die Meeresbrandung. Du vergisst alles um Dich herum und wirst ruhig und entspannt. Vielleicht sollte ich mal bei der Krankenkasse anfragen, ob ich die Kosten meiner Touren als Kur abrechnen kann.

more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de

Another night shot from this year's harvest. We finished this year's harvest yesterday right before a big change in the weather- Yesterday's high of 75° was replaced today by a high of only 35°. But it's the midwest so anything goes when it comes to the weather! Yields ended being better than last year and some of the best we have had. But we need it,expenses are basically double or more than what they were just 2 years ago!

travelling towards Vatnajoekull National Park one encounters large fluvial planes with plenty of little bodies of water flowing from the many mountain ranges of South Iceland towards the Atlantic. But on a chilly winter day like this one those rivers obviously turn into expenses of ice ...

National Geographic | BR-Creative | chbustos.com

I do not know what is special at this restaurant, but obviously it achieved some status on 'Instathingy' and is popular until new thing comes along. Pandemic hardened Torontonians to stand in line-ups in cold, rain, heat and sun for everything. Most people are sheep. I grew up with queues for everything, so I avoid it, when I can. The trendiest places have no name (less expenses, when they close in few months), but I did found out that this place is 'Sansotei Ramen'.

848. TMR Toronto 2021-Oct 09, P1440588. Uploaded 2021-Nov 01. Lmx -ZS25.

The history of this place is something I don't know. Thats why I don't know what fights were lost here, to enforce the abandoning of this farm near the town Melides.

It could have been a lack of income, to high expenses or just the missing successor.

What ever it was, this place has lost a lot. At first it's destiny and than the fight against wind, weather and weathering (the left roof has also lost the fight against gravitation). Right now it's looking like the fight against the plant world seems also to be decided.

What it did not loose yet (seem to have lost), is it's soul. I still can feel it. I felt it when I was standing there on that hot and dusty road and I feel it now.

Die Geschichte dieses Ortes ist mir unbekannt. Darum weiß ich auch nicht, welche Kämpfe hier verloren wurden um die Aufgabe dieser Farm in der Nähe von Melides zu erzwingen.

Es könnten mangelnde Einnahmen, zu hohe Kosten oder auch nur der fehlende Nachfolger gewesen sein.

Ganz gleich was es war, der Ort hat viel verloren. Zuerst seine Bestimmung und dann den Kampf gegen Wind, Wetter und Verwitterung (das linke Dach auch noch den Kampf gegen die Gravitation). Im Moment sieht es so aus, als wäre der Kampf gegen die Pflanzenwelt auch schon entschieden.

Was er nicht verloren hat, zu haben scheint, ist seine Seele. Ich kann sie noch fühlen. Ich habe sie gefühlt als ich dort auf dieser heißen und staubigen Strasse stand und ich fühle sie jetzt.

more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.dei

The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Amongst the many are the Palazzi Barbaro, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' d'Oro, Palazzo Dario, Ca' Foscari, Palazzo Barbarigo and to Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, housing the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The churches along the canal include the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta , are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

Because most of the city's traffic goes along the Canal rather than across it, only one bridge crossed the canal until the 19th century, the Rialto Bridge. There are currently three more bridges, the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte dell'Accademia, and the controversial Ponte della Costituzione from 2008, designed by Santiago Calatrava, connecting the train station to Piazzale Roma, one of the few places in Venice where buses and cars can enter. As was usual in the past, people can still take a ferry ride across the canal at several points by standing up on the deck of a simple gondola called a traghetto, although this service is less common than even a decade ago

Most of the palaces emerge from water without pavement. Consequently, one can only tour past the fronts of the buildings on the grand canal by boat.

The Grand Canal probably follows the course of an ancient river (possibly a branch of the Brenta) flowing into the lagoon. Adriatic Veneti groups already lived beside the formerly-named "Rio Businiacus" before the Roman age. They lived in stilt houses and relied on fishing and commerce (mainly salt). Under the rule of the Roman empire and later of the Byzantine empire the lagoon became populated and important, and in the early 9th century the doge moved his seat from Malamocco to the safer "Rivoaltus".

Increasing trade followed the doge and found in the deep Grand Canal a safe and ship accessible canal-port. Drainage reveals that the city became more compact over time: at that time the Canal was wider and flowed between small, tide-subjected islands connected by wooden bridges.

We also have 2 donkeys who live in our neighborhood park. The neighborhood shares the expenses of their "room and board", in a small field that abuts the park. They are very glad to interact with people who walk up to their fence. Volunteers take them for walks in the park.

Zoom time!The 1899 Bayard- Condict Building at 65 Bleecker St in the downtown NoHo (an acronym for Canal St North of Houston) neighborhood of lower Manhattan.The building was designed by American architect Louis Sullivan"who was called "the father of the modern skyscraper".Sullivan was also a mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright.This was Sullivan's only NY building,most of his work was done in Chicago where he also died penniless.Frank Lloyd Wright paid for his funeral expenses.There are some really great and complex carved details on this building.I don't want to tell you where they are,but there are some winged angels on the building,also.Don't wanna spoil it for you.If you find them,you'll enjoy the architecture more than if I told you where they are.Have fun looking. daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2010/07/louis-sullivans-18...

December 25 2022 and despite snow has fallen every where and then coverd in a layer of ice and then is melting away almost as quickly as it arrived... the robins were frolicking in and out of this holly tree and as I watched them flit in and out of the branches so quickly I didn't expect to be able to capture one so delicately perched among the prickles, and I was in my camera's full zoom lens... I thought this was a perfect Holiday photo to share for all that are struggling through either natural winter storm disasters or personal disasters... there is hope for a peaceful and regenerative solution...

(Gofund.me/54C633A4 to help with moving and expenses during chemo treatment therapy and sideffects, surgery and radiation treatments)

04-May-2022: about turism: my perplexities towards a future with more and more bans and more and more over-taxes.

Lake Bohinj and the much more famous Lake Bled are close (less than 20 km) but the second has a mass tourism now rooted, while the first is expanding its tourist reception in recent years, coming out (unfortunately) from the shadow of Bled, that was a lightning rod for peaceful and symbiotic nature lovers.

I am totally against mass tourism because it transforms a relaxing resort into an area where it is difficult even to access it.

Around Lake Bled, even at a certain distance, there are only paid parking lots, which come to cost 6 euros per hour (about the most decentralized and in May...) that, certainly, leave perplexed about the "tourist selection" that "they" would like to implement (high-end tourism) and, in general, certainly drive away the tourist in search of nature and not restaurants, bars, concrete lake-front and crowd baths.

The naturalist tourist should not feel like a tourist in Nature, which is a single great asset of humanity and that only administratively is divided between various Countries, while in Bled, as in Rimini or Cortina d'Ampezzo, they make you feel not only tourist, but also guest, sometimes unwanted if you spend little.

As tourism increases, so do the bans, because unfortunately mass tourism includes many people who don't know anything about Nature and generally only go to very touristy places to make themselves of...people, sowing dirt and ignorance wherever they move.

The imposition of prohibitions/bans to limit the "damage from mass tourism" affects everyone indiscriminately, including locals and naturalists who have always had a symbiotic relationship with these places, thus making them become inhospitable, at least to those seeking pure contact with nature itself.

Of course this happens all over the world, but it should be condemned.

We already pay State taxes for the maintenance of the slice of Nature that falls within our administration, tourist surcharges, exploiting market laws that should be verified and contained, are for the most part unconstitutional, as well as several prohibitions that deprive access and use of public property.

With the money that the tourist municipalities pocket they could very well implement a targeted prevention (controls by foresters, cameras, ad hoc fences for areas subject to micro-pollution...) rather than closing everything and then de-empowering themself on the maintenance of roads and areas (more and more numerous), thus going to save further, starting from the basic taxes that we pay to also have access to given areas.

I can understand that you tax parking at high altitude to maintain the roads, but the amount of the payment should be directly proportional to the expenses that must be incurred to ensure accessibility, not by putting prices at random and with increases of 200% from one year to the next.

I have always appreciated the fact that Slovenia, thanks also that it is not densely inhabited and has a modest tourism (except precisely Bled, Postojna Caves and the Coast), guarantees a wide accessibility and use of its territories and I hope it can continue, limiting the prohibitions and parking lots everywhere.

Just found the 1981 sales receipt for the purchase of the camera I went on to use as a freelance wedding photographer throughout the 1980's.

London Camera Exchange 29/12/1981

C33 body (used) £79

C330 Lens (new) £60

1980's Freelance payment per wedding £22 - Shoot Wedding (hand in rolls after) (no expenses paid!)

(Hydrornis soror)

Cat Tien

Vietnam

It took me some time to identify and organize the 82 species from 28821 photos (meanwhile reduced to 21231) from our 2 weeks trip to Vietnam.

Now I am going to select and show here at least one photo for species, but I guess some species won't be showed because lack of quality. Let see if I have minimal quality photos to exhibit here at least 70 species.

Compared to other destinations we have already visited, 82 species may not seem very much to you, however this time we prioritized close range photos at expenses of the number of species. For that we used a total of 9 hides in 5 different habitats.

The use of hides allowed us to obtain high detail photos. However, as is well known, in tropical forests the lack of light forces us to use very low shutter speeds and very high ISOs.

I even had to use frequently ISO 12800 and a shutter speed of 1/10s. Sometimes we didn't even have enough light to allow camera auto-focus. For me the solution I found was zoom out, focus and then zoom in again.

I wanted to start with the Pittas because, a few years ago, when I saw a photo Bar-bellied Pitta for the first time, that beauty left me amazed and put Vietnam on our wish list.

Sargans Castle is a castle in the municipality of Sargans of the Canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The castle was the seat of the counts of Werdenberg-Sargans in the 13th century. Since 1899, it has been run by the local church and now houses the Sarganserland museum.

Beginning in 982 the Sargans region was part of the lands of the Counts of Bregenz. In 1160, the male line of the Counts of Bregenz died out. Count palatine Hugo of Türbingen inherited most of their lands, through his wife Elisabeth.

His son, Hugo, inherited the Bregenz lands around Lake Constance, including Sargans. This Hugo, who adopted the name Montfort und Werdenberg built or expanded Sargans Castle before his death in 1228. Excavations around the oldest part of the castle show that there was an earlier fort or castle, but nothing is known about that building. Hugo built the large bergfried, expanded the walls to the west and may have built a palas on that side of the castle.

In the mid-13th century the Montfort und Werdenberg lands were divided between Hugo of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg and his brother Hartmann of Werdenberg-Sargans. Hartmann took up residence in the castle and probably expanded the palas. The castle was first mentioned in 1282. Over the following century the wealth and lands of the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans were divided over and over again between descendants. By the last 14th century, Count Johann I ruled over a small and poor county under the Habsburgs. In the Battle of Näfels in 1388, the count commanded a wing of the Austrian army that was supposed to cross the Kerenzerberg Pass. However, when he saw the threatened destruction of the main Austrian army, he fled back over the pass. The cost of the war, as well as other expenses forced Johann I to sell the castle and village to Leopold of Austria.

These two White Crane brand sake beers came as part of a fund raising event by the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) named Keep the Lanterns Lit. Established after WWII largely by Canadians of Japanese descent it formed a centre for sharing Japanese culture, education, and social services. Its present building was funded primarily by a long term loan steadily repaid with discipline and reduced to a small manageable amount in 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has deprived the Centre of its usual sources of revenue through rentals and events without materially off setting its expenses. So the JCCC is once again in debt. The Keep the Lanterns Lit event sold 450 dinners delivered to donors' homes by the directors and volunteers. I thoroughly enjoyed the sushi, mochi dinner but since I don't drink the White Crane sake beer is left for photography. Merry Christmas to you.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDTp_YQizqE Sakura

Lots of different good jobs, and I chosen this..... sighs !

Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Columbo..... it was so easy for them.....

Dire Straits - Private Investigations

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9K27HvhDxA

It's a mystery to me, the game commences

For the usual fee, plus expenses

Confidential information, it's a diary

This is my investigation, it's not a public inquiry

I go checking out the reports, digging up the dirt

You get to meet all sorts in this line of work

Treachery and treason, there's always an excuse for it

And when I find the reason I still can't get used to it

And what have you got at the end of the day?

What have you got to take away?

A bottle of whiskey and a new set of lies

Blinds on the window and a pain behind the eyes

Scarred for life, no compensation

Private investigations

Studiwork by Stella and Gustaf.

The quarry hospital was built in 1860.

It was mostly maintained by the mens own contributions to a sick club.

The club provided free medical care a weekly

payment due to absence from work

through sickness or injury, a small payment on retirement and burial expenses.

It was one of the first buildings to have hot and cold water and electricity.

It closed in 1962 and was later restored by Gwynedd Council re-opening as a Visitor centre in 1979.

Two boats again, this time with The Dinorwic slate quarry hospital in the background.

The hospital was built in 1860 and was largely maintained by the men's own contributions to a Sick Club. The club provided free medical care, a weekly payment during absence from work through sickness or injury, a small payment on retirement and burial expenses. It was one of the first buildings in the area to have hot and cold running water and electricity. General surgery continued here until the 1940's when the hospital was downgraded to a first aid centre. It closed in 1962 and was later restored by Gwynedd County Council, reopening as a visitor centre in 1979. Apart from the quarry doctor, the staff lived on the premises. The hospital had one of the earliest x-ray machines in North Wales. In the Post Mortem room, which was situated in the basement, the table was made from a polished slate slab, complete with channels and drainage holes. The Hospital is situated a few hundred yards from the Welsh Slate Museum overlooking Llyn Padarn and admission is free.

DB Cargo 193 366 "I am Einziganders." goes with an aluminium oxide train, from Žiar nad Hronom (SK) to Rotterdam (NL) at 2022.08.12. Due to high expenses, Slovalco stopped the production in August, along with that, this train service also ended. The last train departed from Rotterdam at August 23. On the picture, the train passing near Valburg (NL).

No traffic jams on the roads!

No fuel expenses!

Sargans Castle is a castle in the municipality of Sargans of the Canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The castle was the seat of the counts of Werdenberg-Sargans in the 13th century. Since 1899, it has been run by the local church and now houses the Sarganserland museum.

Beginning in 982 the Sargans region was part of the lands of the Counts of Bregenz. In 1160, the male line of the Counts of Bregenz died out. Count palatine Hugo of Türbingen inherited most of their lands, through his wife Elisabeth.

His son, Hugo, inherited the Bregenz lands around Lake Constance, including Sargans. This Hugo, who adopted the name Montfort und Werdenberg built or expanded Sargans Castle before his death in 1228. Excavations around the oldest part of the castle show that there was an earlier fort or castle, but nothing is known about that building. Hugo built the large bergfried, expanded the walls to the west and may have built a palas on that side of the castle.

In the mid-13th century the Montfort und Werdenberg lands were divided between Hugo of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg and his brother Hartmann of Werdenberg-Sargans. Hartmann took up residence in the castle and probably expanded the palas. The castle was first mentioned in 1282. Over the following century the wealth and lands of the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans were divided over and over again between descendants. By the last 14th century, Count Johann I ruled over a small and poor county under the Habsburgs. In the Battle of Näfels in 1388, the count commanded a wing of the Austrian army that was supposed to cross the Kerenzerberg Pass. However, when he saw the threatened destruction of the main Austrian army, he fled back over the pass. The cost of the war, as well as other expenses forced Johann I to sell the castle and village to Leopold of Austria.

.

Canon A560

© All rights reserved.

Private Investigations

It's a mystery to me

The game commences

For the usual fee

Plus expenses

Confidential information

It's in a diary

This is my investigation

It's not a public inquiry

I go checking out the report

Digging up the dirt

You get to meet all sorts

In this line of work

Treachery and treason

There's always an excuse for it

And when I find the reason

I still can't get used to it

And what have you got at the end of the day ?

What have you got to take away ?

A bottle of whisky and a new set of lies

blinds on the window and a pain behind the eyes

Scarred for life

No compensation

Private investigations

(Tangara seledon)

Trilha dos Tucanos

Tapiraí

Brasil

To be honest I can't say it was my intention to photograph the rainbows in movement. In fact what I was trying to achieve was sharp photos with low ISOs at expenses of very low shutter speed. I knew, by antecipation, that I will end up with a very high rate of blurred photos and, with lucky, some sharp photos.

After several sessions of several hours I got some results like this one. I hope you enjoy it as much as myself.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL - W109 - "ROTE SAU".- NACHBAU

Fahrzeugbeschreibung

MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SEL 450 - W109 - 184 kW (250 PS)

Dieser wunderschöne 300 SEL wurde im Juni 1970 in Deutschland ausgeliefert.

Der Wagen (übrigens damals die schnellste Serienlimousine Europas) hatte dann

im Anschluss noch 2 weitere deutsche Besitzer, bevor er mit extremen

Aufwand von einem deutschen Sammler zur Rennversion "Rote Sau“ umgebaut wurde.

Der Wagen befindet sich nach dem ausgesprochenen authentischen

und gelungenen Umbau auf Neuwagen-Niveau.

Jedes selbst noch so kleine Detail wurde vom original Fahrzeug übernommen.

So wurde neben der Optik auch die Technik größtenteils dem original angepasst.

Der Innenraum wurde abgeändert, Fahrwerk und Felgen geändert sowie Auspuffanlage,

Motor und Luftansaugung oplimiert: Die "Role Sau“ war übrigens das

erste von AMG vom Serienstand zum Rennwagen verwandelte

Fahrzeug und ist bis heute eine Motorsport-Ikone!

Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL - W109 - "red sow" .- replica

vehicle description

Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 450 - W109 - 184 kW (250 hp)

This beautiful 300 SEL was delivered in June 1970 in Germany.

The car (by the way then the fastest serial sedan of Europe) then

Following 2 more German owners before he with extreme

Expenses from a German collector to the racing version "Red Sau" was rebuilt.

The car is located on the pronounced authentic

and successful conversion to new car level.

Each even small detail was taken over by the original vehicle.

Thus, in addition to the optics, the technology was largely adapted to the original.

The interior was changed, chassis and rims changed and exhaust system,

Motor and air intake succeed: The "Role Sau" was the same

First of AMG from series standing to the race car turned

Vehicle and is still a motorsport icon today!

Italia, Veneto, Venezia, Primavera 2018

Venezia è una città nel nord-est dell'Italia, situata nella laguna veneziana. Si trova su un gruppo di 118 piccole isole separate da canali e collegate da circa 400 ponti. Venezia è rinomata per la bellezza, l'architettura e le opere d'arte ed è elencata come patrimonio mondiale dell'UNESCO. Il Canal Grande è il principale canale della città. Le sponde del Canal Grande sono fiancheggiate da oltre 170 edifici, la maggior parte dei quali risalgono al peeriodo dal 13 ° al 18 ° secolo, e sono una dimostrazione del benessere e l'arte creati dalla Repubblica di Venezia. Le nobili famiglie veneziane dovettero affrontare enormi spese per mostrare la loro ricchezza attraverso queste costruzioni; questa competizione rivela l'orgoglio dei cittadini e il profondo legame con la laguna. Tradizioni centenarie, come la Regata Storica, si perpetuano ogni anno lungo il Canale.

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, located in the shallow Venetian Lagoon. It is situated across a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by about 400 bridges. Venice is renowned for the beauty, architecture and artwork and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta, are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

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Urban Fantasy Trees by *Thus Magic*

*Thus Magic* ~ Five (5) Urban, Sci-fi, Steampunk Trees

Five unique MESH, urban fantasy trees -

..... for steampunk environment,

..................................... biker store or parcel,

------------------------------------------- sci fi role-play area,

......................................underground club,

------------ dark street,

urban sim,

...............dirty alley,

------- garage,

........................................city.

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{Assignment 78 - Nursery Rhyme - "Saturday's child works hard for his living"}

After the big crisis hit my country and capital controls were imposed, none of us can buy any lindens on sl, even if we could afford to. Therefore, the only two ways I can pay tiers for my family sim (Oniro) and cover family expenses (parties, contest awards, etc.) is by working on sl, making trees, making sims, planning weddings etc. plus the occasional donations.

My friend is a pilot for Southwest Airlines. He called me up one night and asked me if I'd like to go to Dallas, Tx and fly in a 737-700 flight simulator??

Well, how, but, hey, hmm. He laughed and said he'd fly over and get me and take me down from Seattle to Dallas, all expenses paid!

Well, talk about a fun day. Left the house in the morning and were flying the 737-700 SIM that night..

These SIM's are truly amazing. You forget very quickly that you are in a SIM.. From the moment the 'tug' pushes you back from the gate, it's on!

I was also surprised at how stream lined these birds are in the air. After they take off and get to cruise, they use very little throttle to keep them cruising..

Great times..

Fun Fact, each and every Southwest SIM has a rubber chicken hanging on them.

You can see them in this album. www.flickr.com/photos/cordan/albums/72157620779535905

Sargans Castle is a castle in the municipality of Sargans of the Canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The castle was the seat of the counts of Werdenberg-Sargans in the 13th century. Since 1899, it has been run by the local church and now houses the Sarganserland museum.

Beginning in 982 the Sargans region was part of the lands of the Counts of Bregenz. In 1160, the male line of the Counts of Bregenz died out. Count palatine Hugo of Türbingen inherited most of their lands, through his wife Elisabeth.

His son, Hugo, inherited the Bregenz lands around Lake Constance, including Sargans. This Hugo, who adopted the name Montfort und Werdenberg built or expanded Sargans Castle before his death in 1228. Excavations around the oldest part of the castle show that there was an earlier fort or castle, but nothing is known about that building. Hugo built the large bergfried, expanded the walls to the west and may have built a palas on that side of the castle.

In the mid-13th century the Montfort und Werdenberg lands were divided between Hugo of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg and his brother Hartmann of Werdenberg-Sargans. Hartmann took up residence in the castle and probably expanded the palas. The castle was first mentioned in 1282. Over the following century the wealth and lands of the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans were divided over and over again between descendants. By the last 14th century, Count Johann I ruled over a small and poor county under the Habsburgs. In the Battle of Näfels in 1388, the count commanded a wing of the Austrian army that was supposed to cross the Kerenzerberg Pass. However, when he saw the threatened destruction of the main Austrian army, he fled back over the pass. The cost of the war, as well as other expenses forced Johann I to sell the castle and village to Leopold of Austria.

NECKLACE: Eternity: Mother and Son {for Roxi}~ 100% Donation ~ at Nymphai

copying Duchess’ words, from her blog :

Last weekend we were hit with the devastating news that our beloved Roxi Firanelli lost her son during the night.

Sadness enveloped our little world as the news spread throughout the Ippos family. Luminaries that you can light and send off into the sky have been set up on the dock at Nymphai to help Roxi with funeral expenses. A wonderful creator also designed this delicate mesh Eternity necklace in remembrance of Jeffery, beautifully titled “Eternity: Mother & Son.” The necklace can also be found on the dock near the Luminary Lanterns and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Roxi......

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nymphai/148/101/23

Inle Lake Fishermen Silhouette - Myanmar

Be the first to kick start your generous support and fund my production with more amazing images!

Currently, I'm running a crowd funding activity to initiate my personal 2016 Flickr's Project. Here, I sincerely request each and every kind hearted souls to pay some effort and attention.

No limitation, Any Amount and your encouraging comments are welcome.

Crowd funding contribution can be simply direct to my PayPal account if you really appreciate and wish my forthcoming photography project to come alive.

Please PayPal your wish amount to : men4r@yahoo.com

Email me or public comments below your contribution amount for good records with your comments and at final day, at random, I shall sent out my well taken care canon 6D with full box n accessory during random draw to one thankful contributor as my token of appreciation.

Now, I cordially invite and look forward with eagerness a strong pool of unity zealous participants in this fundermental ideology yet sustainable crowd fund raising task.

Basically, the substantial gather amount is achievable with pure passion n love heart in photography and not necessary be filty rich nor famous to help me accomplish raising my long yearning photography career, a sucking heavy expense that been schedules down my photography making journey had inevitably, some circumstances had badly fall short behind racing with time and inability to fulfill as quickly in near future consolidating good fund .

Honestly, with aspiration and hope, I appeal to urge on this media for a strong humanity mandate through good faith of sharing and giving generously on this particular crowd funding excercise to achieve my desire n is not just purely a dread dream , is also flickers first starter own crowds funding strength turning impossible into reality through this pratical raising method that I confidently trust it will turn fruitful from all your small effort participation, every single persistency will result consolidating piling up every little tiny bricks into an ultimate huge strong living castle.

In reality, I have trust and never look down on every single peny efforts that been contributed as helpful means, turning unrealistic dream alive is the goal in crowd funding excercise, No reason any single amount is regard to be too small when the strength of all individual wish gather to fulfill my little desire to make exist and keep alive. .

I sincerely look forward each and every participants who think alike crowds funding methodlogy works here no matter who come forwards with regardless any capital amount input be big or small , please help gather and pool raise my objective target amount as close to USD$10K or either acquisition from any donated item listed below:

1- ideally a high mega pixel Canon 5DS ( can be either new or use ok)

2- Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS lens ( can be either new or use ok)

Last but not least, a photography journey of life time for a trip to explore South Island of New Zealand and Africa.

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My intended schedule may estimate about 1 month round trip self drive traveling down scenic Southern Island of New Zealand for completing the most captivating landscape photography and wander into the big five, the wilderness of untamed Africa nature for my project 2016 before my physical body stamina eventually drain off.

During the course, I also welcome sponsor's to provide daily lodging/accommodation, car rental/transportation, Fox Glacier helicopter ride and other logistic funding expenses, provide photographic camera equipments or related accessories .

Kindly forward all sponsors request terms of condition n collaboration details for discussion soon.

Great Ocean Drive- the 12 Apostle's

Please Click Auto Slide show for ultimate viewing pleasure in Super Large Display .to enjoy my photostream . ..

Due to copyright issue, I cannot afford to offer any free image request. Pls kindly consult my sole permission to purchase n use any of my images.You can email me at : men4r@yahoo.com.

Don't use this image on Websites/Blog or any other media

without my explicit permission.

For Business, You can find me here at linkedin..

Follow me on www.facebook.com here

Italia, Veneto, Venezia, Primavera 2018

Venezia è una città nel nord-est dell'Italia, situata nella laguna veneziana. Si trova su un gruppo di 118 piccole isole separate da canali e collegate da circa 400 ponti. Venezia è rinomata per la bellezza, l'architettura e le opere d'arte ed è elencata come patrimonio mondiale dell'UNESCO. Il Canal Grande è il principale canale della città. Le sponde del Canal Grande sono fiancheggiate da oltre 170 edifici, la maggior parte dei quali risalgono al peeriodo dal 13 ° al 18 ° secolo, e sono una dimostrazione del benessere e l'arte creati dalla Repubblica di Venezia. Le nobili famiglie veneziane dovettero affrontare enormi spese per mostrare la loro ricchezza attraverso queste costruzioni; questa competizione rivela l'orgoglio dei cittadini e il profondo legame con la laguna. Tradizioni centenarie, come la Regata Storica, si perpetuano ogni anno lungo il Canale.

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, located in the shallow Venetian Lagoon. It is situated across a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by about 400 bridges. Venice is renowned for the beauty, architecture and artwork and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta, are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

Fontana Pretoria, "Fontana della Vergogna", "Fountain of Shame"

it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_Pretoria

The Pretoria fountain was built in 1554 by Francesco Camilliani in Florence. Initially located in the garden of the Florentine palace of the brother of the Grand Duchess Eleonora of Toledo, in 1581 it was sold to the Senate of Palermo and moved to Piazza Pretoria in Palermo. Giorgio Vasari defined it "a wonderful fountain that has no equal in Florence or perhaps in Italy".

It is popularly known as a "fountain of shame" because of the disproportionate sums paid to buy it, the continuous increase in costs and the continuous increase in the infinite incidental expenses, figures considered "shameful" by Palermo. Perhaps also because it stages so many characters "shamefully" beautiful and naked.

Long tail boat on Poda island beach with the famous Ko Ma Tang Ming rock, in the Andaman Sea, off Ao Nang beach, province of krabi, Thailand

Thailand offers beautiful natural resources, affordable accommodation and travel expenses, hospitable people, a warm and tropical weather almost all year round, and an abundance of tourist activities that go beyond its extraordinary beaches.

With the vampire dispatched and the village back to normal again , the Town Council were over the moon and awarded our heroes with a decent sized bag of coin and an all expenses paid week at up market Netherwood. Aqualung tried his hand at fishing, while Mary practised busting out her dance moves all day in her new dress.

As a bonus the Council while not being able to offer them the manor house which Aqualung had tried to pass off as his own having swiped the deeds, (along with a sizeable stash of vampire shinies) did offer a property that they had in a quaint village 20 miles away ….. Called PENDLE HILL ! ...Check back another time ...I think our heroes adventures, while over for now may not be at an end.

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There's somethin' wrong with the world today

I don't know what it is

Something's wrong with our eyes

We're seein' things in a different way

And God knows it ain't his

It sure ain't no surprise

Livin' on the edge

Livin' on the edge

Livin' on the edge

Livin' on the edge

There's somethin' wrong with the world today

The light bulb's gettin dim

There's meltdown in the sky

If you can judge a wise man

By the color of his skin

Then mister you're a better man than I

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself at all

Livin' on the edge

You can't stop yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge (everybody, everybody)

Tell me what you think about your situation

Complication, aggravation is getting to you

If chicken little tells you that the sky is fallin'

Even if it wasn't would you still come crawlin'

Back again

I bet you would my friend

Again and again and again and again and again

Tell me what you think about your situation

Complication, aggravation is getting to you

If chicken little tells you that the sky is fallin'

Even if it was would you still come crawlin'

Back again

I bet you would my friend

Again and again and again and again and again

Something right with the world today

And everybody knows it's wrong

But we can tell 'em no or we could let it go

But I'd would rather be a hanging on

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself at all

Livin' on the edge

You can't stop yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge (everybody, everybody)

Livin' on the edge

Livin' on the edge

Livin' on the edge

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself at all

Livin' on the edge

You can't stop yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself

You can't help yourself

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself at all

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself

You can't help yourself

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself

You can't help yourself

Livin' on the edge

You can't help yourself from fallin'

Livin' on the edge, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Aerosmith ~ Living On The Edge 1993 www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nqcL0mjMjw

With Thanks to all who helped with this Series

Harley Stormborn

Jay Stormborn + His Crow

Nick Redcreek

Razer The Horse

Taken at: Netherwood Sim: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Netherfeild/109/150/26

But with grateful thanks to Arranmore where most of the series was taken : maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aridia/97/79/23

This is me salvaging time/expenses. A few minutes earlier I was on this road expecting the sun to set directly over the road. From shots taken in earlier years I had roughly calculated this event thinking the axis motion was a constant progression. It is not; then recalling there are other forces at play.

Stay safe! Healthy and wealthy :)

Do check out youtube.nitin.site

Aunque la catedral de la Almudena se construyó en época reciente —de finales del siglo XIX a fines del XX—, la forma de financiar las obras no se diferenció mucho del modus operandi de las catedrales medievales. Fueron los madrileños, a título particular, los que sufragaron los gastos. Algunas familias adineradas realizaron importantes donaciones a cambio del privilegio de ser enterrados en la cripta. Se calcula que entre panteones, tumbas de suelo y columbarios hay aquí unos mil enterramientos.

La cripta de la Almudena, la mayor cripta catedralicia de España, fue lo primero que se construyó. Las obras comenzaron en 1883, a cargo del arquitecto Francisco de Cubas. De estilo neorrománico, fue realizada en piedra caliza blanca de Portugal. La planta es de cruz latina, con girola, y cuenta con cinco naves rodeadas de dieciocho capillas. Lo más espectacular del recinto son las más de cuatrocientas columnas con capiteles diferenciados.

En 1911, al terminarse la cripta, se instaló en ella la imagen de la Virgen de la Almudena, procedente de la antigua parroquia de mismo nombre, derribada en 1868.

Although the Almudena Cathedral was built recently - from the end of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century - the way of financing the works did not differ much from the modus operandi of medieval cathedrals. It was the people of Madrid, in their private capacity, who covered the expenses. Some wealthy families made significant donations in exchange for the privilege of being buried in the crypt. It is estimated that between pantheons, floor tombs and columbariums there are about a thousand burials here.

The Almudena crypt, the largest cathedral crypt in Spain, was the first to be built. The works began in 1883, under the direction of the architect Francisco de Cubas. Neo-Romanesque style, it was made of white limestone from Portugal. The plan is a Latin cross, with an ambulatory, and has five naves surrounded by eighteen chapels. The most spectacular thing about the site are the more than four hundred columns with different capitals.

In 1911, when the crypt was completed, the image of the Virgin of Almudena was installed there, coming from the old parish of the same name, demolished in 1868.

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Italy, Veneto, Venice, Spring 2024

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, located in the shallow Venetian Lagoon. It is situated across a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by about 400 bridges. Venice is renowned for the beauty, architecture and artwork and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta, are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

Early Morning, high fog image of the previous evening shot, this time of the whole car. The remarkable1934 Hispano Suiza J-12 Coupe de Ville was designed by 'Dutch' Darrin of later fame in the US (Darrin Packards & the unique Kaiser Darrin) of Fernandez et Darrin for Anthony Gustav de Rothchild of the British Banking arm of that amazing family. Interesting combination of extreme privacy, in a very public display of mid-depression open 'look at me' conspicuous wealth, and in fact NO expenses were spared on this huge example of rolling art. When you don't want to actually see the Hoi Paloi, as you are transported to the opera.....

Hispano-Suiza (Spanish for 'Spanish-Swiss') is a Spanish automotive–engineering company. It was founded in 1904 as an automobile manufacturer and eventually had several factories in Spain and France that produced luxury cars, aircraft engines, trucks and weapons. In 1898, a Spanish artillery captain, Emilio de la Cuadra, started electric automobile production in Barcelona under the name of La Cuadra. In Paris, Emilio de la Cuadra met the Swiss engineer Marc Birkigt and hired him to work for the company in Spain, thus the name Spanish-Swiss. Birkigt proved to be an engineering genius, and Hispano-Suizas were known for their advanced, reliable and powerful engines clear through both world wars, both in Cars, Trucks and Planes.

France was soon proving to be a larger market for Hispano-Suiza's luxury cars than Spain. In 1911, an assembly factory called Hispano France began operating in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret. Production was moved to larger factories at Bois-Colombes, under the name Hispano-Suiza in 1914 and soon became Hispano-Suiza's main plant for producing the largest, most costly models. It is ironic that the costliest, most luxurious French car......was named Spanish-Swiss.

AS ALWAYS....COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!

Italy, Veneto, Venice

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, located in the shallow Venetian Lagoon. It is situated across a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by about 400 bridges. Venice is renowned for the beauty, architecture and artwork and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city. The banks of the Grand Canal are lined with more than 170 buildings, most of which date from the 13th to the 18th century, and demonstrate the welfare and art created by the Republic of Venice. The noble Venetian families faced huge expenses to show off their richness in suitable palazzos; this contest reveals the citizens’ pride and the deep bond with the lagoon. Centuries-old traditions, such as the Historical Regatta, are perpetuated every year along the Canal.

If you want you can listen in the background while you read.

Alexander Kendrick King Season 1 Episode 5:

Alexander Kendrick King and His Tragic Past

My name is Alexander Kendrick King, I used to have a great life, family and a job. I had a happy life with my wife and two children. But this happiness did not last forever.

One day my boss fired me due to living conditions. At the same time, they fired my wife. I was working at the same place with my wife. Our children had school expenses, there were household expenses. We were going through a difficult time. We found temporary jobs, but they didn't last long and it wasn't enough for us. So I did something I've never done in my life, borrowed money from a loan shark. A large amount of debt. I told him I would pay him. But I could never pay.

My debt has accumulated. Finally the loan shark and his men came to our house to kill me. I told myself "it's over". I closed my eyes and was ready to embrace death. But then several shots were fired. But nothing happened to me. I opened my eyes... The loan shark and his men were lying lifeless on the ground. I was surprised what happened. Then I realized that my wife was standing with a gun in her hand and she was very worried. She dropped the gun on the ground and began to cry. That day, our children were at home in their rooms. But when they heard the sounds, they went down the stairs and what they saw was terrible and they started screaming.

I was trying to get them back to their rooms quickly and calm them down. I managed to get them to their room and locked the room until things calmed down. Although I don't like doing this but I was not have other choice. I wanted to go to my wife quickly, I heard another gunshot as I was coming down the stairs... It was the worst day of my life. I wanted to run away, I wanted to get away. But I had children. My children are the only heirlooms from my wife. But someones took them from me too, they took them because my financial situation was not good. Everything was my fault, I couldn't look at their face again anyway. Before someones come to my house and takes them away they were looking at me accusingly every day. When they found out that they had to leave my side, they seemed so happy to get rid of me.

I was alone anymore. All I wanted was to just run away. I was sure that my children would be happy without me. Already they were with reliable people. I wanted a new beggining, but it was impossible because I was broke. A plan came to my mind, I went to the secret place of the deceased Loan Shark. that place was empty now, and I took all his money. I bought myself a car. I completed my preparations and decided to go to the Voroznia. A friend of mine once mentioned that place and said it was a quiet and peaceful place. I never forgot that name either and finally decided to go to the Voroznia

Η περιοχή του Καλπακίου βρίσκεται 35 χλμ. περίπου ΒΔ της πόλης των Ιωαννίνων στα δυτικά του Όρους Μιτσικέλι και σε υψόμετρο 430μ. Σε πολύ κοντινή απόσταση από το Μουσείο Πολέμου 1940-41 βρίσκεται η σπηλιά στην οποία το 1940 ήταν το τακτικό στρατηγείο του Διοικητή της 8ης Μεραρχίας Χαράλαμπου Κατσιμήτρου.

Παραμονές του 1940 ο υποστράτηγος Κατσιμήτρος επικεφαλής της η 8ης Μεραρχίας Ηπείρου οργάνωσε την άμυνα στα γύρω υψώματα της Γκραμπάλας, της Ασόνισσας, της Βελλάς και των Γρεμισιών παρά τις αντίθετες απόψεις του Γενικού Επιτελείου που προέβλεπε άμυνα στα Τζουμέρκα, και διέταξε να κρατηθεί η γραμμή άμυνας στο Καλπάκι μέχρις εσχάτων.

Στο ύψωμα Βελλάς διασώζονται μέχρι σήμερα τα ίχνη των χαρακωμάτων.

Πέτυχε,ν’αυτό τον τρόπο,να αναχαιτίσει την Ιταλική εισβολή και στις 10 Νοεμβρίου 1940 η 8η Μεραρχία πέρασε από την άμυνα στην επίθεση. Ιδιαίτερα στα υψώματα της Γκραμπάλας, ανατολικά του Καλπακίου, έγιναν οι πιο αιματηρές συγκρούσεις.

Πάνω από τον οικισμό του Καλπακίου και στον λόφο Σειλητούρια δεσπόζει το εικονιζόμενο γιγάντιο μπρούτζινο άγαλμα του πολεμιστή στρατιώτη του ’40, το μνημείο του «Έλληνος Μαχητή του 1940-41» που στέκει επιβλητικό κι αγέρωχο κοιτώντας προς το μέτωπο των εχθροπραξιών.

Φιλοτεχνήθηκε από τον καθηγητή Λάμερα Λάζαρο το 1966 με δαπάνες Αξιωματικών και Οπλιτών των Ελληνικών Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων.(απόν φυσικά το κράτος)

Η βάση του αγάλματος έχει σχήμα φέρετρου συμβολίζοντας τους χιλιάδες οι οποίοι έπεσαν “αμυνόμενοι του πατρίου εδάφους”

The area of Kalpaki lies 35 km northwest of the city of Ioannina to the west of Mount Mitsikeli and at an altitude of 430m. Very close to the 1940-41 War Museum is the cave in which in 1940 was the regular command of the 8th Division Commander, Charalambos Katsimetros.

On the eve of 1940, Major General Katsimitros, head of the 8th Epirus Division, organized the defense of the surrounding hills of Grambala, Assonissa, Vellas and Grimissias despite the opposing views of the General Staff, which provided for defense in Tzoumerka, and ordered the defense line to be kept in Alpine to the last.

On the Vellas hill, the traces of trenches are still preserved.

He succeeded in stopping the Italian invasion and on 10 November 1940 the 8th Division crossed the defense in the attack. Particularly at the hills of Grambala, east of Kalpaki, the most bloody conflicts were made.

Above the settlement of Kalpaki and on the hill of Selioutria dominates the giant bronze statue of the warrior soldier of the 1940s, the monument of the "Greek Fighter of 1940-41", standing imposing and reverend looking towards the front of hostilities.

It was created by Professor Lamer Lazaros in 1966 with the expenses of the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers and Army (except of course the State)

The base of the statue is coffin-shaped, symbolizing the thousands who fell "defending the ground of homeland"

(French follows)

The spectacular Boldt Castel is a testament to the tragic love story that began in the late 19th century between the millionaire George C. Boldt, a prominent hotelier and proprietor of the famous Waldorf Asteria Hotel in New York, and Louise Augusta Kehrer known for her grace and beauty. She was the light of George’s life, and he credited her for much of his success. The dream and grander of the Rhineland-style of Boldt Castle began in 1900 in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island, nestled in the calm waters of the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands area of New York State.

It was to be a gift to Louise, a symbol of his undying love and devotion. George spared no expenses with the finest architectural details of the six story, 120 luxurious room castle, complete with tunnels, Italian gardens, playhouse and dove-cote. However, the love story took a sorrowful turn in 1904 when Louise tragically died due to heart failure at age 42. Her sudden death left George devastated and he immediately stopped the project; he never returned to the island. The fairytale castle was abandoned for 73 years. In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property and started important restoration efforts. Today, it is a major tourist attraction for visitors from around the world. Their love, though marked by sadness, continues to resonate through the halls and towers of Boldt Castle, capturing the hearts of all who visit.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

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Le spectaculaire château de Boldt témoigne de l'histoire d'amour tragique qui a commencé à la fin du XIXe siècle entre le millionnaire George C. Boldt, hôtelier de renom et propriétaire du célèbre hôtel Waldorf Asteria à New York, et Louise Augusta Kehrer, connue pour sa grâce et sa beauté. Elle était la lumière de la vie de George, et il lui a attribué une grande partie de son succès. Le rêve et la grandeur du château de Boldt, de style rhénan, ont commencé en 1900 à Alexandria Bay, sur la pittoresque Heart Island, nichée dans les eaux calmes du fleuve Saint-Laurent dans la région des Mille-Îles de l'État de New York.

Il devait être un cadeau à Louise, un symbole de son amour et de son dévouement éternels. George n’a pas lésiné sur les dépenses pour les plus beaux détails architecturaux du château de six étages et de 120 chambres luxueuses, avec des tunnels, des jardins à l’italienne, une salle de jeux et un théâtre ainsi qu'un pigeonnier. Mais l'histoire d'amour prit une tournure tragique en 1904, lorsque Louise mourut tragiquement d'une insuffisance cardiaque à l'âge de 42 ans. Sa mort soudaine laissa George dévasté et il arrêta immédiatement le projet ; il ne revint jamais sur l'île. Le château de conte de fées fut abandonné pendant 73 ans. En 1977, la Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquit la propriété et entreprit d'importants travaux de restauration. Aujourd'hui, c'est une attraction touristique majeure pour les visiteurs du monde entier. Leur amour, bien que marqué par la tristesse, continue de résonner dans les salles et les tours du château de Boldt, capturant le cœur de tous ceux qui le visitent.

Inscrite au registre national des lieux historiques en 1978.

The Story of the Christmas Flower

In a distant village, every year on the eve of Christmas, the priest made a grotto for the church. The villagers first went to church to attend the Holy Liturgy and, kneeling, lit candles in front of the grotto, which were supposed to burn out and go out on their own, slowly melting. That is why there were countless candles around the grotto and the church radiated and shone as if the sun had entered inside.

When the Liturgy ended, the people went to the inns around to rejoice in the joy of the Nativity of Christ.

The villagers began preparations for Christmas weeks in advance. The housewives baked pretzels, pies and sweets, while the men cleaned and tidied the village square, the church and the homes. The priest, with the children from the school and the teachers, carved the animals for the grotto, the three wise men, the shepherds, the star, the Virgin Mary and Christ in wood.

On the eve of Christmas, everything was ready. People dressed in their best clothes went to church and left a gift for Christ in front of the cave, each one as much as they could.

Maria, who was 6 years old, also went to church every year with her parents, carrying a basket of pretzels, which she made for the newborn Christ. But that year her mother fell ill, and her father left for a big city to find a job and to be able to make ends meet for medicine and other expenses. They didn’t have a single penny left to buy a gift for Christ. How could Maria go to church empty-handed now? At the moment when the bells rang, Maria shyly entered the church and hid behind one of the pillars. She didn’t want anyone to see her empty-handed. The others bowed to Christ, lit a candle and offered their gift. Seeing the cave from afar, she fell to her knees and prayed in a whisper: “Ah, my Virgin Mary, this year I will not come to the Liturgy. I have nothing to give to your newborn Child. My mother has fallen ill. We have no money at all. Will you explain to Christ why I did not bring Him a gift?” The people had already begun to sing along with the priest: “Christ is born today.” She had not taken three steps when she heard a voice behind her asking her:

– Why are you crying, little girl, on this joyful day? It was an old woman with a sweet face and eyes full of kindness.

– I am crying, old woman, because I do not have a single coin left to buy a gift for Christ.

– Mary, is that why you are crying? Christ is satisfied with just thinking about Him. With loving Him. Look, look at that bush with green leaves. Why don't you cut a bouquet and take it to Him?

The girl stopped crying, bent down, and began to cut and make a bouquet from the branches. She cut so many that her arms could no longer hold them.

- Is that enough, grandmother? - asked the old woman, turning around, but she had disappeared. Maria, with the branches in her arms, continued boldly and entered the church with a cheerful smile. Everything shone in the light of the candles. The people sang with tenderness. She stepped onto the red carpet that had been laid out in front of the cave and left her gift.

- Look at this girl - one of the women said quietly. She is bringing branches from the bush to Christ! God forbid that it gets worse!

When the troparion ended, whispers were heard in the church: - Look! Look at the branches from the bush! Maria was still on her knees with her arms crossed. Hearing voices, she raised her head in fear and saw the branches. Its branches blossomed and produced beautiful, red flowers that looked like stars.

– But what happened?

– A miracle!

– They were from a bush, and they blossomed!

The priest and the multitude of people knelt before the cave, praising Christ for that inexplicable phenomenon.

The old woman, whoever she was, was right.

A gift given from the heart is the most precious gift. The poor twigs were the most significant gift that Christ received that day. Since then, every year, on Christmas days, those bushes bloom with their countless red stars and the people call them “Christmas flowers”. From that distant village they reached our homeland and people called them “Christ’s stars”.