lean photos on Flickr

With temperatures locally hardly ever above freezing these last few weeks, the chances of our kingsfisher population being decimated are alas very real indeed. )-:

This one from last summer.

Lean On Me by Jessica 'I Like Toast'

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composite/photomontage

leaners by oldogs

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Lean by radspix

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Contax RTS : 42-75mm Yashica ML f/3.5-4.5 : Arista EDU Ultra : Spur Acurol-N

Lean To by john malley

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lean on me by Sylvia Okkerse

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lean back by scarlet highfield

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Lean on me by Andy Rouse

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Bergen, Norway

One of the main reasons I wanted to visit Bergen was to photograph these houses – Bryggen, a harbour district of Bergen. They are not the easiest of buildings to capture especially from the roadside due to all the table and chairs and bus stops right in front of them, so in my opinion, the other side of the harbour probably produces the better overall image. This one was taken on the only sunny day we had.

The history of the area is very interesting so I make no apologies for lifting the text from the UNESCO World Heritage Convention website… It’s better than anything I could have written!

Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen, is a reminder of the town’s importance as part of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire from the 14th to the mid-16th century. Many fires, the last in 1955, have ravaged the characteristic wooden houses of Bryggen. Its rebuilding has traditionally followed old patterns and methods, thus leaving its main structure preserved, which is a relic of an ancient wooden urban structure once common in Northern Europe. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape.

Outstanding Universal Value – a brief synthesis

Bryggen is a historic harbour district in Bergen, one of North Europe’s oldest port cities on the west coast of Norway which was established as a centre for trade by the 12th century. In 1350 the Hanseatic League established a “Hanseatic Office” in Bergen. They gradually acquired ownership of Bryggen and controlled the trade in stockfish from Northern Norway through privileges granted by the Crown. The Hanseatic League established a total of four overseas Hanseatic Offices, Bryggen being the only one preserved today.

Bryggen has been damaged by a number of fires through the centuries and has been rebuilt after every fire, closely following the previous property structure and plan as well as building techniques. Bryggen’s appearance today stems from the time after the fire in 1702. The buildings are made of wood in keeping with vernacular building traditions. The original compact medieval urban structure is preserved with its long narrow rows of buildings facing the harbour, separated by narrow wooden passages. Today, some 62 buildings remain of this former townscape and these contain sufficient elements to demonstrate how this colony of bachelor German merchants lived and worked, and illustrate the use of space in the district. It is characterized by the construction of buildings along the narrow passages running parallel to the docks. The urban units are rows of two- to three-storey buildings signified by the medieval name “gård”. They have gabled facades towards the harbour and lie on either one or both sides of the narrow passages that have the functions of a private courtyard. The houses are built in a combination of traditional timber log construction, and galleries with column and beam construction with horizontal wooden panel cladding. The roofs have original brick tiling or sheets, a result of fast repairs after an explosion during World War II. Towards the back of the gård, there are small fireproof warehouses or storerooms (kjellere) built of stone, for protection of special goods and valuables against fire. This repetitive structure was adapted to the living conditions of the Hanseatic trading post. The German merchants took up winter residence in the small individual wooden houses and the storerooms were used as individual or collective warehouses. A true colony, Bryggen enjoyed quasi-extraterritoriality which continued beyond the departure of the Hanseatic merchants until the creation of a Norwegian trading post in 1754, on the impetus of fishermen and ship owners of German origin. Today, Bryggen is a significant part of the historic wooden city of Bergen.

Criterion (iii): Bryggen bears the traces of social organization and illustrates the use of space in a quarter of Hanseatic merchants that dates back to the 14th century. It is a type of northern “fondaco”, unequalled in the world, where the structures have remained within the cityscape and perpetuate the memory of one of the oldest large trading ports of Northern Europe.

Integrity

Only around a quarter of the original buildings that existed in Bryggen remained after demolitions at the turn of the 19th century and several fires in the 1950s; the property is comprised of these remaining buildings. Notwithstanding, the medieval urban structure is maintained and the buildings include all elements necessary to demonstrate how Bryggen functioned: offices and dwellings at the front, warehouses in the midsection and assembly rooms (“Schøtstuer”), kitchen facilities and fireproof stone cellars at the back.

Bryggen can be experienced as an entity within a larger harmonious urban landscape. It is connected more closely to the areas of small wooden dwellings beyond Bryggen and in the medieval city centre than to the larger 20th century buildings in its close proximity. The risk of fire, excessive numbers of visitors as well as global climate changes with more extreme weather and possibly higher sea levels are some of the potential risks Bryggen faces today.

Authenticity

The Hanseatic period at Bryggen ended long ago, but the Hanseatic heritage is documented through buildings, archives and artefacts which are well preserved for posterity. There are also series of architectural surveys of the buildings from 1900 onwards.

The preservation of the buildings commenced on a larger scale in the 1960s and had made major progress by 1979, the year of inscription on the World Heritage List. Some buildings at the back were moved in 1965 to create an open area for fire emergencies, but no further changes have been made to the urban structure since. The solutions and methods chosen have been well documented, and limiting the replacement of original materials has been an objective. Bryggen is built of wood, which is subject to rot, insect attack and ageing. Since 2000, there has been an increased focus on maintaining original methods and building materials in the restoration, with careful consideration given to the choice of material, paint, plugs, nails, etc. and the use of original tools as far as possible.

As the activity at Bryggen decreased after 1900, the buildings became derelict. However, from the 1960s the former trading in stockfish and commodities was gradually replaced by small arts and crafts businesses. An increase in the number of visitors has led to the establishment of restaurants and tourist businesses. This has resulted in inevitable changes in the spirit of the place, particularly along the front facades, whereas the atmosphere of the Hanseatic period can still be sensed in the more secluded area further back.

Protection and management requirements

Bryggen, including its cultural deposits, is listed pursuant to the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act and is also protected through the Norwegian Planning and Building Act. The adopted protection plan includes an extensive area that functions as a buffer zone. Bryggen is privately owned and the majority of the buildings are owned by the Bryggen Foundation, which was established in 1962 with the objective of preserving Bryggen. The remaining owners have established a separate association to secure their interests. The stakeholders at Bryggen collaborate in different constellations of owners and authorities.

"The Bryggen Project" was established formally in 2000. This is an extensive and long-term project for monitoring, safeguarding and restoring Bryggen, including both archaeological deposits and standing buildings.

Bryggen is managed according to a management plan that is revised regularly. A fire protection system with detection and suppression has been installed and is continually being improved. Climate conditions are a key issue and measures have been taken to prepare for future changes. Possible impacts resulting from tourism are monitored.

LEAN MB1 by Magno Benazzi

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Lean on me by Gaynor Henry

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Rural Wisconsin, West of The Dells.

Lean Into It by RMD_2023

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L507 heads south at Saukville

Lean On Me by Damaris Reda

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lean by John

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Looking Out by བཀྲིས།

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Someone leans on the balcony's edge and looks out over Crossharbour Plaza.

"An iconic new landmark for luxury living, Arena Tower has created a new focus on Canary Wharf's world famous skyline."

Lean times by phil anker

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Lean Machine by john malley

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[Enchantress] Hale Outfit by Becky Kenaan

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💋 The evening unfurled like silk — that perfect hush before twilight deepens into desire. I leaned against the stone ledge outside my home, my faithful cat perched beside me, his blue eyes reflecting the amber glow of the porch light. He watched me the way only cats can — patient, knowing, as if he understood that tonight wasn’t just another night. Somewhere down the road, headlights would appear, and with them, him.

✨ The Hale Outfit by Enchantress clung to me like a secret I wasn’t ready to tell. Its silhouette — a masterwork of sensual architecture — sculpted every curve, tracing the hourglass of my form with confidence and a whisper of rebellion. The bodysuit’s daring plunge revealed just enough to suggest the rest, framed by a belt of metallic rings that shimmered like moonlight against crimson leather. It felt both dangerous and divine, a perfect balance between softness and control.

🌹 There’s something timeless about its cut — a revival of 1950s bombshell glamour blended with the unapologetic edge of 1980s high-shine couture. It’s the kind of design that refuses to belong to one decade, existing instead in that eternal realm where confidence becomes the ultimate accessory. The supple, leather-like finish moves like a second skin, every step an unspoken promise.

💄 The Enchantress Hale Outfit HUD is its own love letter to versatility: 30 rich, customizable shades for the bodysuit, belt, and boots — a palette that ranges from soft blush to midnight noir. One tap and the entire mood shifts. Red for passion. Black for mystery. Gold for the woman who knows her power.

🐾 My cat brushed his tail against my arm, a gentle reminder that I wasn’t alone in my anticipation. The night carried the faint scent of roses and rain on warm pavement. When I caught the first glint of headlights approaching, my lips curved into a quiet smile. I could almost feel his pulse quicken already — though he hadn’t yet seen what waited for him beneath the stars.

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• Maitreya + Petite

• Lara X + Petite

• Reborn & Waifu

• Legacy + Perky + Bombshell

• Gen X Classic & Curvy

• Kupra

• Star

💎 And tonight, my skin told a story of its own. Draped beneath the open cut of my Hale Outfit is the Venus Midnight Rose Tattoo Set, a masterpiece of sensual ink artistry that evolves with mood and memory. This set offers twelve exquisite tattoo options, each one a different chapter of the same love story — from the passionate to the timeless.

There’s Fresh, with its newly-inked vibrance and luminous, saturated tones that look as if the roses were painted moments ago… and Fresh BW, the same precision rendered in classic monochrome for a strikingly elegant contrast. Faded softens the bloom, giving the petals a lived-in sensuality, while Faded BW whispers of nostalgia in grayscale. The Aged and Aged BW layers deepen that romance, their muted pigments warming to the skin like memories etched over time. For those who adore the character of history, Old and Old BW embody the allure of vintage ink, weathered beautifully yet forever captivating. Then come the artist’s full expressions — Color and BW — lush or minimal, each emphasizing the tattoo’s exquisite floral detail. Finally, Tint and Tint BW invite personal creativity, allowing soft hue adjustments to harmonize with your tone, mood, or outfit.

Each version transforms how the roses unfold against the skin — some bold and fiery, others whisper-light — all revealing a part of who I am beneath the Hale’s crimson silhouette. Beneath the glow, the roses seem to breathe with me, turning my body into a living canvas of passion, elegance, and feminine power.

🌙 Both the Enchantress Hale Outfit and the Venus Body Heart Tatto are exclusive at the Swank Goth October Event from October 7th to October 30th.

💋 [Teleport to the Event]

maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swank%20Events/128/124/39

As the car slowed to a stop, I looked at my cat and whispered,

“Wish me luck.”

He blinked once, as if to say, He won’t stand a chance.

lean... by Virgilia Boucher

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Lean on Me by Ron Masters

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🎼Lean on me

When you’re not strong