Back again

Memories

Three years ago around this time of the year I visited one of my Dad's cousins for a weekend. She lives in the North of Germany, very close to the coast. It's such a lovely landscape there, especially in fall. Most of the tourists are gone (except for one or two weeks in October, during the fall vacation in Germany). It can be very rainy and windy and cold but on some days it is wonderful! Just look at the photo above.

Another try

During my recent trip to Italy, I tried to hike up the mountain shown below. It's Monte Penna in Northern Italy.



I already wanted to go up there last year but didn't find the time. So I postponed it. In March this year I was in Italy again but it was impossible to get up there because the road leading to the start point of the hike was still closed because of snow.

Well, this summer I got up early, drove to the start point, started the hike and even made it to one of the neighboring mountain tops. And took the photo shown above. It is the closest I have ever been to Monte Penna. Because shortly after the picture was taken, big dark clouds rolled in and a thunderstorm was getting nearer and nearer.



So I decided to turn around and go back to my car. It would have been to dangerous to go on. I was told that the view from the top is amazing. Guess I'll have to wait another year...

In a few weeks...

... I'll be there again:

Italy!



I'm really looking forward to it. And I'm already making plans for each day of my vacation. Cannot wait. I feel like I never needed some days off more than now.

Summer sky

Nature and industry combined

This pic was taken last winter. It shows the river that runs through my hometown and a steel mill. I like the contrast of it: the industry in the back and the peaceful river in the front. It perfectly sums up what it's like in this area. When I grew up, there was a lot of steel industry in my hometown. A lot has changed since then. Some factories had to close, others had to cut down their production.
Fortunately, my town is surrounded by a beautiful landscape, so it is trying to get some profit (and new jobs) out of it. Seems to work as far as I can tell.

I could get used to that kind of view

Well, once again a picture I took in Italy some months ago. Actually nearly one year ago. I can't get enough. It's such a great landscape there! The wind turbines are a little bit, but really only a little bit, interfering with the overall impression of the landscape. And they are definitively loud. You can already hear them at the point where the photo was taken. It becomes ear-shattering once you've reached them. On the other hand, they are a good source of alternative energy. So I guess I'll put up with them.

Side note: Whoever is in charge of the weather right now in Germany - it is enough. I do not want any more rain at the moment. Thank you.

Flowers

I like to take pictures. I like flowers. So there’s only one logical consequence: taking photos of flowers! That’s what I did in the last weeks. Here are some of the results:


I took another/better pic of this but somehow it got lost on my computer. If I ever find it again, I'll post it.


Beautiful, isn't it? I've got absolutely no idea what the name of this flower is but I like it.

Once more:



A close look into one of the many flower pots:



And a not so close look:

Italy once again

Last summer I was on vacation in Italy - for the umpteenth time. I normally don't spend much time at the coast, I use to stay in the rural areas where I find it even more beautiful. There are fewer tourists, better food (= not only pizza and pasta) and great landscapes to discover! And you might even meet some original Italians.

Like this one:


The lonely cow on a hill. Well, not really lonely, there were much more. But this one has found a great place to look around.

Or you might see this one:


Near our appartment is a river where you can go swimming in the summer. Lizards like it there, too.

I am not sure if I like the next Italian I'm going to show you:


Found on our back porch.

You always have to be careful when you go somewhere:


Wild horses might show up right in front of you car.

Sunset

The picture below was taken just five minutes ago. It's the view out of my bedroom window. I took it with my oldest (and worst) digital camera and though it is far from perfect it is much better than I expected!

There are days

when everything goes right. And then there are days when everything goes wrong and nothing can save the day. Today belongs to the last category. At least that was what I thought when I got home from work. There had been so much trouble, especially for a Friday, that everyone was already stressed by noon.

But a few minutes after I had arrived home something happened that totally saved me from falling into deep despair: my best friend from university whom I hadn't met or even spoken to since March called! I really really like her, she's one of the people I share so many memories with that I can't imagine what life would be without her. We lived in different parts of Germany for more than one year, until I moved back here some weeks ago, so stopping by for a short visit was impossible for a long time. I am so glad about having the opportunity to see her more often again!

Now I'm editing some photos taken in the last months.

This one is from Italy (once again), taken in the beautiful area of Cinqueterre.

Look what I've found today

I was on call again last night. It was a quiet night, there was not much to do. So when I got home this morning, I felt really relaxed and not tired at all.

After a quick early lunch - leftovers from Sunday - I decided to go biking. There were a lot of things in the house that needed (and still need) to be done, but biking felt just right. The weather is great at the moment and free afternoons during the week are so rare in my life that I had to use this opportunity. Had my camera with me, so some of the time wasn't spent on the bike but off the bike ;)

As I've told you before, I live near fields and forests. Here are some of the photos I took this afternoon:

Seems like the farmer has already been busy this year.

One of the many, many horses in this area. When I was younger, I used to go horseback riding at least 3-4 days each week.

On the way back home.


Well, this was taken in front of my door. More flower pictures following soon!

Badlands, South Dakota

Taken during a stay in South Dakota some years ago. You won't find anything like this in Europe... I really hope to have the opportunity to go there again!

Italy

Some pictures from different trips to Italy. Such a great country! Especially for cyclists. If you ever have the chance to go there, do it.

HAPPY EASTER!

I said last week that I need more days of riding my bike in the morning and watching TV (i.e. bike races) in the afternoon. Today was such a day. Yes, I know it is Easter and yes, I know that days like that should be spent with the family. But what should one do if the family in question is on vacation? At least most of them are.

So I spent some hours on the bike this morning. Beautiful weather and great landscape. My form isn’t too bad for this time of the year, a fact that I noticed while riding up some of the hills in this area.


I love it when the first new grass of the year appears on the fields! Look at this green!



In the afternoon I watched Paris-Roubaix, one of the most exciting and important spring classics in professional cycling. Great race again by Quickstep and Tom Boonen!