
Ha de Gött!


Ha de Gött!

It’s that time of the year when you should look back. So I did look back to my favourite hobby, photography. After much consideration a top 10. Hope you like it.
To stay ahead you have to look back, ha de Gött!


Not 50 but this title might lure the search engines so my blog gets some more hits. Not my intention but the weather this Christmas has been grey and colourless so the title is fits.
Still I went to the beach but, even if the temperature in the water is the same as in the air, +5°C, I didn’t go for a swim. Still a good walk along the sea after all the Christmas food and candy before I start to look like Santa.
Grey is also a colour, ha de Gött!


Ha de Gött!


The Germans take their Weihnachtsmarkt, Christmas markets seriously. Me and my little wife been travelling a lot this year so we decided to crown the days before Christmas with a trip Munich. Situated in Bavaria in the south of Germany you could see the alps from the city hall tower. When the sky opens like this over the alps in the otherwise grey days. Well, hallelujah!
Even without snow the Christmas spirit was present among tourists and natives. With temperatures around freezing point the sellers of warm drinks, glühwein (mulled wine) and hot chocolate made good money. Walking around the smells of different things to eat and drink while rubbing shoulders with the world is great. Best is when you find that unique craftsmanship sold by the artist themselves. We came home with some beautiful hand painted Christmas ornaments.
Not all shopping and photo. We attended a fantastic organ concert in the Frauenkirche and string concert.


Frohes fest (happy holidays), ha de Gött!

Narrow streets and tourist traps in a historical setting.
It’s a 6h drive from my home but this summer we took a trip, by train, to Stockholm. The capital of the Kingdom of Sweden. Spread out around water, both salt and fresh, with the Old Town in the middle.
With its well preserved medieval buildings and narrow alleys it’s an outdoor museum. Just like in the middle ages you can hear all kinds of languages in the crowded streets. The Viking heritage is a popular theme from all the peddlers in the small shops along the main street, Västerlångatan.
Here are some pictures I took in this beautiful city.
Yes, the royal castle is there on the same small island. None of the royal family lives there anymore. The King decided that he wanted to be a country boy when he became a father to the Crown Princess Victoria. I suppose nobody want hordes of tourists passing through the bedroom.
Vini, Vidi, Vici, ha de Gött!


Once brand new and shining, a farmers pride
now abandoned, left in the forest to fade
for a while a marvel of engineering, to adore
to be put aside the field, a thing of before
Såmaskinen
En gång skinande ny, en bondes stolthet
övergiven, lämnad till skogens förgänglighet
för en stund ingenjörskonst, värt beundrande
satt till åkerns sida, sak från annat århundrande
I just felt this old farming equipment was worth a poem, ha de Gött!
I could not find anything on the web of the manufacturer. I’ve reached out to the local historical society in Gävle hoping they have some information. In that case there will be a new post. The spelling of the city Gävle was changed from Gefle in 1880 just as an indication of the age.


Winter green oak tree at Lammö, Bohuslän Sweden.
Some say that a tree has feelings and as I hugged this old oak I’m sure I felt a connection and a warmth. I hope she’s pleased with her green winter coat.
Hug a tree but look out for the ants, ha de Gött!


Shifting colours and resting cows.
And so we spin on and on, ha de Gött!

The sun does shine over Dublin, only not that often. I took these photos as we walked through a residential area and the sun found a hole in the clouds. I guess the tourist board wants to show off the new city that is emerging but to me this was more interesting. No doors was like the neighbours and the chimney gardens was also something that caught my eye. I guess with all the rain no-one needs to climb up and water them.
Dublin is truly a hidden gem for a city weekend trip. The people are very friendly. Lots to see and experience, like the Riverdance. If you like whiskey and your beer dark, this is the place to go. Food is good and affordable, specially at the many pubs. The city is dense so you can reach most by foot. You can also go by bus and tram. Taxi had surprisingly low fares.
Slainte, ha de Gött!