I saw this mixture at the local cemetery. It seemed to have a bit of everything.
Author Archives: angloswiss
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Bridges
Living next to a river, we have many bridges. However this bridge I saw in Schaffhausen when I was visiting my son: a fascinating construction.
And this construction is over the River Emme in a neighbouring village.
And this is a very old wooden bridge, across the River Aare, in a village nearby. Note the one-way traffic. You have to wait patiently before cross the bridge.
FOWC with Fandango: Oil
They do not look very oily. On the contrary a wonderful sight. Last year there were hundreds of sunflowers planted in a field bordering on our town, and I often went on a photo safari to capture their beauty: but why about 500 sunflowers or more. They were planted for the production of sunflower oil which is won from the seeds.
And this is a field of Rapeseed, also near where I live and grown for the production of Rapeseed oil. Switzerland does not have many natural resource. There are no oil wells springing out of the ground and pumping. Our oil grows peacefully in a field until it is harvested.
RDP Tuesday: Chalk
On my first day at school I was given a so-called blackboard and a piece of white chalk. It was in the early fifties. I remember seeing chalk for the first time and then I was supposed to write with it. This was the first class, we were all about 6 years old.
In the second class we progressed to a pencil and then one day we had our own inkwell and pen. You dipped the nib of the pen in the ink and could write with it, although there was often an unwelcome splodge where it should have been fine lines. I remember that the ink wells were filled once a day and that my teacher was not very happy. She had the impression that I was an ink addict, drinking it now and again. The truth was that my neighbour on the desk was left handed. I sat on the left side and she was on the right. I dipped my pen continuously into the inkwell on my right, and she was dipping hers continuously in the inkwell on her left. The result being that we were both using the same inkwell and my ink was being used twice as fast as the others.
But I am digressing. This is about chalk. My next experience was street games. We would draw the outlines on the pavement, with chalk of course, to play a game of “hop scotch” And then chalk disappeared from my life until today now and again when a group of kids suddenly discover chalk and begin to make designs on the ground. I saw the pot of chalk where I live belonging to some kids.
And that’s that, nothing astonishing or interesting to write about chalk.
Good Morning
Just an “ooh la la” sky this morning, nothing special, but it might brighten up. I have the cleaning lady here, so am later than usual. At last we have this Easter stress behind us and can get back to living a normal life, at least I can. Some have to go back to their daily jobs today and the Easter break was probably more welcome.
I went for a short wheelie in my chair yesterday afternoon and it seems that the sheep have returned. I missed them the last two years. The farmer had put the sheep pen somewhere else and I could not longer see them. At first it looked empty, but I realised the white shapes outside were sleeping sheep and when I looked closer I saw a sheep looking back at me.
When I brightened up the photo I noticed that there were many sheep, so it looks like it will be an interesting summer. I also saw that the sheep are still wearing their overcoats and will probably be shorn at some time in the future. Sheep are not really a Swiss thing, but it made a good photo for easter.
The farmer’s rape seed was already flowering in the fields. That is for oil production. Here I was looking more South across the river into the Kanton of Bern. In the distance you can see the hills which eventually lead to the alps, but the weather was not clear enough for an alpine view.
It was Easter Monday and I saw no-one in our village. It was my last shopping free day and now back to the usual routine. And that is all for today. I trust you all had a happy or whatever Easter and see you around later.
Here is the first lilac I saw flowering in the village.
We also have a tree opposite where I live, but that is not yet so far, and only has buds.
FOTD 22nd April 2019: Sedum
I think nearly every garden has something like this, in all shapes, sizes and varieties.
FOWC with Fandango: Terse
Terse is not for me
I like to prolong my words
The dandelion lives a few days
And then is food for the birds
Don’t ask me for a direction
You will turn the corner thrice
Although once would do
But is not so precise
Our lives are all so limited
so do not save it all
The years pass by so quickly
Filled with many a curved ball
It is better to be noisy
and chatter all the while
You will be remembered
For your talk and perhaps your smile
