Something easy, and peaceful.

Click here to see 30 photos of Neighborhood Walks

PS--This little photo quilt isn't linked to anything.

Click link above if you have time for more photos.  

If not, just enjoy these.

2016.06.13 Hike to the Castello di Vezio

(Click here for 19 photos and 2 videos)
 2016.06.13 Hike to the Castello di Vezio

It was a very steep climb, but the weather was cool and sunny.  I only saw two other people on the same trail.  The path got very narrow, and it seemed like I was miles away from anything.  I felt like such an explorer, when I could see the tiptop of the castle's tower over the treetops.  Only a little farther to go...

Then -  what to my wondering eyes should appear:  a clay tennis court, with lights and a chain link fence.  Not quite as adventuresome as I thought I was.

Turns out there is a very small town just below the castle (see map below)... you can see the tennis court, too.  I met up with the husband of one of Michael's math colleagues as I was leaving, and he suggested the other path back down to Varenna.  It was wide and cobblestoned. Didn't feel so much like Dora the Explorer, but that other path had me spooked at times:  pretty narrow with a steep drop-off.


Anyway, my time at the top was lovely, with incredible views and very peaceful.  I especially loved hearing all the church bells from below -- got a nice video of that which I hope you'll enjoy.

Click here to see notes on the map

2016.06.12 Varenna, Italy: Math Conference

(Click here) Math Conference in Varenna, Italy (7 photos)




(Click here) 10 Photos and a video of our room




(Click here) Hotel Villa Cipressi (26 photos and 1 video)

Elsewhere 2012.09.12 Up on the Roof

Elsewhere 2012.09.12 Up on the Roof, a set on Flickr.

links to flickr

Elsewhere 2012.09.12 Up on the Roof

The view from the 8th floor roofdeck of our building always fascinates me.  This morning I went up (the stairs) in the morning; this afternoon I went up (the stairs) again to see a completely different scene.

The south-east was still sunny with puffy white clouds, but to the north and west there were very dark panels of falling rain.  Even more striking was the nearly sheer curtain of lighter (and closer) showers to the north-west, which were moving at a fairly fast clip; I could see the slant clearly.  Didn't have my camera then, but judging from other days, I'll have another chance.

Elsewhere 2012.09.05: my little trip to Bygdøy

Elsewhere 2012.09.05: my little trip to Bygdøy , a set on Flickr.

The Bygdøy penisula is well known to tourists and locals in Oslo; several of the most famous museums are found here: The Kon-Tiki, The Norsk Folkemuseum, The Vikingskiphuset, The Holocaust-senter, The Norsk Sjofarts-museum and the Fram Museum. I just wish I could get an invite to hang out on the Royal Farms...

In addition to the museums it's a very pleasant, quiet place to walk around, with older single family homes and more modern apartment blocks.

During the summer, a ferry runs from the main docks in downtown Oslo to Bygdøy. All year, it's easily accessible by bus, which also serves the peninsula itself; the end of it's loop is at Huk.

I went to Huk, a tiny park with two swimming beaches. I did not venture in... There is a Henry Moore Sculpture called "Torso", pictured here with optional bicycle.

There is another massive park called Kongeskogen, also with beach; haven't seen that yet.

Elsewhere 2012.09.08: Our Saturday stroll around Sognsvann Lake

Elsewhere 2012.09.08:  Our Saturday stroll around Sognsvann Lake 

A short walk to the train, a short and scenic ride to the end of the line, another short walk, and we arrived at Sognsvann Lake.  We walked the 3.3 km around the shore and never were out of sight of other people; couples, families, runners, all ages.  It's clearly a much loved retreat from the city streets.  There are separate paths for bikers; where there are concrete sidewalks, away from the lakeside, we've seen people practicing their cross country skiing, wearing what look to me like oversized skateboards.

Coming and going on the train, we had brief glimpses of the fjords which surround Oslo.  It's also interesting to me to see what the "suburbs" look like:  small, tidy green backyards, shiny black tile roofs, lots of birches and evergreen trees.

You can click on photos to enlarge them. 

Our flat in Oslo

Our flat in Oslo, a set on Flickr.

This was right after I had filled up the shelves with vases, platters, etc. that I found in the topmost cupboard; before that it was pretty blank.

The African violet I bought at a nearby flower/fruit vendors; made me think of my mom, who has carefully nurtured these lovely plants for nearly all her life, starting with a cutting given to her by her mother-in-law, Laura P. Bordeau.