From the archives. I dug up this old favorite from our trip to London. This view is from the backside of the Houses of Parliament - also known as the Palace of Westminster
30 July, 2009
28 July, 2009
Mirabell Garden
The world-famous Mirabell Gardens were built along a north-south axis and oriented towards the Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Salzburger Dom cathedral. The original gardens were re-modelled according to plans by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach under the reign of Prince Archbishop Johann Ernst Thun in 1689.
Only some decades later, Franz Anton Danreiter altered them again in 1730, shaping what is now considered to be one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens of Europe. In the 19th century, the Mirabell Gardens were changed once again, several parts were destructed, such as the original Zwergerlgarten (dwarf garden), some arcades facing Mirabell square and the so-called Sala terena in the Northwest of the Mirabell Castle.
The "Grand Parterre" is the oldest part of the Mirabell Gardens that is still preserved. If you enter the parterre from the Markartplatz (where Mozart′s living house and the Doppler birthplace are), you will encounter an inner and outer balustrade that is flanked by copies of the two Borghesian fencer couples from the late 17th century. The inner couple was made by A. Götzinger, the outer one by M. B. Mandl.
Only some decades later, Franz Anton Danreiter altered them again in 1730, shaping what is now considered to be one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens of Europe. In the 19th century, the Mirabell Gardens were changed once again, several parts were destructed, such as the original Zwergerlgarten (dwarf garden), some arcades facing Mirabell square and the so-called Sala terena in the Northwest of the Mirabell Castle.
The "Grand Parterre" is the oldest part of the Mirabell Gardens that is still preserved. If you enter the parterre from the Markartplatz (where Mozart′s living house and the Doppler birthplace are), you will encounter an inner and outer balustrade that is flanked by copies of the two Borghesian fencer couples from the late 17th century. The inner couple was made by A. Götzinger, the outer one by M. B. Mandl.
27 July, 2009
Outer defense walls
Trausnitz Castle is a medieval castle situated in Landshut, Bavaria in Germany. It was the home of the Wittelsbach dynasty, and it served as their ducal residence for Lower Bavaria from 1255–1503, and later as hereditary rulers of the whole of Bavaria. The castle was founded in 1204 by Duke Ludwig I.
It was a short walk to the top of the hill where we found the parking lot!! HA HA HA Loved the intact defensive walls though.
It was a short walk to the top of the hill where we found the parking lot!! HA HA HA Loved the intact defensive walls though.
25 July, 2009
Zugspitze Sunset
Sun slowing fading on a cool, early evening in the heart of Tirol. The last remnants of snow have nearly melted. The mosquitos will soon take over.
23 July, 2009
Hover
Standing on top of the world. Wind blowing stronger than you can imagine and these birds are hovering in a standstill.
This was our 2nd time to the top of the Zugspitze and hope to get a 3rd chance.
hov·er (hvr, hv-)
intr.v. hov·ered, hov·er·ing, hov·ers
1. To remain floating, suspended, or fluttering in the air: gulls hovering over the waves.
2. To remain or linger in or near a place: hovering around the speaker's podium.
3. To remain in an uncertain state; waver: hovered between anger and remorse.
This was our 2nd time to the top of the Zugspitze and hope to get a 3rd chance.
hov·er (hvr, hv-)
intr.v. hov·ered, hov·er·ing, hov·ers
1. To remain floating, suspended, or fluttering in the air: gulls hovering over the waves.
2. To remain or linger in or near a place: hovering around the speaker's podium.
3. To remain in an uncertain state; waver: hovered between anger and remorse.
20 July, 2009
Our new friends and neighbors
Actually - they live with us - so not sure that calling them neighbors is accurate. As you can see from the picture, they are extremely tame .
19 July, 2009
Dragonfly
He was huge! We have plenty of blue dragonflies - but this yellow guy really stands out. He wasn't as friendly as the blue ones - much more bashful.
Hydrangea
I was very fortunate to catch the lighting just right. No edits. A hydrangea from our back garden along the woods.
View of St. Vitus in Český Krumlov
Taken from the castle at Český Krumlov. I thought this was a great view of the church and surrounding country side.
The construction of the Church of St.Vitus began in 1340 under the guidance of the German master-builder Linhart of Aldenberk, and was completed only after the Hussite wars. In 1439, it was consecrated by Bishop Nicholas of Passau.
The Church of St.Vitus has three naves with a long five-sided presbytery, oblong two-storey sacristies on both sides, with the Chapel of Resurrection and of St. John of Nepomuck and a vestibule on the northern side. In the western part there is a tower that is decorated on the ground floor with tiny Romanesque windows, on the upper floors is octagonal. The top floor of the tower was built in the Pseudo-Gothic style in the years 1893-1894.
The construction of the Church of St.Vitus began in 1340 under the guidance of the German master-builder Linhart of Aldenberk, and was completed only after the Hussite wars. In 1439, it was consecrated by Bishop Nicholas of Passau.
The Church of St.Vitus has three naves with a long five-sided presbytery, oblong two-storey sacristies on both sides, with the Chapel of Resurrection and of St. John of Nepomuck and a vestibule on the northern side. In the western part there is a tower that is decorated on the ground floor with tiny Romanesque windows, on the upper floors is octagonal. The top floor of the tower was built in the Pseudo-Gothic style in the years 1893-1894.
17 July, 2009
St. Nicholas (Kostel sv. Mikuláse) at night.
I love Flickr. Somone just helped me identify the name of this church.
St. Nicholas (Kostel sv. Mikuláse) is a Baroque church, historical sources mention this place of worship as early as 1273, but it wasn't completed in it's Baroque style until 1735.
We were walking back from dinner on a very chilly evening and I thought this would be an interesting shot. Glad it came out as good as it did. I didn't have a tripod in my pocket.
St. Nicholas (Kostel sv. Mikuláse) is a Baroque church, historical sources mention this place of worship as early as 1273, but it wasn't completed in it's Baroque style until 1735.
We were walking back from dinner on a very chilly evening and I thought this would be an interesting shot. Glad it came out as good as it did. I didn't have a tripod in my pocket.
14 July, 2009
On top of the world looking down on creation
or almost.....
It's always a strange feeling to be in the clouds or looking down on them.
View from the Salzwelten - Hallstatt Austria
http://www.salzmanufactur.com/cont/salzwelten/en_salzwelten_hallstatt.aspx
It's always a strange feeling to be in the clouds or looking down on them.
View from the Salzwelten - Hallstatt Austria
http://www.salzmanufactur.com/cont/salzwelten/en_salzwelten_hallstatt.aspx
13 July, 2009
Alpine Meadow
On the path to the Salt Mines near Hallstatt Austria - not sure I've ever seen wildflowers this dense before.
08 July, 2009
An evening stroll
A trip to Europe would not be complete without a picture of Jerry walking in a garden.
Here's the original inspirational shot that I took many years ago in France.
www.flickr.com/photos/michaelfowler/97374365/in/set-92794/
Here's the original inspirational shot that I took many years ago in France.
www.flickr.com/photos/michaelfowler/97374365/in/set-92794/
Cow's in the Meadow
We took the ferry from Dolní Vltavice and when we reach the other side we expected to be in Austria within 1-2 km. What we found instead was a 1 lane road with minimal signage. I think we ended up paralleling the border for about 30 minutes. It was spectacular. It's the favorite part of vacationing in a strange land. The ability to be lost and not worry about it.
Along the way we met a few cows too!
Along the way we met a few cows too!
07 July, 2009
Dolní Vltavice - History of the creation of Lake Lipno
Town History :
The first mention about Dolní Vltavice is from 1268. Original settlement was founded by Royal Zvíkov burgrave Hrz who presented it in 1268 to Monastery in Zlatá Koruna. From 1420 pertained as other monastery villages to Krumlov estate. The first mention about church of St. Linhart is from 1355. Church was rebuilt for several times. During construction of Lake Lipno the church with part of village was flooded. There was pillory on the square from the half of 16th century. In 1850 in Dolní Vltavice lived 299 people and in 1970 only 31 inhabitants.
Dolní Vltavice is recreation site on the shore of Lake Lipno.
For pictures of the ferry crossing - click on the picture and visit my flickr site.
The first mention about Dolní Vltavice is from 1268. Original settlement was founded by Royal Zvíkov burgrave Hrz who presented it in 1268 to Monastery in Zlatá Koruna. From 1420 pertained as other monastery villages to Krumlov estate. The first mention about church of St. Linhart is from 1355. Church was rebuilt for several times. During construction of Lake Lipno the church with part of village was flooded. There was pillory on the square from the half of 16th century. In 1850 in Dolní Vltavice lived 299 people and in 1970 only 31 inhabitants.
Dolní Vltavice is recreation site on the shore of Lake Lipno.
For pictures of the ferry crossing - click on the picture and visit my flickr site.
06 July, 2009
Hluboká nad Vltavou - Trophy
Very well kept and intact chateau located in Bohemia - Czech Republic. In the late 1800's it underwent major reconstruction - can you name the English Castle it was fashioned after?
Here's a close up of the trophy wall in the court yard.
Here's a close up of the trophy wall in the court yard.
05 July, 2009
Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle
Quite the door handle.
The Schwarzenberg Coat-of-arms
The German noble family of Schwarzenbergs was originally called the Lords of Seinsheim and their proper emblem was a shield with silver and blue stripes. After the conquest of Raab, the Turkish fortress, the emblem was enlarged in 1599 by Adolf zu Schwarzenberg with head of a Turk, his eyes being pecked out by a raven. In 1688, there was another modification of the coat-of-arms which was improved by the symbols of other dominions. Three red spikes in a green field symbolise the Schultz dominion which was annexed to the dominion by Ferdinand zu Schwarzenberg after the marriage with Marie Anna von Schultz. A burning twig symbolises the Brandis dominion. In the heart shield of the coat-of-arms there are emblems of the Schwarzenberg dominions - a tower on a black hill and Kleggau -three golden sheaves. Two golden lions occassionally appear as shield-bearers. The prince's crown above the coat-of-arms symbolises the prince's title.
The Schwarzenberg Coat-of-arms
The German noble family of Schwarzenbergs was originally called the Lords of Seinsheim and their proper emblem was a shield with silver and blue stripes. After the conquest of Raab, the Turkish fortress, the emblem was enlarged in 1599 by Adolf zu Schwarzenberg with head of a Turk, his eyes being pecked out by a raven. In 1688, there was another modification of the coat-of-arms which was improved by the symbols of other dominions. Three red spikes in a green field symbolise the Schultz dominion which was annexed to the dominion by Ferdinand zu Schwarzenberg after the marriage with Marie Anna von Schultz. A burning twig symbolises the Brandis dominion. In the heart shield of the coat-of-arms there are emblems of the Schwarzenberg dominions - a tower on a black hill and Kleggau -three golden sheaves. Two golden lions occassionally appear as shield-bearers. The prince's crown above the coat-of-arms symbolises the prince's title.
04 July, 2009
Happy 4th of July
What great summer weather we are having. Low to mid 80's with abundant sunshine. Just perfect.
Hope you have a safe and happy holiday.
Hope you have a safe and happy holiday.
03 July, 2009
Home Sweet Home (at least for 1 night)
Our home away from home in Český Krumlov. It was actually a pretty big place. Our room was in the attic in the back. Had a nice view of the rooftops. There was only 1 twist, we had to park the car outside of town. Thankfully they let us drive in to drop the bags off. It was about a 1 mile stroll to the parking lot.
02 July, 2009
Reflecting on Český Krumlov
After dinner we walked around the town. The air was very still which made for a perfect photo op.
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