It's Art

We have a friend.

Her name is Dainese Isabella Ferlin.

Born in England,

Living in Italy and in Austria.

By Calling and Talent, a Painter.

Have a look:

Working on a "memory" of a Carinthian landscape.

Even her palette is a work of Art.

Carinthian Landscape

.

Selfportrait of the painter

Boats on the sandy beach of Mallorca

So you think that Dainese does only "landscapes?"

Wrong! "Portraits" are also her strength.

how can one tell with this multi-talented artist?

Strange creatures

Several years ago, accompanied by 5 friends, we canoed down the Zambezi river.
When it got to be late afternoon, we decided to pitch our camp on a sandy island.
The first thing I  noticed where the heavy tracks of an Elephant in the sand.
This very fresh evidence of the recent presence of such a big animal, whose territory we were obviously invading, did not fill me with a great sense of security.
The nonchalance of my friends, however, did not allow me to show my concern.
So we pitched our camp and hoped for a quiet night.

my "tent" for this night and many nights thereafter.

(well, it keeps the flies away)

The next morning, the Ele looked at us 

with suspicion from the opposite shore. 

The "Hammerkop" is about the size of a duck.
Brown feathered and non discript.
Since he does not have much else to do,
he yearly builds the biggest nest of any bird in Africa.

Every year a new one.

If it isn't big enough he will not get the bride.

Spring = Flowers

Although it was -2 degrees last night, I cannot refrain from showing you some flowers.

Easter ?

Well, it's the Easter Holiday again. Easter Sunday today and I forced myself to read the daily Newspapers.
The amount of sheer nonsense, presented in pseudo-intellectual gobbledegook and religious diatribe is almost too much to digest.
I shall refrain from getting into a debate, but ask each reader to think. Just think ....
and you will come to the conclusion that it all is a good deal of bunk..

Bertstravels.

My all-time favourite image

These Impala found themselves trapped 

between us and an Elephant.

They were nervous and for a moment it looked as if they 

thought about the direction in which they should flee.

Then they slowly moved toward the Elephant,

telling us in no uncertain terms that they considered us

the greater enemy, the greater danger,

although we measured not even 1/4 of the size of Jumbo.

Makes one almost a little ashamed to be a Human Being.

John was hungry

Hungry and thirsty Elephants, not my friend John, 

were responsible for this half eaten Baobab tree.

Miscellaneous "Out Of Africa"

There are a number of Lodges in the Kalahari.

One of them, the Grassland Safaris Lodge,

advertises its presence by telling you that you will reach

the Reception in 7 km. ( that's where you register.)

Your room, you will find in another 53 km.

We were heading for "Deception Pan".

I had asked Ant what the word "deception" means in this connection.

He said: "You'll find out when we get there"

After 149 km we arrived at this small "lake."

The "water" shimmered and glistened in the sunshine. 

When we got closer it turned out, much to my dismay, 

to be a slight depression in which the dry earth shimmered 

so that you'd swear that you had come upon a small lake.

Then I understood the name "Deception Pan".

At the warden's hut, there was a wash room.

When I visited it, I found it was already occupied by an Owl

which fluttered against the high positioned window

in a desperate effort to regain its element.

With two towels Ant managed to trap this bird

and gave it its freedom.

There she flies!

************

Since I shall be leaving for Africa in another 41 days

I am starting to think and plan and to reminisce.

****************

First Dip of 2017

It is the 10th day of April 2017.
The air temperature is about 25 C.
The water temperature is 15 C
That means it is colder than cold.
So, you can believe me, my "dip" was  exactly that  "A dip".
Christin took some pictures in order to eternalize this important happening.

In order to soften the shock I am bracketing these swimming pictures

between the blooms in my neighbours garden.

From Home toHome

I've shown you some images of the hills and the mountains of my current surroundings.
So I thought I'd show you some of my other home: Toronto, Canada..
The problem is, of course, that those who know Toronto of today, will recognize that these images were taken two or more years ago and new skyscrapers now adorn the city scape.
This city grows so fast, that if you've been away for a year, you will find newer, bigger, more stylish hi-rises, so that your astonishment knows no end.

This reminds me of a little story of the Canadian visitor who came to Vienna. In order to learn as much about this old capital as possible, he hired a "Fiaker", a horse drawn carriage and asked the driver to take him around the "Ring Strasse". Inevitably they came by the Opera House and the Canadian commented how lovely a building it was. "How long did it take them to build this lovely edifice?" he asked the driver. The Driver informed his passenger that he thought it took 15 years from planning to the first performance. "What? 15 years? We would build something like this in 2 years at the most." replied the Canadian tourist. As they drove on at a leisurely pace, they came to the two large museums on the Ring.  Again the Canadian asked how long it took to erect these two magnificent structures. When told that it took maybe 18 years, the Canadian once more expressed his astonishment at how slow the Austrian builders must have been. Because, he insisted, in Toronto such properties would be developed in 4 years at most.
Finally they came to the wonderful 'Sankt Stephan's Dom', the Cathedral of St. Stephen  and, asked as to the time it took to build this incredibly wonderful work of art, the Fiaker driver looked surprised and said: "I really don't know, Sir, when I drove by here last night, it wasn't there yet."

That's the way I feel when I come to Toronto every year.

The Roy Thomson Concert Hall,

The Royal Bank Towers and

The 518 meters high CN Tower

Toronto Water Front

More HAM

On the far left ( not politically speaking ) the Mayor of Bleiburg,

Stefan Visotschnig

On the far right ( also not politically speaking ) 

the Mayor of Neuhaus, a neighboring community, 

I don't know the man in the middle. Likely another VIP.

Stefan Trampusch, Bleiburg's cultural guru

and the Premier of Carinthia, Peter Kaiser.

"Kaiser" is his real name. He is not the Schinkenkaiser.

This is the last day, when Hans Piko may wear his crown.

Hans came in second in the voting for the best Ham, and with a teary eye

he had to hand over this head gear.

When I told him, that coming in second is like being the first loser, he did not seem satisfied

with this honour. 

above: Mrs. Stefitz and the stand of our butcher store.

below: Gerhild Stöckl, from the Konditorei (Sugar bakery)

Festival of Ham

On the first Sunday of April, the Festival of Ham ( Schinkenfest) is held in Bleiburg.
Farmers from near and far come to a huge tent erected on the main drag to display their products.
Of course it is mainly self produced ham but also cheeses, Salami and other sausages as well as handicrafts, woven baskets and the like.
A Jury and the public vote for the best ham and the producer is entitled to wear the crown and the title of "Schinkenkaiser" - Emperor of the Ham - !

This is Hans Piko, the "Emperor of the Ham" for 2016.

There are about a dozen competitors, vying for the 2017 title.

Hans promised me to put up a valiant struggle to retain his crown.

some of Hans's competitors.

Since each of the exhibitors gives away samples, you need no breakfast.

Just go to the Schinkenfest !

Bertstravels

had a feast