Children's Art.

Sybille Smolak proudly explains a details
of one of her pupils' work

Colourful background makes even these
black-hat-snowmen look happy.

Funny Faces !

In the "Palazzo Veneziano"

This is Sybille Smolak.
Even her shadow looks happy.
Sybille teaches children how to be happy
through painting funny, colourful paintings
and dancing lively dances to happy music.

The "Palazzo Veneziano di Malborghetto" was built in 1591.
Today it houses a library and an art gallery,
in which currently the children, trained by Sybille,
display their art.

The courtyard of the Palazzo

Sybille Smolak and some of her Creations

The artist in front of "The Blue Angel"

Tention and Power in the painting called "Energie"

With Religious Significance: "The Lying Cross"

My Favourite.

A short Visit to Braunau am Inn

Yesterday, 16th April, Christin and I drove to Braunau in order to visit my two sisters,
Inge (88) and Irmgard, (84)
Irmgard now lives in a "Senioren Home" in Braunau, where we visited her. In spite of having had a series of strokes, which robbed her of speech and mobility, she still solves crossword - and other puzzles. Although her son Hermann and his wife, Veronika, tell me that she now and then cheats by looking at the answers. (well, I say, at age 84 you're allowed to cheat.)
Also present during this visit were her younger son Hermann, his wife Veronika, their daughter Barbara and their son Thomas' 1 year old baby. Marie-Christin is an absolutely lovely baby. She just never stops smiling and, having just mastered the art of walking, she wants to be on the go all the time. (Unfortunately Thomas could not be with us, since he was at work.)
We also visited Inge. There we had a little party. There were 8 of us...Hilde Engel and her good looking and smart son Jan. Charly and Margret Reicheneder, who provided absolutely wonderful vittels. (Charly, in case you don't know, is my oldest and best friend from "the olden days". He blows a Tenor Sax and a clarinett, and makes the sweetest sounds this side of the Philharmonics.
Inge, of course, and her helper, Susanne. Then there were Christin and I, rounding out the party.
I specially went back out to my car to get my camera. Of course I wanted to keep a record of this party. I brought the camera inside and laid it on top of a cabinett. The next time I thought about it was after everybody had left. So I could just take a few shots of Inge. One of them appears down below. Oh well, I suppose I too am getting a little older. In a few days I'll be 78. Compared to my sisters I am, of course, "their young brother"
The drive from Bleiburg to Braunau (350km one way) took us 4 hours and another 4 hours back...but, it was worth every minute.
Greetings to you all.
Bert

Irmgard's Family

4 Generations of Kuglers

Great-Grand Mother Irmgard
and her Great-Grand Child

Always, always smiling.
Marie-Christin

My sister Inge.
This coming June she'll be 88.

BLED, SLOVENIA

Bled is on the shore of a lake
...in the lake there is an island...
...on the island there is a church...

On the lakeshore sits "Rakinic"
He paints "Bled"
...and writes a dedication
on each of the little paintings
you may buy for 5 bucks.

The Castle of Bled.
a close up

BLED, Slovenia

In the neighbouring country of Slovenia
there is the little town of BLED.
High atop a rock there is a castle,
down below the church of the community
and in the background the still snow covered mountains.

Another view of BLED.

EACH OF THESE IMAGES SHOULD, NO MUST
BE VIEWED IN THE LARGE FORMAT.

In the middle of the small lake, there is an island
and, you guessed it, they built a church on it.
There is a much better angle to fotograph this island,
so you might have a good view of the lake surrounding it.
Unfortunately, you must be satisfied with what I could get.

BLED, SLOVENIA.

The Golfclub at the foot of the Hoch Obir

The flags in the fore ground,
the mountains in the back ground
leave little doubt where you are ....

you're either golfing,
or watching others at this game
just minutes from my home.

Austrians are probably not happy
unless they can designate something as
"verboten"
This time it's "Pitchen" und "Chippen" which is forbidden.

I am very happy
that the taking of these images,
"Mountain range in the Sun Set,"
taken from the terrace of the golf club,
was not also "verboten."

PLEASE VIEW THIS IMAGE IN THE LARGE FORMAT.

"The GOLF-COURSE"

Practically at the foot of the mountains,
a popular golf course.

One of the enthusiastic members,
who, without success, tried to convince me
that I should try my hand at this game.

I decided, however, to stick with fotography.

It was just a bit hazy and I had not brought
my polarizing filter.
Even without it, I am certain you will be able
to imagine how beautiful this course is.