Rubbish house, georgous loctation.

The August blue sky and the brand new, red life saver cannot hide the fact that this boathouse has seen its best days. Rubbish.
Even so, if it came on the market, one would  probably have to pay more than 170 000 US Dollars to get it. I know, because there was a similar boathouse, but with not that spectacular location for sale a few years ago. I couldn't afford it. I actually don't need it either. I don't have a boat and the beach is located only 7 minutes walk from our home.

This is a private boat house on a public bathing resort within the city of Haugesund, but facing the North Sea. The Norwegian government has decided that the sea side should be available to all inhabitants, therefor the building of  new boat houses within the cities is prohibited. This being a public beach makes it impossible to build new houses here. I am fine with that. I so enjoy being here any time of the year.

The Bay of Whale is naturally formed by the mountains and bergs, but to protect the bathing guests from the strong currants a breakwater is built to the right in the picture. These are dangerous waters, one can see the currants even on a silent day like this. The light house to the left is an ancient sea mark.

The beach was built for public use in the 1930-ies. The architect has so loved the art deco style. Even today the eyes find it pleasant to admire the familiar art deco lines, vogues en vogues, so very fitting. It's comforting that the rubbish boat house never will come for sale or being allowed converted into a villa. These locations are treasured by all Haugesund's inhabitants, and so they shall remain.

Linking to Rubbish Tuesday with Roan. http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.no/

Diamonds and rust. Ash day at the harbour.

Have you ever examined a used car, boat, spouse, horse or whatever might be on the market,
and found that underneath that well polished surface,
was nothing but rust and rot?
Horse salesmen used to be famous for hiding major flaws like limping or
psychic damages.
These boats at Haugesund harbour have been restored by loving amateurs.
They are what they seem to be, and are certainly not for sale.
Isn't that a good thing?
Gray ash from Iceland does not manage to spoil true beauty of the harbour.
I's say it rather enhances the old ship and the even elder boathouse.

Red outperforms the slimy gray any day, any time.

Visit teach Mary for more Ruby Tuesdays here

April

Rocky waters outside the coastline of Haugesund.
I could hardly hold the camera still, as my squirrel daughter started climbing the stairs in the rough wind.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now,
It's just a spring clean for the May queen.
Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on.
And it makes me wonder.

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know,
The piper's calling you to join him,
Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant

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April walk in Haugesund

Tonjer Lighthouse can only be reached by boat, and is situated on the south side to guide ships entering the narrow strait leading to the harbor.


The local municipal council has decided that we, the inhabitants of Haugesund, deserve a new walking path along these extraordinary
shores. The beauty of the scenery can be admired and experienced no matter what the weather or the season is like.



The path heads northwards and then west again.
If you are familiar with the four directions of the compass, you easily find your way anywhere in Haugesund.

Serina rarely gets lost. She is a former girl scout and can handle most situations.

Out on the Whale she climbed the stairways up to the beacon light. Far behind the horizon in the west is Scotland and the Shetland Islands.

Turning east on our way home, we spot two church towers in a row.
Nearest, Skaare Church where Serina was confirmed, the green copper tower belongs to the Church of Our Savior, where Gunnar was Christened and confirmed.

Even though it was a cold and windy first Sunday in April, I always connect Pat Boone's sweet voice with this month.


April Love :

April love is for the very young
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away

April love is for the very young
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one, don't let her run away.

RUBY CHRISTMAS IN HAUGESUND

Haugesund has at least four kinds of weather in a week. Lately we've had, snow, frost, storm and more snow. Here is The Salvation Army "playing the Christmas in" on the town square like they have done the last sixty years.
They are loved and respected by high and low, and use Advent time to collect money to make a proper Christmas for the less fortunate.

The Christmas tree in front of the City Hall was beautifully decorated by children from all the kindergartens of our town. The tree was roped by experienced sailors, and did withstand the storm, but the decorations were somewhat messed up.


Christmastime is also when we mostly miss our dear ones, who have created our best childhood memories. Therefor it's custom to visit the graves with candles and wreaths before Christmas. Three miniature roses on the moss and cone wreath at the grave of Gunnar's parents. He has four graves to decorate every December 17th. The one of his parents, his sister Bjorg, his grandfather and cousin Ragnar. It's a privilege to honor and visit Gunnar's loved ones.

As years go by, we try to cut down on "unnecessary" gifts.
We haven't yet reached the point of money only". Gunnar has hidden in my study to wrap in some secrets.

Our house guest, Silk Kitty. seems to have adopted us. The strong affection and admiration is mutual.

Serina came home through storm and ice and immediately took up her duties. Decorating the tree and wrapping parcels.

The Kitty and Serina fell deeply in love at first sight.

Cuddling and sweet talking for hours.

Fourth Sunday of Advent we went to the annual Christmas Concert in the mighty Church of Our Savior. Luckily some of the audience wore red robes.
Photo by Serina. The church was packed for two concerts this evening, and
inner peace and spiritual needs were richly filled.

Tears of joy could not and should not be held back.

What's moving me even more, is riding past The Thousand Homes".
A large public housing complex built in the 1920-ies. Now a refugee for alcoholics, drug addicts and criminals. Every year I am moved to tears, seeing a few Advent sticks in the windows there too. Waiting and hoping is what's keeping us all going on.

At home our Kitty lies in perfect harmony.
A blessed Christmas and New Year to all bloggers in my world.



The Nordic tenors were among the performers yesterday.
They sung this song among many others.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

RUBY TUESDAY IN DECEMBER

People in our town are very much like the average Norwegian.
We don't do much new stuff around Christmastime; we are too busy repeating our traditions. This provides a feeling of stability in an unpredictable world of storms. It's also the best way of passing on our common heritage. Like baking gingerbread cookies.


Eating rice porridge with raisins, sugar, cinnamon and a butter eye in the middle also belong to Christmas traditions. Red juice, preferably from red currants to drink.

Families, kindergartens, even the giant Statoil plant took part in making a gingerbread village, competing for the prettiest building.
The exhibition stood for two weeks in a public center for youth and elderly people together.


The center is called The old Slaughterhouse, cause way back it really was a slaughter house. We used to frequent this place a lot in the eighties and nineties.
There were also a huge craft market. I bout this hand knitted cat for less the 2 dollars. Gunnar agreed to pose with it.


Out in our garden looking inside.

Some red, even out on our terrace.

Our Nativity Scene have figurines assembled through years in different materials and styles. Serina's self made, happy, red haired angel is a must.


The old youlenisse is wearing a jumper my mother knitted for me when I was 1 year old. He is the Norwegian pendant to Santa Claus, but only loosely connected. Every farm had nisses living in the stable, like the trolls lived in the mountains and the hulder; partly wonderful young girl, partly cow (hidden under the skirt)lived up on the summer farmland in the woods. The youlenisse was to be fed with the best porridge for Christmas, or he could do a lot of harm both to the people and the animals on the farm. Some hundred and fifty years ago he was slowly transferred to the continental Santa. But he kept his name and his farmer clothes.

From our kitchen, a silk rose.

Our advent calendar, embroidered by my mother about 1956, with the help of my brother and me. The youlenisse is holding a jug of ale in one hand and a Holy Three King's candle in the other. Combination of paganism and Christianity.
In every Norwegian home you can see this advent lights in one or more windows. In the wooden bowl is and advent orange with 24 cloves in it.
The true fragrance of Christmas. The picture was shot last week, therefor only two candles are lit on our advent wreath.

Homemade hearts.


Our TV room is partly decorated in pastel, except for the poinsettia.
Today, Monday 13th, we celebrate Santa Lucia, a Sicilian saint. Children are dressed in white, singing the ancient song about this remote saint, while carrying candles and handing out buns. Nobody really knows why this special saint is so tightly connected to Scandinavia. Not even 500 years of protestantism has managed to delete this beautiful celebration.
Serina in front of her friends on Lucia day 19 years ago.

Originated by MaryT, check hers for today

Sepia Enchantment

Our family doctor has rented this marvelous art decor town house for his practice.
The clean pillars, the swung lines, and suddenly the gargoyles are making faces at us, when we visit. There are also some beautiful stained glasses. I'll use them for Ruby Tuesday.

A Gargoyle's Tears

Sunday, October 27, 2002

The tears of an ancient gargoyle,
perched on a ruin's wall,
frozen there by nature's hand,
condemned to never fall.

The gnarled and eerie features
of it's stony, staring face,
though worn by time, still give us pause
in this cold and lonely place.

What ancient craftsman fashioned this,
what nightmare caused his mind,
to give this creature angel's wings,
then sculpt it's face unkind ?

What spiteful muse did whisper
and guide the maker's hand
to loathesome brow, to leering grin
and evil crouching stand ?

Eyes that only seem to glare
in anger at the fate,
that gave it only ugliness,
then made it sit, and wait.

In cold eternal silence,
it's tears the only trace,
of a soul forever hiding,
the truth, behind the face

Patricia A. Boudreau.

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