Sunday, September 30, 2012

As if old memories

Perspective on time. "How long ago was this taken?", I'll most certainly ask myself one day... Sometimes, certain events seem like a long time ago. When others seem like it was just yesterday...when it wasn't. 

Time. A tricky one. Or is it my memory playing up or simply today's photo effects? 

The following photos were taken in Sweden (yes, again, I know, but I took many photos there, as the country is just so beautiful and oozes serenity). 

Each photo is taken in a different location. The element that links them up is the fact that the setting just looks, to me, as if it could have been 50 years ago or more. In my mind, you could lose sense of time, here.   




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Close to Kivik (pronounced "shivik"), by the Baltic sea.


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 A garden shop in the centre of Lund.


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 Fishermen by the South coast.



To old memories!







Thursday, September 27, 2012

A range of colours

Is this bright range of colours waking you up? It's waking me up...

Which colour is yours? 

And see if you can guess what it is before you reach the last photo.


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Have a vibrant day!


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The butterfly enchanter

I am lucky to have somebody with natural talent in my household. Indeed, my young girl, aged 6, has a special power, it seems. She is a butterfly enchanter. 

During the summer, we went for a stroll along a countryside path...and as we walked, she spotted a light, little butterfly that was flying along the same path as us. So far, nothing special...until the butterfly was attracted by my girl. 

And so it came....the insect softly landed on my daughter's hand. She was careful not to move as she loves animals and was gobsmacked by her surprise visitor. Happy, she gently carried on walking to realise that the little creature kept on flying off to come back on her hand and then her shoulders. As if she had enchanted the butterfly. Just like magic. 


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The whole thing lasted 20 minutes, to our surprise. It was a special moment, mainly for my girl who will forever remember that one day she was the friend of a beautiful butterfly. A butterfly enchanter for a moment. 


Friday, September 14, 2012

Natural beauty

Today, I think that a bouquet of flowers would make me feel better. I could go to the florist, but I'm leaving this idea aside. Instead, I'm sharing the natural beauties that crossed my path. 

This is for those who today need flowers in their life. The natural beauties doing magic, as always...bringing positivity, calm and serenity. 

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Thank you. 







Friday, September 7, 2012

Promoting cycling

In my opinion, cycling for short to medium journeys is the key to a more balanced life-style in Western countries. I have seen it in Sweden, when I lived in Lund (South Sweden). 

I have not looked enough at statistics to make this post a reliable source for exact figures. However, from my own eyes, I have seen many people in Sweden using their bikes as a mode of transport. No surprise there! 


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Practical bicycle seen by the coast in South Sweden


Indeed, I saw guys wearing their suit happily cycling to their office, elderly people using their 2 wheel mode of transport to do their daily food shopping and heavily pregnant ladies enjoying the freedom of carrying on doing sport in a moderate fashion. 


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Bicycle park outside of Danish Bank building in Copenhagen


There are accidents, for sure (my neighbour broke his back in winter as he cycled on an icy patch; I saw an elderly person falling off her bike...luckily it happened close to the hospital)..., but worse things can happen when you drive.

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Your bicycle can also be your business premises as seen in Berlin


From reading on a bit on the internet about the benefits of cycling, I wonder why people are not instantly convinced it's the thing to do to ensure you are: 

Healthier - It seems to reduce risks of heart disease, breast cancer, obesity...to name a few. 

Safer - some experts think that if the amount of cycling doubles, the risks per cyclist falls by about at least 30% (source)

Wealthier - using a bicycle regularly is less costly than using a car. More cash in your wallet at the end of the month!

Less Pollution - by using less your car, you consequently use less petrol / diesel and pollute less the environment. 

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Studious bike park in Cambridge, England


So when I lived in Sweden, we managed to survive with 1 car, as we used the bicycle to go to work and the car for week-end trips or large shopping duties.

It's important to highlight that the infrastructure for cyclists is very present in northern Europe, as each public park, place, building, square...you name it... have bike parks. Making shopping a healthy activity. The bike lane map play an important role too in the decision making process of how you'll get to your destination. 

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A few options to choose from besides the car - in Sweden close to Gothenburg


Another factor that you will want to consider is the number of hills or descents you are likely to encounter on your journey from A to B. The latter is the obvious reason why cycling seems so popular in northern Europe, as the geographical low-relief allows you to gently cycle without having the impression you have just embarked on the Tour de France!

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Keen cyclist in the old part of Copenhagen


After my recent move back to France, the lack of infrastructure for cyclists surprised me. Large cities have included cycling in their transport systems (city bike hiring and dropping stations, bike hooks on trains...). 

My wish is for small communities to embrace cycling as a normal mode of transport and for Cycling (with a big C) to be at the forefront of the decision making process of the local politicians that make changes in their villages and towns. I know it takes time to change mentality and I hope to be part of this long process, as I really see the value of using your old or more recent bicycle on a regular basis. 


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Safe cyclist using a helmet, in Copenhagen! Unfortunately, a rare sight


If you have experiences or opinions on the subject...it would good to hear them. Happy riding!