Thanks Bill I find old cemeteries fascinating places, that one in particular captivated me, maybe because it's the oldest one I have ever been to and it's position on top of a hill. The atmosphere was one of perfect peace and tranquillity, and the shot you picked out was taken over the wall before it had opened, with a morning mist still hanging in the air. I even use that photo plus another as wallpaper on my laptop here This is the one I alternate it with...
I will let you know Shirley when these inane (maybe even insane) politicians stop behaving like spoilt children
We spent a lovely day out in the snow yesterday, in fact we enjoyed it so much we will do another trip next weekend, though all the snow has gone here at the moment and it's warmer with rain Here are some pics we took of the estate we visited, it's about 30 minutes by train north of here and a vast area of with buildings in various states of disrepair, the Germans never reached it, and during Soviet times it was used as communal flats, so it is one of the very rare examples of a Manor house and estate of the 19th century, that survived. The estate was built by Alexey Olenin, the president of the Academy of Arts at the beginning of the 19th century. Alexander Pushkin and Mikhail Glinka, Pyotr Vyazemsky and Vassily Zhukovsky were frequent guests here. The museum organizers carefully preserve evidences of a unique page in the history of Russian culture from the 1820s. Alexey Nikolaevich Olenin enjoyed the reputation of a well-rounded person. He served as the president of the Arts Academy, the first director of the Public Library, and a member of the State Council. He was not only an art connoisseur, but cared about and supported writers, poets, artists and musicians. Priyutino was frequented by lots of famous figures of Russian art and culture. It became the abode of exalted imaginative atmosphere of respectful and intellectual communication that was free from affectedness and hypocrisy.
Love the snowman, @Terry Page also the pictures of you and Lisa in the snow. The building was nice, too.
Watch it! You're going to get your feet all wet and cold one of these days. When you can't feel your toes is the time to hunt a fire. Good photos, Mr Page.
Thank you for the photos of your journeys @Terry Page because I usely only play games I must admit I haven’t even seen this thread before I went right through the thread and showed hubs the photos as well ,he was impressed with the photos. I love seeing the old building they are so fascinating ,wonder how they managed to build such beautiful buildings without the help of machinery/ power tools / cranes they have to erect homes and multi-storey buildings now days
Here are the photos and videos of the day we spent at the Maslenitsa celebrations here yesterday, it was the first time I had been and it was much larger than I imagined, there were various events taking place over a large park on the outskirts of the city. It's still very much a pagan celebration and ends with a bonfire on the last day, it was gently snowing all day which added to the atmosphere. On Sunday a straw effigy symbolizing winter is burnt away and warmer better times are coming back. Here are some photos..
I think we could do with some colour over here Terry, everywhere you've been is very colourful I mean take the Houses of Parliament - drab or what !
Wonderful pictures and video's @Terry Page. What is the purpose of the dolls? At least, I think they are dolls.
The dolls represent Lady Maslenitsa the pagan image of winter @Shirley Martin, and the burning ceremony on the last day of the weeks celebrations (Sunday) symbolises rebirth and the coming of spring. Since the Christians embraced the ceremony, it has moved to representing a rebirth of the soul, letting go of past burdens. Here is a photo of the burning of a full sized doll in St.Petersburg......