The Slavin Monument

I made it back up to the Slavin Monument this morning with my camera. Snapped a few interesting shots, the view of the city from this vantage point is quite beautiful. The weather looks as though it will cooperate so I will be heading back later today to see how the area is transformed at sunset.

Enjoy the journey!

Later in the day...

I headed back to the monument, however I was earlier than anticipated and didn't feel comfortable waiting. I did catch some beautiful light, not quite what I was hoping for but pretty nonetheless.

The View

Both photographs were taken on different days, but I thought they gave an interesting impression of what we see outside the windows of our hotel room here in Bratislava. Just in case anyone is interested, Norah Jones has released her third album today!! What an incredibly talented individual, her voice is gorgeous and she seems so grounded (listen to an interview here).
Have a listen to KT Tunstall (interview here), a Scottish singer/songwriter and Snow Patrol , a rock band from Northern Ireland, both are new discoveries for me and I really adore their music at the moment.

Budapest, Hungary

The weekend in Budapest was wonderful! What a beautiful place and such an enormous city. We barely scraped the surface with our visit. Friday evening was spent travelling by train to our destination; we were checked into our hotel by 11pm. Saturday morning we woke to a city blanketed in a fine layer of snow, with the white stuff still falling. Bundled up nice and warm we set forth on our exploration of a city steeped in history and splendor. There was so much to see, we walked about wondering what we might find around the next corner, at the end of the street or across the river. The Parliament buildings are incredible, situated along the Danube River, they are quite a sight! The city's architecture is phenomenal and one can not help but marvel at the longevity of these buildings. After spending upwards of six hours on our walking tour, we headed back to the hotel for a rest. That evening we walked back to an outdoor skating rink we had found, only to discover they were closing for the evening. It was still a pretty sight, a caste lit up in the background and the Zamboni resurfacing the ice. It was a cold and blustery evening and we fortunately were able to happen upon a quaint little restaurant, where we enjoyed a wonderful meal together. Sunday morning we packed up our things, checked out of the hotel and made our way to the train station. We were back in Bratislava just as the sun was setting, the colours in the sky were gorgeous, a terrific close to a memorable weekend.



On Thursday there will be new photos uploaded to our flickr account. Until then you can enjoy a new scrapblog entitled Budapest (see links to the right). Please be aware that the scrapblogs are a bit cumbersome and if you do not have a high speed Internet connection it may be less frustrating if you wait until Thursday to view them at the flickr site.

Hope the weekend was an enjoyable one for everyone.

Enjoy the journey!!!!

Birthday Wishes

Happy, Happy Birthday Gram!!!!

My fabulous Grandmother (aka Gram, Grandma, Mollie, Beatrice, Mrs. Wing) is celebrating her Birth Day today!!! Scott and I send our heartfelt wishes for another brilliant year and of course tonnes of spoiling today!!!! Wish we could be there with you to join in the festivities, know that we are there in spirit.

Much love,

Melanie & Scott

oxoxoxox

Recent Fancies

Been out and about today, walking here and there, purchasing train tickets (we are off to Budapest, Hungary this weekend), discovered the Slavin Monument which has a beautiful view of the city (will be going back with the camera next week), picked up a few groceries and am now back at the hotel enjoying a sit down and my daily hello to each of you.

Thought I would provide a few links to things I have recently taken a fancy to.

I adore this photographer's work.
Lotta Jansdotter is a gifted designer and I love her creations.
I learned about 3191, by way of this blog post. A daily photo inspiration.
This flickr image just makes me giggle, more image favs here!

Enjoy the journey!!!

Snow

These photos were taken yesterday. Most of the snow has melted but we have had a couple of snow flurries this morning. Hope everyone is enjoying their week thus far.

Enjoy the journey!!!

Photographs of Easson have arrived!!!

Thanks Kim for sharing these pixies of Easson, she is as cute as a button!!!!

What else is love but understanding and rejoicing in the fact that another person lives, acts, and experiences otherwise than we do…?
Friedrich Nietzsche

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

A new week ahead and so much to look forward to!!

Scott & I watched the following story on EuroNews and found it very encouraging. Check it out when you get a moment!!!

Spanish businessmen turn old batteries into silver
In the small Andalusian town of Montilla, a few kilometers from Cordoba, two men are pioneering a revolutionary system of recycling. Their company has become the first in Europe capable of recycling the tiny button batteries we use in our watches, cameras and computers. "Luque de Reciclajes", reclaims the batteries' components in a completely safe manner and makes money from the process.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

Relish the journey!!!

Easson Update!!!

Kim sent us an update via email, here is what she had to say:

Mel and Scott,

Hey there! Sorry I missed your call. I had Easson at her first doc appointment. She is doing great. She is adorable! I will try and send some pixes later today via email so you can see the little darling! She is such a sweetie.

love, kim

We are looking forward to seeing photos of the wee one very soon!!!
So glad to hear that Easson is doing so well.

Discovering beauty in the ordinary...

Exciting News!!

I have exciting news. Amy, a dear friend (the beautiful bride, married 13 May 2006) has just shared wonderful news with us, she is pregnant and due in July!!! We are so excited for her and Jason; they will make absolutely fantastic parents!!!! Scott and I send our heartfelt congratulations to both Amy & Jason and their families!!!!


My darling Christine (the lovely lady on the left) another of my dearest friends is pregnant with her second child and her cesarean is scheduled for the 16th of February, Chris of course is hoping for an earlier arrival ;o)!!! In a recent email message she mentioned that her 23 month old son William (he is a sweetie and will be two on the 3rd of February) has decided that he doesn't want a baby brother or sister. Chris and Alex will have an interesting time dealing with this latest development, in addition to preparing for the newest addition to the family. We look forward to news of the baby's arrival!!!

Cropping photos...

It can make the difference between a good shot and a great one. I think both these photos look so much better cropped (to compare see flickr).

Hope the weekend treated everyone very well.

Enjoy the journey!!!

A new niece!!!

We are so looking forward to meeting Easson!!! We are hoping to speak with Kim this evening (our time) to see how everything is going. It is always so exciting when a baby enters the world, especially into your own family. There is so much you would like to share with them, to ensure that they experience all this beautiful planet has to offer. At moments such as this the possibilities seem endless...

Above is a photo taken this weekend during a visit to Vienna.

It's a girl!!!!

Please join us in welcoming Easson Winter Trick to the world!!!

Easson arrived Saturday, 13 January 2007, weighing in at 7 lbs. 9oz.
Both Kim and the baby are happy, healthy & doing well.

We will post photographs as soon as we have them.

And Soon There Will Be Four...

A photo of Alexa, Kim & Mead taken August 2006 at Heron Point, near Ottawa, Canada. Thanks Jo for sending Scott and I this photo.

Update: Kim is scheduled to have her cesarean tomorrow at noon, pacific time. Scott and I wish we could be with Kim, Mead & Alexa as they welcome the newest addition into the Gorman-Trick clan!!!! Our thoughts will be with you Kim as you undergo this exciting and wee bit scary procedure. Just think, tomorrow afternoon you will be able to look into the eyes of the little one you have been waiting to meet for the past nine months, how amazing will that be!!?!!!

Our thoughts & love go out to you!!!

More Photographs Today!!!

Be sure to check out our Flickr account, we have uploaded new Salzburg photos!!! All photo credits go to Scott for this batch, great job!!!

I was experimenting a little with my camera the other day, the theme was to find beauty in the ordinary. I thought I would share a few of my discoveries.

Everyday make a point of seeing things through new eyes...

Outside Our Window Today

Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon
Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape;
Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest
Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline (pt. II, sec. II)

Christmas Eve

We discovered the advent market in ‘the Altstadt' or ‘old town’, it was bustling with last minute gift purchasing as well as those out enjoying the holiday. Eyeing a sweets display Scott purchased some Christmas cookies and a dessert that we shared right then and there, it was delicious. Strolling about, marveling at the architecture, simply enjoying being in Salzburg for Christmas (that fact was finally beginning to sink in); the afternoon was wonder full. Arriving back at the inn, by taxi this time (thought it would be a little much to attempt the climb back up the hill on the first outing) we were eagerly anticipating the evening’s festivities. The family who runs the Gersberg Alm had prepared a Christmas program. At seven that evening, all the guests filed into a beautiful room replete with decorated Christmas tree, lit candles, roaring fire in the fireplace and choice of mulled wine or cider. One of the inn keeper’s daughters played the guitar while everyone joined in to sing Christmas carols, alternating between those in German and English. The singing was a bit off key at times but that did nothing to diminish the air of gaiety and good cheer. Christmas stories were read aloud between carols by various members of the family, all in German. Scott and I were overjoyed, so grateful we were able to share this experience together. Although we couldn’t help but think about our loved ones in Canada and the United States, we were well aware of how fortunate we are to have had this opportunity. Following the carols and stories, we enjoyed a scrumptious four course dinner in the hotel restaurant. What better way to round out a fantastic day than to listen to a sound recording of The Shepherd, a story written by Frederick Forsyth , read by Alan Maitland (aka Fireside Al). Scott and I take turns reading it aloud every Christmas Eve and I was a bit disappointed that we were going to have to break with tradition; however Scott was able to find a recording online (miracles always seem to happen at Christmas). It was truly a memorable Christmas celebration.

A Winter Wonderland

The 24th of December, Christmas Eve, the morning dawned crisp and cold with everything encrusted in a layer of frost, although at first glance it seemed as though it may have snowed through the night. With the sun’s rays peering over the tops of the mountains and hitting the frost, everything began to shimmer. A winter wonderland comes closest to describing the scene.
The Day’s adventure entailed making our way down the mountain into ‘the Altstadt' or ‘old town’ of Salzburg, by foot. From what we had read and from what Scott found on Google Earth it would take about an hour, to an hour and a half walking time. We began our decent into the city in the bright sun light, with each bend in the road there seemed to be a new sight to delight the visual senses. As we made our way into the valley, the sunlight began to dissolve in the mist, slowly but surely we were being wrapped in a shroud of fog. The city below lay quiet and blanketed and each descent on the following days, Salzburg would unveil her beauty and splendor. For with each passing day the fog would slowly but surely dissipate and with each visit we were delighted, entranced and increasingly enamoured by this rare beauty, Salzburg.

And So Begins the Regaling of Our Christmas Adventure

Our Salzburg holiday began the morning of the 23rd of December, leaving Bratislava we traveled by train to Vienna, switching stations via the Underground and then boarding another train bound for Salzburg. The weather progressively improved as we made our way east towards our destination. The sun revealing more and more of the beauty of the Austrian countryside and various towns the rails passed through. Something spied from the window of the train while passing through a few towns were brightly wrapped presents hanging from trees, the decorations were so festive. There was a steady rise in elevation during the train journey, passing through many tunnels and experiencing the common sensation of having our ears pop. Closer to Salzburg we began to notice a bit of snow, which made it seem more like Christmas than ever. The mountains came into view, which were more beautiful than words can describe. The train pulled into the Salzburg station and the anticipation and excitement although contained till this point began to bubble over!!! We found a very amiable and knowledgeable cab driver, who entertained us with information about our hotel and the city itself. Very soon into the ride we began the ascent towards our mountain retreat, The Romantik Hotel Gersberg Alm (for the English version of the website click on the English tab in the upper right hand corner). As mentioned in a previous post, we couldn't have been more delighted with our accommodations. The journey towards the Gersberg Alm revealed more of Salzburg, situated in a valley, surrounded by mountains, it was breath taking. The laneway leading up to the inn is tree lined and provides access to hiking trails that run throughout the area. The inn’s façade is something out of a fairytale, so welcoming and enchanting, and the staff were so friendly. Walking out onto the balcony of our room, this was the view from our room, we were thrilled!

We unpacked and went outside for a walk and a glimpse of our surroundings before nightfall. Wow, there was snow, enough to make things pretty, there was a crispness to the air that was so invigorating and calming at the same time. That first night we enjoyed a sumptuous meal in the hotel restaurant and then called it a night. We drifted off to sleep, tired from the day’s travels and looking forward to the next day’s discoveries and the fact that it would be Christmas Eve.

Find new Salzburg photographs at our Flickr account (permanent link above on the right).

More information about Salzburg can be found here.

Enjoy the journey!!!

'To the complaint, 'There are no people in these photographs,' I respond, 'There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer.'
~Ansel Adams

Till Next Week

I am going to save sharing our thoughts and impressions of our Salzburg holiday until next week. For now enjoy the photos we have uploaded to Flickr, there are a few new ones today.

Wishing everyone a terrific weekend!!!
Enjoy the journey!!!

Salzburg

As promised we have a few photographs to share with you today. You will find eight photographs taken during our holiday in Salzburg, with more to come, as well as various Bratislava photos many of you have already seen in the various scrapblogs (see links on the right). I will provide a link (see below and to the right) which will take you to our account with Flickr! a wonderful site designed for storing, sharing and organizing your photographs. I will be working on a scrapblog of Salzburg but for now please enjoy the photos.

Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aturtleandadragon/"

Salzburg was amazing. Scott and I fell in love with the area. We were so fortunate with our hotel selection; we weren't directly in the city but up one of the mountains. A description of the hotel found on a travel site puts it this way: The Romantik Hotel Gersberg Alm offers a rare combination of a world famous city and easy access to pure nature. The guests [live] above the rooftops of Salzburg just far enough away from the noise of the traffic and bustle, but close enough to the magic of the city. The views from the hotel down into the city and of the surrounding mountains were breathtaking!

Perspective

A tad under the weather today so this post will be a bit on the short side. The photo on the right is a shot of the overhead branches of a tree covered in frost. It was taken early one crisp morning last week while on holiday, such refreshing and invigorating weather. Tomorrow there will be photographs from Salzburg to enjoy. Till then, take care and savour the moments...


P.S. For those of you with wee ones in your lives (and those of you who remain young at heart) the following link might be of interest, coloured bubbles!!

The New Year...

Salzburg, Austria is a magical and gloriously beautiful place. Scott and I will share our photographs and thoughts of Salzburg over the next couple of weeks. It was a fantastic holiday!!! The mountains were phenomenally gorgeous and the following quote by Leonardo da Vinci aptly expresses this sentiment:

Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does Nature, because in her inventions, nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous.


The month of January holds such promise, a clean slate before each of us. Enjoy the journey!!!!


The future is called "perhaps," which is the only possible thing to call the future. And the only important thing is not to allow that to scare you.
~Tennessee Williams