a peek into the Moritzburg State Stud

Luckily I took a quick glance through the backdoor of the State Stud's riding hall, when I passed by. There were young mares taking a performance test. Such an incredible vigour and beauty!

on my running track n°1

big snow, 3 boars and a simple beetroot salad

I had a flu. Runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever.
So instead of throwing myself into the planned spring detox and sports  in the (supposed) sunshine I'm spending my days lazily on the sofa, recovering, drinking hot English tea and trying to motivate myself to breathe the snowy air outside my warm cocoon not only for shovelling snow.

Snowboots and ski pants on, camera hidden under the parka I bravely headed  into the forest.  At least it was not cold (-2°C only).

On my way back from the lakes, just when  in a sudden euphoria I considered buying a new pair of cross country skis as soon as possible, three enormous wild boars jogged by my side. I stopped walking, breathing, all terrified, trying to make myself invisible...  Approximately 20 meters in front of me they crossed my path and disappeared in the forest again. I was not cool enough to take a photo. I'm sorry.

The question is, would it have been dangerous if I was closer?  What would have happened if, for example, I went with an off-leash dog? Do boars find enough food after weeks of snow covered fields? Do they also run around when the sun is shining? I shall have to ask the Head of the game reserve...

I don't cook a lot these days: simple things, vegetables with oil and vinegar, pasta, fish and rice.

I just thought it would be nice to share my today's beetroot salad with you. Firstly because it really was delicious, secondly because all this snow series needed a hint of colour.

Beetroot salad with apple and laurel

3 beetroots
1 apple
2 leaves of laurel
olive oil,  vinegar, salt and pepper

Wash the beetroots, cover them with water and cook them about 20 minutes until soft. Peel and slice them. Peel and slice the apple and mix with the beetroot slices in a bowl. Dress with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the leaves of laurel. Let the salad rest at room temperature for at least one hour to allow the flavours to mingle.

Would  be nice to accompany a boar roast as well, wouldn' it?
But not for me, not now,  I definitely don't want to enrage the Big Boar Spirit....

wintersun

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed a full day of bright sunshine in this fridge. Sun changes  it all: suddenly it becomes so easy to stick to my winter's resolution.

on the path from Moritzburg to Dippeldorfer Teich

fairytale forest

Tuesday morning

Moritzburg Castle

here and there on the same meridien

The colour specks on the frozen lake reminded me of a photo I lately took at Muizenberg beach, South Africa. On both sides of the equator people enjoying the sun and the water!

winter, finally!

The kitchen in progress is constantly on my mind: walls down- done, new window - done, walls - painted. The next step on the list is the wooden floor.
To balance out my excitement and stress of being the construction supervisor  I went on a stroll today capturing the wintery vibes.

Insider: Professor Remus Lupin's transformation....

the catch of a Sunday's walk: UVs for me and some snapshots for you

Yesterday my friend Micha urged me to spend more time outdoor to catch the necessary amount of wintery UV rays. No excuse!  Even on ugly days ( really every EVERY day, Micha??) when I'd prefer hiding inside with a good book and a cup of tea.
(By the way, the best book I've read in months has been The Vertigo Years, Europe 1900-1914 by Philipp Blom. It's been deeply disturbing for me to read about a period of time that in many ways is so similar to our today's world).