Cornwall vol2 päev 1 /day 1

Selle suve reis viis tagasi Cornwalli. Eelmine kord käisin seal Germaloga 2011 aastal, siis hõlmas tee nii Walesi kui Cornwalli, viimases olime 2 päeva. Siis jäi edela-Inglismaast hoopis teine mulje kui ise sõites. Bussireisil peab arvestama suure seltskonna ja mille kõigega veel, kuigi ka see oli tore. Ei mäleta kitsaid teid ega kõrgeid hekke, mis neid ümbritsesid. Bussiga sõitsime vist veidi suurematel teedel. Iirimaa teed olid samuti käänulised aga Cornwalliga mitte võrreldavad.

Sõit algas nagu ikka lennujaamast, lend Helsingisse 6.05. Seal 1.20 ootamist ja edasi suund London Heathrow. Auto rentisin jälle Avisest, Iiri reisil jäin rahule. Supercover juurde, seekord oskasin enda  kindlustamisest loobuda, see oli nagunii Salvas tehtud ja hoidis lisakulutusest. 1.2 mootoriga Hyundai, kokkuvõttes sõitsime ca 500km rohkem kui Iiris aga bensiini kulu oli tunduvalt, tunduvalt väiksem kui Vauxhallil (meie maal Opel). Pakiruumi kahe kohvri paigutamine oli omaette teema aga istmele ei tahtnud jätta ja  mõlemad said peitu.

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle

Esimene sihtmärk oli Highclere Castle. Ma küll tulihingeline Downton Abbey jälgija enam ei ole aga see jäi teele ja on kindlasti väärt külastamist. Highclere Castle kodulehel palutakse GPSi kasutades valida sihtkohaks üks söögikoht enne lossi ja edasi juhinduda viitadest. Ma ei tea, miks see hea oli, igaks juhuks salvestasin lossi koordinaadid samuti, juhul kui viitade järgi kohale ei peaks jõudma. Kohal olles välistasime lossi ning tegime jalutuskäigu aias, mis jagunes väiksemateks soppideks. Loss on kaunis, inglise aiad oma tuntud headuses. 

Highclere Castle, munga aed

Highclere Castle

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Sõit edasi Stonehenge poole. Stonehenge vol 3. Kaks esimest korda on saanud parkida üle tee kivide kõrvale. Google mapsist kontrollides oli see parkla veel olemas. Tegelikkuses on kivid nüüdseks veel suuremaks turismimagnetiks kasvanud, parkla on oma endisest kohast umbes miili kaugusele nihutatud ja sellest on suur külastajakeskus kasvanud. 

Ostsin piletid kodus ära, ei pidanud seal eraldi järjekorras seisma. Külastajakeskuses oli suur parkla, näitus, kohvik. Kindlasti jäi midagi märkamata. Kivide juurde minnes oli kaks võimalust, teha matk üle iidse Stonehenge alade, mis pidi võtma pool tundi või minna bussiga, mis pidi sõitma 2 minutit. Ei no, ilus ilm, mis seal ikka bussiga sõita. Jalutasime teiste kannul kuni tee läks kaheks. Üks jätkus bussiteel, teine suundus üle põllu. Üks ees, teised järel üle põllu. Pärast selgus, et valisimegi õige tee kuigi sõidutee oli lühem. Kivide ümbruses ei olnud midagi muutunud, ikka nööriga piiratud ja lähemale pääs puudus. Saan aru, et pööripäeviti on võimalik suure raha eest ringis sees käia.

Jalutuskäik võttiski pool tundi, tagasi sõitsime bussiga.

Weymouth

Weymouth, Lacey`s B&B

Esialgu oli mõte Salisburys ka väike peatus teha aga jätsime selle plaanist välja ja suundusime otse Weymouthi, kus oli meie esimene öömaja, Lacey`s B&B. Majutuskohtade valikul olid jälle kriteeriumiteks tasuta parkimine ja hommiksöök. Lacey omanikeks olid Nigel ja Wendy, Nigel tervitas meid väga sõbralikult, tutvustas tuba ja andis soovitusi, mida Weymouthis näha. Käisime linnas jalutamas, ilm oli pilves aga kuiv. Inimesi oli suhteliselt vähe. Weymouth on suvituslinn, ilusa pika promenaadiga. Sooja ja päiksega on seal kindlasti mõnus suvitada.

Weymouth

 

This summer took me back to Cornwall. The previous time was with Germalo in 2011 and included both, Wales and Cornwall. Then we only spent 2 days in Cornwall and that gave a totally different impression than driving it ourselves. Understandably you have to consider with a lot of people when it comes to coach tours. I certainly don`t remember narrow roads nor the high hedges bordering the road leaving zero visibility. I guess we took the bigger roads with bus. The roads in Ireland were also curvy but do not compare to those in Cornwall.

Our journey, as usual, started from the airport. Our first flight was 6.05 from Tallinn to Helsinki, our connection time being 1.20. Then to London Heathrow. Again, I rented our car from Avis, I was happy with the conditions in Ireland. I of course took supercover, to travel without extra stress. This time I was smart enough not to get personal insurance since I already had it from Salva. Our Hyndai had 1.2 motor, oh the fun driving uphill and hills there were plenty. Surprisingly so. In the end we drove approximately 500 km more than in Ireland but it took so much less fuel than Vauzhall (Opel in Estonia). It was a struggle to fit two suitcases in the tiny boot :)

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle

Our first destination was Highclere Castle. I am not a ardent fan of Downton Abbey anymore but the castle was in the area and is definitely not to be missed. On their homepage, Highclere Castle asks not to use the castle`s coordinates if using GPS but instead a cafe`s and then follow the signs. I don`t know why this was necessary. Anyway, I had saved the castle`s coordinates in case we would get lost but these were not needed. We did not visit the castle, but only walked in the gardens. The castle is majestic indeed and the gardens true British ones.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge

Or next destination was Stonehenge. Stonehenge vol 3. During two previous times our bus has been able to park arcoss the road from the stones. Checking from Google Maps, this parking lot still exists. But by now the stones have developled into even bigger tourist trap, the parking lot has been moved approximately a mile away and grown into a grand visitor centre. I bought our tickets at home so at least we didn`t have to stand in the lond queue. The visitor centre has a big parking lot, and exhibition, cafe etc. There are to possibilities to approach the stones, either to walk (that was supposed to take 30 minutes) or a coach (2 minutes as informed). It was a nice day, so why take the bus? We followed others until road split into two, one across a field, one continuing the road. As one person chose to risk across the field, others followed. As it turned out, it was the path we were supposed to take although the main road was quicker. Nothing changed around the stones, still bordered with a rope and people can`t get any closer (except during Solstice if you have the money).

Weymouth, Lacey`s B&B

Weymouth

Weymouth

After that we headed to our accommodation in Weymouth Lacey`s B&B. When it came to choosing our accommodations, as usually, our criterias were free parking and breakfast. Lacey is owned by nice hosts, Nigel and Wendy. Nigel greeted us, showed our room and gave tips what to see in Weymouth. We took a walk, it was overcast but dry. Weymouth has a beautiful long promenade.

Narva energiajooks 2015

Ma ei oska täpselt öelda, mis pani mind kolmandat aastat järjest Narva sõitma. Narva, kuhu on minu kodust 212 km. Sellel aastal oli veel eriti tore sõita, kui nii aktiivselt teid remonditakse. Teede remont on alati positiivne aga kui on vaja kuhugi jõuda, siis sooviks juba valmis teid :) Sõit võttis peaaegu 4 tundi. Hea, et varuga sõitma hakkasin.

Ilm oli ilus, 26 kraadi või natuke rohkem. Suve kohta täiesti ideaalne. Aga. Aga jooksmiseks on see piin. Täpselt eelmise aasta Tartu Olüpiajooksu tunne. Suu kuivas juba enne esimese kilomeetri tähist. Keelega suu lage ja huuli niisutada ei ole võimalik, sest keel on täiesti kuiv. Joogipausini 4.5 km. Pärast joogipeatust (minu puhul ongi peatus, kõige suurem viga, mida joostes teen. Olen proovinud jooksu pealt juua, siis läheb vesi igale poole mujale kui sinna kuhu see peaks minema. Ja siis proovi uuesti hingamine korda saada. Olen proovinud lihtsalt tempot alla lasta, ei ole võimalik) lasid ühed imetoredad lapsed koduhoovist voolikuga rajale vett. Oleks võinud kallistada kui ei oleks tahtnud kiiremini lõpuni jõuda.

1 ja 2 km vahel tahtis sisemine mina teada, miks ma seal olen. Miks ma ei võiks pooleli jätta. Fakk, ma ei sõitnud 4 tundi, et 1 km jooksma tulla.

Narva ise on ilus linn. Jooksu ajal seda nautida ei ole eriti võimalik. Raja lõppu oli muudetud. 1.5km enne lõppu ootas ees üks ilge tõus. Nagu korralik, korralik tõus. Mõtlesin, kuidas on võimalik, et see mul eelmisest aastast meeles ei ole. Pärast tuli meelde, et eelmine aasta ei olnudki lõpp sealt. Oi kuidas ma naudin tõuse. Tõsiselt. Kõigil on raske. Üles jõudma ma ennast sunnin, no loogiline, mida kiiremini üles, seda kiiremini läbi aga pärast olid jalad läbi.
Kokku 94.s, naistest 14. ja enda vanuses 7. Aeg 33.12 :(
Järgmine aasta uuesti?

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy and the Sundace Kid

Robert Redford is probably my first memory when it comes to watching movies. The first movie I was him in was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I have seen so many of his movies since. I read a discussion on imdb about his looks vs his talent. I was definitely blown away by his blond hair and undoubtable charm. Being a young teenager as I was. But it cannot have been all that kept me watching more.

Last week I got some US stamps to send in hopes of getting a few autographs if I was so lucky. And although I have been quite slow with drawing lately I wanted to give it a chance. So this is the drawing that tries to show Paul Newman and Robert Redford. I sent it to Mr Redford, I`ll see if he replies. Fingers crossed.

Towerrunning

As one of this year`s new experiences I chose to try towerrunning. I have though about this for two years now. I discovered that kind of competitions two years ago but then the season was over. Last year again I remembered it too late but this year I was right on time.

The first etape was held in Radisson Blu Sky Hotel on 9th February. As this was my first ever towerrunning competition, I did not quite know what to expect. I have used stairs as a training method during my regular training (quite some time ago now but still). I was anxious. The start of the run was behind the building so we had to take a short run outside, got my chip that is used in orienteering and off I went. Swisshotel (official name being Radisson ...) has 26 floors, I managed to finish with 2.49 being second woman and second in my age group. Kaisa Kukk, who was the best Estonian woman in 2014 in Teletorn was the winner. The hardest bit was coughing after the run, and my legs kept shaking so much.

The second etape took place in  Radisson Blu Hotel Olümpia on 2nd March. I had the feeling I did not give my all in February, mainly because I did not know if I would last to the finish. So this time I tried my best not to hold back. 26.5 floors, made it in 2.29 and was the best woman. The run itself was kind of harder, my legs did not shake nor did my muscles hurt but breathing was so hard.

Today was the last competition in Teletorn which was a part of the World Championships as well. The staires were so narrow. 65 floors, oh breathing again was the hardest bit. Legs are just fine (I`ll see tomorrow). Took me 7.08 to get up, was 7th and 5th in my age group.Received my first World Cup points.

A mini break in Ida-Virumaa

Last weekend we spent a relaxing day-off in Ida-Virumaa. We visited Saka Manor, a restored manor in Northern Estonia. Now it is a beautiful hotel and a spa. Located on the coast, truly beautiful all year round.

After checking in we took a short ride across the shore. The roads were quite icy. Our first stop was at Valaste Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Estonia. I have seen it once before in summer but I never knew how beautiful it is in winter when it is partly frozen. I wish I had my camera with me. One of the few times I did not take it with me unfortunately.

Then we drove past Ontika Manor and ended up in Narva-Jõesuu, mostly visited during summer. We had lunch in a charming cafe, Lemmik. As Narva-Jõesuu is so close to the Russian border, it is natural people speak Russian there too. But it was interesting that the caterers did not speak nor understan Estonian at all. Pancakes were delicious and so was the tea.

Our spa time began at 15.30, so after lunch we headed back to Saka. The spa was quite small but charming. It contained two pools (one for the adults and one for children), hot and cold water minipools and three saunas.

We had dinner in Saka Manor`s restaurant. Good food.

And our day ended with watching Eat, Pray, Love. As a part of this year`s reading challenge I recently read it. Oh, what a wonderful book. I found myself (or recognised myself as I used to be) on quite a lot of pages. And watching the film with an excellent company was so nice. The entire day had been so enjoyable.

Next morning we had breakfast, walked up to Saka Waterfall and headed back home.

Thranduil vol2

Just because I had some extra time for a chance I decided to draw Thranduil (Lee Pace) once more. Much more happy with this one :)

My 2014

Jälle see aeg käes. Ma ei suuda uskuda kui kiiresti aasta teine pool on läinud. Pole olnud sellist aegagi, et kirjutada.

Minu 2014
Trenn. Jooksin 1684km.
Joonistasin 8 pilti (alates 2007 aastast ei ole nii vähe veel joonistanud :( )
Käisin 2 riigis. Nädal Kuopios, Soomes. Nädal Iirmaal. Valepoolne liiklus :D Ei jõua järgmist suve ja Cornwalli ära oodata. Sotimaa peab veel aasta ootama.
1 kontsert, One Republic.
Sain Goodreads`i väljakutse tehtud, 50 raamatut. Ei kujuta ette, kuidas mõni inimene suudab reaalselt lugeda a la 120 või 300 raamatut. Ma puhtfüüsiliselt üle 50 ei jõua. Kas neil tööd või ma ei tea, muid tegevusi ei ole?

Uued kogemused
Jaanuar Põhjaka. Sotsiaalainete juht
Veebruar Käsitööring. Keedutainas. Brownie
Märts Kuopio. Kringel. Toidukoolitus
Aprill Makroonid. Sefiir. Tordikoolitus
Mai Sefiiritort. Rummmipallid
Juuni  Sokolaaditort
Juuli Vasakpoolne liiklus. Plaatisin täiesti üksinda ruumi
August
September
Oktoober
November Suhkrulilled
Detsember Sushi valmistamine

This time of year again. I cannot believe how incredibly fast the second part of this year has passed. I have not even had the time to sit down and write.

Summary of my 2014.
Training. Ran 1684km.
Made 8 drawings. I have never drawn that little.
Visited 2 coutries. A week in Kuopio, Finland. A week in Ireland. Wrong side traffic :D Cannot wait for doing that again in summer.
Saw only 1 concert.One Republic.
Completed my Goodreads reading challenge of 50 books again. As much as last year but realistically I am not able to read any more. I simply do not understand people who read 120 or 300 books a year. Don`t they have jobs? Lives?

New experiences in 2014.
January. Põhjaka Manor.
February. Handicraft course
March. Kuopio.
April. Divinity. Macarons. Cake training
May. Divinity cake. Rum balls
June. Chocolate cake
July. Wrong-sided traffic. Plastering a room by myself
August.
September.
October.
November. Sugar flowers
December. Making sushi

Reading resolutions for 2015

Done ^_^ 
I found this reading challenge. And since my Goodreads goal for this year is 50 books again, I thought to try it. To keep track of the list:
50 categories (51 books)
* 30.08. finished my 50th book this year ^_^ *

1. A book with more than 500 pages  The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes                  
2. A classic romance North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
3. A book that became a movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach
4. A book published this year Kuninglikud armastuslood. Tõeline armastus kuningakodade suletud uste taga. Gill Paul
5. A book with a number in the title The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
6. A book written by someone under 30 Kristiine Kurema Liblika lein
7. A book with nonhuman characters The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett
8. A funny book Wtfudge am I supposed to read? Supposed to be How to be a Woman (didn`t find funny the slightest). Downloaded Free the Shorts from Amazon Humour section. What the fude was that? Others claim those to be funny, so be it.
9. A book by a female author Local Hero by Nora Roberts

10. A mystery or a thriller Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

11. A book with a one word title Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
12. A book of short stories Miss Marple kogutud lühijutud Agatha Christie
13. A book set in a different country Delirium by Lauren Oliver
14. A nonfiction book Kuidas panna inimesi tegutsema by Susan M. Weinschenk
15. A popular author`s first book Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
16. A book from an author you love that you haven`t read before The Casual Vacancy by J.K.Rowling
17. A book a friend recommended Bullery lapsed Astrid Lindgren
18. A Pulitzer-priced book Empire Falls by Richard Russo
19. A book based on a true story Väike raamat suurest leinast by Ian Gilbert
20. A book at the bottom of your to-read list How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
21. A book your mom loves    Eat, pray, love by Elizabeth Gilbert
22. A book that scares you Kinnimüüritud tuba, lugude kokkupanija Kalle Kurg, kes ei ole autor; Horowitzi õudus I by Anthony Horowitz
23. A book more than 100 years old North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
24. A book based entirely on its cover Honeysuckle Hollow by Jennifer Moormann
25. A book you were supposed to read in school but didn`t  Hahahaha :D
26. A memoir Metsik Cherly Strayed

27. A book you can finish in a day  The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by
Robert Louis Stevenson;  Sleep! By Annelies Verbeke

28. A book with antomyms in the title North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
29. A book set somewhere you`ve always wanted to visit The Book of Tomorrow by Cecilia Ahern
30. A book that came out the year you were born Kullimaja Marta  Ellinor Rängel
31. A book with bad reviews How the In-Laws Wrecked Christmas by Fiona Gison
32. A trilogy Divergent , Insurgent , Allegiant by Veronica Roth
33. A book from your childhood Kui ma väike olin Liina Raudsik
34. A book with a love triangle The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
35. A book set in the future The Maze Runner by James Dashner
36. A book set in high school  Looking for Alaska by John Green
37. A book with a colour in the title Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
38. A book that made you cry. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
39. A book with magic Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts
40. A graphic novel Troubled Waters by Dominique David
41. A book by an author you`ve never read before Midsummer Magic by Julia Williams
42. A book you own but have not read The Bridesmaid Pact by Julia Williams
43. A book that takes place in your hometown  Türi - kilde kihelkonna ja linna arengust by J.Arvola jt
44. A book that was originally written in a different language 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber
45. A book set during Christmas A Will and a Way by Nora Roberts
46. A book written by an author with your same initials  Sleep! By Annelies Verbeke
47. A play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
48. A banned book Alice imedemaal Luis Carroll
49. A book based or turned into a TV show The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
50. A book you started but never finished North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Thranduil

I finally got to see The Battle of the Five Armies. Major effects and a nice summary to the Hobbit trilogy and prequel to Lord of the Rings. But that is not what this post is about obviously.

Thranduil as portrayed by the talented Lee Pace was .. to melt for. I have seen the first Hobbit film but not the second one. He appeared in An Unexpected Journey but then he did not catch my eye for some reason. But he is amazing. I have never liked men with long hair. Thranduil on the other hand is  (well, technically Lee Pace) gorgeous.

Miks sa mehele ei ole läinud?

Juhtusin paar päeva tagasi kokku oma vana klassijuhatajaga. Nii tore oleks alustada, et esimese klassijuhatajaga aga meil vahetusid nad millegipärast väga tihti ja kolmandas klassis oli juba kolmas inimene. See selleks.

Näen teda, ütlen: "Tere!", tema vastu:"Tere. Miks sa mehele ei ole läinud?" Ei mingit, kuidas sul läinud on? Ilus ilm täna! vms viisakusavaldust. Hea küll, väike koht, ta on kursis, kus ma töötan. Teoreetiliselt võib natuke teada, kuidas mul igapäevaselt läheb (spordiga on ka teoreetiliselt kursis). Aga mitte see ei ole tähtis kuidas minul läheb vaid miks ma mehele ei ole läinud. Oleks siis vähemalt:"Miks sa meest ei ole võtnud?"

"Lihtsalt ei ole."

"Jäädki vanatüdrukuks?"

No ju siis jään. Sest abielu on ju see, mis mind määrab. See on elu eesmärk. Ja nii kaua kui seda ei ole, siis on põhiline huvi MIKS?

Kas ma olen valesti aru saanud, et praegu on 21. sajand? Ma ei kavatse leiutada põhjuseid. Ei ole õige inimesega veel kohtunud. Elu ei jää elamata kui ei kohtu.

Rääkisime natuke aega veel ja lõpetuseks ikka mure, et:"Sa ei mõelnud seda ju tõsiselt?"