Photos and the City

Author: Ursula Schmitz

  • Glenwhan Gardens

    Little did I know I was in for a surprise with my next home for two nights. I had booked this little Shepherd´s Hut at Airbnb just because it seemed a great spot to explore Dumfries & Galloway and I wanted to stay in a lovely hut for some time.

    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

    Little did I know it was situated in the most beautiful gardens above the little village of Dunragit. The work on the gardens started about 35 years ago and is an ongoing labour of love.

    It was a wee wet day when I arrived and the little hut seemed even cosier.

    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

    But I still had to explore the gardens a little bit.

    The Gardens are a labour of love, hewn from rough moorland 35 years ago. With the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, Glenwhan grows many tender plants from around the Southern Hemisphere, together with large collections of rare trees and shrubs. A numbered tree trail for the dendrologist has been collated, along with a 17 acre moorland walk with 120 species of wildflowers, grasses, and ferns. Two small lakes (Lochans) are the focal point of these family-run gardens, with seats and  meandering paths running along enchanting walks with interesting scupltures, which the visitor will discover.

    (Glenwhan Gardens)

    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

    On the next morning, I woke up to sunshine, some lovely visitors and another surprise: the sea!

    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

    South facing and 300 ft above sea level, Glenwhan Gardens offer magnificent views over Luce Bay, the Mull of Galloway and the Isle of Man, a perfect backdrop for this garden gem, with leisurely paths and Seats to sit and relax on and enjoy the Spectacular sea Views

    (Scotlands Garden Route)

    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

    Glenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plantsGlenwhan Gardens, dumfries, galloway, scotland, uk, garden, airbnb, nature, stranaer, dunragit, flowers, plants

  • My Monet Moment – Albertina

    A few days ago I had the opportunity to visit the current Monet Exhibition in the Viennese Albertina after hours – an empty museum, 150 artworks and a few Instagrammers.

    albertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museum

    This exhibition focus on colours and Monets treatment of colour.

    Monet’s light and colors change on the canvas in accordance with nature’s constant transformation, as well as the diversity of atmospheric impressions that the painter gleaned from his motifs—and it was his urge to capture this diversity that moved him to paint many such motifs in series.

    (Albertina)

    albertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museum

    In a chronological order, you´ll be able to follow Monet’s life, family and travels – from Paris to Argenteuil, Vétheuil, Trouville, the Netherlands, Italy, London and many more.

    albertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museum

    Monet´s studio boat, an atelier on the Seine and Camille, his first wife and model.

    albertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museumalbertina, my monet moment, vienna, museum, igersaustria, empty museum

    Thank you, Albertina and Igersaustria.at for the invitation! Claude Monet. A Floating World. will be shown at the Albertina until January 6th 2019.

  • Berlin

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the cityBerlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine. 

    David Bowie

     

    It was about time to visit Berlin again – it´s been way to long! Two photoshoots brought me to the city, but there was enough time left to explore, visit old favourites and getting wet!

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    I stayed in the district of Neukölln and just had to take a walk at the lovely Landwehrkanal besides trying to check out all the little cafés – which would be a neverending task!

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    A day in Pankow – an area I didn´t know at all, but as we mostly photographed inside I didn´t see that much, I´ll just have to come back. That foggy early morning view to the sunny evening at the Bürgerpark was very promising!

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the cityberlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    The first time I was here the old “Palast der Republik” was still standing and over the years I saw the deconstruction to the empty space to the start of the new building, the Humboldt Forum. According to this view, it should be finished soon – even so thinking of the new Berlin Airport “soon” sometimes may take longer.berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the cityberlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the cityberlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    From the Tiergarten (and the lovely Café am Neuen See) to the Brandenburger Tor and Gendarmenmarkt, I was frozen and wet enough for some hot chocolate at Rausch.

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the cityberlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the cityberlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    Always a must (at least in my book), c/o Berlin and the Helmut Newton Foundation.

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city

    berlin, germany, travel, autumn, rain, city, photos and the city
    My Window view