New York City

16 kilomètres à pied, ça use, ça use, 16 kilomètres à pied, ça use les souliers....

En visitant NYC, on fait du sport !
Mais on profite aussi de paysages urbains splendides et uniques.

Nous avons marché, marché et encore marché. De temps en temps, nous nous arrêtions pour regarder et apprécier l'atmosphère de cette City très spéciale et très agréable, malgré sa densité.

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Copyright © Awena Robert 2020

Christmas spirit

Ready for a break? Looking forward to the Christmas holidays? It's time to go into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the little things that come with it.

If you've never been to the UK during the Christmas season, here's a glimpse of it. Today, I am taking you to the oldest pub of Shropshire, The Threehorseshoes in Alveley. This public house dates from 1406 and is still standing. Its cosy rooms with low ceilings and its huge fire place, make it ideal for the perfect warm Christmas by the fire.

1 - The Threehorseshoes - Alverley, Shropshire

2 - Its beautiful fire place

3 - The well-deserved refreshing drinks

Santé !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Nelson Mandela's Legacy

Just like many people, I was saddened by the news about Nelson Mandela passing away.

Pensive lady on Robben Island

He showed immense courage, incomparable strength and stern determination towards an idealism. And he delivered it despite most of his life spent in prison and the struggle outside those years. Nelson Mandela represented Hope, Peace, Freedom, Justice and Human Rights. He inspired nations, always does and always will. 

The birds of Robben Island

As I was in Cape Town (back in 2012), I visited Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 17 years. The atmosphere was joyful among other visitors and it was clear that the people of South Africa and other countries came to the Island to understand the history and put in perspective his achievements.

His Legacy : 

 Messages of Hope and Freedom

Driven by Freedom

This Journey's never long when freedom is the destination

Proud South Africans

(apologies for the quality of the photo - my enthusiasm took over technique!)

I hope that Nelson Mandela was proud of what he did. I am sure these young kids are proud of him and always will be. 

Short spin in Duluth

During my holiday in Minnesota, travelling from lake superior back to Minneapolis, I briefly stopped in Duluth and had a good vibe for the place. What I like most about this city was the discovery of the "old" side of the town, as I noticed the old adverts wearing off the old brick walls.

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The skies of Minneapolis

In downtown Minneapolis, when you look up, skies of lines, mirrors and reflections surround you. You feel small as they look grand.

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Le Beaujolais

When family comes to visit from abroad, I like to show them the surrounding area, so rich in heritage, culture and landscape. Every time, we enjoy taking in all this natural beauty that we often take for granted. 

I recently took family to the Beaujolais region, which I had discovered for the first time last year, a few months after moving back to France. At the time, I had captured parts of the flavoured landscape with my camera and left the photos to rest and mature for at least a year. Visiting the region again revived the desire to develop last year's photos, which I am sharing today. 

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This series being on the slight "post-card" style, I am aware it is not a Grand Cru. However, the contrasts, made up with the natural light that the weather created at the time, brings me to invite you to the Beaujolais region. 

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Virtually, to your health! 

The fog of Super Besse

You think the Alps and the Pyrenees are the only places where you can ski and snowboard in France? You might be surprised if I tell you that the Volcanic region of France also offers snow fun for families in the centre of the country. 

Super Besse is a super ski station and here's the link to all facilities if you fancy a trip there. 

I happened to go there recently for the day and the scenery was beautiful. The trees were covered with thick snow and the landscape was amazing. Sadly I could not stop the car to take some very snowy snapshots of the white vegetation, but I managed to capture the thick fog that reigned there the whole day. 

The scenery was so magical with the fog surrounding the close high hills that, let me tell you, I was not the only one snapping away. 


To a super day at Super Besse!

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I forgot to mention that really close to Super Besse, you come across the village of St Nectaire where this wonderful cheese is from. You can also visit beautiful old villages close by. The area is truly a lovely place to discover, rich in sport, landscape and gastronomy (well cheese!).

The pub experience at the Whittington

The pub experience. The pub culture. 

To me, the "Public House" offers a whole experience with its warm atmosphere, the socialising and the feeling of comfort. You often get a sense of history when visiting pubs. 

Despite their recent decline in the UK, many pubs in Great Britain, Ireland and other parts of the world are still around, keeping the culture alive and us happy. 

Through some photos, I am inviting you to experience The Whittington in Staffordshire, England, which I had the chance to visit over the Christmas period. As I stood outside the building, I felt a real sense of history. Indeed, it was built in 1310 and as I walked inside it was clear that the proprietors had ensured the history was kept alive in the establishment, with its low and dark wooden beams and original tilings throughout. A great atmosphere. 
A great country pub. 



The first photo series is meant to dramatise the Ye Olde feel of the place. The second one simply shows today's atmosphere. As a little photo experiment, I would be interested to know which series works best for you (if any).

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The colour series

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Are you interested in the history of Pubs? Check this website. And if you have some pub stories to share, please go ahead...

Have a jolly good week!

Experiencing London

London. Good old London. 

A long time ago, a proud British and Londoner told me that London was the centre of the universe. Not coming from Britain or London, for this matter, I could not quite understand what he meant at the time. 

Then I experienced London, having worked nearby. I never lived there, but I often visited the Old Smoke, as they call it. 

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Today, I can say that this place fascinates me and I can't quite put my finger on it. I just love London, the vibe, the diversity, the buzz, the warm feelings it brings me when I am there. 

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Don't get me wrong, I still don't feel that London is the centre of it all, but it has something. A little pride that you carry as you walk through its streets surrounded by red bricks. 

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Have you experienced London and what do you make of it? What feelings does the city bring you? 

The Viking era

You probably know by now that I moved to the south of Sweden, in Skåne, and lived in Lund for 3 years. 

Not knowing a great deal about the Swedish culture and even less about the traditions before our move, I was eager to discover and experience it, the minute we set foot on their land. 

The idea was to have a feel for their way of life and habits. As this would help us integrating our family into their community. 

The first opportunity we had was to go deep into their roots, learn about an important part of the Swedish history. The viking era! 

So, as most tourists, visiting a viking museum became our first insight into the Swedish culture and history.

Fotevikens museum, Viking reserve close to Falsterbo

The Fotevikens museum quickly became the main attraction for our visitors from France and the UK. 

Door locking system

It is a well-kept site that organises festivals and events mainly during the warm weather. However, you can still enjoy a stroll through the open museum in winter times. 

We also learnt an important concept about the Swedish culture that seems to be still integrated today in the way they conceive ideas and exchange with one another.  

I shall try to explain it, without ruining the tell of old Swedish traditions, so if there are any Swedish readers, please feel free to correct me on this matter by leaving a message (tack så mycket). You have to imagine the following...

Inside a Viking's house - Community room

Indeed, the word "Lagom" is an important piece of the puzzle. It means "Not too little and not too much". Apparently it comes from the Viking times. 

When they sat around the fire after a tough day in the cold, they used to enjoy a little drink, and shared ONE horn full of some kind of beverage. It was important that, as they passed the horn round, they would each drink "not too little and not too much" in order for everyone to have some. 

Inside a Viking's house - Community room (the other side)

The idea is that they each have some. It does not have to be equal amount, but some. And this concept is found in today's life such as in business and education.

Community gardens

This museum is just by the sea and during our first visit, we noticed that the sea was frozen. A first for me. It was december, but still. An amazing concept to me. 

Every time we visited Fotevikens Museum, we thoroughly enjoyed it, so if you happen to be around that area and you wish to understand the background of the Swedish people and their culture, don't miss it! 

As if old memories

Perspective on time. "How long ago was this taken?", I'll most certainly ask myself one day... Sometimes, certain events seem like a long time ago. When others seem like it was just yesterday...when it wasn't. 

Time. A tricky one. Or is it my memory playing up or simply today's photo effects? 

The following photos were taken in Sweden (yes, again, I know, but I took many photos there, as the country is just so beautiful and oozes serenity). 

Each photo is taken in a different location. The element that links them up is the fact that the setting just looks, to me, as if it could have been 50 years ago or more. In my mind, you could lose sense of time, here.   

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Close to Kivik (pronounced "shivik"), by the Baltic sea.

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 A garden shop in the centre of Lund.

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 Fishermen by the South coast.

To old memories!

Promoting cycling

In my opinion, cycling for short to medium journeys is the key to a more balanced life-style in Western countries. I have seen it in Sweden, when I lived in Lund (South Sweden). 

I have not looked enough at statistics to make this post a reliable source for exact figures. However, from my own eyes, I have seen many people in Sweden using their bikes as a mode of transport. No surprise there! 

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Practical bicycle seen by the coast in South Sweden

Indeed, I saw guys wearing their suit happily cycling to their office, elderly people using their 2 wheel mode of transport to do their daily food shopping and heavily pregnant ladies enjoying the freedom of carrying on doing sport in a moderate fashion. 

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Bicycle park outside of Danish Bank building in Copenhagen

There are accidents, for sure (my neighbour broke his back in winter as he cycled on an icy patch; I saw an elderly person falling off her bike...luckily it happened close to the hospital)..., but worse things can happen when you drive.

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Your bicycle can also be your business premises as seen in Berlin

From reading on a bit on the internet about the benefits of cycling, I wonder why people are not instantly convinced it's the thing to do to ensure you are: 

Healthier - It seems to reduce risks of heart disease, breast cancer, obesity...to name a few. 

Safer - some experts think that if the amount of cycling doubles, the risks per cyclist falls by about at least 30% (source)

Wealthier - using a bicycle regularly is less costly than using a car. More cash in your wallet at the end of the month!

Less Pollution - by using less your car, you consequently use less petrol / diesel and pollute less the environment. 

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Studious bike park in Cambridge, England

So when I lived in Sweden, we managed to survive with 1 car, as we used the bicycle to go to work and the car for week-end trips or large shopping duties.

It's important to highlight that the infrastructure for cyclists is very present in northern Europe, as each public park, place, building, square...you name it... have bike parks. Making shopping a healthy activity. The bike lane map play an important role too in the decision making process of how you'll get to your destination. 

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A few options to choose from besides the car - in Sweden close to Gothenburg

Another factor that you will want to consider is the number of hills or descents you are likely to encounter on your journey from A to B. The latter is the obvious reason why cycling seems so popular in northern Europe, as the geographical low-relief allows you to gently cycle without having the impression you have just embarked on the Tour de France!

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Keen cyclist in the old part of Copenhagen

After my recent move back to France, the lack of infrastructure for cyclists surprised me. Large cities have included cycling in their transport systems (city bike hiring and dropping stations, bike hooks on trains...). 

My wish is for small communities to embrace cycling as a normal mode of transport and for Cycling (with a big C) to be at the forefront of the decision making process of the local politicians that make changes in their villages and towns. I know it takes time to change mentality and I hope to be part of this long process, as I really see the value of using your old or more recent bicycle on a regular basis. 

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Safe cyclist using a helmet, in Copenhagen! Unfortunately, a rare sight

If you have experiences or opinions on the subject...it would good to hear them. Happy riding!