Saturday 24 August 2013

The Mexican Navy's sail training ship Cuauhtémoc returns to Øresund

This afternoon the Mexican Navy's sail training vessel ARM Cuauhtémoc returned to Øresund after having participated in this year's Tall Ships Races in the Baltic area.
The 90 m x 12 m barque was my personal favourite among all participating tall ships.
She is now on her way to Lisbon.



ARM Cuauhtémoc and Kronborg castle.







Friday 23 August 2013

Swedish tanker Astina and Finnish heavy load carrier Meri in Øresund

Tonight the Swedish tanker Astina (130 m x 20 m) was going northwards in the Sound, and the Finnish heavy load carrier Meri (105 m x 18 m) was on its way to Klaipeda.

Astina is on its way to Mongstad.
Meri is heading for Klaipeda.



The oceanographic research vessel Horyzont II on its way to Longyear

The Polish research and survey vessel Horyzont II (56 m x  12 m) was tonight going northwards in Øresund on its way to Longyear in Norway:

Horyzont II passing Hittarp in Øresund tonight.
 

Thursday 22 August 2013

Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens - A Rather Special Place in Helsingborg

 


The Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens in Helsingborg is a rather special place:

Nowhere in Europe will you find an equivalent to Fredriksdal. This is Skåne in miniature, with 360,000 square metres of unique settings, buildings and gardens. Here, the history and diversity of the countryside are caringly kept alive. With its museums and gardens, Fredriksdal offers interesting activities for all ages, all year round. --

With its historical parks and gardens, houses and farms, animals, meadows, woods and pastures, all situated around an eighteenth century manor house, a visit to Fredriksdal is like making a journey back into the past.

Below is a selection of images from my visit to Fredriksdal this afternoon:


 The park is built around the manor house from 1787.


The Ågård farmhouse from 1810 shows how farmers in Southern Sweden lived in the early
19th century.
 
The farmhouse from another angle.

A close-up of the farmhouse.

A farmhouse with traditional local breeds is part of the museum.



  




 


Horticultural tours and guided walks are popular among visitors.


You can buy some of the ecologically grown fresh produce right from the garden.
 
 



Wednesday 21 August 2013

The Ven ferry Uraniborg late last night

This is the Ven ferry Uraniborg arriving at the Bäckviken harbour last night. The 9 AM departure back to Landskrona is the last chance for visitors to return to the Swedish mainland:


The Uraniborg and a full moon.

The Polish research vessel SY Oceania passing by in Øresund


The SY Oceania passing Ven last night. The small sailing boats on the Danish
side participated in a local regatta.

The tall ship SY Oceania, a research vessel owned by the Polish Academy of Sciences, last night passed the island of Ven in Øresund. She was built in 1985 at the Gdansk Shipyard.

The view from the St. Ibb's church on the island of Ven



The medieval church of St. Ibb's, high on a hill above the Kyrkbacken marina, is my favourite location on the island of Ven. They view from the church in all directions is just breathtaking.

 
 
Traditional brick houses in the Kyrkbacken port village.


The view from the St. Ibb's to the north-east.


The Greek crude oil tanker Minerva Ellie (229 m x 42 m) approaching Ven
last night. You can see the Kronborg castle in the background on the right.

A local farmer is busy working while the Minerva Ellie passes by on its
way to Ust Luga.

The bulk carrier Twinkle Island (229 m x 32 m, Marshall Is. registry) also on its
way to Ust Luga last night.
 
 
The Twinkle Island a couple of minutes later.


A somewhat closer look at the brand new Twinkle Island.



Twinkle Island and a small sailing boat.
 
 
From the church hill you can also observe marine traffic in
the Kyrkbacken marina.

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Cruise ships Wind Surf and Emerald Princess in the Sound

Last night the large sailing cruise ship Wind Surf (187 m x 20 m) and the Princess Cruises'

Emerald Princess (290 m x 36 m) were going northwards in Øresund.