Windsurfers practising for championships

These two seasoned windsurfers - father and son - were tonight practising in Hittarp ahead of the Swedish championships due to take place in Motala, this weekend. I wish them luck!

Two old maps of Øresund

"A most detailed depiction of the Danish arm of the sea Øresund" 

Etching from the 1580s, included in G. Braun´s and F. Högenberg´s 

"Liber quartus urbium præcipuarum totius mundi", published in 1594.

"Die Berühmte Meer-Enge zwischen der Nord und Ost See - der Sund"

Etching by imperial geographer Johann Baptista Homann (Nürnberg, beginning of 16th century)

Dreaming on a rainy and grey day

On this rainy and grey early autumn day here in the Øresund region, I found myself dreaming about a more enjoyable environment, somewhere on the Côte d'Azur...

A mellow September evening in Øresund

For many reasons I have always enjoyed the sea. There is never a dull day on the sea. Each day has its own different charm. 

This September evening in Øresund was mellow and calm - nice e.g. for a meditative moment on the boat ,a nice outing with the rowing boat, or a relaxing evening swim ....

The Leaning Tower of Pisa - Now and a hundred years ago

This is a photo of the Leaning Tower of Pisa taken in the 1890s. 

(image by wikipedia)

This photo was taken in 2004, more than a hundred years later. As you can see, the tower is leaning less as a result of the "correction" and stabilization work done between 1990 and 2001. Right now the tower leans about 3,99 degrees. Prior to the restoration work the leaning was 5,5 degrees. 

Pearl Scandinavia and Kronborg castle

This is the cruise ferry Pearl Scandinavia passing Kronborg castle in Helsingør at about ten past six tonight. Early tomorrow morning it will arrive in its destination, Oslo.

PS

I could not resist adding a photo of the MSC Poesia passing by on its way from Copenhagen to Le Havre about one hour and a half later:

A tribute to Georges Prêtre - A Mature Maestro

In this age of adulation of youth it is always heartwarming to see or hear elderly people excel. That is one of the reasons why I enjoy watching mature maestros conducting classical music. One of my great favourites is the French Maestro Georges Prêtre (born in 1924). 

Prêtre seems to have such a wonderful relationship with the musicians. When conducting his body and  face radiate the experience, wisdom - and I dare say humanity - acquired during a long career. All this leads to beautiful music, which of course is the purpose of a concert. 

But I have found that even only watching Prêtre conduct, with the sound turned off, is a treat! 

The pictures shown here are from a concert with the Wiener Symphoniker in 2009.