TWO OUTINGS AND A WINDOW {Part two}

Where is that coach  !!

As I closed my last post I mentioned that our second trip would be abroad, hence the definition of the word abroad.For many, a trip abroad means aeroplane journeys, the Channel tunnel or a cross channel ferry,we have in the last few years come to view 'going abroad' as just a quick {20 mins} trip down the road to the border with Lithuania, and a favourite with visitors when they come to visit is to stand with one foot in Latvia and the other in Lithuania The bridge over the river Memele is an ideal place as the border runs down the centre of the river,dividing the two countries.

So for our second outing we found ourselves waiting for the Vecumnieki coach to pick us up out side the village shop. This trip was by way of a thank you for taking part in the local villages competition.  An itinerary had been provided for the day, which when we entered it into Google translate became as clear as mud,all we were able to understand was we would visit some places of rural interest????
 The day got off to a good start with the coach running late and we stood for over half an hour in the cold, so nothing new there then. Before we crossed the border we were entertained by Skaistkalne village as they were the winners of the competition, hospitality consisted of a concert by the youth band, bean soup,tea or coffee and a little dancing thrown in for good measure, All before 9 o'clock !!!! still we thought maybe once the trip really got under way we could relax and enjoy seeing some new sights.

Nice house just the place for home brew!

                               
 Little chance of that as about 15 minutes later we arrived at our first port of call. A nice country house, what is this place? we asked an English speaking friend, Ah this is a factory,oh yes and what do they make? Natural Beer and no Lithuanian beer is under 7% proof and must be drunk within two weeks, perhaps things were looking up! free samples and tasting!! Great and it's only 9.45 this could turn out to be a very happy day, and then the news went round they make beer here on Wednesday,Thursday and Friday and what day did we visit  SATURDAY!!!!!!
Mumble! Mumble!!Mumble!!! still never mind the day is young , what next?
Have you ever wondered where all the EU money goes our next  stop could be the answer.

Bit before my time

Still a bit early for me

Six at 300,000 euros each!!!!!!!!!!

Why in the middle of nowhere??????

The landscape was flat open plains that had during the summer been vast cornfields you could see for kilometres {well miles and miles} with hardly a house in sight, turning into what looked like a modern farm yard we were surrounded with machinery both old and new, many of the old machines had been bought by the owner of the place and shipped from the USA and doing our sums we were shocked by just how much money was standing in the yard. There was a collection of old tractors alongside  steam engine's with 1930's cars which one would not have been surprised if Al Capone had stepped out of. Opposite this display there was a small gate which lead into a landscaped garden complete with lake waterfall Sauna and meeting room just take a look. Well we did come to look at gardens.perhaps not quite this grand.

About 15k down the road we once again into another farmyard, the farmer I think must have had shares in John Deere as there was a selection from the very largest tractor I have ever seen ,to quite a modest brand spanking new one { the plastic was still on the seat} Leaving the yard we found ourselves once more in a  spacious landscaped garden which must have covered some 3 acres complete with house,lake, fountains pelicans and a huge cage??? now what could that be for?

The cage can just be seen

Well, every lake should have a pair!!

Two name sister together

Fountains!! but no music.

This was a chance for us to have some refreshment and some of our party produced two large flasks of hot water,tea bags,coffee and a large box of pirags { a small bread roll with a little chopped smoked pork/bacon inside} they are very popular and these were consumed with great relish.
























Oh yes !! what did the large cage hold well there was a lynx high up on the branch of a large tree.




Pabirze would be our next stop after a quick stop to see the sinkholes of Northern Lithuania. Now I bet very few of you reading this blog were aware that the area around the towns of Birzi and Pabirzi were famous for this natural phenomena in this relatively small area there are some 9000 sinkholes the last one appearing in 2011









Pabirze however was the town voted the most cared for,with several gardens  that had been selected for to visit,,,this would all take place after some true Lithuanian hospitality. We got off the coach close to a very large church and were greeted by a small group dressed for a wedding, complete with a bride who was on the look out for a groom,taking a fancy to one of our number she soon 'claimed' him  and we all followed the happy pair into a hall close by the church which was laid out for the wedding feast. No sooner had we sat down than the beer started to arrive along with food ,consisting of pickles, potatoes and something closely resembling omelet, Music was provided by a small group of folk in traditional costume accompanied by a man playing an accordion and sometime a special mouth whistle which was extremely loud and piercing. The tables were cleared and the dancing began with the bride and groom taking centre stage. One could honestly say a good time was had by all!!! As we said to each other 'we started the day with a brewery with no beer and had lunch in a church hall where the beer flowed freely' how ironic is that? But here we have come to expect the unexpected!

Oh what have I done!!!

The wedding dance.

Oh yes the grooms real wife soon reclaimed him once the festivities were over, and we were then driven round the town visiting several gardens and also being given cuttings and plants if required.

Guess who wants one of these

But might get fed to one of these!!!!!!

Our last garden we visited is worthy of special mention. The first impression was 'there's not much here' the only thing of note in the front of a little house ,was a huge cross,as we made our way around to the back garden, there was  still  nothing with a Wow!!! factor everything was neat and tidy and two elderly ladies greeted us politely and led us down through a small gateway into an area perhaps the size of two football pitches side by side, a number of ponds were landscaped with large silver birch and other ornamental trees.
Very nice, a quiet place ,,,so???? It wasn't until the story of the garden was told that we realised just what this meant.  the older of the two ladies who had greeted us was 80 years old and it was her who at the age of 50 had decided to make this tranquil spot. There was no JCB or equivalent, she had nothing more than a spade and wheelbarrow and she dug the ponds moved the soil and created this lovely place with no other help.It  must surely have been a labour of love. we were all amazed, stunned, godsmacked, at what this lovely gentle lady had achieved. , words really can't describe how we all felt,,,,,
So I leave you this time with these pictures. just think of what one can achieve with some determination and hard work

This is the old lady who dug these ponds