Here are more pictures of Vorra and the surrounding area. I just can't believe we live in one of the prettiest valleys around.

Our little house, perched on the hillside, is accessible by this road which *I swear* must have a grade of 18% or more. It's a bit of a challenge at the end of a run, or even riding the bike, but we're getting used to the burning thighs, the sweat running down our spine, the mental effort it takes to concentrate on the ascent and not bonk it.

Walking up the steps to the front of the house, you're assailed by the scent of sage, green onions, lavender, and mint. Fantastic. And with such scenery, we've been having lunch outside: sandwiches, even leftovers, taste so much better while taking in the view. For dessert, homemade seasonal fruit salad tossed with julienned mint. Ah, summer!

Pretty, pretty butterfly on our lavender. I had no idea how territorial butterflies were, until one kept attacking me while I was climbing one day. Well, attacking is a pretty strong word, but this butterfly wanted me gone!

One day we decided to explore the forest south of us. We took a shortcut through Oma Urbat's property, which is supposed to be deserted, but look! We found! Potatoes! We thought they were wild, and I instantly had visions of making a summer potato salad, but then later on we heard someone tooling about the property. Guess there's been some illicit agricultural activity going on...

Everything is green. Everything is covered with moss. We found the ruins of an old fortress, and a romantic little pavilion that would be *perfect* for weddings, Uwe and Simone. Okay, only kidding. By half.

Walking. I think I was looking for mushrooms, but they weren't in season. Yet. And Frank's always walking ahead of me, thinks I take too many pictures. Wie du meinst!

Another day we explored the forest above us, which turned out to be regular forest and lots of farmland. Corn, wheat, rye, whathaveyou, it's grown here. I love the fact that nothing's fenced, and that people respect boundaries. That would never happen in the U.S.

Found object: feather caught in weeds at the quarry, blowing in the wind. Much as I was tempted to take it as a souvenir, I left it where it was. It has a timeless quality about it.

Wild flowers, weeds, really. I don't care, they're beautiful.

Links:
◊ I just upgraded my cms (2 years too late) and now Six Apart has released Movable Type 4.
◊ Cute puppy pictures that made me go bug-eyed. This puppy, only slightly bigger than a stapler, probably weighs less than a plate of brownies.
◊ From Lori, the source for popular sites. Very, very cool.