First Sprouts of Spring
| | 4 seen
A few days ago we constructed our second veggie garden in wooden boxes, then we planted. Few days latter first sprouts were observed.
I was busy with scratching wallpaper from the other room we decided to improve this year, while my better part took some lovely close ups and macro's in garden.
Strawberry plants
Bought these plants at local Kuldiga market
Rhubarb
You can make a lovely jelly out of these, or you can try to make a rhubarb wine later. We decided to try later this Summer and brew our rhubarb wine.
Plants of tomatoes
First sprouts of radishes
First sprouts of dill
A dandelion
Crabapple
Rhuburb
Removing Wallpaper in Second Floors Room
| Home Remodeling | 5 seen
Finally we have moved to indoor works, and this time we started with a room I haven't covered yet - a little room in second floor with a stove. We still don't have any idea what this room will be at the end, it might be either a guests bedroom or a temporary home office.
Most probably something in the middle.
Stairways to the loft
There is a small room on the left
Old Wallpaper
and still some junk inside. In matter of few hours we removed the junk, removed wallpaper and scratched chalk from ceilings.
The result
Clean walls and ceilings
Now it is the right time to apply first base layers of paint to ceiling. At this stage I had an idea to glue new wallpapers on walls, how it will be in th end? Make sure, you check back after a while.
Scythe VS String Trimmer (Then and Now)
| Home Remodeling | 14 seen
About a year ago I had a chance to try out an old school tool called a scythe (back at these days, all I had at our newly inherited rural house). The grass were growing as crazy as it could, and I was left with no other option as to use what I have to fight back.
My fight with grass have been personal already.
A scythe was fun, but way to exhausting and for unprofessional not the best solution. Soon I started to rent a string trimmer, and even hired a trimmer dudes to do trimming for me. For this year I finally bought one for my self. See: Edward The Brushcutter AW-BC620TH Trimmer
I was looking through archives of my blog, when found this picture:
Author of this blog captured in action - moving grass (2015)
I asked my better part to make the same photo a year latter, to see what's changed:
Author of this blog captured in action - trimming grass (2016)
Wow - a new roof? Yes, a new roof. No more apple tree in background (yep, we had to remove it from garden, but we planted a new one: Planting an Apple Tree (Doch Melbi / Daughter Melbi / Дочь Мелбы) ) And best of all - much cleaner area.
Who wins? Edward The Brush cutter wins!
Veggie Garden In Handmade Wooden Boxes
| Home Remodeling | 8 seen
About a year ago we planted first plants in used wooden boxes (the drawers), see: Our First Veggie Garden: Planting Plants in Boxes .This year we (not me actually) decided to construct boxes by our own, making our veggie garden larger and probably more efficient than it was a year ago.
The idea about using boxes for growing veggies is simple, it proves to be more efficient than planting them in soil, and cheaper than building a greenhouse, thus a greenhouse is another upcoming thing to do.
Wooden boards we got from local sawmill for cheap (for free actually). There are no recommendations for size, only about height, it should be about 30 cm height (to add different layers of soil - compost inside, filling from bottom to top starting with last years grass, top soil and turf). Instead of using last years grass, you can use organic waste, potato peelings, egg shells e.t.c.)
This is how we did it:
Wooden planks
All the works are done in the backyard of our house in improvised outdoor workshop. Tools you will need - a saw, tape measure, a drill,and screws
First box is ready
Inside of the box is covered with a thick layer of black film to protect planks against moisture and mold. It's a good idea to cover outside with some safener, Pinotex for example).
In this, smaller box it is planned to plant cucumbers.
Making second, larger, box
Filling boxes with a soil
The larger the box, the more compost and soil you will need. Once the boxes are filed, water them well. For the larger box I watered 24 pails of pond water. Leave the compost to rest for about one day,
Roof construction
Now, I know not only how to change a roof for house, but also how to construct it for a mini greenhouse. Simple, at local DIY store buy 2 types of plumbing pipes. Thinner and thicker. From thicker pipe make 6 about 10 cm height pieces and using a drill attach to box (in bottom corners and in middle), then take thinner pipe and attach inside the thicker pipe, so you will make a stable and cheap construction to protect your veggie garden.
Attaching greenhouse film
Old and new
View towards our veggie garden
Smiltynė Ferry Terminal (Klaipeda to Curonian Spit)
| Railway / Bus / Ferry | 88 seen
Klaipėda city is separated from Curonian Spitby Curonian Lagoon. For connection of two shores across the Curonian Lagoon, Smiltynė Ferry Terminal is operating.
Taking a ferry from Klaipėda to Curonian Spit is always full of joy short journey where passengers can smell the Curonian Lagoon, watch the white seagulls and terns flying closely around the ferry and indulge them with the windy fresh air. There is no doubt that Smiltynė Ferry Terminal is one of the main transportation companies in Klaipėda which is very appreciated not only by local inhabitants but by thousands of Klaipėda guests too.
In a row at Smyltine Ferry Terminal
For crossing this strait in a car (3 persons) we had to buy a ticket for about EUR 13 (round-trip)
Waiting rows at Ferry terminal
There is one row for locals (With permit) and two general rows at Smiltyine Ferry terminal.
See timetable.
Planting an Apple Tree (Doch Melbi / Daughter Melbi / Дочь Мелбы)
| Home Remodeling | 10 seen
Recently I introduced my dear readers with Edward The Brush cutter, today allow me to introduce you with a new sort of an apple tree we planted in our rural house as part of home remodeling works.
Meet Doch Melbi / Daughter Melbi or Дочь Мелбы (In Russian). Bought at Kuldīga market from the tree nursery Bētras (Latvia).
Digging a hole for planting an apple tree
Planted at the end of April 2016.
Daughter Melbi
About Daughter Melbi (Дочь Мелбы)
- Vigorous tree. Starts fruiting in 3-4 years. High resistance to frost. Resistance to scab - medium. Yield, early appearance of fruit variety.
- Ripening time - mid-August
- Weight 100-130gr fruit. Yellowish-white surface with bright striped blush
- Storing 1 month
- Flesh is white, juicy, flavorful medium density. Excellent sweet-sour taste
Chili Pizza in Palanga
| Restaurant reviews | 11 seen
Chili Pizza is a popular Lithuanian pizzeria chain. Today we paid a visit to one located in Lithuanian beach town of Palanga.
Chili Pizza in Palanga, Lithuania
Located in multi storey building on lively walking street in Palanga, very close to the Sea Bridge, this place serves traditional Lithuanian cuisine, which is pretty European, thus there are few Lithuanian specialties you should try once in Lithuania. For example big stuffed dumpling called cepelinai or didžkukuliai, no, it's not the same as Georgian khinkali, according to Wikipedia:
Cepelinai or didžkukuliai (singular: cepelinas) is a popular dish in Lithuania. They are a type of dumpling made from grated and riced potatoes and usually stuffed with ground meat, although sometimes dry cottage cheese (curd) or mushrooms are used instead. So named because their shape resembles that of a Zeppelin airship, cepelinai are typically around 10–20 cm long, although the size depends on where they are made: in the westerncounties of Lithuania cepelinai are made bigger than in the east. After boiling, the cepelinai are served with sour cream sauce and bacon or pork rinds.
Lithuanian cepelinai
Lithuanian cuisine consists a lot from potato dishes, and so I was tempted to try Rich Breakfast offer from Chilli Pizza, which seemed nicely made from potato pancakes
Potato pancakes with sliced bacon
Once I saw this small dish I remembered the offer from House of Food in Liepāja - poor man's soup, and I told to the charming English speaking waitress, that above meal doesn't looks filthy rich for me, rather it's Poor man's breakfast. Should I tell that waitress didn't get me?
Anyway - Chili Pizza is a budget friendly place serving decent meal. Enjoy.
Sea Bridge in Palanga
| Tourism objects | 22 seen
Sea bridge in Palanga is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Lithuanian beach resort town of Palanga.
It reaches into the sea for 407 metres and is shaped in the form of letter L. The pier provides a chance to see the shore from a different perspective while going for a walk, at the same time, it is still opened for small tourist ships in summer.
Sea bridge in Palanga
Palanga Pier was first constructed in 1884, in order to revive the Palanga port. The steamship that was also purchased at the time allowed to successfully transport passengers and different goods to the port of Liepāja (Latvia). Unfortunately the pier soon became impossible to navigate due to sand that was brought closer to the pier during storms.
Under the Palanga Sea Bridge
After year 1888 the Palanga Pier gained popularity as a place to visit while going for a walk, which established a new meaning for the pier. Strong wind and waves of the sea damaged the pier over time, therefore reconstruction was carried out in 1998. After the reconstruction Palanga Pier has become an even more popular place among locals and city guests.
Walking Street in Palanga
| Tourism objects | 27 seen
Palanga is a nice little beach resort town in Lithuania. The city features a walking street, with many cafes and restaurants, local art and craft and so on.
Unfortunately I didn't figure out what name does this street wears, so lets call it just Walking street in Palanga. Turns out, this is the first geo - tagged post from Lithuania at this blog, thus I have visited Lithuania countless time prior, including Palanga.
We arrived to Palanga from Liepāja, straight from Royal Fontaine hotel. One of our goals here in Palanga was to find Amber museum (we didn't find it), so we parked our car and just started to walk.
Walking / cycling street in Palanga
Palanga
Armenian restaurant in Palanga
Readers os my blog are already familiar with my love to Caucasian Cuisine, unfortunately, this time I didn't tried this place.
Palanga
Rally Kurzeme 2016
| | 3 seen
Sport photography has always been interesting for me. I don't feel pro enough to call myself a sport photography guru, as I understand it involves fast zoom lens as well.
Today I was equipped with kit 18-55mm lens and 70-300mm telephoto lens - the overall result - pretty good, some photos are even made in auto mode.
Rally Kurzeme 2016
We booked a Royal Fontaine hotel and had a chance to observe rally in front of our hotel.
Old Soviet car VAZ and Estonian Team
Above photo is taken using Auto mode - excellent.
Rally Kurzeme 2016
Navy ships at Liepaja Channel
Piece of Life
Hotel Fontaine Royal Review In Liepāja
| Hotel reviews | 9 seen
Set in a converted factory building along the Tirdzniecības kanāls, this laid-back hotel with quirky, royal-inspired interiors is 8 minutes' walk from the Liepajas theater and 6 km from tours of the Karostas Cietums prison.
The eclectic, colorful rooms come with TVs and Internet access. Budget rooms share bathrooms, while upgrades have en suite facilities. Family rooms sleep up to 6 people, and suites feature gilt furniture, seating areas and/or whirlpool tubs. Breakfast is offered for a fee (EUR 6, as of 2016). There's also a casual eatery, a cozy bar and a nightclub. Other amenities include a 24-hour gym, an indoor pool & a full-service spa.
It was actually not a planned stay here, as we were planing to stay either in Palanga or Klaipeda today, but an accident with our car happened on Grobiņa - Bārta road (clutch mechanism was broken), we had to call for auto evacuator, and since it was a Saturday evening already, the best we could have today - just get car to Liepāja town and wait for next week for car to get fixed (unplanned expenses). We were not in mood to stop our planned route to Lithuania and decided to book a hotel here and rent a rental car for a few next days.
We were sipping coffee at another Liepāja hotel (Amrita), when decided to call to Fontaine Royal hotel (as we had great experience at house of food complex about a year ago). Some rally event (Rally Kurzeme) was held in city and most of the city was closed for road traffic. We made last meters to this hotel by foot.
In short - yes, it's very eclectic hotel, made from cheap but effective materials - I had this feeling that owners of this hotel have taken all those decorations from some bankrupt Danish theater or something.
Queen size bed at Royal Fontaine hotel
Just a few days ago I finished by first DIY bed frame project, I have about twice as large bed as it is featured at this hotel.
Bathroom
Interesting bathroom style, something to take for my upcoming home remodeling works. Thus, I really love bathroom at Hotel Begur in Spain. Bathroom at Fontaine hotel is a budget one, for my house I want a bit more.
Ceiling lamp
Interesting industrial, eclectic design
Room interior
Cheap, but effective. TV set (something from Denmark again). Cable TV? Nope, just some free local TV stations.
Hallway
A bit spooky, a bit funny... Alice in Wonderland feeling.
Nightlife at Royal Fontaine Hotel in Liepaja
In weekend nights the nightlife goes high here, many locals and tourists sharing bottle of beer at hotel lobby.
The Bottom Line
I would call this a hipster style hotel for medium price. We took 2 rooms (each for EUR 45) and paid in total EUR 90. Our stay here was normal. Hotel Royal Fontaine in Liepāja, most probably will enjoy youngsters who wants to get drunk and party all night along and then just get some sleep. Would I stay here again? Well, the party guys didn't bother me, there were not much noise heard from rooms (as it was in Hotel Olav in Tallinn), So yes, why not. Decent, eclectic hotel.
Book on Booking.com
DIY - Bed Frame King Size Rural Style
| DIY | 13 seen
One of the most important furniture elements in your master bedroom definitely is a bed. This time I decided to build a bed frame by my own.
Last year we bought four mattress and used them in old single beds. I decided to combine them and build a King or at least a Queen Size bed. To accomplish this task I studied a few tutorials, see 21 DIY Bed Frame Projects – Sleep in Style and Comfort.
I ordered planks from local carpentry, the total cost for such bed about EUR 30.
Single Bed Frames
To free up the space in the room I had to take those two out and put them in front of the house. A tripod (in background) is a must have for a decent photography.
Planks
I have four supportive corner beams (15cmx15xm) approximate 60cm height. The carpenter dude already did cuts in beams where to attach supportive planks.
Author of this blog captured in action - grinding boards
Adding nice finishing. Remember the tripod from the first image? Very nice way to make self-portraits (timer)
Installing bed frame
The bottom line of mattress are about 36cm from floor (why 36cm? I have no clue, just wanted to make it 36cm)
Drilling holes
I decided to drill small holes for screw heads.
Attaching supportive lath to attach cross planks for mattress
Bed frame completed
Sweet dreams
It took me about 4 hours to build this King Size bed frame and cost just about EUR 30 - one of the best investments for this Summer.
Burning Branches
| Home Remodeling | 5 seen
Few days ago we did the Big Spring tree and branches trimming, we were left with many piles of branches, the only reasonable solution to get rid of them - burn them.
We waited for overcast day and made three fire places today. Thus we didn't burned all of the branches today, we did a pretty good work today.
Making a fire place near fish pond
In contrary to the weather forecast, instead overcast day we got crystal clear sky and pretty warm day, which made me a bit nervous about safety.
Burning branches in Apple orchard
Flying Fish over Venta Rapid in Kuldīga
| | 12 seen
This was my second attempt to photograph flying fish over Venta rapid this year, first I did it around April 20, but didn't choose the right position and the weather was damn cold (sky were totally gray).
Second time, on April 29, it was crystal clear sky, which in result got me a little bit boring photography, but hey at least captured some of the flying fishes this time.
The best place to photograph flying fish over Venta rapid, is by directly installing a tripod in front of it, Which means you'll have to climb down the rocky stairways and cross the muddy river-bed (your foot will be wet, so better take rubber boots).
The Venta Rapid
Not the best day for landscape HDR photography (which I did), as the sky are totally clear and makes a boring scenery. I changed my lens to 70-300mm and got at least the flying fishes scenery.
Flying fishes over Venta Rapid
Learn more about Venta Rapid and some of photography tricks I have tried here: The Venta Waterfall (Rapid) - Widest In Europe
DIY - Kitchen Cabinets With a Sink
| DIY | 10 seen
I have always loved to construct and develop some new things, I love to spend my free time by figuring out how to improve space around me, that's why probably for a second season I have been doing home remodeling works by my own. In today's article, not about my adventures from home remodeling, but a simple trick how I improved the temporary living space around me - kitchen cabinets with a sink.
Lets start with what we got here:
Old Kitchen Corner
Yup, it sucks, as you can see, it is overloaded with household cleaning products, the old plumbing is just catastrophic (that's how it's done in these parts of Word) and it just urgently needs and upgrade. Luckily the solution is neither expensive nor too much complicated.
For fixing this issue I spent just above EUR 100 (EUR 85 for kitchen cabinets, EUR 33 for sink, and EUR 6 for plumbing gear)
Lets start fixing this
Installing kitchen cabinet
Prior installing this cabinet I removed old sink and old plumbing (make sure you close the water tap before removing plumbing). Cabinets are from local furniture store, and doesn't ask a lot knowledge to install them step by step.
Installing kitchen cabinets
Plumbing works are not yet done. Here we don't have hot water from a tap, the solution? It will sound ridiculous, but much advertised Instant Heating Water Faucet tap from TV shop will do the magic.
Right, now its time to finish the plumbing works, fix the sink over cabinet and install cabinet doors.
The result:
Kitchen cabinets with sink
Here you go, looks much comfortable - has space to store all those household cleaning products (and not only) looks great and will please for years to come. Operation installing kitchen cabinets with a sink took me about 3 hours to finish.
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