Cremona is an old city in the North of Italy. I was born there and lived there, more or less, until 1996. When I go back it is always a nice to walk along the streets that leads to downtown, to the piazza. Many things have changed but few have remained. The Old Libreria Spotti is still there. The streets of the old city center have the same cobblestones. People take a walk in the city centre before going home for dinner. Bars are open for an aperitivo.
These are few photos from the short walk to the old primary school in Niinikumpu (first picture at the top). The school has not been in use for many years as there are not enough children to attend it in the area. I think the school building has been sold to a family who now lives there.
I woke up. Put on my boots and windbreaker and walked down to the lakeshore. The ice cover had thickened over the night and thin layer of dry snow had covered the ice sheet overnight. It was chilly this morning but the air was clean and crispy. A nice way to wake up. Welcome 2020!
Last sunset of the year. The temperature is dropping quickly. The ice on the lake is thickening and the lake send strange sounds of bubbling water and ice cracking for long distances and with echos that travel the hills.
I took these pictures during the walk around the hill of Niinikumpu. The electricity poles standing in the middle of snow covered fields seemed to stand in solitude against the winter.
There are few hours of day light in December in Finland. That is why during the holidays it is important to take advantage of those few hours and go tor a walk.
Mi misi a camminare lungo la strada che gira attorno alla collina di Niinikumpu con lo sguardo rivolto al cielo. La nevicata era imminente, ma speravo che non mi sorprendesse a metà strada. Il cielo era di un grigio liscio e monotono. Sembrava che la neve si fosse accumulata tra le nubi e le avesse fatte scomparire. Alla prima svolta a sinistra decisi di proseguire. Se la nevicata fosse iniziata avrei affrettato il passo. Tanto sapevo che la sauna sarebbe stata pronta al mio ritorno e sarei riuscito a scaldarmi velocemente. Passai la casa di alcuni vicini che non avevo mai visto e dei quali non conoscevo il nome. Sulla sinistra la loro casa ad un piano di mattoni. Stonava con il vecchio garage di legno dipinto di rosso. A destra della strada la vecchia stalla che era inutilizzata da anni ed era in uno stato completo abbandono. Sapevo che non avevano mai avuto un cane, ma come sempre mi sentii sull’attenti come se da un momento all’altro potesse saltare fuori un muovo cane da guardia. Accelerai il passo verso il bosco di betulle.