Knowledge grew on study banks

On the study banks
From flowing facts, fearful thought
Hung Odin... learning

all by ian

and Kuu reflected...

I drove my shiny silver coach
With ten proud brown horses
Carrying my heart to its destiny

I had briefly glimpsed you many a morning
With dewdrops sparkling in your alluring hair
As I drove my shiny silver coach
With ten proud brown horses

I heard that many suitors came calling
They had fallen for your bewitching beauty
I had seen your caring heart with your friendship with the songbirds
So I drove my shiny silver coach
With ten proud brown horses
Carrying my heart to its destiny


---


And I drove my shiny silver coach on
With ten proud brown horses
Carrying my heart to its destiny


I brought twenty gifts each mirroring your lovely personality traits
Yet you refused and said my path was too old and changeable
So I had driven my shiny silver coach
With ten proud brown horses



I thought I would hide my heart in the dark cold sky
I would disguise my face behind the black curtain
One night I will start peeking out again


and then I will drive my shiny silver coach
Still with its ten proud brown horses
Carrying my heart to its destiny


all by Ian


Note: Based on a Myth about Lindu (a Maiden) who has many suitors... The Sun, North Star and Moon included. Here is Kuu the Moon who fails to win her as he changes a lot (appearance) and always treds the same path across the sky

The Lure

You are the twittering birds
You are the contagious laughter

You are the phoenix sunrise
You are the warming hug

You are the pure blue sky
You are the radiating beauty

You are the slight breeze on a hill
You are the listening ear

You are the green fields
You are the new faces

You are the mountains of snow
You are the old faces

You are the invigorating taste
You are the friendly purr

You are the racing river
You are the beating soul

So..

You are the next bend
You are where I will mend

You are why I keep going
You are why I can't stay

All by Ian 31st Dec 2009

Happy Holidays!

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year time.... and happy holidays... which leads me to that you can now book to go back to Palupõhja ... or other places in Estonia:

http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/int_est_info1

Post by Ian; photo, õ, link and labels added by Katrin.

Photo by Ellen

Fotokonkurss Elamusi Emajõel

The results for the photo competition are in:

http://www.rmk.ee/teemad/metsakool/konkursid/elamusi-emajoelt

A quick rough translation says that there were 68 photos entered and 15 have been selected to go into an Exhibition (which is to be in January in RMK Emajõe-Suursoo nature center).

My entries weren't placed. However one was chosen to be in the exhibition! So anyone there can go and see.

Final point
my entry is the only entry in the top 15 to be in English... not that is any different from before. And that the title is spelt differently to what I had intended...

It was originally

"Knowledge grew on sturdy banks"

However I might have mistyped it or something

and it is now

study banks, which I quite like.

---
the chosen photo by Ian of Emajõgi in Palupõhja and added here by Katrin

video of Kaerajaan

Kaerajaan being one of the Estonian folk dances we tried to teach our dear foreigners in Palupõhja

official video on the site of Estonian Folkdance and Folk Music Association
http://www.errs.ee/index.php?id=11741

Happy learning!

---

photo of Kes Aias (Who's in the Garden) - another Estonian favourite children circle-play-dance (ringmäng - no translation for that in GoogleTranslate :()
photo by ... Kadri (i guess?)

quick tour of Estonian music

a great database
of ancient Estonian folk songs (regilaul)
with sounds AND notes
http://www.folklore.ee/Kannel/index2.html

on first page there is introduction in Estonian
and with uprow links you get
to the databases of songs (laulud)
from different parts of Estonia
- Võrumaa, Lõuna(south)-Tartumaa, Muud (other).
Arhiivilindistused are soundtracks from
the archive of Estonian Literature Museum.

These are mostly the most ancient
Estonian songs called regilaulud
and sounding all the same and boring to listen.
The trick with regilaulud is
that someone who knows the words
sings first alone
and others try to guess
the last word of the line
and sing along
and so they'll not fall asleep
'cause they have all the time to pay attention
to what's going on to sing along

...

in YouTube try
Untsakad
a popular modern Estonian folk band
and Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing
(you probably don't have
these letters on your keyboard
but u could copypaste :))
and Justament
another good estonian band Lindpriid
another band Jäääär
yes there are 4 ä-s
and means ice edge
another band Metsatöll
actually they make quite heavy versions
of quite old Estonian songs also
another very good band is Oort
also singing regilaul
another quite heavy folk band Raud-Ants
singing regilaul too
another very good band Kiritöö
my favourite in this list :)
another Estonian band Diskreetse Mango Trio
singing regilaul too
Estonia and Mangos again? - my only comment (Ian) See I spot the important things in music :)
another good Estonian song by Kihnu Virve
another band Vägilased
also regilaul
another band Zetod
singing old Estonian songs in old Estonian language
and a very popular Estonian singing song Imeline aas
we certainly did in Palupõhja too
one popular Estonian getting-children-to-sleep-song
Mina ei taha veel magama jääda
(I do not want to fall asleep yet)
a song from popular soviet-time-children-tv-show
Tipi ja Täpi laul
another very popular soviet-time-children-tv-show-song
Äpu laul
another soviet-time-children-film-song
Vitsalaul from the film Nukitsamees
another Estonian band Meie Mees
singing some popular parties-singing-songs too
another very popular singing-song
Kui on meri hülgehall
from a soviet-time-not-children-film
Siin me oleme
and a very good estonian singer Jaan Tätte
dont find much of him on youtube

and finally, a great on-line song-book
with only texts, no sounds,
but useful when u happen
to spend a night with a bunch of Estonians
willing to sing
but not remembering the words
http://www.zzz.ee/sakala/ and the link Laulik
actually the laulik is best
for remembering the first words of a song
'cause it's usually the hardest part
of getting a song going its own way...

tour by Katrin, motivation from Pestered by and slightly edited by Ian :)
photo by Robert B

... list continued in comments ... anyone welcome to contribute :) ...

people in action, Ellen's photos

photos by Ellen, or by her camera...

people in action, Jenn's photos

photos by Jenn, or at least from her...

people in action, by Robert B

photos by Robert B

people in action, by Michelle

the 'people in action' theme is speacially dedicated to Palupõhja Grand (but not old :)) Man Robert Oetjen !

photos by Michelle

A Surprise poem

I had no more left but found this whilst tidying my papers away:

Fly

Conquer gravity for a while
break free
be me
It never rains above the clouds

by ian - 5th August 2009

photo by Michelle

Palupohja Holiday

Date: 29 okt – 1. Oct. - 1 nov 2009 Nov 2009

For anyone who has found this site , people have been, have wanted to go, and people who long to go back
there is a volunteering holiday coming up in Palupohja at the end of this month


From what I can make out is that you may help clearing autumn stuff such as leaves , branches, trimming things up and the like.
Of course that can all change but I am sure you will be helping out in a way that will be appreciated.

Also you will be having fun

and I recommend singing as one of the fun activities... or maybe just the listening :o)

in Estonian

and via google in English:


photo by Michelle

Ma tulen lõpmatusest / I come from infinity

Ma tulen lõpmatusest
i come from infinity
ja lähen lõpmatusse
and go to infinity
ma mõtlen olemisest
a thing of being (alternative translation is "i think of being")
kaon olematusesse
disappear into nothingness


Ma udumerre lähen
i go into sea of fog
piimvalge niiske soe
milkwhite damp warm
ma taevast võtan tähe
i take a star from the sky
ta sakid kokku loen
and count its points (Original translation was "and count its tabs")

Kuu hõbevalgust valab
moon pours silverlight
ja kõlab yxik ulg
and sounds a lonely howl
on olematus aland
nothingness has started
ja peatub aja kulg
and stops the course of time


Nii olexin veel kaua
so would i be yet long time
eikeegi kusagil
nobody nowhere
kus tõelus leiab haua
where reality finds its grave
ja lahtub tusagi
and the bad mood goes away


sest nyyd ju pole miskit
'cause now there is nothing
mis ootaks ära viix
that would wait would take away
on haihtund viimne piiskki
has vanished the last dewdrop too
ja langeb viimne tilk.
and falls the last drop


Katrin 13.04.1993

p.s. Poem and translation by Katrin... slightly edited by Ian...

photo by Robert B

Recipe 1 :Glamorgan Sausages

As these were mentioned on the trip by myself.. and wanted to big them up again ... and was told it would be nice to have some recipes on here then here is a first. (hopefully not the last, as I hope for the special mushroom pie recipe :))

Glamorgan Sausages

are made from a mixture of
breadcrumbs, finely chopped spring onions/leeks and Caerphilly crumbly cheese
You can substitute the spring onions for leeks depending if you like them or indeed for normal onions. Also you can substitute the Caerphilly Cheese for Lancashire crumbly cheese to make them Lancastrian! Or whatever cheese you like :) The mixture uses egg and milk to keep it all together.
Dipped in egg and then fried they taste great. Well I think so. Especially with an onion gravy and possibly some potato mash.
For more details on Glamorgan Sausages here is one recipe:
http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/512915

And of course I like them because I have links to both Lancashire and Glamorgan


Enjoy!!!

recipe by Ian
photo by Robert B

algus -x-x-x- beginning

Te andke mulle algus
You give me a beginning
sest lõputu on kõik
because everything is without ending
kas elu soojust valgust
whether life's warmth light
mul' keegi anda võix
can anyone give me

Kuis tahaxin ma naerda
how would i want to laugh
ja samas nutaxin
and in the same time i would cry
kuid nutux-naerux aega
but time for cry-laugh
mul pole kunagi
i never have


On elu ainult olek
is life only a state
kas tahke vedel gaas
either solid liquid gas
mul vastust sellel pole
i don't have answer for that
ja alguses ma taas
and in the beginning i am again


Kas olen Kuu või Päike
am i Moon or Sun
kas Mars või Põhjanael
Mars or Northern Star
kas olen suur või väike
am i big or small
kas tuleraud või tael
steel or tinder


Ma ringi torman karjun
i run around yell
ja istun vaixelt maas
and sit silently on ground
ma valedega harjun
i get used to lies
ja tõde otsin taas
and look for truth again


Te andke mulle algus
you give me a beginning
ehk seda polegi
maybe there is no
ei ole soojust valgust
there is no warmth light
ka lõppu pole siin
and neither is here any ending


Ma olen Kuu ja Päike
i am Moon and Sun
nii Mars kui Põhjanael
both Mars and Northern Star
ma olen suur ja väike
i am big and small
nii tuleraud kui tael...
both steel and tinder

by Katrin
15.04.1993 in Estonian
August and September 2009 translation to English

photo by Michelle

Photo Contest Elamusi Emajõel

Tartu Environmental Education Centre
Photo Contest
for photos taken on and around Emajõgi.
More info in Estonian here.
Deadline Oct 31, 2009.
Anyone welcome to participate.

As far as I remember
the river in Palupõhja
was Emajõgi,
but the river
in the place
where we made the fires
and had lunches
was Alam-Pedja,
so the last one
would not qualify
i guess.
And who remembers
which pictures
were taken where?

ad by Katrin
photo by Ian on Emajõgi :)

Translation in Summary by Katrin:


naturalists of all ages can participate
best photos will be on exhibition in the Environmental EducationCentre
Deadline October 31st
2 categories:
nature (looduspildid in Estonian)
and people in action near/on Emajogi (looduselamused in Estonian)

Every participant can send up to 3 pictures in each category
Every photo must have a smart title and the exact time and place of photo

1st prize - trip down Emajogi
2nd prize - get a necessarynature-friend's backbag
3rd prize - a nature book

The photos on paper (size 15*20 cm) must be sent to: RMKEmajõe-Suursoo looduskeskus, Kavastu küla, Luunja vald, Tartumaa.Digital photos in jpg-format to emajoe-suursoo.looduskeskus@rmk.ee .

For to have a high-quality print-outs the digital photos must be at least 1800x2400 pixels and resolution 300 dpi. And do not forget to add the author's name, age and contact information.

The winners will be announcedon Nov. 9, 2009.

The competition is sponsored by local governments of Luunja, Vara andMäksa, Emajõe Jõeriik Foundation, Peipsi Vikat Society, South-EstonianFishermen Society and Emajõe Nupuklubi Society. For more information: Eerika Purgel Tel 676 7998, 506 7248 emajoe-suursoo.looduskeskus@rmk.ee www.rmk.ee

tuli -x-x-x- the fire

tuli
the fire
on soe
is warm
tuli
the fire
on valgus
is light
tuli on tulemine
the fire is coming
keegi tuli
someone came
ja tõi tule
and brought the fire
mis tuli
that came
nägi
saw
võitis
won
teda nähti
he was seen
ja jäädigi vaatama
and stayed to look at
sest ta oli soe
because he was warm
ja valge
and white
ja soojendas südant
and warmed the heart


aga siis tuli elekter
but then came the electricity



by Katrin
24.04.1994 in Estonian
August 2009 translation to English

photo by Ellen 2009

Game

Stork takes frog
House Martin takes mosquito
Pond Bat takes moth
Horse - flies - takes royal blood

Why did I learn to fear the game and failure?

Kid takes blueberries
Hope takes a sneaky way
Nightjar takes flight
Rook takes bishop

I forgot that the nearer to losing I looked the closer to success I was

I am happy to play again

by ian
photo by Ellen

Step Four

You kiss my shivering skin, and make me
Warm. First my toes, then slowly up my leg;
Your hands, stroking the bruises on my knee;
Your eyes are on fire. Please don’t make me beg:
My hips are already yours. You force this
Moan when you reach my waist; I breathe your name;
Your mouth pushes me into the abyss.
I am your candle, and you are my flame.
“You are a beautiful woman, inside
And out”. Your whispers fill this empty space
Within my heart. I held you as I tried
To memorize that look upon your face:
   “Perhaps some things are not as they appear—
   In my arms, you have nothing left to fear.”

by Jenn Slemmer

photo by Kadri

Storm Kestrel

Like a kestrel lost in a storm, enraged
By the wind that pushes me back towards home,
Failing strength in my tired wings, engaged
In a battle to rise above the foam
On my slate-grey seas. This tie binds me here,
And on a short rope I roam: let me fly
Away, and I’ll return when Autumn’s clear
Sky settles my wandering heart with a sigh.
Waves beat at my breast, and salt stings my eyes,
And the noose grows tighter around my chest:
Straining forward, my placid face belies
This sudden storm that’s given me my best
    Chance to escape this moral gravity
    And soar above my rain-swept dignity.

by Jenn Slemmer


Photo by Robert B

Tere!

Please can I come and practice this word again
Along with other useful words
that my awkward Prestonian accent
can’t really come close to replicating

The Estonian for bye
I do not know
Both literally and
Physically

So as I am always rubbish at good byes
then always Tere.

So if people are happy to say Tere!
Then I will be there

And for the people who are happy to say Tere!
For now... and now only... I shall say Ta-Ra!

by ian, 28th August 2009

photo by Michelle

and another by ian

Tourists

Hundreds of tour guides
with their boards with their numbers


No. 9 German

No. 3 Japanese

No. 16 French

and so they go on
like a river
after a storm
the tour groups stream through

Taking photos of stones
and buildings
Their pictures have no soul
no substance
only capturing some chemical and historical formula for these structures

But there is still spirit
and the buildings still breathe
Friendly stories from friendly faces
eeks them out, and lever them from each crack
And these people I dare call friends
they are the soul

So here is my number
No. 7 English & Estonian

My tour:

Here is where we danced
sang
climbed
laughed
ate
drank
wrote poetry
smiled

maybe no one will pay...

but its them who miss out


by ian (photos too)

Red Boots

I put on these working boots
I lift a crowbar of choice
Maybe also a nice red one

I strain my non existant muscles
I pull my darkness away
I pull away
the crumbling wood

some panels don't want to leave
don't want to cooperate
with my flimsy arms
and my brain wants to give in

But my spirit ,
my soul
it dances
it tugs

These red boots
keep me working



"until my arms drop off"
or the panel does


by ian

(inspired by Kate Bush - Red Shoes and Hans Christian Anderson story)

photo by Ellen

Blueberries

People have always said
that I can't do this
I can't do that

I can't finish that course
I wont make it there
You arent a person to do this
You can't see colours , long or near

I wasn't sure
but I picked
and plucked
and gathered

So tell me
Whatelse I can do today?
And I will do another impossibilty tomorrow

by ian ... click on photo to see how well i picked :) haha

#17

High Sun, clear Skies
the mosquitos fly wild
great harvest for swifts

by ian (part of recital too, and yes house martins arent good for haikus :) and last poem written at the School)

movie by ian

photo by Ellen

Estonia #16

Once there was a shrew from Estonia
Who was well fed and so wasn't bonier
his house was pulled down
and he ran and gave a frown
and said he would have to move and would be lonlier

by ian (someone asked for a limerick and so was part of my recital)
photo by Robert B

#13

At the end of the jetty
Splish Splash
Wind swirling through the trees
Shrooo Rustle
River flowing on by
bibble babble
leaves falling in the water
crick splosh
Water off my bathed head
drip drop

I sit with the sun shining down

I think

As the world goes by

by Ian @ the jetty
photo of my shoes by ian

The Great Patio Builder of 2009

O Palupõhja with your
lovely patio it must
have been created

with great lines
with passion
with precision
with labour

and all and for all
to enjoy the bricked sunshine

by the great patio builder who is now off to do the next

by Ian - was asked to write this by Colin
photo by me shortly after Colin asked me to write a poem about this and gave me the title

#12

Battered house
in the forest
gradually falling down
slowly losing its homely qualities

Giving little shelter
Common shrew in little holes
a couple of plants inside
and the odd visitition of some house martin
through an old window frame

So pull down the outside
pull down the ceiling
rip up the floor
and dig up the dirt

Then use the structure
to build a new purpose
new walls, floors and ceiling
and a home once more

by ian
photo by ian