DAYS 26-27 EUROPE TRIP
LITHUANIA – Kelme
From Kaunas we headed west along the Nemunas River to Kelme. For a change it was a lovely day.
We climbed Palemono Hill in Panemunu Region Park.
The views in all directions were just beautiful.
In the car park a van drew up and starting selling chooks, ducks, baby chicks and baby ducklings. It was interesting to see a deserted car park suddenly change into a centre of activity as buyers appeared from all directions.
We continued onto Raudonpile. Originally it was built as a manor. Now it is a school
with beautiful public parklands.
Across the pathway is another part of the original complex now in private hands and being advertised as for sale. We were told that the interior was previously totally stripped. Whoever bought it would have a huge task ahead to make it liveable.
We stopped for lunch at Karpyne – Carp place.
A very beautiful setting for lunch or to stay a day or two.
We continued on to show our fellow travellers Šiluva where it is believed that in 1608 the Blessed Virgin Mary manifested herself on this rock.
A chapel was built on this spot in 1663 with the alter resting on the stone. At a special time during the year people gather here in huge numbers.
Along the way there were numerous stork nests with baby storks. I had never seen so many storks. When I mentioned that there were no storks in Australia I was asked “who brings the baby’s then?” Not an easy question to answer. I thought of saying they are found under cabbage leaves but decided in the end to keep quiet on that.
We took a detour past Vyčiai. We were very disappointed as the site is now very neglected.
Finally we reached Kelme to be warmly met by hubby’s and his sister’s relatives. It was the first time that my sister-in-law met this side of the family. It was nice to see how they all clicked.
I couldn’t get over how beautiful the gardens were. Everywhere we went the gardens were spectacular.
After dinner we drove out to see their strawberry field. They needed to check how soon till picking was to begin.
Row on row of strawberry plants - and what a variety.
As we walked along the rows we tasted and tasted them. They were very delicious. They pick about 500 ton each year and sell them at the market. It is hard backbreaking work.
Hubby’s cousin is also a very artistic. Her Easter egg designs are unique and beautiful. She makes her own dyes and then waxes and dyes the eggs or dyes and then scratches designs on them. I wrote down the dying process so that I could try it with our local plants.
Next day we went to Šauliai to visit the place where hubby’s mother grew up.
and then to the Šauliu University for the opening of Šliupo archive at the university. The archive had been donated and brought across from USA by the son. Šliupas was a lithuanian activist in the early years of Lithuania‘s independence and after the outbreak of WWll hubby’s father had been his secretary.
The function was also attended by hubby’s and his sister’s 97 year old honourary aunt. She was in top form – straight to the point. When hubby spoke to he ron the phone prior to meeting her she stated „last time I met you, you were young, you must be old now“.
After returning to Kelme we went to their cousin’s son’s weekender not far from Kelme. It was a beautiful spot with a wooden cottage set on top of the hill.
Stork nests again were in abundance. Locals here will do anything to encourage storks to nest on their property as it is a good sign if they do.
After dinner a swedish hot tub was heated and the men indulged themelves in it
after acting like kids on the four wheeler.
Whilst the men had their fun, the women had an interesting time chatting about a range of things.
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