VENTSPILS, LATVIA

Laura and I have actually done very little traveling around Latvia. We stay very busy and when we get a day off we usually head to Riga for a movie, some sightseeing and shopping for essentials.

One place that we have visited before that has quickly become a favorite destination is Ventspils. This is a port town that has a nice harbor area and great beaches. We decided to take a day to drive over and enjoy the sights before the weather gets too much cooler.

When we were here last (for a Christian camp) the city was fairly crowded with tourists. This time everyone is back in school and we had the whole place to ourselves. The beach was quiet, the eating places uncrowded and no traffic.

We spent a lot of time at the beach looking for amber and just enjoying the great creation that is God's. Here are a few of our favorite pictures:

 

 

Bob sled runners (pushers?)made out of flowers....

Ends of logs that are sunk in the sand for a walkway...

Lots of pebbles and rocks on the beaches here...

Don't know what I was thinking about but I seem to be lost in thought....

Storm is coming in...

Lighthouse at the end of the breakwater....

 

 

 

Latvian pine forest....

Bluffs....

 

 

 

 

Is she doing this on purpose?

KIRSU IELA

Work continues on the property that has been recently purchased by Cesis Baptist Church. While we are anxious to begin the remodel and update to the building that will become the church building, we must first demolish a large building at the front of the property.

This wooden, brick and stucco building is 2.5 stories tall and is well made. We really wish we could have kept it because of the huge amount of space it offers but there is just too much repair that needs to be done. However, it is not going to do down easily. It was constructed with huge beams using old construction techniques. There aren't too many 2x4s just nailed in.

The schedule is to get this building down and the foundation smoothed out before the fall rains and winter snow arrive. We are making progress but we can't slow down or we are going to get caught.

Here are a few pictures from last Saturday's work crew.

 

 

Almost to the bottom floor. Top 1.5 floors have been removed

Every piece of wood that is removed is cut up to eventually be used for heating.

 

Friends from Valmeira Church arrived to help...

The cut wood is housed where Emils is standing...

Vilma cooked up a good zupa for lunch...

 

Sawdust, coal dust and dirt was used for insulation. It is removed and dumped into the white bags for transporting.