Seals and more

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A couple of days ago we flew via the Orkneys on our way to Norway. And do you know what we saw there?
Our friends the seals with their cute pups. We actually looked at the seals on our beach in Cley lately but these seals were selkies, as mentioned by Amy Sackville in her recommendable novel “Orkneys“. Selkies are actually relatives of the fairies like us, living in the North.

Vor einigen Tagen flatterten wir über die Orkneys nach Norway. Und Ihr glaubt es kaum, was wir dort sahen. Wir trafen dort unsere Verwandten die Seehunde mit ihren Jungen. Klar hatten wir sie schon an unserem Strand besucht, aber dies hier waren Selkies, diese Wesen, die Amy Sackville in ihrem brillanten Roman “Orkneys” erwähnt.

horsey_seal_sign

Do you know what selkies are?
As you see on these pictures they are seals, but very special ones. They sometimes get rid of their fur to become like people and very beautiful and seductive people, a bit like mermaids. Clarissa Pinkola Estes describes in “Women Who Run With The Wolves” how men fell madly in love with those selkie-women and hiding their furs so that they can’t change back to be seals again. But like with the mermaids the selkis get their fur back in the end and become seals again. In her Celtic influenced fantasy novels Juliet Marilliner writes about selkies as well as Trini Lind, who gave us the idea to blog about selkies in one of her comments to our blog.  

Wisst Ihr was Selkies sind? Naja, wie Ihr auf Dina’s Bildern seht, sind sie Robben, aber ganz spezielle. Sie können nämlich bisweilen ihr Fell ablegen und so zu Menschen wie Sie werden – ein wenig wie Nixen. Die Analytikerin Clarissa Pinkola Estes beschreibt in “Die Wolfsfrau” wie Männer sich unsterblich in diese Selkies verlieben und in ihrem Liebeswahn deren Fellkleid verstecken. Aber die schlauen Selkies erobern ihr Fell zurück and entkommen als Robben wieder ins Meer. Lest Juliet Marilliner, sie schreibt in ihren Fantasieroman über diese Wesen und Trini Lind, die uns in einem Kommentar zu unserem Blog die Idee gab über unsere Freunde zu bloggen. Danke!

sealed

Selkies like mermaids are seen as beings symbolising the soul or the feelings. Therefore they need the water to flourish. And do you know why they mostly are seen as women? Brave men sailing the northern seas didn’t have any contact with women for long times on sea. So it’s understandable that the saw luring women in the cute seals.

Seehunde sind Seelentiere. Ihr altgermanischer Name war Seelhunde oder Seel, wovon das heute im Englischen gebräuchliche seal abstammt. Nach altnordischer Vorstellung wohnten die Ungeborenen und Toten in der See. Die Seel(en) waren also die zur See Gehörenden, daher steckt in Seele das Wort See. Für das Volk wurde aus dem Seelhund der Seehund, der das (weiblich) Gefühl symbolisiert.

chillenhorsey_seals10a-sign

We are in Norway now where we are looking for our dear relatives. We are going to the south coast following Tilly Culme-Seymour’s book “Island Summers“.

Jetzt sind wir in Norwegen und werden uns auf die Suche nach Selkies machen, die besonders die westlichen Inseln lieben. Bis dann

Siri and Selma, the happy Bookfayries

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© Text and illustrations, Hanne Siebers and Klausbernd Vollmar,  Cley next the Sea, 2017

Follow Dina- Hanne Siebers on Instagram!

 

 

477 thoughts

  1. oh, gosh, beautiful photos… and the pups are so cute 🙂
    I’ve heard about selkies from “Song of the Sea” – animated movie (2014), which both I and both boyz absolutely love and after this post we might actually re-watch it 🙂
    wonderful post, thank you!!

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

    • Dear Alexandra,
      thanks a lot for your kind words. Great, that we could stimulate you to sea “Song of the Seas” again. Actually we did that as well while writing this post.
      With warm greetings to Bulgaria from the cold sea
      That Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Oh, they are soooooo cuuuuute!!! I just adore seals!! 💖💖💖💖. Lucky you, to go to Orkney! And I am so happy you read Island Summers! My mother is reading it too now! 😊😊. I love Selkie stories, and now I just have to publish my own selkie story on my blog later today! Thank you for the inspiration! 💖😊. I love this post!

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

    • Good afternoon, dear Trini,
      we are so happy that you like our post 💖 And thanks again for telling us about Island Summers! 🙂
      We’ll come and visit you and are very curious about your Selkie-story.
      By the way could you read the German text? The text differs from the English one. The second last paragraph is about the old Germanic idea about seals and selkies and how this is connected with the word ‘soul’. If you don’t understand German we could translate it for you.
      With lots of love 💖💖💖
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Trini
      GREAT that you like this post about our visit to the Orkney selkies. And do you know? Dina and our dear Master promised us to go to the Orkneys again at the end of May. We are so happy!
      With lots and lots of finest fairy dust
      Siri 💖 and 💖 Selma, the friends of the Selkies xxx

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Siri and Selma, how exciting!! 😊😊. Do tell me about it afterwards! 😊😊. And thank you so much for the fairy dust! It is much appreciated! 🦄🌈👸🏼. Lots of love to both of you! 💖💖

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Trini,
      I suppose that’s asking too much of Google because it’s partly ethymological
      You have to know that seals are ‘seel’ in old Germanic languages and ‘soul’ is ‘seel(e)’ in Germanic languages. This sameness of the linguistic level corresponds with the old Germanic idea that the unborn and the dead are living in the sea which is ‘See’ in Germanic languages. Therfore ‘seel’ (seal), ‘Seele’ (soul) and ‘See’ (sea) are going back to the same linguistic root.
      Oh dear, I hope I explained it in an understandable way.
      Lots of love from the land of the Vikings and Trolls
      Klausbernd 🙂 xx

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Derrick,
      you know, we love symbolism and symbolism and magic are related, aren’t they?!
      Thanks for your commentary and all the best
      The Fab Four of Cley
      and have a relaxing weekend

      Liked by 2 people

    • Good afternoon, dear Angela,
      you are very welcome! We are happy that you enjoyed our post. Well, we are seal-lovers 🙂
      Have a happy weekend and thanks for commenting
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

  8. ……. ach wie niedlich, die sind ja direkt zum knutschen.
    Wenn man fotografiert wird von einer solch tollen Fotografin, dann muß man ja sensationell präsentiert sein!
    und das Herz aller Betrachter schmelzen lassen.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Ja, liebe Laura, wir sind ganz große Selkie Freundinnen. Aber knutschen durften wir sie nicht, da würde uns auch die Mutter angreifen.
      Mit ganz viel Feenhauch von
      Siri 💖 und 💖 Selma, die liebklugen Buchfeen

      Liked by 1 person

    • Liebe Laura,
      mit deinem Kommentar hast du unsere liebe Dina SEHR erfreut und sie richtig stolz gemacht – sie sieht es als Geburtstagsgeschenk an. Sie ist gerade mit ihrer Kamera unterwegs, sich neue Opfer zu suchen ;-), deswegen bedanken wir uns schon mal.
      Mit gaaaaanz lieben Grüßen aus dem hohen Norden
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Liebste wunderbare Laura,
      zuerst mal ganz, ganz herzlichen Dank für deine zauberhafte Geburtstagskarte auf Facebook, es ist die schönste Karte der ganzen Welt. 💕🥂💕 Leider kann ich gerade (unterwegs im offenen WiFi) keine Verbindung zu Facebook aufbauen, jedoch habe ich gestern einen Blick erhaschen können. Du bist echt so eine supertolle Fotografin. Nur schade für uns, dass du so weit weg bist …
      Deinen lieben Kommentar hier “made my day” wie wir in England sagen, ich verreise jetzt mit einem feinen Lächeln. 😊 Vielen Dank dir aus 🇳🇴
      Hanne x

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Pete,
      yes, we really love being in Norway. Everything is more rough than at our coast here, especially in winter now.
      Our dear Master collects those legends; well, legends, fairy tales, mythologies are the mothers of every symbolism.
      With lots of love from up North
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Jackie
      we are so happy that we could make you smile 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
      Yes, those seals are in the Here and Now.
      Have a happy weekend wishing
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

  16. Ihr Lieben, ich wünsche euch eine wunderbare Zeit in Norge und uns schöne Bilder 😉
    herzlichen Dank für die feinen Bilder von den “Seelentieren” und die Worte drumrum-
    herzliche Grüsse vom Winterzauberberg unter blauem Himmel
    Ulli

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Gaaaaaaanz viel Feenhauch dir aus Norwegen, wo es gar nicht so winterlich ist, wie wir hofften. Aber wir bleiben noch bis zum letzten Tag im Februar, da wird es sicher noch ändern.
      Liebsten Feenhauch von
      Siri 💖 und 💖 Selma, die liebklugen Buchfeen

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dir, liebe Ulli, gaaaanz herzliche Grüße vom hohen Norden. Klar doch, wir werden tolle Bilder von hier bringen. Dina ist bereits mit ihrer Kamera unterwegs, obwohl sie etwas sauer war, da es nicht möglich war, ihr Stativ mitzunehmen (blöde Billigflieger).
      Dann mach’s ‘mal gut, hab’s fein
      bis dann
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

  17. Pingback: The Island of Seals | The Paths of the Spirit

    • Hi, dear Trini,
      there we are again!
      We enjoyed reading your story. GREAT story telling with a little thrill, a tiny dose of erotic and fine descriptions. It’s really worth reading it, we can highly recommend it and it’s a perfect addition to our post here.
      And thanks for linking it with our blog 🙂
      With love and fairy dust
      have a inspiring weekend
      The Fab Four og Cley xxxx

      Like

  21. Ein weiterer Klassiker von Vaters Standard-Sprüchen: Keiner beißt den Hund!
    Das sind wirklich hilfreiche Erklärungen, die du da schreibst, lieber Klausbernd! Super! Herzlichen Dank!
    Eine wunderschöne Zeit in Norwegen!
    Ich finde, man kann schön erkennen, dass Augen nicht nur sehen, sondern auch ausstrahlen….

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Liebe Pia,
      apropos: Keiner beißt den Hund. Seehunde können böse beißen. Sie greifen Menschen an, wenn man ihren Kleinen zu nahe kommt. Diese Bisse geben schreckliche Komplikationen, die nicht selten zu Amputationen führen.
      Danke für deinen Kommentar.
      Klar doch, die Robben sind strahlende Wesen.
      Wir wünschen ein frohes Wochenende
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

  22. Fab Four of Cley,
    As always I’ve enjoyed my visit here. Looking at the wonderful photos and reading your history of seals and mermaids is the best way for someone to start their morning!
    Thank you,
    GP Cox

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  26. Oh what beautiful photo’s you have shared.. And such beautiful parts of our world too..
    Trini is an excellent poet and story teller and I loved what she wrote linking to Seal Island..
    Wonderful collaboration 🙂

    Wishing you a beautiful day..
    Blessings Sue ❤

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Tja, wir wissen gar nicht, ob wir das hier verraten dürfen …
      Siri und Selma beherrschen einen magischen Selkie Anlockungsruf. Sind welch in der Nähe, kommen sie zu uns. Das liegt einfach daran, dass Feen und Selkies sich verwandtschaftlich verbunden fühlen.
      Mit gaaaanz lieben Grüßen aus Norwegen und mach’s dir gemütlich
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Ooooh wie schön!! Ihr präsentiert wieder atemberaubende Fotos. Zum knuddeln! Eure Geschichte des Seehundes/Selkies erklärt warum der Seehund als Krafttier
    “Eine Zeit des SEELischen Wachstums und der bevorstehender Freude” symbolisiert.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Hi, liebe Anne,
      ja, Seehunde sind in der Tat Krafttiere, was man sogleich bemerkt, wenn man sie sieht. Sie leben völlig entspannt im Hier und Jetzt und sind zugleich in ihrer Angriffslust nicht zu unterschätzen. Sehr wehrhaft sind sie und zugleich cool und sanft.
      Danke für deinen Kommentar 🙂
      Wir wünschen ein fröhliches Wochenende
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • TAKK
      Herzlichen Dank, liebe Ruth.
      Klar, die sind unsere Krafttiere 🙂
      Mit lieben Grüßen aus Norwegen.
      Habe ein gemütliches Wochenende
      KRAM
      The Fab Four of Cley
      Ist es bei dir in Schweden auch so wenig winterlich?

      Liked by 1 person

  35. I am always told Orkney, or the Orkney Islands as my grandmother is from Burray. I am not sure if you had time but, Skaill, Brodgar, Hoy, Shappinsay and many of the beaches are worth a look. I am usually up there once a year and it’s probably my favourite place in the world, it seems to have a soul and ambience I do not find elsewhere. I am biased having family from there but, many others feel the same. It’s so atmospheric with its harsh weather and so wonderful when the sun does come out. Personally, I love it in storms when I am sat in a cottage with an open fire going sipping a whisky or two watching a rough sea. I am not sure how I feel about the seals, it’s nice when they pop up when you whistle but, I am not convinced when culling was restricted that these creatures help the fishing much, they certainly don’t respect the minimum size limits. You’ll see porpoises if you keep your eye out and sometimes whales.
    Did you read about the Norwegian Princess (Margaret) who died of sea sickness? I think Norway gave the islands to Scotland as a wedding dowry, sadly the Norwegian Princess who was due to marry the King of Scotland died before the wedding happened. Scotland kept the islands (if I remember it all correctly).
    The war stories from there are fascinating, my granfather was stationed there in WW2 as an anti aircraft gunner (from London) and my grandmother was back there during the war in charge of rashion coupons. My grandfather was always popular as he was quick enough to chase down rabbits and catch them for dinner which was a real luxury in wartime. He was bringing his future inlaws rabbits long before he met his future wife. I had a relative who was a pirate there too, he would go as far as Edinburgh and take his spoils back to Orkney.

    Great blog again.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • WOW, thank you very, very much for your comment full of knowledge. Now we know much more about the Orkneys. We had not that much time in the beginning of this week, but we will have much more when we will visit the Orneys again end of May. But even these two days – our first ones there – gave us an idea of the magic of the Orkneys.
      We found that interesting that the Orkneys were given as a dowry. The language there has quite some words similar to Norwegian. And we heard that there were – and may there still are – quite some people speaking Norwegian. We will try to research about this Princess Margaret dying of sea sickness. Very interesting! No, unfortunately we hadn’t read about it yet – but now we will!
      Where we live in North Norfolk the seals were VERY unpopular in former times. We live at a bay and when the fishermen went out they never did it without a rifle and and always tried to shoot as many seals as possible. In this pupping season we had so much seals as never before – actually too much. This produces an inballance of this coast here. Even in the Arctic, where we saw seals first, there are masses of seals now in post-clubbing times. It’s said that every seal eats 5kg fish every day. Amazing, isn’t it!
      We are very, very much looking forward to our next trip to the Orkneys and thanks for all the hints 🙂
      We wish you a relaxing and cosy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • It’s interesting because there is an Orkney dialect which not only sounds like a Norwegian but the words are alien to English and Scots-Gaelic. I am sure you could obviously see the Norse influence in place names and the flag of the islands. The Orkneyinga sagas are what you should read about. There are many tales about vikings relating to Orkney. You also probably noticed many people up there have a very pale blue eyes and fair hair.
      Another place you should perhaps visit for photography and travel are the Outer Hebrides but, you could spend a month in Orkney and not see it all, it is vast.
      The seal clubbing restriction was passed in 2011 and now you need a license to do so. I feel like they fish they are eating are more threatened than the seals in terms of extinction, Orkney has so many. On the Churchill Barriers between the islands there are otters also which are much cuter. Orkney is also a very popular dive site in the UK considering all of the German and British shipwrecks in the Scapa Flow. Orkney is home to “Scapa” and “Highland Park”, they are both good whiskey’s.
      I usually goto Norway twice per year, either Tromso/Bodo or around Flatanger, it all reminds me of the Scottish islands, just with much better fishing potential. Another place you may wish to see next time is Skara Brae, it is one of the oldest houses in Western Europe and the oldest is on one of the other islands.
      If you need any advice on what to see next time, please send me a message.

      Liked by 3 people

    • Thank you so much 🙂
      It’s so kind of you offering advice. We will surely come back to it with pleasure.
      Dina is Norwegian and therefore she noticed immediately the Norwegian influence there.
      Could you, please, recommend a book about the Orkneyinga Sagas. We are very interested.
      By the way, we will go to the Outer Hebredies in May as well and from there to the Orkneys.
      Our dear Master knows Tromso quite well, because he went several time to Greenland and Svalbard always from there.
      Thanks again. You are very kind!
      All the best
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 3 people

    • My father has many books, I’ll need to ask him.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orkneyinga_saga

      If you are sailing I would say you are intrepid. You have to be careful negoitiating Orkney waters, the local fishing boats often won’t go out if there is west in the wind.
      I would look at Stornoway & Callanish (Lewis). Also the Isle of Harris has a beach which is wonderful called Seillebost or Luskentyre. Berneray is charming as is Barra. The every changing light makes the islands a painter or photographers dream.
      Svalbard is on my list, I want to go shore fishing there and perhaps film the polar bears, it’s a bucket list thing.
      Cheers
      Chris

      Liked by 4 people

    • Thank you very much, dear Chris 🙂
      We don’t go by boat, our tiny boat isn’t fit for such a journey and we neither. We go by car using the ferries and will do some hiking.
      We combine this with going up NC500, this road that was voted the second grand road in the world by international photo-journalists.
      When we go to Svalbard we always sail around to the north coast of Spitsbergen and then going over to Northeast Greenland – Scoresby Sound f.e. We use to do this on an ice-breaker. But we suppose you could go up to Spitsbergen just in a normal fishing boat – except to the north coast. There we always met heavy ice. Going by ship has the big advantage that you can stay over night on board.
      Thanks and cheers
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 3 people

    • I think we’d like to do 10 nights on Svalbard and to try to catch huge cod and halibut with the intention of making an excellent video. It would be some extreme fishing, its on the list anyway. I am back on Ascension Island in June, that is my next big trip.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Good evening, dear Sarah,
      you are very welcome. We are sooooo happy that you not only like our post but you are a seal-lover as well.
      We wish you a GREAT weekend – oh, we just see you are from Berlin. It’s funny but we think it’s more winter at yours than here in Norway. In former times we were regularly visiting Berlin having friends living on the Fichtenberg (behind the Botanischer Garten).
      Well, wishing you a great weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hello Klausbernd!
      I´ve always felt a deep relationship to seals and all other sea mammals as well, and could watch them for hours! 🙂
      Coming across your blog has been a wonderful surprise to me, and I´m looking very much forward to see all your future posts! Your pictures and accompanying stories are just beautiful!
      And you´re spot on: it´s quite wintery here in Berlin, though this weekend we have a little time out and expect 8 degrees C!!!!
      That is one of the most beautiful areas in Berlin that you´ve been living in! I know it very well because I studied at the Freie Universität and enjoyed my breaks there. 🙂
      Actually I´m German but considered it a politeness to other fellow bloggers to write in English 😉
      Wish you a fantastic weekend too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks for your long answer 🙂
      The weather changed here as well last night. It’s more like spring now, 13 C and sunny.
      We always loved living at our friends up the Fichtenberg. But now we don’t travel so much to Germany any longer as our dear master has retired and doesn’t go on lecture tours any more.
      Concerning writing English: We recently read that 75% of all websites and blogs are in English but only 25% of all internet users understand English. Well …
      We are sooooo happy that you like our blog 🙂 With lots of love from Norway
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hurray, hurray
      we have snow now! Every is white and glittering and Siri and Selma are very keen going outside building snowfairies – quite a problem with the wings …
      Lots of love from Norway to Berlin
      The Fab Four of Cley
      and have an easy week 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Oh dear, what a shame! All the snow is gone already. But for the coming weekend lots of snow is forecasted. Please, keep your fingers crossed for heavy snowfalls soon!
      Have a happy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Dear Laurie, good evening,
      you are very welcome! 🙂
      They are our favourites as well, especially Siri and Selma love them dearly.
      With lots of love and hugs from Norway.
      Wishing you a happy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley xxxx

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Das sind wieder einmal ganz tolle Fotos 🙂 Aber die Models sind natürlich auch super. Ich glaube, sie wussten, wie fotogen sie sind 😉
    Den Text finde ich übrigens auch sehr informativ. Wieder so einiges dazugelernt.
    Liebe Grüße von der Silberdistel

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Herzlichen Dank für deine lobenden Worte, die uns uns gut tun 🙂
      Ja, die Seehunde sind coole Models, völlig relaxed halten sie still und freuen sich über die Fotografin 😉 Siri und Selma als ihre Verwandte können sie anlocken und quatschen mit ihnen über Fisch und die Meere, während Dina knipst.
      Mit ganz lieben Grüßen aus Norwegen. Die besten Wünsche für ein gemütliches Wochenende
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 3 people

    • Guten Morgen, lieber Pit,
      große Schande, statt Winter haben wir es warm in Norwegen, du glaubst es kaum 4 Grad C. Aber das kann sich noch ändern, da wir noch bis zum letzten Tag im Februar hier sind.
      Schön, dass dir unsere Post gefällt. Siri und Selma waren auch völlig verliebt in die Robben.
      Alles Liebe von uns und ein wunderbares Wochenende wünschen dir und Mary
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hallo Klausbernd,
      auch hier ist es – leider – (viel) zu warm, mit bis zu über 25 Grad. Nicht dass diese Temperatur an sich für Südtexas um diese Jahreszeit ungewöhnlich wäre. Das kann durchaus schon mal vorkommen. Aber die warmen Tage sind einfach zu viele. Bisher hatten wir nur ganze zwei volle Tage mit Frost, und dazu noch 4 weitere Nächte. Und auch jetzt ist kein Frostwetter in Sicht. Die etwas längerfristige Voraussage ist: wärmer und trockener als üblich. Nicht schön, wirklich nicht, aber wir können es nun mal nicht ändern, sondern müssen es nehmen, wie es gerade kommt.
      Euch wünsche ich dann, dass es doch noch norwegisch-winterlich wird, und Ihr einen prima Urlaub habt. Kommt heil und gesund wieder.
      Liebe Grüße an Euch Alle,
      Pit & Mary

      Liked by 1 person

    • Guten Morgen, lieber Pit,
      selbst hier in Norwegen ist’s viel zu warm. Allerdings das soll sich jetzt ändern. Im Norden Norwegens war es heute immerhin schon minus 26 Grad C. Diese Kälte soll uns auch im Laufe des Tages erreichen. Aber bislang herrschte hier der wärmste Winter seit 60 Jahren.
      Mit ganz lieben Grüßen an dich
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hallo Klausbernd,
      hier ist es immer noch viel zu warm. Am Montag habe ich doch tatsaechlich die Klimaanlage angemacht, weil es mir hier am Schreibtisch unertraeglich warm wurde. Und vorgestern waren es hier in Fredericksburg 28! Grad. Jetzt ist es zwar etwas kuehler, aber immer noch viel zu warm fuer Anfang Februar. Wenigstens haben wir aber 2 Tage mit Regen in Aussicht. Na ja, nicht dass es da den ganzen Tag regnen wuerde. Die Vorhersage bedeutet, es KANN regnen. Und dabei brauchen wir Regen mehr als dringend. Seit der zweiten Dezemberwoche haben wir ganz 30 Liter pro Quadratmeter gehabt. Der beruehmte Tropfen auf den heissen Stein.
      So, jetzt aber genug davon.
      Habt’s fein, Ihr Lieben, und liebe Gruesse ins kleine Dorf am grossen Meer,
      Pit

      Liked by 1 person

    • Danke, lieber Pit, für deinen Bericht. Nee, wir sind gar nicht im kleinen Dorf am großen Meer sondern in Dinas Heimat der Amundsen-Stadt Fredrikstad. Wir hatten hier Mengen von Schnee erwartet, aber nix da, wenn es auch ab und an etwas schneit, aber für morgen ist echter Winter vorausgesagt. Und schneit immerhin shon, aber bei schlappen minus 4 Grad C.
      Im kleinen Dorf am großen Meer hat es auch seit langer Zeit keinen Niederschlag mehr gegeben, aber der kann dort noch kommen. Das Frühjahr ist oft die Regenzeit.
      Das ist ja schon völlig englisch, sich ausführlichst über das Wetter zu unterhalten 😉
      Mach’s gut, du Lieber, hab’s fein 🙂
      Ganz liebe Grüße vom Wikinger-Country
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hallo Klausbernd,
      Ihr seid also immer noch im Land der Trolle! Prima!
      Das Wetter ist uebrigens auch hier ein Thema. Auch wenn es nicht unbedingt danach aussieht: Texas ist ja doch zu einem grossen Teil ein Agrarstaat, auch wenn grosse Teile in einer semi-ariden und ariden Zone liegen. Umso mehr ist Regen von Bedeutung. Die lange Trockenperiode hat uebrigens auch wieder die Gefahr von Wald- und Flaechenbraenden heraufbeschworen. Wir die Nachrichten vorgestern sagten, es ict nicht eine Frage “ob”, sondern nur noch “wann”.
      Lieb Gruesse aus dem Land des Obertrolls,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Du Lieber aus dem Land des Obertrolls,
      gaaaaaanz fest halten wir Daumen und Flügelchen, dass es nicht in eurer Umgebung brennen wird. Und duweißt ja, Siri und Selma haben da ihre magischen Tricks.
      Ja, wir sind noch bis Ende Februar hier, danach geht’s zurück in unser Heim. Wird dann auch höchste Zeit.
      Alles Liebe an dich und Mary
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

  49. Onc again heartmelting photos and a very fine narrative. The seals are so cute and popular with the tourists. The fishermen are not quite so happy with the growing colonies of seal, they do consume a lot of fish, crabs and lobster …
    Thank you for this lovely post, Fab Four.
    Have a wonderful time in Norway,
    John

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Dear John,
      as we wrote above, the fishermen hat then because one seal eats 5 kg fish per day. A big competition, indeed!
      On the other hand more money is made with tourism than with fishing – and, as you write, the tourists love them, like we do.
      Thanks for your good wishes
      Lots of love
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hello,
      well, Selkies are not seen as but similar to mermaids. The difference is that mermaids often lure sailors into death whereas Selkies are always the good ones. On the other hand there are a lot similarities: both can change into beautiful women f.e., can make men fall in love with them, but both have to leave their lovers in the end.
      Thanks and best wishes for a great weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 3 people

  56. Such beautiful images of the seals / selkies and their pups – they are so cute with their lovely smiles I can see why Selma and Siri are so joyful at having met them. Though perhaps that rather plump one at the end may serve as a warning not to eat TOO much fish whilst away 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Hey Jude, good afternoon,
      we had to make Siri and Selma not to come to near to those seals because they can be very vicious and bite when on land and having puppies. Those bites are horrible because of all the germs in the seals’ mouth. But nevertheless Siri and Selma were so happy and full of joy meeting them and kind of played with them from a safe distance.
      Yes, this plump seal is warning don’t be too greedy. A warning for our beloved Bookfayries too. Well, they will not eat too much fish but sweets and getting plump means for them not being able to fly anymore.
      Thanks for your comment. We wish you a very easy and cosy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Jude,
      oh dear, we were not allowed to get too near to the pups. Dina and our dear master were restricting our movements with a rope. But, well, in a way they were right, because we read in the fairy school about polar expeditions on which explorers were bitten by aggressive seals. And you wouldn’t believe it, their legs had to be amputated in the end.
      We are sending you lots of finest fairy dust
      Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma, the chirpy Bookfayries

      Liked by 3 people

    • Oh dear, we read in the Norwegian papers that it’s very warm in Svalbard. A desaster.
      We hope that the cold and the real winter will arrive at yours soon.
      With lots of love
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

  57. I remember the story in one of the grade 7 readers of many many years ago,. I believe the theme was on Nordic mythology, which among other stories dealt with the Selkies. My students were fascinated. Thanks for reviving my memories!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Good morning, dear Peter,
      we are amazed that Nordic mythology was taught in a shool in Texas. Our master went to school near Cologne but never heard a word of Nordic mythology there. When he started studying “Nordistic” he never ever made this public because everything Nordic was too much connected with fascism. One could study Nordistic only in Münster and Kiel when he was a student and very few students did study it.
      We are very happy that we could reviving your memory.
      We wish you an easy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you for enlightening me on the lack of Nordistic studies at German universities! Hopefully this has changed. A small correction is in order dear Klausbernd. I live in Western Canada, about which you will be reading more and more in the Peter and Gertrud Klopp story on my blog klopp-family.com. The curriculum of the Canadian school system is very broad-minded and includes many different cultures in recognition of our multicultural society. Also to you and your wonderful family warm greetings from British Columbia, Canada!

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Peter,
      Sorry 😐, I should have known.
      It has changed now. Nordistic can be studied on some German universities but not many students choose this subject. When I have been a student I could only study it together with Germanistik. I did this and taught Germanistik later in Montreal. Nowadays more students choose Skandinavistik. Nordistik is more about literature and languages as well as linguistics. Skandinavistik includes every aspect of the Scandinavian countries.
      Have a relaxing evening
      Klausbernd

      Liked by 2 people

  59. My dear friends
    I love Dina’s pictures, but I am not sure about loving seals. I encountered quite agressive seals, maybe that’s why.
    I will phone you tonight. It’s easy when you are in Norway too 🙂
    With love from the high North
    Per Magnus
    How long will you stay?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Hi, dear Per Magnus,
      and how long will you stay up North on Svalbard? Anyway we will talk about it on the phone tonight.
      Up North I only saw seals on ice flows. You did ask the question in one of your commentaries what the predators of seals are down south in Scotland or even at our coast. We have no idea. When we had quite a flood two weeks ago we saw some dead seals being washed on land.
      Besides the polar bear the natural predators of the seals are white sharks and killer whales. But we don’t have them down here on our beach. We suppose there are no natural predators of seals down here at the North Norfolk coast. We don’t know about the Orkneys.
      With lots love to our dear friend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  61. I remember stories of Selkies and Sirens from my schooling. Of course we liked the Selkies more, since they were sweet as well as enticing, and intended no harm to anyone. They were as charming and innocent as the wonderful seals shown here. Even though whaling provided the context for the song, the first time I heard Judy Collins sing “Farewell to Tarwaithe,” I was sure it was a Selkie singing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Yes, Selkies are supposed to have a beautiful voice, like the Sirens but not deadly. Maybe Judy Collins is a Selkie? She look like one and was born in Seattle, where Selkies use to live …
      Thanks a lot for commenting and have a GREAT weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  64. Hi all! This is a fabulous post, beautiful photos and full of magic and mysticism. 😀 Not knowing much about selkies I loved learning from you all…what a wonderful myth . What a lovely treat for you to see the seals so close, they seem so contented luxuriating on the sand! Have a great time in Norway…any snow there?

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Dear Annika,
      we are a bit dissapointed, there is no snow here in Norway. But we still hope for lots of snow. We suppose there is a big chance as we are staying to end of February. There was an article in the paper today, that the times without snow are one month less than ten years and more before.
      In “Women Who Run With The Wolves” you find quite a long paragraph about Selkies. A lot of the tales about the Selkies are similar to those about mermaids – only that the dark and deadly mermaids’ side is left out.
      Only if seals are used to people and feel safe you can get that near. Otherwise you need a long time getting that near. It helps to get down and crawl and it seems to us to hum is helping as well.
      Thanks, cheers, have a happy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 3 people

    • A friend of mine has read and recommended ‘Women Who Run with The Wolves’ to me but never mentioned the Selkies. Now I really must read this book, she raved on about it and was quoting from it for months! The mermaids always seemed to have that sinister selfish side hidden behind their beauty – I couldn’t imagine these lovely Selkies with any evil intent – they’re just too cute whilst still possessing that all-knowing look. It’s been fascinating to learn about them from you and also about your humming and crawling to get close! Hopefully I’ll have a chance to try it out one day! Have a great weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Annika,
      I have only the German edition here, therefore I cannot tell you the pages, but I can tell you it’s chapter 9 and starts there right at the beginning.
      Happy reading
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Annika
      we are sooooooo disappointed as we have no snow here. But we will have a word with the weather fairies tonight!
      We get get so near to the seals as we can talk to them – fairy language is quite similar to Selkie language, those talked with a Scottish accent, we can understand very well.
      We send you lots and lots of fairy dust
      Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma, the chirpy Bookfayries

      Liked by 4 people

    • I have the outmost pleasure to announce that we do have SNOW in Norway NOW!!!
      Siri and Selma are dancing and singing
      Schneeflöckchen, weiß Röckchen,
      was kommst du geschneit,
      du wohnst in den Wolken,
      dein Weg ist so weit
      😊❤️😊❤️😊❤️😊

      Liked by 1 person

  66. Thanks Dina for a look at a very beautiful and extraordinary creature. It is easy to fall in love with them, it is always a treat to see seals resting on the beach, and our Sea Lions likewise. A delightful post!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Even if have a beach full of seals not far from house we still love seal watching. And Siri and Selma are totally and utterly fallen in love with them, especially with those cute white pups.
      Thanks for your kind words.
      All the best and have an easy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Cecilia,
      although seals are on our beach here they never go far from the beach. They always stay near the waterline here. Therefor they never visited us at home 😉
      Yes, those are very playful – as long as you don’t get too near.
      Thanks and cheers.
      Have a relaxing weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Oh dear, it’s a pity that the snow melts somewhere. We want snow! Immediately and lots of snow and ice!
      We hate it when the snow is melting away.
      With fairy dust from
      Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma, the chirpy Bookfayries

      Liked by 2 people

    • Oh dear, there is too much melting like up North and too few snow, isn’t it?! We think those sunny skies are boring. We had to live in Greece once, boringly sunny nearly the whole year round, unbearable!
      Thanks for liking those little Selkies
      All the best
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • P.S.
      We just see, Buchdame wrote about the praise of snow in literature (two comments down from here).
      We suppose there are lots of people who like real snow and a real winter, especially most of the children.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Well, we can understand this, although we used to live near Inari many years ago and we loved the long winter there. Nowadays we sometimes go to NE Greenland in summer.
      But on the other hand we live in an area with a very mild climate, hardly any snow or freezing. That changes your perspective of course.
      Thanks and all the best. Wishing you lots of sun
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  72. My dearest friends,
    we have no snow here as well. It’s a shame because I love snow like you do. I remember a paragraph of Thomas Mann’s novel “Magic Mountain” where the protagonist talks about how much he loves snow. A winter without snow is depressing, isn’t it?
    Just wait a minute, somewhere I have a list of authors writing positively about snow.
    With a big HUG to my friends
    Anna Lena

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dearest Annalena,
      thanks for that hint! Of course, “Magic Mountain”, Hans Castorp loved living in the snow we remember and all the snow and ice in “White Fang”. One feels reading this novel that Jack London loves the winter.
      A good idea to blog about the love of winter. Isn’t it typical, in most of pictures which want to give an idea of cosyness we have wintertime with snow and ice – like on all the Christmas-postcards.
      With lots and lots of love xxxx and big hugs ooooo
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

  73. Here comes this list:
    Grimm, Höeg, London, Th. Mann, Shelly, Stifter
    I am sure there are many more!
    Wouldn’t it be a nice topic to blog about? Something like snow in art and literature? As we don’t have real snow anymore or only much too short we at least should enjoy snow in every form of art!
    HUGS xxxx
    Anna Lena
    and special greetings to Per Magnus!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Thank you very much!
      I just remember James A. Michener in his Alaska-book, even in his Texas-book he writes about snow, to our astonishment.
      Funny how we got from the Selkies to winter and snow. I love those associations 🙂
      With xxxxxx and ooooooo
      from Klausbernd and Dina

      Liked by 2 people

  78. Pingback: SELKIES of FACT & FI | saywhatumean2say

  79. Your post reminded me of a book I read a long time ago about selkies. This was the second time I’ve ever come across someone mentioning selkies (that book being the first!). I should really look into the folklore. Seals are such beautiful creatures!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • If you really want to learn about Selkies you have to read old Nordic mythology. All our ideas about Selkies going back to this source.
      We are just researching about the idea of Selkies in Norway.
      Thanks for commenting and have an easy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Dennis
      our Selkies are sweet beings without a lion heart. But if one comes too near they will get vicious. They will bite with all their power. As a dog you better keep a safe distance.
      Thanks for your commentary
      All the best
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Lieber Ernst
      ja, prima, dass dir unser Artikel gefällt. Siri und Selma waren gar nicht von diesem Strand wegzubekommen.
      Auch dir liebe Grüße diesmal aus Norwegen, wo es endlich zu schneien beginnt 🙂
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

  82. Hi you lovely lot,
    great to have you in Norway, welcome back HOME. 🙂
    I absolutely love your seal-selkie post.💕💕💕 They are so cute. 😍 And playful and friendly, like dolphins. I have to share a vido with you;

    Klem,
    Herter

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  83. Dina, these are wonderful photos! I have never seen a seal – or a selkie – in the wild. I really felt like I was there! Your thoughts along with historical information on selkies made for a lovely post. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dear Theresa,
      thank you very much for your kind commentary.
      It is not often that one gets so near to the seals, especially not when they are pupping. We were lucky finding this beach and that we had time enough to get very, very slowly nearer and nearer.
      We wish you a happy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  84. How sweet they are, especially in your final capture – that one is defnitely smiling at you! So much prettier than the black seals we see in our area. Not sure they’re quite similar to women but perhaps after a few years at sea one’s perspective changes a bit!!!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Hi, dear Tina,
      after month and many hardships on sea the projections work in miracolous ways 😉
      Thanks you for liking our post. That was quite an expedition getting to this place and we needed quite some patience to be able taking those pictures. But Siri and Selma talked to the Selkies and made them pose for Dina.
      With lots of love and wishing you a happy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

  85. Aww, such sweet pictures! I liked the younger ones, especially the white ones! The seals are cute and the beach scene is making me wish I lived close to a bigger body of water or could visit the zoo soon. . . I hope zoos don’t upset you and don’t always see the bad in them. Take care to you all, xxxx

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Hi,
      the white seals are the young ones. As older they get as darker they are getting.
      Well, we suppose that zoos have an important role nowadays in helping quite some species to survive. But our dear seals and Selkies don’t need that. There are more seals around the world than ever.
      Thank you and have an easy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you for letting me know the white ones are the youngest.
      I am glad your seals are happy and free. 🙂
      I may not make it to their wild home, so zoo is helpful for my grandchildren and me to see all kinds of animals.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Good afternoon, dear Sue,
      well, the Selkies … that’s old Nordic mythology. You find old tales about them in Scotland, Norway, Greenland and other polar regions.
      Thanks for liking Dina’s pictures. It was quite an effort getting that near, but Siri and Selma helped by talking to them.
      Have a happy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hi Steve,
      well, originaly selch and seal are going back to the old Norse word sel/seel. Selch and seal are younger forms. Seolh and seel are more directly connected.
      Anyway, in the German language you can still clearly see the connection
      SEElhund (seal) > SEEhund (seal) > SEEle (soul) > SEE (sea)
      Thanks and cheers
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Lieber Nomade,
      ich knüpfe an unsere Diskussion über Farbe oder Schwarz-Weiß an (von der vorigen Post). In diesen Bildern ist ja wenig Farbe, sie sind wie eine Variation auf einen Farbton. Das gibt ihnen eine anmutige Einheitlichkeit. Ich muss zugeben, ich liebe das Minimalistische und eher Subtile.
      Schön, dass dir Dinas Bilder gefallen. Ich gebe zu, diese Fotos in SW zu bringen, würde ihre ganze Magie stören.
      Mit herzlichen Grüßen vom heute grau regnerischen Meer
      Klausbernd

      Like

  98. Great photography. I see you have liked some posts on Cindy Knoke’s blog. She shoots some great nature too. Norway is beautiful. I had the privilege of I seeing 7 or 8 stavekirche and fantastic scenery as I drove from Oslo through Lillehammer to Geiranger and back through the Jotunheimen Mts. in 1992.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Dear John,
      never mind!
      We did more or less the same tour many, many years ago. Now we are near the Swedish border in the South, but soon we’ll go up North. The whole Norwegian coast with all its fjords is great, isn’t it?
      Thank you very much for commenting. We wish you a relaxing evening
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Good morning, dear Otto,
      we suppose in the North the stories of the selkies are known. But it seem to end in northern Germany. Maybe selkies only love the Viking type of people.
      Thanks. Wishing you a happy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Good afternoon, der Patti,
      indeed, they can look quite human. Where we live we have seals as well, but one doesn’t get so near.
      Thank you for commenting.
      Wishing you a relaxed weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • We love to do this as well 🙂 Seals are such lovely beings, mostly quite relaxed and very curious especially when in water. If we go out with our little boat they always follow us.
      Thank you and have a happy weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Good morning, dear Anne,
      in the Nordic mythology selkies play an important part. There are films and books about selkies you will find in Wikipedia.
      Thanks for your commentary.
      With warm greeting from the cold sea
      The Fab Four of Cley
      and thanks a lot for following us 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  107. Se al sand mo re… werde so langsam und tiefenentspannt… glaube ich mache zu viele Pausen….

    Kinder lieben ja, wenn Erwachsene beim Vorlesen Tiergeräusche imitieren…schreibt man das wirklich so?!
    …Me di tier en…
    Gerade macht mir die deutsche Sprache sehr zu schaffen, welche Sprache sprechen denn diese niedlichen Tiere?
    …verstehen die sich wohl mit den Walen und Delphinen oder haben die auch solche Probleme wie wir Menschen?
    Man kann es sich kaum vorstellen, dass diese Robben einfach abgeschlachtet werden, weil Menschen Hu ng e r haben.
    Seht ihr, die Buchstaben spielen verrückt im Kopf, oje (como va..) , ich lasse es jetzt…nur Buchstabensalat…
    Schönen Sonntag

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Guten Tag, liebe Pia,
      das wäre eine Idealisierung, die Seehunde einzig als entspannte, niedliche Wesen zu betrachten. Sie können auch aggressiv sein und dann brüllen sie sich gegenseitig an. Das kann man ständig beobachten, wenn sie Junge haben und ein anderer Seehund zu nahe kommt.
      Von der Mutter getrennte junge Seehunde nennt man ja Heuler. So hört sich ihre “Sprache” an.
      Tiere haben sicherlich eine Sprache, freilich keine so differenziert verbale wie wir Menschen, aber zumindest eine der Körpergestik und der Rufe und Warntöne.
      Na, dann hoffen wir, dass sich die Buchstaben wieder fröhlich zu Wörtern bei dir ordnen.
      Mit lieben Grüßen zur Zeit aus Norwegen
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Siri und Selma haben mich kurz besucht und wir schauten und hörten “Song of the Sea”, nur falls ihr sie vermisst habt…
      Wie lieben die Selkie-Musik in diesem Kinderfilm…nur leider, sie wollen jetzt unbedingt so ein schönes Muschelhorn…damit werden sie euch eventuell auf die Nerven gehen.
      Viel Freude euch in Norwegen und liebste Grüße

      Like

    • oh dear, oh dear
      Aber nicht so schlimm, sie können ja in den Garten gehen.
      Wir hatten schon gedacht, sie hätten die Fähre von hier nach Schweden genommen, da sie bei der Fahrt durch den Schärengürtel evtl. Selkies treffen würden. Jetzt sind sie wieder bei uns in Norwegen und drücken sich ihre Stupsnäschen an der Scheibe platt, um zu schauen, ob’s noch schneit.
      Mit ganz lieben Grüßen und hab eine rundum schöne Woche
      The Fab Four of Cley
      und gaaaaaanz besonders liebe Grüße von Siri und Selma

      Like

    • Hi, liebe Piia,
      wir sind wieder gut bei Dina und Masterchen in Norwegen angekommen, die sich schon ein wenig Sorgen gemacht haben. Aber jetzt ist alles wieder gut und fein und ein Muschelhorn bekommen wir auch. Wir brauchen nicht einmal unser FairyTalerTaschengeld dafür, Dina und Masterchen schenken es uns.
      Schön war’s bei dir. Gaaaaaaanz vielen Dank und noch mehr Feenhauch von
      Siri 🙂 und 🙂 Selma, die fröhlichen Buchfeen

      Like

    • Good afternoon
      and what a beautiful sunny afternoon.
      Thanks for your kind commentary 🙂 We are seal lovers and we like especially their white pups. We could watch them forever. The longer you watch them the more they get used to you, meaning you get nearer without frightening them.
      We wish you a relaxing Sunday
      The Fab Four of Cley
      P.S.
      Especially our dear Master likes craft ale as well 🙂 England has a long tradition of craft ales and now more and more micro-breweries are set up which produce great ales, bitters and porters with funny names like “The Vicar’s Ruin” f.e.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi, dear Myriam
      yes, the seals are smiling about Dina photographing them. Well, they are selkies who like to be photographed, because selkies are quite vain 😉
      Thanks and have an easy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Jet,
      Thank you very much. We are still in Norway 🇳🇴 and hoping for lots of Snow ❄️ ☃️❄️ We love ❤️ it here. We always go up North to have a real winter ❄️ which we need very much.
      We love ❤️ the seals and of course especially the selkies and all the yarn told about them in the North.
      We wish you happy 😊 writing ✍️ and a cosy evening
      The Fab Four of Cley
      💃👭🚶

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hi, dear Roberto,
      thanks for your kind words. They are really cute, indeed! We love them 🙂
      With love from Norway, where we are travelling in search for the snow
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Good evening, dear David,
      thank you very much for your kind words 🙂 Indeed the clubbing was horrible but not only this. The fishermen hated the seals as a big competition as a seal eats 5 kg fish per day. When they went out to sea they tried to shoot as many seals as possible. But now the seal populations have recovered.
      All the best
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Good morning, dear Latifat,
      Thank you very much! 🙂
      Well, the English translation is always a kind of struggle for us as Dina’s mothertongue is Norwegian, our dear Master speaks German and our beloved Bookfayries speak Old Fayrish of course. We try our best. When we talk together we speak German.
      With love from the small village next the big sea
      The Fab Four of Cle

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hi, dear Mitch,
      thanks for your commentary and for the link, we really enjoyed. Meeting the selkies changed our perception of seals – and animals.
      With love from Norway, where we are travelling now in search for snow
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  117. I had never heard of selkies, so thank you for the story and the photos. Their fur is very beautiful so I can understand why they were hunted. I am so glad they were not killed into extinction. They are such beautiful creatures. I love how the photos capture the expressions on their faces.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • They were not only hunted for their fur, which was especially the reason for clubbing in the Arctic, but as much for competing with the fishermen eating 5 kg fish dayly. They shot them wherever they saw them.
      Thank you very much for liking Dina’s pictures 🙂
      The mythology and yarn about the selkies is norther European. Especially in the north of Scotland like on the Orkneys people like to tell stories about them.
      With warm greetings from the cold sea
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Good evening, dear Karen,
      The eyes of the seals were the reasons for the selkie yarn we suppose. Their eyes are magic and big!
      Thanks for commenting 🙂
      With lots of love from Old England to New England
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Hi, dear Denise,
      they can well feed in these waters and are happy – at least we project this on them.
      Thanks for your commentary and for liking our post
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Thank you for commenting 🙂
      We wish you a great weekend
      The Fab Four of Cley
      We are wondering how to run two blogs. One is just enough for us besides all our other activities. And this one here is quite time consuming to do it really well – nearly a full time job.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Jude
      We very much hope that this horrible Brexit will not drive us away from beautiful Norfolk. We are still living here but it’s hard to say what will happen to EU citizens living in the UK. But we hope for the best. Well this Brexit is desastrous. We have to admit we are looking for alternatives to England. If Scotland would go independant we would move there.
      Anyway we keep our fingers crossed that we can stay as we did in the last 30 years.
      Thank you for mentioning our situation now! It’s worrying.
      We wish you a happy weekend and send you love from Norway
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • We also worry, being ex-pats in France. Currently there is a reciprocal agreement re the medical system, but who knows what will happen after Article 50 is signed. Our pension money has fallen by 300 euros a month due to the pound falling! Good thing we don’t need a lot! I’ll take French citizenship if necessary in order to stay here rather than moving back to the U K. I really hope you can stay in Norfolk, but Scotland is beautiful! Take care of yourselves.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Jude,
      we lost a lot of money as well, very much – but well …
      Realisticly spoken we would go to Germany. That seems to us the most stablest country in Europe with a great social security system and smallest chance that populism would take over. The problem with other EU-countries is France. If lePen would win this would be the end of the EU, we suppose. Otherwise our option would have been Denmark, Sweden or an independant Scotland – but as populism rising in France and even in The Netherlands we suppose that Germany is best choise. Of course we have to say we all speak German fluently. But it seems to us that Germany is the only country who learned from history,
      We don’t really know if we would like to stay here even if EU citizens having lived here for a certain while could stay. The UK is likely to become a colony of the US and populism is strong.
      On the other hand we have to say all English people we meet are very friendly, nothing has changed in their behaviour.
      By the way, we think about blogging about our situation. We’ll see …
      You take care as well.
      All the best or with mother Julian of Norwich “All Shall Be Well”
      The Fab Four of Cley
      It’s a pitty that against politics Siri’s and Selma’s fairy magic is powerless.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Danke, lieber Jürgen 🙂
      Sie leben im Seehund-Paradies an den Orkneys. Beste Seehund-Wohnlage 😉
      Ach dir ein wunderschönes Wochenende.
      Mit lieben Grüßen aus Norwegen, wo wir gerade den Winter genießen
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

  129. Bonjour ou bonsoir ce n’est pas joli de tuer ces pauvres bêtes
    Je t’emmène du bonheur
    il est à côté de toi
    Surtout ne bouge pas
    Tiens ! il s’est glissé dans ton sourire
    Oh ! Le voilà dans ta belle demeure
    Pour embellir ta journée de joie et que ta soirée te soit de tout repos
    Pour toi je me dis que c’est la meilleure raison
    Alors partageons ensemble ce bonheur avec tous ceux que l’on aime et que l’on apprécie
    Regarde il brille soit comme le soleil au lever du jour ou une étoile dans la nuit
    Que Ce Bonheur restent l’histoire d’un beau jour
    Je te souhaite
    Une très belle journée ou une belle soirée

    Bisous Bernard Ton Ami

    Bisous

    ​

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  134. Fabulous, fabulous photos! Definitely have the aawww factor. I fell in love with the concept of selkies when I saw the movie The Secret of Roan Inish. Your photographs are spectacular!
    I am truly honored you would follow my blog. Stop by anytime!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you very much for your kind words 🙂 We were lucky getting that near although they just had their pupps.
      Unfortunately we didn’t see the fim, but we’ll have a look in the net for it.
      We’ll come around, we promise.
      We wish you an easy week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Dear Joanne,
      well, these tales about the selkies are of northern European origin, going back originally to old Norse writings and became kind of fairy tales afterwards and yarn.
      They do smile, because selkies are vain and like to be photographed 🙂
      With love from Norway, where we are travelling in the search of winter just now – and we found it 🙂 🙂
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Like

    • Thank you, dear Joanne,
      unfortunately we haven’t seen the northern light this time yet, but when we lived in Finland many years ago we saw them nearly every night during the long winter in Lapland.
      We wish you an easy day
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you very much. Dina sends a link to read more about the selkies (down under my text here). They are known in Nordic mythology, fairy tales and yarn, especially from Norway and the Orkneys.
      Have a happy day
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Laura,
      we can well understand that you prefer the selkies to mermaids. Selkies are much more friendly.
      Thanks for loving Dina’s pictures 🙂
      Wishing you a great week
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

  145. Can I say ‘oh me god’. Those are fantastic shots and the seals. They are adorable in every expression. Though I have difficulty in believing them as alluring women 😀 Those sailors must have been seriously starved of women!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Good afternoon, dear Diana,
      thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 Unfortunately our dear Dina doesn’t get paid for her photography – not until now.
      Wishing you a happy day
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  151. For everybody who likes to read a realistic text about clubbing on the one hand and about the eyes of the seals on the other we can recommend to read
    Jeremy Page “The Collector of Lost Things” (chapter 9)
    By the way the author is a Norfolk boy.
    The Fab Four of Cley

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  153. Thank you for visiting my site, and I have greatly enjoyed reading your work and viewing the images on some of your posts. I hope to grab your attention with more words and pictures from travels in the Western Isles of Scotland and , last year, in Ireland.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dear Simon
      sorry, that we are so late answering your commentary.
      We have just posted some posts about the Western Isles of Scotland and years ago we posted about our trip to the most famous libraries in Ireland.
      Thanks for enjoying our work 🙂
      All the best
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you VERY very much for that link to the story of Kagan. We had to hear this twice because the first time Siri and Selma were so moved and crying all through the end. What a moving story. We liked how Kagan talks to the wind and was united with his loving selkie wife in the end.
      All the best and thanks again
      The Fab Four of Cley

      Liked by 2 people

    • So glad you liked it. It does seem for a while as though it will be a bad ending. No matter how many times I listen to it, I’m always relieved he’s saved by his selkie.

      Liked by 2 people

  155. Pingback: The Orkneys between Light and Darkness. | The World according to Dina

  156. Pingback: Sea Talk | The World according to Dina

  158. Pingback: Seal Warden at Blakeney Point | The World according to Dina

  159. My grandson would love your photos of the seals. Such cute faces.
    One year he had had a little image of a ‘Christmas Seal’ in his front yard.
    Other people had traditional things like Santa, Reindeers, and a snowman.
    But he found a Christmas Seal covered in beautiful lights, with a mechanical tail that slowly waved back and forth. 🙂
    I have a photo of him with his arm around it–giving it a big hug.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Dear Mary,
      wow, a Christmas Seal! That sounds great 🙂 🙂
      We will present more photos of seals in our next mail. Dina is a seal specialist now as she worked as a seal warden at the Blakeney Point during the breeding season. Breeding has finished now and most of the seals are back in the sea.
      Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Like

  160. Pingback: The Seal Season | The World according to Dina

  161. I just finished the novel “Secrets of the Sea House” by Elisabeth Gifford, a novel about Selkies. There I found the believe that Selkies are the the children of the king of Norway. He re-married a Sami-witch who bewitched the these children that they became beings of the sea. A theory is that the idea of Selkies goes back to Nordic people who were sailing in thee kayaks to Scotland or were blown to the Scottish coast. A person in a kayak looks like Selkies are described. All these ideas are discussed in Gifford’s novel.
    Happy reading 🙂
    Klausbernd

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    Reply

  163. Pingback: The Ambivalence of the Sea | The World according to Dina

  164. Pingback: Seal Season | The World according to Dina

  166. Claude Lévi-Strauss wrote about mermaids:
    “It was more or less in the area where we were now sailing that Columbus encountered mermaids. ‘The three mermaids,’ he relates, ‘raised their bodies above the surface of the water and, although they were not as beautiful as they appear in pictures, their round faces were definitely human.’ […] they should have been taken for mermaids, especially at a period when people went as far as to describe (and even draw) the cotton plant as a sheep tree, that is a tree bearing not fruit but whole sheep hanging by their backs with wool ready to be shorn.”
    Have a wonderful weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  167. Pingback: The Sealwoman’s Gift | FabFourBlog

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