Tallinn 4. Linnahall - Concrete Appreciation Supreme (I)

The 22nd Summer Olympic Games were hosted in Moscow in 1980 and, as they had no venue suitable in Moscow, Tallinn was chosen as the water sports centre. The massive, 5,000 seat amphitheater was commissioned by the Soviet Union and showed the world their mastery over concrete-pouring! However,  after the Olympics, Estonia could not find a suitable regular use for the Hall and the poorly finished concrete is crumbling. The concert hall was last used in 2010. The city searched for investors from 2009-2015 and in 2015 Tallinn city council decided to renovate Linnahall; plans are expected to be finalized in 2017 with renovation and construction planned for 2018-2019. So this may be the last time the exterior can be explored, which was one reason I was keen to come to Tallinn at this time. 

Here some wide angle views - some details will follow in a second post.

Tallinn 3. As Dusk Arrived on the First Day

Sunset is c. 15.30 in Tallinn  (sunrise c. 9am) so not much time in the afternoon before we got to my favourite time to photograph.The Christmas Market and the nearby streets were wonderful venues to take some shots plus a couple of church interiors (the vertical one is an 'over-the-head' panorama). Also couldn't resist a window shot of an incredible book/junk shop

Tallinn 2. A Few More Images Around the Old Town

A miscellany of images from Wednesday afternoon - mainly of people but a statue, bicycle and a colourful street also took my eye.

Tallinn 1. Sunshine and Snow in the Old Town

Arrived in Tallinn around midday their time so a couple of hours of light remained by the time I had got the tram from the airport and booked into my hotel. There had been snow overnight so Tallin looked very beautiful in the afternoon sunlight with the red tiles and snow.

Paxton Pits on Ice

It had been cold enough overnight for the lakes to have a thin coating of ice which baffled the Black-headed Gulls but left the Goldeneye and Widgeon happy. The Herons sat around looking grumpy while the smaller birds and Squirrels foraged for food.

 

Old Harwich - Rain Stopped Play

Having seen Old Harwich from a distance when out on Thames barges etc, I was keen to visit it Certainly it deserves longer to explore with its colour-coordinated toilets - pink for the girls!, numerous old building including the Electric  Palace, two lighthouses and views of the docks. Unfortunately my visit was cut short as I got very wet in one of the squally showers and I decided that the cameras (and me) had better dry off in the warm car on the way home.