Smoothly, measurely, truly.

While travelling, we always try to follow the rule of "Freedom": minimum of plans, the same minimum of promises to ourselves and to the world, all movements and actions by heart desire and the wind of inspiration.
Latvian expedition was not an exception, but there was a point we had to meet – the 14th of September, the city of Madona. This day the photo exhibition of Stephan about his previous trip in winter 2014 had to be opened.
His first exhibition was in Riga, and I was lucky to see it in September, 2014. And I cannot remember exactly how many times I turned around the exhibition hall, enjoying his works.
After Riga the whole exhibition started its own journey – now it moves from one Latvian city to the other already for the second year, and third year – is fully booked. And I understand why.
The exhibition was organized in collaboration with the French Institute in Latvia, there you can find a detailed schedule of exhibition. If you pass by, you definitely have to see it.
http://www.institut-francais.lv/en/

With the thought that on the 14th we are expected to be at a particular place at a definite time, having two days left, we continued our march from the already loved city of Vecpiebalga.
Two days walk is equal to two days of adventure: big and small, silent and soul-crying. Let’s talk a bit about each of them.

As I do remember, once we stopped for a break facing one of thousands Latvian cozy houses with small farm around. Exactly this one also had a huge apple garden in front.

By the time, I started calling Latvia  “country apples”. Almost all the roads are surrounded by apple trees. How many different fruits we tried during the walk – I really can’t say. Just plenty!
So we were sitting in front of the house, and those apples were so red that it was not possible not to try them. So I decided to knock the door and ask for the permission to collect those sun-warmed fruits.
The door was opened and a young farmer with a wide smile appeared. I asked the question, and as  response, he took me straight away into in the middle of the garden to show which fruits and vegetables are the best to collect. He guided me to a tree with huge and sweet pears and after showed the tastiest apples. After he added: "Just go in the garden and take what you like. There are good tomatoes in the greenhouse, there are trees with blackberries. Just help yourself! I am in a hurry to work. ".
Ten seconds I needed for realizing, 30 seconds – for thanking him. The next 15-20 minutes we were collecting summer gifts of this kind farmer.
Backpacks seriously put on weight, but not for long. All was eaten with pleasure in a high speed during our lunch stops.

 The way to Madonna took us about 2 days. There was the warm sun and wet from the condensation tent, there were lovely countryside houses, there were nice friends with tales.)
About last ones we still have good souvenirs.

We were walking as we usually do, and suddenly two dogs appeared from nowhere - one black, one - white. Yes, one was black, the other was white, but both tailed and kind. And it was like if they were waiting for us - with such enthusiasm and happiness they were jumping around.

 
Our funny company was walking with us for 10 kilometers, and this happened despite the fact that we had nothing tasty for dogs – they refused our apples and did not pay attention to cucumbers. It simply means that they didn’t have any mercantile interest in us.)

By the end of the second day we stopped near Madona, just 5-8 kilometers from the city. So we had something to walk in the morning...