Blog Archive: December 2020
Užava Lighthouse
Užava Lighthouse - a lighthouse located on the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea.The lighthouse stands in an isolated location, on a 28 metres high sand dune, which is permanently threatened by the Baltic Sea waves' erosion.For this reason, the first coastal reinforcement – a dense log wall was constructed to secure the lighthouse's location in 1910. Later, fir-tree baskets filled with gravel, and big boulders to absorb the waves' energy.Uzava lighthouseCurrently, the base of the lighthouse is protected by rock armour.The original tower of the Užava lighthouse was destroyed by artillery shells during World War I.…
Vilgāle
Vilgāle (formerly also Saldenieki) is a village in Kurmāle Parish, Kuldīga District, Latvia. Located on the shores of Lake Vilgāle. Distance to Kuldīga 17 km, 181 km from Rīga.Back in September 2020, I bought a flat in this village in an online auction (without actually seeing the flat), see: Today I bought my first flat on online auction site, It took me a couple of months before I actually get inside the flat (after the flat was registered in the Land Registry on my name), and here is what I got: Vilgāle flat renovation - how it all startsIn today's article, I decided to share some pictures from a drone flight around VilgāleVilgāle from a drone flightThe settlement was…
Embūte Castle
The ruins of Embūte Castle are located in Embūte, Latvia, in Embūte Parish, Vaiņode Municipality, not far from an ancient hillfort erected by Curonians.It was an ancient Curonian settlement and is mentioned in ancient chronicles as a place with strong Curonian resistance to German crusaders. The bishop's castle was built as a border castle with Lithuania by Livonian Order on a steep hill on the right bank of the Lanka river, which flows into left tributary of the Venta. Later manor house was built using the walls of the former castle, which can be seen in the division of the rooms and the building…
Zaķu krogs near Jūrkalne
Zaķu krogs is both a restaurant a hotel located near Jūrkalne in Latvia.We discovered this place while driving around Užava, Pāvilosta, and decided to take here a quick stop to order some food for our toddler girl. Just later I learned there is a hotel also located.Zaķu krogs near JūrkalneLocated in Jūrkalne, Zaku Krogs is about 0.9 mi yards away from a Baltic Sea beach. It offers basic rooms with a work desk. Free private parking is available, and free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.Guests of the Zaku Krogs can rent bicycles directly from the hotel, or use its sauna or pool facilities. The hotel features a spacious garden.The Zaku is located in a quiet area, away from the…
Devil's Dam Embūte (Joda Dambis)
Devil's Dam of Embūte is an awesome place for hiking and trekking in the Courland region. We first discovered this site at the end of 2020, and plan to return here more often.Devil's Dam from a drone flightTaken with DJI MAVIC AIR 2Here is what I was able to find about this place (Source: Joda Dambis)At the western foot of the Indulis (or Curonian) castle mound is the Joda Lower Square, where open-air stages have been built several times. Large-scale events have also taken place here - the Midsummer Festival with the participation of President Kārlis Ulmanis, theater performances and concerts. In the 1930s, several thousand people from all over the surrounding area gathered here…
Embute Church Ruins
The Embūte Church is located in the Embūte Nature Park. Today, only the remnants of its former glory remain.On a hazy afternoon in December 2020, I took my DJI Mavic Air 2 drone and captured some beautiful aerial photographs and even a video.Embūte ChurchHere’s what I found about this church (source: Embūtes baznīcas drupas).The Embūte Church was built between 1674 and 1684, financed by the then-owner of the manor, Emmerich von Mirbach.The Embūte Lutheran Church was one of the largest in the Duchy of Courland, with seating for about 300 people. During Latvia’s first period of independence, thousands gathered here, including some of the country’s most prominent figures, such as Kārlis…
Vilgāle flat renovation - how it all starts
On September 18, I was lucky enough to win an online auction and bought a flat in Vilgāle village. It took a few more months before all legal procedures were done and I had the entry in the Land Registry before I was able to proceed.I first saw this flat about a week ago, when I got the keys from the previous landlady (ut turns out there haven't lived anybody for the last 27 years). There is no electricity and no water (yet). I have started procedures to have them both. Today I had a meeting with an electrician, and after our meeting I made these photos, just to document the history.Living roomThere are still some belongings left from the previous owners. Interior feels like from the…
Īvande Manor
Īvande Manor, also called Lielīvande Manor, is a manor house in Īvande parish in Kuldīga municipality in the historical region of Courland, in western Latvia.The manor Groß-Iwanden was created by the merger of several small estates. In the middle of the 16th century the estate was owned by the family of Rudolf Steinrat.Ivande manorThree generations remained the property in the family Steinrat and was enlarged by them. In 1643 was the sale to Hofmarschall Christof von Sacken. In 1646 property was sold to Dettlof von Tiesenhausen. Through death and inheritance connected with it, the estate went in 1690 to Ernst Gotthard von Manteuffel-Szoege.…
I'm earning $3.19/daily* by trading crypto options and I want more!
This is a quick follow-up post to my original idea of experimenting with writing crypto covered calls on Ethereum and Bitcoin, I started at the end of November 2020This is not the first time I'm selling options on crypto, in fact, I've been doing so for the last two years. This is the first time I'm applying one trading strategy only. About 3 years ago I was very enthusiastic about crypto mining and I was building my Ethereum mining rig, which at it's high was earning about $5.5 per day. See: Mining Ethereum @ ~53 MH/s and Siacoin @ ~310 MH/s Earns me $5.53 Daily - And It's Time to Take a PauseToday I sold 3 out of the money covered call options on Ethereum, with 1DTE, for…
Ēdole Castle
Ēdole Castle is a Gothic Revival castle situated on the banks of Ēdole Lake, Ēdole parish, in the historical region of Courland, western Latvia.Originally consisting of two residential buildings linked by a stone wall, the castle is surrounded by a landscaped park. It is considered an architectural and archeological monument of national importance.Ēdole CastleThe castle was built for the bishop of Piltene between 1264 and 1267. It was rebuilt in the 16th century and from 1561 until 1920 it was the property of the Baltic-German Baron von Behr and his descendants.During the 18th century the castle was expanded and from 1835 to 1841…
Kronvalda Park in Riga
Kronvalda Park (originally Strēlnieku dārzs) is a part of the greenery of the Old Riga canal bank. The total area of the park is 11.92 ha. Kronvalda park which borders Elizabetes and Kr. Valdemāra Street, as well as Kronvalda and Kalpaka Boulevards.The city canal divides the park into two parts.Kronvalda park in RigaI spent a good hour with our toddler baby girl and DJI Mavic Air 2 drone to capture some nice aerial photography of Riga.Canal at Kronvalda park in RigaBest for feeding ducks or lazy walksView towards Riga
November 2020 Dividend Income Report - $140.67
Welcome to the forty-third (#43) dividend income report, covering earnings I've made from dividend-paying stocks and peer to peer lending in November 2020.Last November we spent in Latvia, did several trips here and there. I had a chance to play with my latest DJI Mavic Air 2 drone, made some really nice HDR photos, hyper lapses, and more.St Nicholas Naval Cathedral in KarostaFrom the perspective of dividend income - Last November was quite Okay (compared to previous months of the year, but not so Okay if compared to November 2019). We took $140 in dividend income last month. I would wish more for an almost 4 years old dividend portfolio, but…