Image 1/25

@ Lost Umbrella
Patchwork begins her experience of Wind!
Lost Umbrella
Did you lose an umbrella? I know where they go. The wind calls out, the leaves are cavorting already in the air, and the umbrellas want to join them. Waiting for the perfect moment when the wind swoops down and up, the umbrellas catch this drift and sail into the air to play and dance with the leaves.

Image 2/25

@ Let's Go Fly A Kite!

Yellow Daisy Egg
My pets are in awe of these beautiful eggs—they would love to try to paint their own one year. Easter and spring are times of joy as the earth awakens, plants are pushing forth from the soil, and the days are becoming warmer. Many baby animals are born in the spring, and life is burgeoning. May these eggs bring you joy and be a reminder of the earth renewing itself.

Let's Go Fly A Kite!
You don’t need to carry a brush for cleaning chimneys or have a bottomless bag to enjoy flying a kite. All you need is a steady wind—not too fierce—and some bit of paper or cloth over a light frame, with a string attached.

Image 3/25

@ Grass Flags
"It says here that 'fire' is from the Old English fȳr, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch vuur and German Feuer," remarked Patchwork.
"That's interesting!" responded Ginny.
Grass Flags
Feathery fronds of grass, like little flags, wave in the breeze.

Image 4/25

@ Tilting at Windmills
"Wind speed is measured with a device called an anemometer. There's a project here for making an anemometer, Patchwork. We could try it out tonight when we get back to the accommodation."
"Goodness, Smoothie! Isn't it terribly technical and scientific to do that?" queried Patchwork.
Smoothie studied the diagram helpfully provided in the brochure. "Nah. It seems to be made of empty yoghurt cartons and stuff. We'll give it a go!"
Tilting at Windmills
We are in Don Quixote territory here, in Spain's Castilla–La Mancha region. The area is dotted with numerous vineyards, castles and windmills—and mountain ranges!

Image 5/25

@ Drifting Around On The Water
"Today's trivia question, JiLi!" announced Patchwork. "When were the first ever windmills built?"
"Oh, goodness! I've no idea, Patchwork, but I imagine they're pretty old!" responded JiLi.
Patchwork grinned. "Windmills have been in use since 200 BCE. They were first developed in Persia and China."
Drifting Around On The Water
All the pets are clamouring to see their duck and geese pals. We gather up some bags of seeds and enjoy a leisurely walk to the pond. Spending time outdoors is always so relaxing.

Image 6/25

@ Turning Somersaults
Patchwork was very happy to meet Mark here! They both swapped tales of their experiences of their tour of the art gallery wings so far!
Turning Somersaults
Racing across the miles, dashing for the shore, tentacles of water, reaching forward, trying to grasp what is just out of reach.

Image 7/25

@ Touchdown
Air was considered a “pure” element, but in fact the air that’s all around us is made up of a variety of gases: primarily nitrogen and oxygen, with almost 1% argon and even smaller amounts of carbon dioxide and other elements such as krypton and helium. The composition of air is just right for life on Earth, though.
Touchdown
Sucking up and flinging out, the storm has unleashed its power and sends a column of twisting, churning air downward to rip across the landscape.

Image 8/25

@ Children Of The Dandelion
"A trivia question for you, Alex!" announced Patchwork. "Who is the largest consumer of fireworks in the United States?"
Alex pondered. "I don't know, Patchwork, who is it?"
"It's Walt Disney World. The park launches the fireworks with compressed air instead of gunpowder to reduce fumes and gain better height and timing."
Children Of The Dandelion
Each seed has its own propeller that will allow the wind to carry it whirling and dancing across the land until the wind abates and the seed drops to find its new home.

Image 9/25

@ Flag, Great Britain
"It's turned a bit hot, Patchwork. They must have put the heating on! I'm going to take my scarf off," said Blástjarna.
"Good scheme! I'll do the same," said Patchwork.
Flag, Great Britain
A flag of Great Britain, fluttering in the breeze. Flags represent an idea or an ideal. Countries, businesses, sports, religions, railways, and clubs all use a flag to represent themselves. Flags are also used in semaphores to convey a message across a distance.

Image 10/25

@ The Power Of Water
"Art galleries can be hard on the paws, can't they, Olivia Anna?" remarked Patchwork.
"Just think of the café and gift shop at the end, Patchwork! That keeps me going!"
The Power Of Water
The tide roars in, and tons of water will crash to the shore bringing sand, rocks, and treasures.

Image 11/25

@ Translucent Blue
"Did you know that fire can only burn on Earth, Patchwork?" asked Maggie Moo.
"I guess I hadn't really thought about it, Maggie Moo! Why is that, then?"
"It says here that fire can exist on no known planet, other than Earth itself. This is because the rest of the planets in our Galaxy don’t have enough oxygen to support the burning of a flame."
Translucent Blue
The sun is beaming down, the day is warm, and the water is crystal clear and looks so inviting. So let us jump right in and make some waves of our own.

Image 12/25

@ Swelling Seas
"At the time of the Great Fire of London in 1666 there was no fire brigade such as we have today. Men from the Navy used gunpowder to blow up houses in the path of the fire to halt its spread!"
"Goodness me, Minx! Drastic, or what? Did it work?" queried Patchwork.
"It sort of worked—eventually! But it took some days, during which time a large part of London had been destroyed."
Swelling Seas
The ocean is always in motion—the water swells—then subsides. Let’s go for a boat ride, and the waves can toss us hither and yon—hope you don’t get seasick.

Image 13/25

@ Golden Evening
“What have you got in your rucksack, Kame-san?” asked Patchwork. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Patchwork,” responded Kame-san. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Golden Evening
At day's end, the wind gently pushes the grasses down as it sweeps across the field—as if to say— time for sleep.

Image 14/25

@ Pink and White Tulips
"Depending on their strength, winds can be known as a breeze, gale, storm or hurricane. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure. Air rushes from high pressure areas to lower ones," remarked Patchwork.
"Mm-hmm?" responded Tilly.
Pink and White Tulips
These tulips, swaying in the breeze, make a fine display in the Netherlands.

Image 15/25

@ So Much Snow
Oh look ... you won a pet!
So Much Snow
A snowy ribbon of road—snowy fields on either side—if walked will lead straight to the source, the snow clouds.

Image 16/25

@ Dutch Weathervane
"The Great Fire of London in 1666 gave rise to many changes, you know, Patchwork," remarked Talos. "Many streets were widened across London. New building regulations meant that instead of wood, brick had to be used for all houses."
Dutch Weathervane
This ornate weathervane in the Netherlands features a splendid full masted ship, and depending on wind direction, will point to noord, zuid, oost or west!

Image 17/25

@ Dancing Dandelion Fluff
Patchwork and NightGhost had shaken paws and took some time to enjoy the exhibits in a companionable silence!
Dancing Dandelion Fluff
Oh, to be a dandelion seed swept along on currents of air sailing along on a journey that will end at an unknown destination.

Image 18/25

@ Breezy Fields
A gale is officially defined as a wind of between 32 and 63 miles per hour. A wind blowing from 4 to 31mph is a breeze.
Breezy Fields
Let’s run through the field as the grasses bend to the wind and the clouds race each other across the sky.

Image 19/25

@ Swirling Snow
“Let's just drink in this exhibit, shall we, Patchwork?” suggested Khisanth, sinking down on a convenient chair.
Patchwork agreed it was well worth spending some time there!
Swirling Snow
The wind kicks up the snow, swirling and twirling around until—not only the land but—the very air is saturated—with white mist.

Image 20/25

@ Poppies, Red and Cornflowers, Blue
"Why do we get sea breezes, Patchwork?" queried Zoey.
Patchwork looked baffled. "I don't know, Zoey! We just do!"
Zoey read out from the brochure: " 'Sea breezes occur because heat from the sun takes longer to warm the sea than the land, creating a difference in air pressure.' So—there it is."
Poppies, Red and Cornflowers, Blue
These meadow flowers make a colourful sight as they are blown by the passing wind!

Image 21/25

@ Hot Air Balloon Flight
"After the Great Fire of London in 1666, businessmen started house insurance companies. They had to be careful because if another fire started they could lose a lot of money. To get around this, they ended up hiring their own fire brigade just in case a fire did start! This is when the first brigade started."
"It sounds a bit hit-and-miss, Patchwork!" remarked Summer!.
"It was, yes. Any of the insurance companies' fire brigades weren't allowed to put out a fire of a house which was insured with a different company!"
"They'd just watch it burn, then, Patchwork?"
"Well—I guess that was how it went, Summer!, yes!"
Hot Air Balloon Flight
Take off at dawn and glide gracefully through the countryside in a colourful hot air balloon as the sun rises over rolling hills, chocolate box villages and a patchwork of fields. Enjoy the perfect 360-degree view from 2000 feet in the air in the early morning, the perfect time to soak up spectacular landscapes for as far as the eye can see. It's an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. It is truly the best way to see the countryside—from the sky!

Image 22/25

@ Ruffled Waters
"Hey, this is interesting, Patchwork!" declared Iolanthe. "It says here that if the entire world’s water were fit into a 4 litre jug, the fresh water available for humans and pets would equal only about one tablespoon."
Patchwork fidgeted with the corner of her brochure. "I'm not sure I follow, Iolanthe!"
"It's a proportion thing, Patchwork. Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of our needs!"
Ruffled Waters
The blue, ruffled waters of this outdoor swimming pool look very inviting! Who's for a dip before breakfast?

Image 23/25

@ Rural Windmills
"Art galleries can be hard on the paws, can't they, glowy?" remarked Patchwork.
"Just think of the café and gift shop at the end, Patchwork! That keeps me going!"
Rural Windmills
What a peaceful early morning scene in the misty dawn, with the dew still on the silver grass.

Image 24/25

@ The Star Spangled Banner
"The Great Fire of 1666 started in London, on Pudding Lane, in a baker's shop. The baker believed he had put the fire out but in the middle of the night the fire grew and his house was in flames. Pudding Lane is still there today. If you want to visit it, Monument is the nearest tube station. The place where the fire started is also marked by a monument topped by a fiery gold ornament," said Patchwork.
"It makes it sound like it's the only monument in London, Patchwork!" chuckled Smoki.
The Star Spangled Banner
... what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

Image 25/25

@ Florida Storm
As Patchwork's experience of "Wind" comes to an end, she receives a wonderful gift!
Short Tree, Violet
Gorgeous violet-leafed tree. Perhaps it grows in the fairy forest, or maybe the wizard worked some magic. If you can get seeds from this tree, you may have luck growing it in your garden.

Florida Storm
This is no mere wind! This is a hurricane! Stay safe indoors, all pets, you don't want to risk getting blown out to sea!
Patchwork has completed her exploration of "Wind"! Your review of the Elements is over now, but there will be more events in PnF soon!