Image 1/25

@ Lost Umbrella
Violet 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!

Blue And Copper Egg
The first painted eggs came from Mesopotamia, and because eggs were forbidden food during Lent, people painted eggs while Lent was being observed—after Lent, they would eat the eggs on Easter Day.

Beautifully decorated eggs “pysanka” are associated with Ukraine, and the oldest painted egg that was unearthed in northern Ukraine is dated to the end of the 17th century.

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
"Did you know that kite flying and fire fighting featured at the 1900 Olympics in Paris, Azure Beauty?"
"That's amazing, Violet!"

Grass Flags
Feathery fronds of grass, like little flags, wave in the breeze.

Image 4/25

@ Tilting at Windmills
Ray Bradbury wrote a book called The Fireman, but the editors found the name boring. They called a local fire station to ask at what temperature book paper would burn at. The firemen put Bradbury on hold, burnt a book, and reported that the temperature it burnt at was 451° Fahrenheit. The rest, as they say, is history.
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
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.
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
"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, Violetta!" remarked Beatrice.
"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, Violetta?"
"Well—I guess that was how it went, Beatrice, yes!"
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
"Hey, this is interesting, Violetta!" declared VioletMystic. "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."
Violetta fidgeted with the corner of her brochure. "I'm not sure I follow, VioletMystic!"
"It's a proportion thing, Violetta. 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!"
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
"Hey, this is interesting, Violetta!" declared Clarice. "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."
Violetta fidgeted with the corner of her brochure. "I'm not sure I follow, Clarice!"
"It's a proportion thing, Violetta. 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!"
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
“If there's time at the end of the day when we get back to our accommodation, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting from the postcard I bought in the gift shop," Stella said, offering Violetta a toffee from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Stella!" said Violetta. "Very relaxing, and your painting will be a great souvenir of our trip through the Elements!"
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
"Did you know that fire can only burn on Earth, Violetta?" asked FiFi.
"I guess I hadn't really thought about it, FiFi! 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."
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
“I could stay here in front of this image forever, Violetta,” said Ucil. “This is an amazing place!”
“Well, you never know what lies ahead, Ucil. I wouldn't be surprised if the next exhibit is even better!” said Violetta.
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
"Wow! It says here in our brochure that there’s a bush called dictamnus albus which emits a flammable, oily substance which can be lit on fire, without burning the bush itself," remarked Violetta.
"Wow indeedy!" responded Tesla.
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
"Today's trivia question, Mia!" announced Violetta. "When were the first ever windmills built?"
"Oh, goodness! I've no idea, Violetta, but I imagine they're pretty old!" responded Mia.
Violetta grinned. "Windmills have been in use since 200 BCE. They were first developed in Persia and China."
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
“If there's time at the end of the day when we get back to our accommodation, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting from the postcard I bought in the gift shop," Mitsy said, offering Violetta a toffee from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Mitsy!" said Violetta. "Very relaxing, and your painting will be a great souvenir of our trip through the Elements!"
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
"I'm going to buy that souvenir wind spinner, Chilly," said Violetta. "It'll be a nice colourful addition to my garden!"
"That sounds like a lovely memento, Violetta!"
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
"Sebastian, just look at this exhibit! Isn't it amazing?”
"It certainly is, Violetta! Perhaps they'll have it in postcard size in the gift shop!"
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
"Wow! It says here in our brochure that there’s a bush called dictamnus albus which emits a flammable, oily substance which can be lit on fire, without burning the bush itself," remarked Violetta.
"Wow indeedy!" responded Gray.
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
When humans and animals breathe, we give off an odorless gas called carbon dioxide, or CO2. Plants use this gas, along with sunlight, to make food—and oxygen too! This process is called photosynthesis.
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
"Hey, this is interesting, Violetta!" declared Venus. "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."
Violetta fidgeted with the corner of her brochure. "I'm not sure I follow, Venus!"
"It's a proportion thing, Violetta. 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!"
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
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.
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
“If there's time at the end of the day when we get back to our accommodation, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting from the postcard I bought in the gift shop," Sassyfly said, offering Violetta a toffee from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself.
“That sounds like a good plan, Sassyfly!" said Violetta. "Very relaxing, and your painting will be a great souvenir of our trip through the Elements!"
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
"Wow! It says here in our brochure that there’s a bush called dictamnus albus which emits a flammable, oily substance which can be lit on fire, without burning the bush itself," remarked Violetta.
"Wow indeedy!" responded Kalila.
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 air in Earth’s atmosphere is made up of approximately 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. Air also has small amounts of lots of other gases, too, such as carbon dioxide, neon, and hydrogen.
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 Violetta'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!
Violetta has completed her exploration of "Wind"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also explore the Elements!