High Above the Lake

The day was almost perfect

It was warm and great for walking

but a slight haze made the lake look a little misty.

We took the little train up to a place called Chexbres, 

high above the lake.

The flowers were all gorgeous, especially the geraniums.

This is a decorated old fountain on the way down to the vineyards.

This is just one of the decorations right next to the Chexbres train station.

These wonderful dark berries were ripening against an old wall.

A rusty gate and some steep steps led up to some vineyards

So prettily decorated with wild growing flowers

but not to be used by tourists or visitors.

The grape vines are protected at this time of the year.

We stayed to the public paths between the vines.

You can see how steep these slopes are.

Ideal for ripening the grapes and exposed to the sun and the reverberation

from the lake.

Here's a wider view of the vineyards with the slightly hazy lake and mountains beyond.

The grapes are protected both from passing walkers and the birds

by nets. I put my camera lens through the mesh of the nets to take this photo.

Here's the church steeple from the village called St. Saphorin

where we had lunch.

The church door as we made our way down some steep steps.

The ornate and lovely sign of the well known restaurant

called l'Auberge de l'Onde.

We sat next to an open window in the restaurant facing the church.

This refreshing drink is called 'Blanc cassis.

It's a mixture of cooled white wine with a dash of Blackcurrant liqueur!

A pretty dark pink rose on each table.

You can see the reflection of the church wall and blue sky

in the shiny dark vase.

The delicious looking ripe white grapes

just about ready for harvesting!

The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The last time I walked in these vineyards was in May 2016.

You can see what they looked like

HERE