Mountains, Relaxation and the River

Towards the end of August, it seemed the perfect time to take a little break.
We chose to go to a place we have been before: Lavey-les-Bains
in the Valais. It's a spa establishment which offers different treatments.
The water in the various pools is naturally heated and has curative properties.
It's less than an hour away by train from Lausanne.

The Rhône River runs in the valley in-between two mountain ranges.
We took this meandering path to enjoy the sights.

The waters are very rapid even though the level of the water was very low
due to lack of rain.

This is the view of the tip of a mountain called the Dent de Morcles.
I took this shot from the bridge to get a more extensive view.

It looks very impressive in a silhouetted form against the blue of the sky.
Don't you think it looks like a big bird stretching its wings?

Or with just the illuminated tip showing at sunset.
We experienced some beautiful clouds in the early morning and and in the evenings.

A crescent moon peeps through the branches of a pine tree in front of the hotel room.

More colourful clouds reminding me of unfurling waves.

The hotel is set in a lovely park full of trees offering us welcome shade.

A closer, partial, view of the hotel with the outside terrace for eating.

This wispy cloud in the shape of a heart brings me joy.

I took so many photos during our little getaway that this will be the first part
of several blog entries, probably three in all. 

I feel it's preferable to make shorter entries with a manageable number of photographs. 
I'll be posting a bit more often.

September is round the corner.
I love the cooler days and beautiful lighting during this month.

Between Sunrise and Sunset

In-between two bouts of heatwave, it was decided to have an overnight stay by the lake.
The sunrise sky was so beautiful in the early morning.
We went out walking at 5.45 am in the delicious freshness of that time of day.
The street lamps were still lit.

A swan was enjoying this marvellous moment of the day as much as I was.

The rising sun hit the landing stage and created beautiful reflections.

A bit later in the morning, after breakfast on the outside terrace, we walked in the lakeside park
under the welcome shade of the huge trees.
It was lovely to observe the beauty of the environment and flocks of birds
flying across the sky in their hundreds.
I was unable to identify the birds.
I was wondering if they could be Cormerants.

Here they are again
Flying very high above the mountain peaks.
Click on the photos to see things in more detail when enlarged.

The port of Morges and the beautiful Mont Blanc mountain.

The atmosphere on the lake changes constantly. 
This lighting makes me think of a watercolour painting.

The lakeside Dahlias are stunning and there are so many varieties and colours.

This bright pink one caught my eye as well.

Sunset over the Mont Blanc.
Such peace.

I have been making fewer blog entries lately, mostly because of our heat
which seems to make everything a huge effort!
I have decided however, to increase my blog entries and just make them shorter.
I know that it's often discouraging to wade through too many photos
and especially too many words!

It was so beautiful by the lake and we prolonged our stay by one night!

Now we are experiencing yet another heatwave and going out in the early mornings
is the only comfortable time of the day.