April is Dressed in Pastels

These are starlings up high in the tree against the blue of a lovely spring sky!

I love that we have birdsong in the early mornings and evenings again.

Tiny ferns are appearing in walls which are also decorated in lichen and moss.

Wild Plum Blossom

Scattering petal confetti on the paths

So I need to take photographs of this blossom now and not tomorrow!

I love the dark centres and the colourful leaves just opening up.

The four Forsythia bushes along the path leading to my building

are in full bloom.

Their petals are so luscious

I could bury myself in their glorious haze of yellow!

A bright splash of colour from a Camellia bloom seen along a lakeside walk.

Tulips in a vase at home give me an excuse to create a collage.

I've always loved feathers and have had this little green and grey one for 

a very long time. 

The silver pendant is also a feather.

The details are better seen through a macro lens.

I've just finished a Magnolia Mandala as a gift

from a beautiful pattern here:

Crochet Millan

I chose the colours for a lady who is about to take her retirement

and go and live in the mountains.

The colours represent mountain lakes and greenery

and beautiful sunsets.

Five Things I Love about April

1. The meeting of the seasons:

I love how lingering winter and spring mingle together to create their contrasting beauty.

The last snowfalls and flowering magnolia are a lovely example here.

2. The lakeside

 Dreamy walks along the lake at times of the day when there are as few people as possible!

Don't you love this amazing metal sculpture of a wave of little fish?

Here is a close-up.

3. Nature waking up

The spring flowers which start to bloom just everywhere. I love them all,

but there's nothing like daffodils to represent spring awakening!

Deep pink Hellebore

sometimes known as 'Lenten Rose' or 'Winter Rose'

Grapes of tiny flower buds which hang so gracefully on the branches.

4. Getting out into nature

From where I live above the centre of the town, I can easily get public transport

by bus and metro, up to the fields and the woods to enjoy the wide expanses,

the green fields and wooded areas

with just the sound of birdsong and the breeze rustling in the trees.

5. The longer days

When I can enjoy early morning walks before breakfast 

when all is still quiet and then again in the evenings after supper to hear the blackbird singing

in the trees in my neighbourhood.

There are many other things to appreciate during the month of April

and I'm sure you have your favourites too!

Down to the lake

Whenever I feel like getting my fill of beauty

I go down to the lake

Let's pull back from the swan and take in our surroundings

the mountains

the vineyards

and

the pure April sky

the fascinating reflections and ripples

Look, the train is just passing

and the water reflections have taken on a pale green hue

from the vineyards above

We follow the lake's edge to breathe it all in

We pass the port with a few sailing boats

and take in the mountains from the water's edge

another swan sails by in shallow waters

Peering through the trees to the end of the lake

A broader view before turning round to walk back again

The view changes and so do the tones and colours

going towards the sun which makes the view paler and dreamy.

It is fortunate indeed to live only 15 minutes by car away from all these lovely scenes.

The different shades and intensity of the blues are forever changing

according to the natural lighting and which way my camera is facing and to my camera settings

The variations in hues are all natural and not due to editing.

I mention this because I have been asked in the past!

Going on a journey: England

Flying high in the sky

Once a year, I get this strong feeling inside of me that I need to change my horizons.

 Switzerland has been my adoptive country since my early twenties.

 This country, in the heart of Europe, shares borders with France, Italy, Austria and Germany.

It's very easy to travel to these neighbouring countries

 and it's even possible to do a day's outing to nearby France

or take the train to Milan in Italy.

But when the I choose to take a bigger break, I love going back to England

for that is where I grew up, where my roots are.

So I leave the land of lakes and beautiful mountains

and through the limited view from the hub

I can see the coastline and the sea!

I'm home!

An airport shuttle service from Heathrow airport to Paddington station

and the well-known warning on the platform as you get on and off the train.

Yes, there really is quite a big gap!

Even my suitcase looks full of anticipation !

It's when I see the sleek, black traditional taxi that I really feel as if I'm in my home country!

Now, will the taxi-driver get out to help with a heavy case?

It is rather rare in London!

Going through familiar streets

I can feel the excitement!

What about these trees planted along the top floor?

The taxi turns into a road alongside the British Museum.

I love the bikes for rent all lined up.

This is the Bloomsbury area which is rather peaceful and yet not far at all

from all the places I like to visit.

In ten to twenty minutes I can be almost anywhere I like to go.

The bus service is also excellent.

There are several small parks just minutes away on foot.

It was lilac time early this year and the perfume was wonderful.

Wouldn't you say that this bench is just waiting for me and my book?

Ah!

Just a little rumble from the traffic in the busier streets further away.

I love the wild and glorious abandon

 of the expanse of bluebells and cow parsley,

sometimes known as Queen Anne's lace.

The Londoners love their parks!

There is no better time to be in England than when the bluebells are blooming

and the lilac perfumes the air on every tiny breeze.

The birdsong is melodious and joyful

and so am I!