Reaching for the Sky

A recent stay in Lavey-les-Bains for three days in a Spa Hotel

I was able to get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

These were taken just as the first rays of sun were touching the tips of the mountains

in the early morning.

These lovely shots were all taken from the balcony in my hotel room

It was certainly very beautiful watching the rising sun illuminate the mountains

There was still a little snow, but most was melted.

I know that these two tips which are part of a mountain called

La Dent de Morcles

As the sky lightens, the green trees become visible

Fluffy clouds are always somewhere to be seen

This one almost looks like a volcano

A daytime shot from the park adjoining the hotel

Such a beautiful place to walk and the grass was dotted with buttercups.

The early evening sky brings in a red hue across the mountains

A charming crescent moon becomes visible

and for a few minutes, the sky takes on a shade of royal blue

Back to the moon again through the side window of my room

As night descends, it's time to put away my camera until those first rays

of sunshine illuminate the mountains again the next morning.

***

This thermal spa is at the foot of the Alps.

It is fed by the hottest springs in Switzerland.

Temperatures vary between 32°C - 36°C, depending on the season.

It is indeed a beautiful place to stay for a few days.

The mountain views are spectacular.

There is also a lovely park with many trees that runs along

the Rhone River nearby.

The fast flowing water can be heard from the hotel rooms.

I would love to go back there for a short stay in the autumn again!

An End of Summer Feeling

A tiny feather floated down zig-zag fashion

and landed on my Gaillardia flower.

It made me think of autumn leaves falling.

This summer has been particularly hot

and we have experienced heat-wave after heat-wave

with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius.

It has been uncomfortable

and I prefer the cooler seasons of autumn and spring.

Luckily the lake is not too far away and I can reach the water

in fifty minutes on foot

or take the metro for fifteen minutes if I prefer.

Which way is the wind blowing?

The weather vane tells me that it's coming from the south-west.

Steam boat rides are always part of summer!

My grandson loves to look at the workings of the boat!

We have a summer tradition of going on a steam boat when he stays with me!

Chrysanthemums are already planted in my window-boxes

I love these striped ones

and the centre of the yellow ones too.

The early morning sunshine streams into my home

and I just love witnessing this peaceful moment.

My coloured marbles love the sunshine too!

The clouds formations remind us that a change of weather is coming

Sunset

and sunrise

The light is changing

an end of summer feeling

storms are on the way.

This is the essence of my summer.

Early Morning Light

The first rays of sun come over the hill behind some buildings

and I am held spellbound.

There's that special silence which is associated with this time of the day.

The blackbird has been singing on a nearby tree for some time now,

but just before the sun appears, he becomes silent

adding to the drama of  it all.

This little wooden chair was bought in Spain

 for my eldest son when he was just two.

It has been used by all of my children and then my grandson.

It holds many fond memories of many years ago,

and now, bathed in the ever-changing morning light, 

it brings me fully into the beauty of this moment

of sunlight and shadows.

The golden rays illuminate the tulips in a dark blue jug

next to the couch where I am sitting.

Everything is bathed in gold, including me.

It feels wonderful!

The star-like reflections in the base of the jug hold my gaze in this play of light.

Abstract patterns are created with the ebb and flow of the sheer curtains

where shadows become a tangible reality.

My early morning peppermint tea is blessed by the morning sun

and when I look up through my window, 

I can see the soft coloured shapes of the freshly planted Ranunculus flowers

in the window box through the bevelled edges of the glass window hanging.

Early mornings are my favourite time of the day

in every season of the year.

How could I possibly stay in bed with so much beauty coming into my little home?