Showing posts with label Lavaux. Show all posts

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

Lavaux Vineyards

The two children walked along the wall above the vineyards
Younger brother went first and big sister in the rear
just to make sure his balance was right.
Through them, I lived that moment so completely:
Balance
Beauty
and
Unforgettable childhood memories.

A wonderful walk through the vineyards
on a perfect day in May

Walking above villages and small towns
surrounded by the vines and their fresh new leaves
overlooking the incomparable beauty of the Lake Léman

Just look at those cut-out leaves in soft tones of brown and green.
See the little bunches where the grapes will form.

Steep roads leading down to the lake area

A well-known village called St. Saphorin on the edge of the lake.

The best walk of the year so far!

A perfect day for sailing boats with just the right amount of breeze

Like little toy boats gliding across the blue ripples of the water.

Beautiful tiled roofs against the blue of the lake

One last look at the end of the lake with two strips of  reflected
white sheen from the snow still on the mountain peaks.

As we get down into the village, there are beautiful decorated signs.
This one is for a restaurant called:
L'Auberge de l'Onde

This one tells us that there is wine tasting in the local wine cellar

A golden heart
How better to end this series of vineyards in this lovely area
not too far at all from where I live.