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.

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!