Hues of Soft Pink

The Eole

created by Clelia Bettua,

is a large, semi-circular wind vane with a diameter of 20 metres

by the lakeside at Ouchy Port.

It follows the prevailing wind direction

and four monoliths located at a distance of 150 metres

enable this work of art to be read.

You can check the direction of the wind by combining the semi-circle of the vane

with the semi-circles carved into the stone.

The wind blowing when this photo was taken

is simply called 'Le Vent'.

It's a south-westerly wind, very common in the summer.

Coming into port at sunset.

Three birds in a row

perched at the very top of these masts.

***

I shall be away for about a week to go up into the mountains

to attend my son's August wedding!

The Coolness of Water

During these days of extreme heat in this part of the world,

it always feels so refreshing to contemplate water.

It doesn't matter if it's the sea or a stream, a lake or a small pond.

Going down to the lake always makes me feel good, 

especially in the calmness of the early mornings

or in the early evenings before sunset.

Sailing boats add to our feeling of peace as they glide along

and the early evening lighting, 

which is often called the Blue Hour,

is particularly beautiful.

***

After posting almost every day during the month of July,

it felt very strange not to continue to do this in August!

However, 

lots of events are taking place this month and I won't always be at home.

I will be doing one more posting over the weekend and then I am going away for a few days.

I hope you are keeping cool if you're visiting from this part of Europe!

Water, my Muse

What colour is water?

It's often the reflection of the sky

like these fresh turquoise tones

Or when the sun sinks low in the sky

and creates molten gold reflections

Forever changing and fascinating

often calming

and giving us wavy reflections from all around.

This was taken partially under a bridge

and you can see the tiny design of the metal structure

when you click on the photo to enlarge it.

Tiny waves catching the sun and my attention.

Since I no longer have my car,

it is more difficult to get out into the country and away from the town.

I have been more and more tempted to go down to the lake

which takes about half an hour on foot and by metro.

I like to contemplate the different moods of the water

at different times of the day.

Water brings me peace and serenity

and restores my inner balance.

When I choose to cross the lake on the ferry, 

I enjoy the swell of the waves,

the tiny patterns on the water's surface

and the wind in my face

as I stand on the deck for the whole of the crossing.

Capturing reflected patterns  gives me pure joy

and I never know how they will turn out

because the ripples in the water change constantly, even as I press my shutter.

Liquid cobalt blue fit for an artist's palette

The Impressionists would love to paint the movement

and orange reflections in this capture.

Rhythm and blues

Don't you feel like dancing?

I do!

Look at those turquoise tones

I want to melt right into them!

Sometimes,

the blue of the sky and the water's edge just blend together

and become one.

All the blues

Looking very much like a water-colour painting.

The heat of these last three months 

has allowed me to connect to water even more deeply

than before.

I have felt cooled and refreshed and re-energized

and so happy that I can get down to the lake

in rather little time.

Chilled sparkling water has kept me hydrated

all through these extremely hot months of the year.

For other entries on water

see under

The Secrets of Water

and just scroll down.

***

Kim Manley Ort

has just written a beautiful piece on water

entitled:

Getting my Blue Mind On

***

BLOG BREAK:

I shall be taking a break until some time towards the end of  September

I'm going on a steam train journey!