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.

Between Sunrise and Sunset

In-between two bouts of heatwave, it was decided to have an overnight stay by the lake.

The sunrise sky was so beautiful in the early morning.

We went out walking at 5.45 am in the delicious freshness of that time of day.

The street lamps were still lit.

A swan was enjoying this marvellous moment of the day as much as I was.

The rising sun hit the landing stage and created beautiful reflections.

A bit later in the morning, after breakfast on the outside terrace, we walked in the lakeside park

under the welcome shade of the huge trees.

It was lovely to observe the beauty of the environment and flocks of birds

flying across the sky in their hundreds.

I was unable to identify the birds.

I was wondering if they could be Cormerants.

Here they are again

Flying very high above the mountain peaks.

Click on the photos to see things in more detail when enlarged.

The port of Morges and the beautiful Mont Blanc mountain.

The atmosphere on the lake changes constantly. 

This lighting makes me think of a watercolour painting.

The lakeside Dahlias are stunning and there are so many varieties and colours.

This bright pink one caught my eye as well.

Sunset over the Mont Blanc.

Such peace.

I have been making fewer blog entries lately, mostly because of our heat

which seems to make everything a huge effort!

I have decided however, to increase my blog entries and just make them shorter.

I know that it's often discouraging to wade through too many photos

and especially too many words!

It was so beautiful by the lake and we prolonged our stay by one night!

Now we are experiencing yet another heatwave and going out in the early mornings

is the only comfortable time of the day.

The Irresistible Lake

Just walking alongside the calm lake brings me equilibrium.

There's something really special about those aqua and blue tones.

Through the overhanging branches of the weeping willow,

I can see the mountains in neighbouring France.

A family gathered on the jetty to enjoy the closeness to the water.

The steamboats are back again for the season 

and I love to watch them glide across the water.

If you look carefully, you can see that this one is called 'Vevey'

which is the name of another lakeside town not far away.

A swan passes by with puffed up wings. I have a feeling that

he's using them like sails to move along a little faster.

The cloud formations clung to the mountain tops, as they often do.

The mountain to the left of the little sail boat is called La Dent d'Oche

and is in France.

We stopped for a coffee at the Hôtel du Port (with the pink shutters)

with a great view on the lake.

This lovely tree, called Albizia julibrissen was in full bloom with these

colourful powder-puff like flowers!

This statue represents The Flight of Icarus.

Greek Mythology tells us the story of Icarus, son of master craftsman Daedalus.

Icarus and his father attempt to escape from Crete by means of wings that Daedalus

had constructed from feathers and wax.

Despite his father's warnings, Icarus flew too close to the sun

and his wings melted and he tumbled out of the sky and fell into the sea.

Maybe you've heard of the idiom: "Don't fly too close to the sun."

I chose this lovely scene for my blog header for the month of July and August.

All the photos above were taken in Ouchy which is a port south of  the centre of Lausanne.

Now we're in the lakeside town of Vevey where I came to live when I first came

to the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

The statue represents a nymphe riding a seahorse on the water's edge.

There are two of them in the lake.

Another lovely boat on its way to Geneva.

This one is called La Suisse and is extremely elegant with a first class restaurant inside.

This is a view towards the Valais 

A closer view of the chain of mountains called Les Dents du Midi.

There are seven summits to this three-kilometre long mountain range.

the highest being Haute Cime which reaches 3.257 metres.

The range dominates the Illiez and Rhone Valleys in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.

The lake walkway in Vevey where beautiful flowers are always planted.

Now we're in the lakeside town of Morges, only twelve minutes away by train from Lausanne

The port is so pretty.

I love the hanging baskets of geraniums on one of the jetties.

This is the same jetty showing the imposing white building in the background.

This is the Casino Restaurant which has a beautiful outside terrace

 under the trees for welcome shade.

The tiny sailing boats were part of a sailing school and a motorized red dinghy

was there to give useful advice to all the youngsters learning new skills.

The flowers along the lake are always beautiful, like these Petunia blooms.

The Dahlias are stunning too.

I've never seen this kind before with amazing centres.

Their colour combinations quite take my breath away!

We all need colour and beauty in our lives right now as we do the best to live our lives

in complete safety, but still enjoy the loveliness of all that nature offers us.

Take care and be safe!

Note:

If you click on each photo, you will be able to see them in a much bigger size and you will feel part of the scene!

A Feeling of Freedom

Sitting under some chestnut trees in the park and looking up towards the sky

and enjoying the play of light and shadows.

I do love the slight movement of the leaves in the breeze.

It feels so peaceful and happy.

We have had our fair share of rain so far during this month of June.

It was much needed after a very dry spring

and I have enjoyed the cooler days.

The summer's heat will be upon us all too soon.

The peonies have been wonderful this year and I have purchased many bunches over the weeks

when I do my weekend shopping.

Tiny round buds full of promise

until one morning, I find the fallen petals and a sprinkling of pollen

on the tablecloth.

I have been making cushion covers for my garden chairs.

Crocheted granny squares seem to give a welcoming look.

Here's the other cushion in warm colours to harmonize with the plantations

on my balcony.

There is a new feeling of freedom now that the rules set by our government

are loosening up.

Social distancing is no longer 2 metres, but has been reduced to 1.50 metres.

Wearing protective masks in shops and on public transport is still highly recommended.

Though I heard on the news that 94% of the population no longer wear masks!

I am in the 6% that does when I travel in the bus or on the metro or when I go shopping.

Frequent and thorough handwashing is still recommended.

The virus has not disappeared and we do well to still be very careful.

One morning, after a night of rain, I saw little pools of rainwater

which the geranium leaves had collected.

One fallen petal, still wet with raindrops.

I do love the happy little buds soon to open on my darkest pink geranium.

There are so many branches full of tiny olive flowers on my olive tree.

There have never been as many.

The strawberries are doing very well and I've already eaten a small bowl of them.

The taste of summer!

I do love dahlia flowers.

I have three plants growing in a big pot.

These are the light orange ones,

Bright yellow Coriopsis flowers grow in a big windowbox next to the kitchen.

The bees love them as much as I do.

I liked the way this little flower caught the light.

The lavender is just coming into flower.

The breeze encourages the windchime to dance and sing!

There's a small but lovely park in the neighbourhood just above mine.

I like to go up there on the quiet roads and paths.

It only takes about fifteen minutes.

The central path has been lined with young trees

which are starting to create very welcome shade.

Wild areas have been left with tall grasses and wild flowers are allowed to grow at random

like this lovely red poppy.

Other flowers have been planted next to the tree trunks along the central alley.

Although this month has been cool for the season with plenty of rain.

I have enjoyed it and been able to go on my daily walks with pleasure.

The roses are starting to look very beautiful everywhere.

I saw these on one of my walks and found the colour and profusion of central petals

especially beautiful.

It would seem that there are hot days to come next week

and I thought it wise to bring up the ventilators from the cellar so that I am ready!

I have been enjoying my balcony so much.

The flowers make it so colourful and the bees keep me company.

Oh yes!

The borders between Switzerland and the surrounding countries have opened up again!

Since Monday 15th of June.

That's a big change. 

I've been able to get together with an old friend from across the lake in neighbouring France!

That really makes a huge difference

and it's great to be able to socialize again

and to sit down together to share a meal!

Even though we are still being responsible and careful

There is a true feeling of freedom again

and that is certainly very uplifting and joyful!

The hardest part of the past three months has been the lack of social interaction

and meeting up with loved ones and good friends.

Thank goodness for telephone calls and WhatsApp

to keep in touch with other human beings!

 Now I'm looking forward to seeing my family again too.

A picnic in the park sounds perfect!