High on a Hill

 So here are three more, very different images from the Chateau de Haut Koenigsbourg in Alsace.

The first image is taken from one of the towers looking along the ramparts and into the distance towards Germany. This region was hotly contested throughout the centuries and changed hands between France and Germany several times. The castle itself has fallen into ruin and been reconstructed over time too and is now a remarkable place to visit.

The second image is og a sculpture that sits on top of the well in the inner courtyard. I wish I could say more about it but sadly I didn't pay enough attention to the information display so all I can say is that it is an interesting sculpture of a mermaid.

The final image is of the main staircase which leads from the inner courtyard and is housed in a hexagonal tower. Can you tell whether you are looking up or down the stairs?

Old And New Liverpool

While the city was bustling with shoppers seeking bargains in the post Christmas sales I headed down to the waterfront with my youngest son to take some photos of the fine buildings around the docks. 

In the first shot, viewed across Canning Dock you can see (from left to right) the Museum of Liverpool, the Open Eye Gallery and  No1 Mann Island. In the background you can make out the top of The Liver Building, The Cunard Building and part of The Port of Liverpool Building which together are known as Liverpool's Three Graces and have earned the City Waterfront World Heritage status. 

As you can see from the water in the dock it was very windy today and so it wasn't possible to get any clear reflections. I will go back another time when the conditions are calmer, maybe in the evening when the lights are on and see what shots I can get then.

I was going to save the second picture for another day but the words seemed appropriate given that it was a windy day. This was shot inside the Museum of Liverpool and the words which circle around the balustrade of the central staircase are lyrics from "Song For John" by Yoko Ono

All About Curves

Today's pictures are connected by the theme "curves" but they are also connected because they were taken in 2010 at the Palace of Versailles, more specifically in the Domaine de Marie Antoinette a less formal private parkland with small palace, a grotto, a temple of love, a theatre, a farm and a small village.

The first of these pictures shows the interior of the theatre, it was difficult to get this picture because of the lighting and the fact that I wasn't supposed to take pictures inside. Apparently Marie Antoinette performed on this stage. 

The second shot is of the interior of the summer house, a place where she entertained her many visitors.  The beautiful tiled floor, the highly decorated walls and columns and the beautiful domed ceiling are reminders of the extravagant lifestyle of this most famous royal family.

The final two images are taken at the Queens House which is a rustic house set far into the park away from the Petit Trianon which is the formal residence.  I love the curving staircase on the exterior and the wooden bench which matches the curves in other parts of the building.