Across the Lake

So here we are at the end of our second day in France. We have been staying in Sevrier on the shores of Lac d'Annecy in the Haute Savoie region of France. It really is a beautiful area and like everywhere else we have visited on our roadtrip we simply haven't had the time to explore properly or see everything.

The first picture is a panoramic shot taken during a cruise along the lake this afternoon, it has been quite cloudy here, yesterday we had yet another cracking thunder storm, so the scenery has been quite dramatic.

Thus evening things have brightened up a little and the second shot was taken from the jetty at the local rowing club 2 minutes walk from our apartment. As you can see the sun was obviously setting behind me and  lighting up the mountain top on the far shore of the lake. I like the way the wisps of cloud are blowing across the peak like smoke.

I would quite happily spend a few more days here just relaxing but tomorrow we are heading north to Alsace, with a short detour  through Switzerland. We have just two more full days before our roadtrip ends and then we will be heading home.

Changing Skyline

Just one picture today as I leave London and head back home, tired and with sore feet (I have walked miles).

This view was taken looking east from Waterloo Bridge and shows the changing skyline with the historic St Paul's cathedral and other more modern office blocks  and skyscrapers including 20 Fenchurch St, The Cheese grater or the Leadenhall Building and of course the Shard.

Just up he road from where I took this shot is the famous Lyceum Theatre where the Lion King musical is performed. I remember visiting the Lyceum back in 1982 with a group of friends from college when we went to see the Kinks perform. It was a great night.

The city has changed such a lot since then.

Overlooking Liverpool Bay

For today I have chosen two panoramic shots taken with my phone's camera.

The first was taken yesterday morning when I stopped for a short break during my cycle ride along the Wirral Coastal path. The tide was just coming in I think and there were a few people out walking or running and enjoying the early morning sun. I don't think the frames have stitched together perfectly in this shot but all the same it is a terrific view looking out across Liverpool Bay towards North Wales and the Burbo Bank wind farm.

The second shot was taken this evening right at the water's edge shortly after low tide and a few hours before sunset. I have never walked out this far before (about a mile and a half) except to Hilbre Island which you may just make out on the left of the shot, and I was so glad I made the spur of the moment decision to do so. The view is fantastic and I am so glad that I live so close to the sea so I can enjoy it whenever I like.

From the lookout

On Monday we visited a spot known as the Thunder Bay Lookout. It was a fantastic spot high on the cliffs overlooking Lake Superior. There is a platform which extends beyond the edge of the cliff allowing these spectacular views. The first is looking out towards Amethyst Harbour, the second is a panoramic shot of the whole bay. 

This was also the only spot at this point in the trip where I had a good signal allowing me to call home and check on the family left behind.

Following this little excursion we headed off to Pounsford Lake, a beautifully secluded spot, for snacks and a bit of synchronised swimming.

Lake Vyrnwy

Lake Vyrnwy a reservoir in Powys, Wales was constructed between 1881 and 1888, it flooded the village of Llanwddyn with the purpose of supplying Liverpool and its surrounding area with fresh water.  The stone built dam was the first of it's kind in the world.

I am really pleased with these shots, taken in September 2008. The conditions were perfect and with no wind the surface of the lake was mirror calm allowing these fantastic reflections and a great panorama.

These pictures were taken using an LG Viewty mobile phone which at the time had one of the best cameras on a mobile phone. Technology has moved on incredibly since then and I have significantly upgraded my gear. So maybe I will head back when the conditions are right to see whether I can match these images.