Le Train des Merveilles....Saorge

When it is hot and humid down in Nice, and the town is crowded out by tourists and visitors in the summer months of July and August, time to hop the train up into the mountains and spend the day exploring some of the gorgeous villages in the arriere pays....

Saorge is a picture-perfect perched village with sweeping views across the mountains and valleys, with twisting narrow medieval streets, churches, and cafes. When you have enjoyed wandering, sit down at the cafe at the end of the village which serves tea in a beautiful china tea pot complete with a complimentary slice of home-made cake.....Enjoy!!

Le Train des Merveilles leaves from Nice-Ville railway station taking the scenic route to Cuneo in Italy via Breil Sur Roya and many other lovely little mountain towns and villages. For Saorge, descend at the station Fontan-Saorge, turn right, walk through the mountain tunnel, and in about 20 minutes you will reach the village. The train journey from Nice to Saorge takes just over an hour.

Weekend Reflections 34 - Monaco

The glass facade reflecting this wonderful sky of couple-colour is the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco which is currently hosting a rather spectacular Picasso exhibition entitled  "Monaco Fete - Picasso Cote D'Azur and Picasso Dans La Collection Nahmad". The first part of the exhibition displays works which trace all the places on the French Riviera where he used stay for the summer from the early 1920s to 1946, and the second part puts on show 116 pieces from the Nahmad private collection - many of which have not been displayed in public before.

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Shadow Shot Sunday 193 - Monaco

Taken in the Japanese Gardens in Monaco - a wonderfully tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the yachting and cruise ship world of the Principality!!

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Shadow Shot Sunday 192 - London

Some recent geometric shadow shots from London this summer where the sun shone brilliantly - many of you will recognise that these are taken from the South Bank looking across the pedestrian bridge towards Charing Cross....and for the more famous view from this bridge......see below...

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Shadow Shot Sunday 191 - Tetbury, Cotswolds

This architectural detail comes from a doorway in the pretty Cotswolds town of Tetbury which is very near to Kemble, the source of the Thames where I started my hike along the river trail a few weeks ago...... 

The town is characterised by buildings in fine honey-coloured Cotswold stone - a pretty high street, marketplace, church spire, village green and ivy-clad cottages with steep cobbled steps - quintessential rural England!!

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Weekend Reflections 33 - Thames Path, Oxford

Another sequence of shots taken on my hike along the Thames Path - perfect if you want some peace and quiet in the tranquil English countryside - these were taken just coming into Oxford and as you can see you can still feel away from it all down by the river....For more reflection shots, click HERE for WEEKEND REFLECTIONS - enjoy!

Weekend Reflections 32 - The Thames Path

The Thames Path is a 184 mile national hiking trail which traces the journey of the Thames from the source to the sea - the only walking path which actually follows the full course of any river. Last week my sister and I walked the first 54 miles from the source at Kemble to Oxford staying at some of the most delightful riverside inns, and here are a few reflection shots showing different moods of the Thames from that first section. I am planning to complete the rest of the path when I can.....For more reflection shots visit WEEKEND REFLECTIONS - Enjoy!