Grasshopper

This (deceased) grasshopper came to rest on the decking of our swimming pool. Even I had time to focus on it properly.

(Apologies to Cee for the creepy-crawly, but I don’t make a habit of it)

CMMC 6 December 2023

Shovel

Earlier this year we visited a vineyard in the Loire region. One of its interesting characteristics is that its ‘cellar’ is actually at, rather than below, ground level. The wine matures in vats (about the size of an old telephone box, for those of you old enough to remember such things), which are sunk into the floor.

Okay, it wasn’t exactly first-growth grand cru classé, but the rosé was perfectly quaffable.

As you’d hope, though, it was scrupulously clean, a condition no doubt aided by frequent applications of this well-worn shovel and brush.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: tools

Lens-Artists Challenge: Unique

Clouds are like snowflakes: no two are ever the same.

This one was floating above The Corniche in Abu Dhabi when I snapped it from the terrace of our apartment as the sun went down. Until I pulled it out of my files for this challenge, I’d never even noticed the aeroplane. I guess that makes this particular scene really unique.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Unique

We stand together

This stand of half a dozen trees on the boundary of some playing fields in Oxfordshire have quite a visual impact as they tower well above their surroundings.

Cellpic Sunday 3 December 2023

Blown Over

Storm force winds wreak havoc in French hamlet.

The Last Photo November 2023

Chocolate Box

We visited this chocolate box floral village on a coach trip arranged by the local Association les Amis des Fleurs, so it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of greenery in evidence in this street scene.

CWWC 30 November 2023

Chandelier

Cee’s midweek challenge theme this week is something that ends in the letter R. In retrospect, I could maybe have combined this image with her Fun Foto theme of any kind of light fitting.

Never mind. This is one of the chandeliers that hang in the prayer hall of the Grand Mosque in Muscat, the capital of Oman. I’ve thrown in the stained glass for free.

CMMC 29 November 2023

Shedding some light

There’s a decent shopping and light industrial centre on the northern outskirts of Limoges. Tucked away in a corner are these bright orange sheds, no doubt illuminated at night by these striking lights.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: any light fixture

Lens-Artists Challenge: Empty Spaces

The Emirate of Dubai isn’t just the city itself – that’s probably the least attractive part of it – but quite a lot of empty desert and mountainous terrain, like this at the old Hatta Fort Hotel.

Lens-Artists Challenge: Empty Spaces

Cellpic Sunday: Gare des Benedictins

The main railway station of the city of Limoges is often said to be the most beautiful in Europe. It certainly looked at its best on a recent cold sunny morning.

(This was taken through the window of our hotel room.)

Cellpic Sunday 26 November 2023