New Year's eve of 2018

Christmas 2017

the fallen

CDP Theme Day - gift

If you're looking for that unusual gift, that may not be actually new, then a brocante is where you want to shop (in France anyway).

The first of every month is Theme Day for the worldwide bloggers of City Daily Photo and today's theme is "gift".  To see how the others interpreted this theme click here.

foggy morning

triceratops ?

waiting in Place Debré

international Thanksgiving

Today we are celebrating a mostly traditional American Thanksgiving with some of our French friends.  Alas, no whole turkeys could be found so we're having duck instead.   This boulangerie (just 50 yards/meters away) graciously offered to make American-style rolls just for us on this occasion.  We have so much for which to be thankful.

And here they are:

this red vine...

... is traditionally predicted to turn black today.

Its scientific name comes from the unusual growing form of the vine: Tee-Rexus Redus.

fall finale

Trees along the top of the levee next to the Loire with the bridge Leclerc in the foggy distance.  And Happy Thanksgiving to all.

the royal banners

Banners flying over the château of Amboise have the symbols of the 15th century residents King Charles VIII and his Queen, Anne of Brittany.

leaving the Sunday market

Sunday sunset

chat + eau = château

going fast

About a week ago these plane trees were about at their "peak" (as in this shot).  Now, the leaves are falling rapidly and will soon be only a memory.

panning for gold

blowin' in the wind

poised for a fall

however you look at it

It can be startling, even uncomfortable, to look at things from another angle... but I think always interesting and sometimes rewarding. The original:

VE day 2017

réflexions sur un ménage à trois

the light

wading for breakfast

morning lights the way

The path on top of the levee.  The château in the distance.

Monday moonset

Here's the bookend to yesterday's post. (Taken about three minutes apart.)

Sunday sunrise

This morning I woke up to find a nearly full moon setting in the west, so out I dashed with camera in hand.  But ultimately the shot I liked most was in the opposite direction.

the weather forecast

... is calling for mice out of the northwest today.

fall back

France fell back an hour this past weekend.  And this photo shows what fall back in 2015 looked like.  This year the tree colors are rather muted around here.

reflecting on Max

A bright sun and blue skies produced this dreamy reflection on the fontaine Max Ernst.

CDP Theme Day - rock n roll !

C'mon, let's dance !

The first of every month is Theme Day for the worldwide bloggers of City Daily Photo and today's theme is "rock and roll".  To see how the others interpreted this theme click here.

three wheelin'

I discovered this vehicle parked near Place Debré.  It caught a lot of attention as you can imagine.  I have not seen anything like it so with a little help from Google, it looks to be based on an Italian motorcycle engine, manufactured by Moto Guzzi.  I don't know who made the chassis and body although the red oval insignia on the side also says Moto Guzzi.  But what a contrast to the 15th century church behind.

Indian summer

This year, October temperatures have generally been above average.  A good month for a picnic on the Ile d'Or.

bending the curve

In the gardens at Château Chaumont.

first sunset

Not the first sunset I have posted, but the first one I shot in Amboise... seven years ago on our first visit.  No wonder we bought a house here.

see ya next year

shadowgate

nailed it

This closeup is an installation at Château Chaumont.  I imagine it will evolve as the nails begin to rust.

the search

One of dozens that I found hovering over the Loire.  I presume looking for lunch.

les Revues Historiques - part 7

This will be the parting shot for this series of photos.  Time to get back to today.

les Revues Historiques - part 6

The story continues... or should I say novel?

les Revues Historiques - part 5

The event grounds were organized by theme and this scene was taken in the World War I section.

les Revues Historiques - part 4

I got so many interesting subjects during this event that I'm finding it difficult to stop posting them.

les Revues Historiques part 3 - don't stop the press

The World War II military vehicles looked like new.  For all of them, their attention to detail is amazing.

les Revues Historiques part 2

Despite their determination to maintain the mien of their characters, I think they were actually having a great time.

les Revues Historiques

Although this was my first viewing, this event is held every other year in Amboise.  Much like the Civil War re-enactments in the States, these folks show off their authentic looking, if not actual, uniforms, civilian dress, military equipment, domestic arts and crafts, and memorabilia.  There is quite a range of historical epochs recreated including the Middle Ages, the Empire, and World Wars I and II.  Participants and attendees alike had a wonderful time over the weekend.  Trust me, you'll be seeing more of this.

the portal

Like a green gateway, these two trees along my recently discovered bike path seem to invite you to enter into a land of blue skies and white clouds.

last call

I'm sure by now these guys have been harvested and crushed and are now peacefully fermenting.  Maybe we'll meet again.