it's cold in Amboise

By local standards it's been quite cold recently.  That would be around the freezing point and below (the average temperature historically are around the mid-forties F).  That's probably warm by the standards of many of you so I don't expect too much sympathy.  While there's no snow in the forecast, conditions are really good for frost.

fronds in winter

There is at least one advantage to the sun being so low in winter here*.  It makes it a lot easier to shoot subjects back-lit by the sun.

* We're about the same latitude as the northern border of Maine.

overwhelmed

Now that the Loire has subsided a bit from its recent higher level, one can see how the waters have combed over the vegetation underneath.

if only

We've had all the right conditions except for one thing. Precipitation.  So in the meantime, here is a flashback to 2012.  Another lesson in learning to live with what life brings us.

moon set and sunrise

I woke up the other morning and looked out to see a beautiful bright moon heading for moon set.  I dashed down to the banks of the Loire to find the morning mist had not yet cleared as sunrise was in progress.  It was really cold but I was glad I made the trip.

tutu fast for me

Last Saturday there was the fourth annual road race la Ronde Solidaire de Saint-Vincent.  While this shot may look a little frivolous it is in fact very competitive.  (One of the top women finishers also wore a tutu.)  Alas, I had to sit out this one as it was a bit icy and I have been fighting a cold for over a month.

down by the river

the stained glass of église St Florentin

Shot from outside under the warm glow of the street lights of Amboise.

sunset for Saturday

Another chapter in the ongoing story of sunsets posted on Saturday.  This one taken from our front door in December. 

reflections on Friday the 13th

Despite the bad press of the 13th, I think today will bring good fortune to those who seek it.

casting the long shadow

Just before sunset, the château at Chenonceau casts a long and dark shadow on the surrounding trees.

warm and cozy

Here's the Renaissance heating system at work in the Château of Amboise.

back to the well

This elaborate well resides on the plaza in front of Château Chenonceau.

spiral Monday

Another one of those amazing spiral staircases at Château Chambord.

nearly sunset

It was because it was nearly sunset that Château Chenonceau was bathed in this warm glow.

les feuilles mortes

Today's title recalls a famous French tune by the same name from the 1940's (the words are from a poem by French poet Jacques Prévert and it was first performed by Yves Montand).  In 1947 Johnny Mercer wrote English lyrics and it has become the pop/jazz standard "Autumn Leaves".

half moon at sunset

The sun seemed to be setting really fast at Chenonceau when I caught the moon behind this tower.

the handrail

Another recent frosty photo.  This one in the crevice of a steel handrail.  Perhaps a congealed spider's web?

looking a lot like winter

Everywhere you go.  (Still have those Christmas tunes running through my head.)  But to follow up on yesterday's post, here is what the river bank looked like that same day...  a thin layer of frost on everything and a bit foggy.

frosty days

Temperatures have been running a little below average recently, and will be for the foreseeable future.  There's been no rain or snow (darn it), but that doesn't stop the frost from accumulating when temps are below freezing.

CDP Theme Day - Photo of the Year

Happy New Year's everyone.  It's also of course the first day of the month so it's Theme Day for the worldwide photo bloggers of City Daily Photo.  Traditionally, the first Theme Day of the year is "Photo of the Year".  You can see how the others interpreted this theme here.  I chose this "6 pack" of shadow shots that I posted back in August.  I think the original blog title "so many directions" is very much appropriate for what looks to be an unpredictable year 2017.