the path of snow

It'll be awhile before this bike path is again filled with cycle tourists that will arrive in spring.  This snowy day I had it all to myself.

le glacier

The French word glacier is shop where ice cream is made (or at least sold, by my own observations).  The French word glace means ice cream or just ice.  I thought this view of a café on Place Debré brought both of these words together last week after the snow.

snow removal

This is how snow gets removed in Amboise.  Not to worry about the cold too much though (note the green sign) since temperatures here are on the Centigrade scale.

stairway to pigeon heaven

These stairs lead up from the left bank of the Loire to the level of the open market place.  On that level is found this pigeon shelter.  Of course, the shelter has the dual purpose of also trying to control the pigeon population.  So they may not actually find it so heavenly (they are not killed but some of their eggs are injected to render them neutered).

lightning strikes twice

Figuratively anyway.  In fact, after a five year "drought" from snow, Amboise had its second snow of this winter yesterday.  So guess what you're gonna be seeing for awhile here !

This the top of the levee, with the Loire on the left, and the château in the distance.

CDP Theme Day - "play"

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

During Carnival festivities a few years ago, these guys were having a great time playing characters from times gone by.  I too am playing as though I have six pack abs.

this just in, it's still winter

This shot taken before the holiday decoration were taken down from rue Nationale sums up the winter here so far:  long nights, lots of rain, low (for Amboise) temperatures.

shadows on the levee

Shoppers leaving the Sunday market have a great view of the Loire from the levee, but they're missing out on the shadows.  This shot is quite in contrast to yesterday's which was taken very close to this one.  But no more snow now.  The sun has returned yet it's quite cold (for Amboise).

frozen roses

Another shot from the snowfall of two weeks ago.  Here is a rose arbor on top of the levee next to the Loire.  The sky was very overcast, and I decided not to brighten this up as this is how it looked. 

gone but not forgotten

The snow of two weeks ago is gone, but not the photos of it.

rive gauche sous la neige

up on the rooftops

Sometimes in my photos, certain antennae seem to disappear.  Can't image how that happens.  But this time I think they add an interesting touch to this shot.

the curtain, two views

le portail rouge

it's so cold in Amboise ...

... even the polar bears are freezing.  This one is overseeing the temporary skating rink set up for the winter school vacation.

the snow catcher

At long last

After five years, the snow returned to Amboise yesterday.  While not a thick blanket as last time, it was enough to get some much needed snow shots on the trees and rooftops.

winter casts a long shadow

No, not yet

Alas this shot from five years ago is a reminder of how infrequently it snows here.  There are a few hints in the forecast that there could be some this week but it seems to me that the ground is just not cold enough to allow it to accumulate.  I'll never give up hope though.

BTW, this view is one of my favorites in Amboise.  I've taken it in almost every season and weather conditions  you can think of.  For example, here it is in spring.

shimmering lights

Holiday lights reflecting off a plastic tarp made this interesting dance of light.

à la gare

first flowers of the year

Recently planted beds of these guys make for a sharp contrast to all the grayness of this time of year.

on the levee

winter

the floating bridge

The Loire is very high at the moment as are other rivers in France due to all the recent rains.  This bicycle path bridge in Amboise looks to be floating on the surface as the path on either side is under water.

CDP Theme Day - "Photo of the Year"

The first of every month is Theme Day for the worldwide bloggers of City Daily Photo and the first Theme Day of the year is "Picture of the Year".  To see how the others interpreted this theme click here.

For me, this photo from August, can represent a family's hopes as it enters the New Year.

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.