Christmas Chocolates

We were gifted some great chocolates for Xmas from an Italian Pasticceria. Delicious, especially with a morning glass of Champagne.

Saorge, Vallee De Roya

As it is getting close to the time when we will see snow coating the tops of the Mercantour, here are a couple of shots looking across to Saorge over in the next valley. Think this might be a good place to head for some shots after a snowfall.

Building in Lacoste

A couple of shots I recently discovered in Lightroom from our trip to the Luberon in Provence earlier in the year. I really liked the lines created by the building. My composition could have been better in both these shots, but I think the colour version works better.
I will throw in another picture from the same trip of one of the Villages Perches in the area as well

Hopefully I will get to revisit in 2012

Gaufre aux Cerises et Chantilly

I LOVE THESE!!

More from the Christmas Village

A few more from last night in Monaco

Monaco Christmas Village

A few shots from this evening at the Christmas Village in Monaco. It was really strange having all the traditional Christmas stalls set out right next to the Med, and temps just below 20degrees in late December. Still, I got a Gaufre aux Cerises et Chantilly (Waffle with Cherry compot and Chantilly cream) and a ride on the big wheel.

Isola 2000

Taking photos yesterday took a massive backseat to the snowboarding yesterday, to the point where the camera didn't see the outside of the car til 4pm. It was incredibly cold, -11 at the station and more up top with the windchill factor. Managed to fire off a few shots on the way back down the hill, to commemorate the day, which was epic.

I can't decide which of the last two I prefer. Both are in need of a reshoot as I didn't quite get the settings right on the 10stop filter.

Christmas Cranes

Over here, they even light up the construction sites with a bit of festive cheer

My Cup Runneth Over

A selection of some of the waterfall shots from the year. The rainy season is now back with us in the Cote D'Azur and hopefully will open up some more waterfalls for shooting in the not too distant future.

While I am on a black and white diet....

A couple of black and white conversions taken earlier on in the year in Southwell.

Left to Rot

An old Renault truck left to rot in a field. Thought it suited a gritty black and white look.

The best stretch of road...

Drove it again last night. Amazing as always. Thought this picture with a sideways Opel Ascona, shows the stretch of road between Sospel and L'Escarene in a pretty good light.

Monaco by Day

It really is a very ugly country, despite the amount of money which resides there. A beautiful setting below La Turbie and the Alpes Maritimes, but the build up of high rise apartments does nothing for the aesthetic appeal.

The Streets of Nice

Autumnal Colours

Two shots showing the range of colours during autumn.

Possibly, My favourite shot of the year

Taken back in spring, probably the photo I like most from all I have taken this year. It's taken from La Dramont. Looking out towards the Ile D'Or, a small island, upon which a French eccentric build himself a castle and pronounced himself King of the Island.

B/W Turini Convertions

A few shots from the Col De Turini turned to Black and White to try and add some drama. Very harsh/bright conditions and lack of cloud in the sky made it hard to capture the imperious nature of the Forts.

Col De Turini

A few photos from Saturdays trip up the Col De Turini .