Backpackering 12 - Day 6

 

Took bus, No. 20, to Angon. You might think, as I did, that the many peaks around the lake are volcano cores,

The 'French Three Sisters' + a little one.

but no, they are limestone laid at the bottom of a sea millions of years ago. The lake itself was later hewn out by a huge glacier.

Today, we can sit and enjoy the view created over those millions of years,

 the passing dog paddlers

and Castle Duingt across the water.

No ferry, so we 20'ed it back to town.

Backpackering 12 - Day 5

A short  walk down to the lake

on the way to visit Little Venice. Humm, is some one contemplating a possible painting?

.

And here it is.

I think this is the place I took a photo of Polly on our family visit in '86. Will correct if not on returning to the Court. Stupid not to have checked before leaving home. Derrrrr.

Anyway, moving on, this the part of the canal is where a cotton factory used to be. Founded in 1804, making it one of the first factories set up on the continent and by 1811, was employing over a 1,000 workers. It did not close until 1955. (Wikipedia)

Backpackering 12 - Day 4

 

After a short night stop over in Geneva, to the cafe 

for breakfast, Swiss Bircher Muesli

where the sparrows helped you to finish it off.

Curious about the structure behind Gek's head, we headed to the lake.

 

The Brunswick Monument. Of course I immediately thought, what is Brunswick UK got to do with Geneva? Answer,  nothing.  It is Germanys Brunswick. Charles II the Duke of Brunswick of the 19th century bequeathed his entire estate to Geneva,  on condition they created a memorial for him there. Sorted. (Wikipedia)

A 50 min bus ride from Geneva found us in

Annecy, our home for the next 5 nights.

First, an Italian lunch at a Napoli restaurant sat below a painting of an earlier, posher Annecy 

before finding our accomo, a 1950s style flat

close by some older, more traditional Swiss architecture.

Backpackering 12 - Day 3

 

After a welcomed good night's sleep,  we prepared the mushrooms 

for W P's special soup.

Once the table was laid

and more friends arrived

we took our seats for W P's soup with prawns and goats cheese  sourdough bread. Delicious.

We also had

time to see

W P's collection of Gek's art. 

Back to Heathrow for a second attempt. 

Such a different day to yesterday's. 

Backpackering Day 12 - Day 2

 That was the Day that Was.

Arrived at Heathrow for flight to Geneva, flight confirmed, boarding pass received, boarded, took  our seats.......for 3+ hours.......then asked to de-board. FlightTracker radar shut down due to malfunction causing 1,000+ cancellation across the UK.

Chaos in the airport, to be rescued by Beng Lan and Wah Piow.

Backpackering 12 - Day 1

 

After a lovely brunch for lunch at La Meena Cafe in Paddington's Craven Terrace, 

a stroll to Hyde Park's Italian Garden

and on to a dried up park. Those clouds need to get on do their job and water the grass.

By Way of Contrast

 

Our Court garden view, done in oils.

Portrait Painting

The second one done in water colours. A new venture for Gek. 

Olive Tree Replant

 

From a pot. Lets see how Catherine's treasure grows.

Ulzii Never Ending Knots

 

Mongolian designs for bookmarks. 

Jackie and Spud's Emerald Wedding Anniversary

 

If you are wondering,  that is 55 years. 

Lots of treats and chats to enjoy,

before leaving for a stroll

for us to enjoy the view whilst Charlie disappeared to play in the playground ground.

Opps, Charlie's back!

Off to.......

Wales's heritage museum. 

Arriving before twelve, Charlie has the play area much to himself,

before we set off to visit the various buildings. Here a 200 year old pottery kiln.

After a fish and chips lunch, we head to the rose garden, via the lakes, which were surprisingly full of water,

but they had really suffered in the recent heat waves.

Jackie's Thank You Card

 

Jackie surprised Charlie with a £5 note gift when they met.  Gek designed a thank you card for him to make. 

Robert and Charlie Return

 

First,  a return visit to Cardiff's barrage to see how much Charlie has grown over the last year,

revisit the crocodile 

and fly the new kite,

which really took to the sky.

Very unusual estuary scene on our return.

Eclipse of the Sun

 

Waiting in Windsor Garden 

for the event 

along with a few other people.

And then it happened, although you might have missed it