Reflective: TP 379

Carmi's new Thematic Photographic topic is 'Reflective' (see here).

This time last year I was in Scotland, and I've been reflecting on how very much I would like to be back there, instead of here in month 3 of a southern hemisphere winter! (Although if I'm honest, it's about the same temperature here now as it was there last year...)

You've probably all seen the one of the colourful buildings in Tobermory, on Mull, 

but having taken it myself makes it special:

More shots of the beautiful Scottish countryside. The first two were taken travelling 

between Thurso and Skye, the other on Skye.

I'm glad it wasn't bright blue and sunny - that wouldn't have 

been how I have always imagined Scotland.

 

 

 

And the photographer - being reflective.

Liquidity - Thematic Photographic 340

Here are some liquid-y pictures from my recent travels. Click to enlarge.

In Port Lligat, Spain, my son and I visited Salvador Dali's garden. 

The swimming-pool looked very tempting.

Swans on the canal in beautiful Bruges

Nazare, one of Portugal's superb beaches

In Scotland, the weather was like this - overcast, cool, often dampish - for nearly 3 weeks. 

It was perfect!

See other people's liquidity posts on Written.Inc

On the Water... TP 247

Thematic Photographic 247 !!  I've missed a few, I think.

On the water - my favourite place.

Last term holidays I was in Melbourne, one of my favourite cities.

The Yarra River runs through the central city

It was autumn, hence the grey skies. Not too cold though. 

I never seem to have much luck at St Kilda, the famous beachside suburb - for me, the skies are always grey and lowering:

Swan number 36

And a re-post of a late afternoon sky at Seacliff, Adelaide, on the same trip -

The Best Thing

The best thing this Christmas/New Year has been seeing all of my immediate family together, 

for the first time in three years. 

One of them wasn't even born last time we were all in the same place!

Here are a few favourite shots from the last few weeks.

My beautiful granddaughter. She will be 4 in March:

Her little brother, who has just turned 2:

And both of them at my favourite spot - on the water - with their dad:

Thematic Photographic: On the Water

This week, Carmi's theme is On the Water, and people have been posting 

beautiful water pictures - go here to see.

In all of these, I am the one "on the water".

Crossing the Bosphorus by ferry:

On a cruise boat, looking at the Old Port in Antalya, Turkey:

Another ferry trip, this time across the Dardanelles:

Views and villages on the Cinque Terre, Italy - from the water:

Coming in to Portofino, Italy, on yet another ferry boat:

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),

It's always our self we find in the sea.

~ e.e.cummings

3 Things that Make me Happy on a Monday

Mondays aren't great, traditionally.  Although you're supposed to have rested up over the weekend, and be full of energy, it really seems a very long time until the next weekend.

Plus, it's been a long and busy day at school (aren't they all??).

I thought I'd do the positive thinking approach and post about 3 things that bring me joy.

#1 Lighthouses  There's just something about them: strength, pride, danger, loneliness. This one's at Castlepoint, a (normally) wild and windy place on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

Castlepoint Lighthouse

#2 Mosaics   I've dabbled a little in making some, and plan to do a lot more - some day, when time expands. One of the reasons I went to Turkey was to feast my eyes on the beautiful mosaic work:

 

Mosaic above door, Green Tomb, Bursa

#3 Water  Always makes me feel happy and peaceful, whether it's a lake, river or the sea.

Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.

~ Leo Buscaglia 

What cheers you up on a Monday?

Alexia