Annecy in the Fall

Thank you all again for your kind comments about dear Dinky. I have not responded personally to each comment as I usually do, but please know that each and every one means a lot to me, and I appreciate your personal stories and remarks. It's still rather sad days for me so I hope you'll bear with me as I show you the lovely Annecy in recent weeks - the pictures reflect the many quiet walks I've had of late. My heart is just not into fashion at the mo. The above shot is from a stone perch overlooking the canal (really a river that was paved in to look like a canal) that flows from Lac Annecy, leads to the Rhone river and eventually feeds into the sea (the Mediterranean). You can just see the famous Chateau in the distance.

This was taken in September around the lake, again from a little stone wall. I am continually amazed at the clarity of the water. The lake is both mountain and spring fed, and the water is so pure it's used as drinking water in Annecy. The lake is well protected - no sewage, no salt in the winter, and not full of huge boats in the summer. It has special zones where certain water activities are allowed and others aren't. A bike path that circles most of the lake rests on an old railway bed.

Annecy is nestled in a valley surrounded by the French Alps, so mists are common here and add another layer of beauty to the lake, which as you can tell is one of my favorite places to wander and daydream, especially when my hubby is away and I'm feeling lonely.

This was taken in September as well, when many of the boats were covered but still in the water. Now there are fewer, though many still berth alongside the lake and canal for the winter. The water doesn't freeze and averages a temperature of 4 degrees C in the colder months. 

We had friends visiting last week and were lucky enough to jump in the only tour boat still open during the day (not pictured here), which closes this week. It took us for an hour tour around the lake, and it was heavenly.

This is a wee man-made island, the only one on Lac Annecy, which serves as a sanctuary for the many swans, ducks and water birds that populate the lake. You can see clusters of red leaves here but this is rare - I am loving that many leaves are still on the trees this late in the game, but I am so missing the brilliant reds and oranges of Canadian autumns. 

A more recent pic, at dusk, with the sun reflecting off snow-capped mountains, and skeletons of moored boats settling in for a quiet winter's sleep.

I love walking at dusk and watching the sun set over the distant mountains. The light changes all the time.

Here's a blurry shot from  different location, but you get the idea.

This is one of my favourite haunts, along the northern tip of the lake, which is often very quiet and is near to the special spot where Dinky rests. I try to go here as often as I can. I love the huge trees and the view of the lake looking east (here) and south (below).

I'm sure that many have sat on this wall and let their imaginations float away ....

I hope you've enjoyed a lovely fall. I have been checking in from time to time with your blogs but have not left comments. I will be my 'ole self again soon. Have a great weekend. :)