Cows on Jaizkibel, Gipuzkoa, Spanish Basque country - Vacas en el Jaizkibel, Gipuzkoa - Vaches sur le Jaizkibel, Gipuzkoa, Pays Basque Espagnol

November 2011, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 3472 x 2002

        I couldn’t resist taking this shot when I saw these three cows staring straight at me, harmoniously posing for my camera. Luckily, being cows, they stayed stock still and politely waited until I’d finished shooting!

Paddocks in the Basque mountains near Legate (870m), Navarra, Spain

    November 2011, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 3000 x 4000

Beech forest in the Basque mountains, near Legate (870m), Navarra, Spain - Forêt de hêtres dans les montagnes Basques, vers Legate (870m), Navarre - Bosque de haya en la montaña Vasca, cerca de Legate (870m) en Navarra

November 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 4000 x 3000

        I thought I’d post another photo I’d never got round to posting when I strolled into a forest on a walk in the mountains a few months ago…

Cupola on on one of the Place de la Bourse buildings, seen from the West, Bordeaux, France - Coupole sur un des bâtiments de la Place de la Bourse, vu de l'Ouest, Bordeaux

    September 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 3000 x 4000

Reflecting pool at the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, France - Miroir d'eau à la Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

       September 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 2672 x 4000

        More of the reflecting pool in Bordeaux…

Reflecting pool at the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, France - Miroir d'eau à la Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

September 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 4000 x 2672

        I promised a more representative view of the center of Bordeaux. Here is a view of the “Quais de la Garonne”, the quays of the main river that runs through the city.

        I recently learnt that this reflecting pool is the largest in the world, although I don’t know how many there are! In warm weather, the rock heats up and triggers wispy fountains of water to spray out of every paving slab, much to the delight of passers-by wanting to cool off! I’ll post some more shots in which you can see this happening.

        On the left is the XVIIIth century “Place de la Bourse”, one of the key places in Bordeaux.

        As usual, any opinion is welcome and highly valued ;)!

Gaviniès tram stop, Bordeaux, France - Arrêt de tram de Gaviniès, Bordeaux

September 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 4000 x 3000

        Another shot from the same tram stop in Bordeaux…

       

Gaviniès tram stop, Bordeaux, France - Arrêt de tram de Gaviniès, Bordeaux

September 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 4000 x 3000

        First of all, sorry for my lack of presence in the blog world recently, I’ve been finding it really hard to find the time to post new stuff or comment on anyone’s blogs. But I should be back for good, this time!

        The first photos I’d like to share date back to the end of last summer, way back when! I’d never got round to posting them, but I think they’re a priority on my waiting list, now.

        I took these shots when we went up to Bordeaux, the nearest big city (by French standards at least!) in our bit of South-West France, about 200km (125 miles) North of here. I’d never been there until September, but I personally think it’s the most beautiful and charming city I’ve ever visited, and I have been to Paris, which they say is the most beautiful city in the world (wonder how many cities they say that about…!)

        This shot isn’t very representative of the old center of Bordeaux, but even in the outer parts of the town I found there was a lot of unpretentious character in the vastness of the streets and the tramways that wind their way through the city.

        I’ll be posting a few photos of the center soon to give you more of an idea of the place!

        As always, any comments are completely welcome!

Pass between Faalegi (495m) and Mandale (574m), near the Lac d'Ibardin, near Hendaye and Biriatpu - Col entre Faalegi (495m) et Mandale (574m), près du Lac d'Ibardin, vers Hendaye et Biriatou, Pays Basque

    December 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 3000 x 4000

        Another photo I took the day after Christmas…

Water effects in the Lac d'Ibardin, near Hendaye and Biriatu, Basque country, Southwest France - Lac d'Ibardin, vers Hendaye et Biriatou, Pays Basque

December 2010, Panasonic Lumix DMC fz38, 4000 x 3000

        The reservoir that our tap water comes from!