Easter family

A personal family group.

My Mum and Dad with our friends who are visiting from the UK. Yesterday we all drove down to see my parents who live in a small village next to the Mediterranean and I promised I would post this photograph today.

Omelette

This is the chief who is in charge of making the biggest omelette in the world in the village of Bessières. It was nearly all eaten by the time we arrived for the celebration, but still we had a good time.

Easter Sunday

Our visitors arrived from England yesterday and we had a lovely sunny Easter Sunday. This is a photograph of Grace all dressed up and posing next to our Easter Tree.

Luca Playground

Happy Easter to all and happy holidays!

Been real busy of late and not able to keep up with a daily photo. This is the last photo of our grandson sent by his Mum. Hope is is having a great Easter.

He is up and walking about now and looking good.

Photograph by Isabel James

Festival Music

The sun is starting to shine again after gale force winds and the loss of electricity on Sunday night for a couple of hours.

Still having to draw on my library of images. This is another from the village festival in Allauch in Provence, France.

Fun times!

Garlic

The weather is still not good down in southern France. I keep complaining the sun is not shinning - and it isn't.

So here is an image from Provence of Garlic being sold at the summer festival market in the village of Allauch

Rabastens

This is another Vue du Ciel of the village of Rabastens.

This is one of our local markets villages and the market which is held here on a Saturday morning is a great place to go.

Image by Christian Hot

Bummer

Housework with a difference.

Taken last year when on vacation in Germany. Great sense of humour this image has and I kept wondering if I would ever post it on the blog but as we seem to be getting the back end of winter I thought I would have a play on words and image.

Where is that sun - maybe I should look under the sink??

l'Aveyron

The river Aveyron at Saint Antonin Noble Val, Tarn et Garonne, France.

Nick and his Vespa

I always said I would make my mate Nick famous!!

Now he has been blogged on his much loved vintage Vespa Scooter.

Photographed in November 2006 in the sunshine we are still waiting on to return in 2007

Merci

Merci!

But I don't think he has a chance.

Where's Spring Gone?

What ever happened to Springtime?

A delicate wild flower photographed about 10 days ago in brilliant spring weather - then winter returned with a vengeance.

Where is the sun and the warm weather?

Cordes-sur Ciel

When I began doing this daily photo blog I would complain about the fact that the area we lived in had no Broadband (ADSL) and I was also complaining to the Mayor, Mr.Christian Hot, of our small community and kept asking what could be done. France Telecom never came through with a solution even although Broadband connection is only 1 Kilometre away.

Finally an enterprising guy who has set up a WiFi system in the village where he lived, because of the same problem, was contacted and he set up a similar system for Roquemaure - Réal so I and many other can now enjoy a much faster connection to the internet.

Not only has Christian done this but when the weather is fine as it was just over a week ago he get out his micro-light aircraft and takes to the sky. He emailed this image of the village of Cordes-sur-Ciel. Quite a talented guy is our Mayor. So this is a photograph of Cordes in the sky from higher up in the sky!!

Photograph by Christian Hot

Luca Webcam

At long last we have Broadband ADSL, or at least the Mayor managed to get a private company to set up a WiFi system which mean that my frustration level has dropped enormously.

Working with images has been difficult and keeping up with posting a daily photograph has been very difficult at times.

This is a photography of our grandson Luca, regulars of Réal DP will know I post a photo of him at least once a month usually taken by his Mum.

The biggest bonus is we can now see Luca on a webcam and see him walking and starting to get up to mischievous. Great technology when you can get it!

Thank you Mr. Mayor.

Image by Izabel James

Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

A week ago we walking around in glorious sunshine, Spring had arrived in abundance and nature was showing off. We stopped off for lunch in the lovely Bastide village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val just over in the Tarn et Garonne. All in all a beautiful day.

Today we are plunged back into winter which looks to last for the rest of the week. Oh were is that sunshine I crave.

Film Set

The village of Valès in the Forest of Grésigne, Tarn France.

Look to me as if you could use this for a film set for bygone days - not a lot had changed!

Telephone Exhibition

Is this the smallest exhibition centre in the world? If it is it is situated at the side of the church in Réal in the Tarn France.

First featured here on 1st of January this year.

It now has an exhibition of art from the local children which is for the coming of Spring.

Lonely Church

On a bright sunny Spring day the light highlighted this lonely church. It sits beside the road near to one of the Bastide villages in the Tarn called Cordes-sur-Ciel.

I have often wanted to photograph it and this time the light was just right - for me anyway!

Running Water

Sounds like a native American name from an old western movie but it is running water from a stream in the Forest of Grésigne in the northern Tarn. What a beautiful place and this is the third photograph from our visit there on Sunday.

In the northern part of the Tarn the earth turns to red. An amazing change and in this image you can see it the colour of the water.

Tree Moss

In the Forest of Grésigne in the northern part of the Tarn held a few surprises.

Early spring and walking through the forest with the vibrant sounds of nature The forest was coming alive and next to the soothing sound of running water I discovered moss covered trees.

It is a special time of year because I love spring and the quickness of natures awakening.

Wild Orchid

This wild Orchid was photographed on this wonderful spring day in the Forest of Grésige in the northern part of the Tarn. Spring was really showing off with some trees in blossom and a carpet of wild flowers.

This photograph is dedicated to Eric at Paris DP – the guy who got us hooked on this – because it is the second anniversary of PDP. Well done Eric and thanks for the inspiration.

Vineyard Preparation

The preparation begins for cutting back for this year’s new growth and grapes which will then be turned into next years wine.

The cycle continues.

This link will take you to the series I have already posted on wine preparation in France

The Rain in Spain

Well the rain in Spain has been falling mainly in the south of France. This is an image that I took some time ago and it is more romantic than the rain filled days we have been having lately.

Yea I know, the gardens needs it and all that, but I need the sun and lots of it.

Hope the sun comes out soon, or I will have to find another rainbow and go in search of that gold!

Blossom

Lots of the trees over the past few days have just burst into blossom.

Nice, nice and more nice. I love it spring is on the way.

So how is your blossom?

Daisy

Has Spring already arrived? Trees are in blossom the grass is covered in all sorts of little flowers and the temperature today was not far off 20°C.

The only problem is that we are getting a lot of rain. Yes of course the garden needs it, but I like nice sunny warm weather - won't be long I'm thinking.

Billy

Still not getting out to get any photographs taken.

This is our very own Billy the cat who we found at the side of the road near the Luxembourg border about five years ago. We lived in a small apartment in Paris and I would never have a cat couped up in a small apartment. But what do you do when the cat finds you? No contest!

Billy would sit out on what used to be our flower window box looking at the world of buildings that surrounded us and I would feel sad for her as she no freedom............

Billy now has a whole garden and more to enjoy her freedom. Such joy.

This photo has been slightly enhanced with Photoshop.

Smile

Still along way from the Tarn but after a period of time where Réal Daily Photo has been missing days this is an image that began the digital age for me.

Self portrait of me and the wife!

More of the Tarn to come soon.

tv wheels

If you can't get into a real racing car there are always other ways. Renault car showroom on the Champs Elysees, Paris.

I have been out of the loop of posting a Daily Photo, so perhaps I can get up to speed again by posting this image taken when I lived in Paris.

Luca -The Boy

Regular readers! In fact do I have any regular readers?

Anyway regular readers of Réal DP will know I post a photograph of our Grandson Luca from time to time. The baby is now a boy and he is sporting an English shirt. I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do for a Scottish/Brazilian boy, but who cares he looks as if he is having fun.

Hopefully we will get to see him soon.

Photo Izabel James

Panel Panorama

One last image from the Notre Dame de la Garde looking at the panel that gives the information about the islands that lie just if the course of the port of Marseille including the famous Chataeu d'If where the famous fictional character The Count of Monte Cristo was held for 14 Years. Another one for you Betty!

And no it is unlikely that I will ever make my fortune on the Google ads but as I also host other sites like World Photo Adventure I am hoping it may go a little way to paying my hosting costs.

Kate, Nice to know you are in Mexico and yes I will come and visit. Now did you mean just your photo-blog or was it an invitation to come to Mexico?

The Old Port Marseille

In the quiet countryside of the Tarn where we live not a lot has been happening. I should perhaps have been out taking photographs but the weather has not inspired me to get out a snap away.

The weather has been very changeable with temperatures on at least one day reaching the heady heights of 20°C and then others where is has been wet, windy and miserable.

For that reason I have missed a couple of days and again post another photograph from out recent trip to Marseille - a fisherman working to repair his nets at the old port in Marseille.

Château d’If

From the Basilique of Notre Dame de la Garde. Told you it was a great spot to get some fantastic shots.

Looking out over to Les îles du Frioul and Château d’If.

Notre Dame de la Garde

Ming asked if yesterdays photo was taken from Notre Dame de la Garde and yes it was. It is the major landmark of the city of Marsielle, seen from a distance it is an impressive sight.

Affectionately known as La Bonne Mère it is well worth a visit to see the panorama I have already mentioned, the blue of the Mediterranean to the sweep of the urban landscape of most ancient city of France.

The altitude of the hill is just over 147 meters

Marseille

The telescope is a good accessory to have to pick out detail, although the panoramic vista of Marseille is a site to behold.

If you look closely you can see where the fish market is held. There may well be another fishy image before the Marsielle series is finished.

Marseille Close Up

The light was going fast and it looked great over the urban landscape panorama of Marseille.

The telescope was looking shiny and new and I can't image the amount of people who have scanned the buildings that surround one of the highest points of this Mediterranean city.

Fish Market

How interesting can a fish market be? Well the one that stretches along the quay side at the old port in Marsielle is certainly interesting. Full of fish of course lots of fun and some great photo opportunities.

I wish I had had more time to get some nice portraits of these people - perhaps another visit is needed.

Fish Market Marseille

Our trip to Provence was mostly spent in the City of Marseille and although we lived in the beautiful village of Allauch for 8 months we never took the opportunity to explore the city of Marseille.

This time we had a super guide who was born and grew up in the village of Allauch and gave us a great tour of the wonderful city of Marseille.

This first image is of the famous fish market that I last visited in 1989 - how time flies. I think the guy is telling us about the one that got away!

Wild Geese

Photographed in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees mountain range lie about 100 miles south of us and on a clear winters day you can almost feel you can reach out and touch the snow covered mountain tops.

This image was taken on one of our rambling drives through the mountains.

I will not posting for about a week as we are of to Provence for a five days.

Allauch Festival

Another interruption to Réal DP from this weekend for about five days. We are off to Sunny Provence for a few days. Well it's showing sunny and warmer than Réal at the moment. I hope it lasts.

This is an image from the village of Allauch where we used to live.

Church Door

Doors are my thing. Well not all the time and this is a church entrance. What really caught my eye was the little blue sign top right of the doorway.

It reads; Eglise St François. XIV et XV siècles. Ancienne Eglise des Cordeliers dont le couvent avait ètè fondé vers l'an 1220 par Sicard VI de Lautrec Baron d'ambres.

Quick traslation; The church of St François from the 14 and 15 centuries. Ancient church of the 'Cordeliers' monks. The monastery was founded around 1220 by Sicard the 6th of Lautrec - Baron of Ambres.

Taken in the town of Lavaur. I've walked past this church several times even been inside and only the other day did I notice the blue plaque, which in itself is an old style sign. Not as old as the church but maybe 50 years old.

Frosty Leaves

The frosty misty days have cleared for the moment and I have wondered at the design of nature with the hore frost that has coated everything - and loved photographing various subjects.

Still a little chilly although today has been a little warmer, meaning the temperature managed to creep above freezing. This global warming fooled me into thinking we were going to get a nice mild winter! Never mind another month and things will be looking good down this way.

Let me in

Old doors in France - I like them, they have style and you never know what you will find behind them. Sometime they open onto a lovely garden courtyard or directly into a home. It is tantalising at times to know what lies behind the door.

This fine fellow was waiting to see when he was going to be let in.

Photographed in Lavaur, Tarn.

Number One Guy

This little guy who is getting bigger everyday gets the privilage of a double hit on this daily blog.

He turned one year old on the 28th of January and I could not resist posting another photo send by his Mum & Dad. I know he had a birthday party with some other kids but this is a photo of Luca and his Dad Michael.

Thank goodness for the internet that we can get images so quickly.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Luca

Our Grandson Luca is one year old today (28th January). This was taken recently while visiting, with his mother, the other half of his family in Brazil.

He is back in the cold UK but I am sure he is going to enjoying growing up and visiting his family in Brazil. Maybe one day he may even choose to live there!

We will not be able to travel from France to spend time with him to celebrate his first birthday but I am sure he will have a great day.

Goodness me, is it really a year since he was born!!

Dogs and Stuff

On my wanderings around the town of Lavaur I came across the site of the an ancient Chateau and saw my second dog poop clean-up dispenser. I thought this is looking up, at last a positive step to cleaning up behind your dog (all puns intended).

I took the photograph feeling good that on this ancient site the Town of Lavaur were providing the means to keep the site clean. As I stepped back my foot squelched into a big lump of dog s**t. And the more I looked the more I saw. The town of Lavaur may provide the means of cleaning up after your dog, but dog owners obviously don't care.

France! I just love it.

Disappearing Mercerie

On a visit to the Town of Lavaur in the Tarn valley today I had the opportunity to have a wander round. Most of the snow has gone but it is still cold.

The back streets of this place had some gems. I love seeing old shop fronts and their old signs, it's just such a pity they are being left to fall into disrepair and will eventually disappear.

This was once a Mercerie a store that sold buttons, thread, cloth and all the things for sewing, and a Epicerie selling food like a grocer.

Winter Snow

The first snow of winter fell last night and we woke up to a winter wonderland. The most of France did as well although there was a lot of chaos on roads and motorways in various parts of the country.

It does mean that at least there will be enough snow for the skiing season to get underway which was beginning to worry an awful lot of people. I believe that the Alps and the Pyrenees had good falls of snow as well.

Catalan Musicians

Thank you all for your messages of support. It has been a difficult time of late but of course life goes on. I passed all your lovely messages onto my wife Ghislaine.

We traveled 2300 Kilometers for the round trip to northern France close to the Luxembourg boarder and on the way back saw some amazing sights but no time to stop and spend the time photographing. Perhaps another time when the mind will be more in tune with the creation of some good images.

Having not had the chance to photograph much lately I am posting an image of a group of Catalan musicians photographed at a festival in the village of Allauch in Provence some time ago.

In celebration of life.

Daughter

Due to being quite ill my posting have been way down!

I will not be able to post any photographs for another week. My wife who has my heart, and heart goes out to her today as she lost her mother.

We will away to northern France early tomorrow for the funeral over the weekend.

Winter Roquemaure

Winter is here although it has turned mild again and the frosty mornings are now gone - for the moment!

I liked this moody wintry photograph looking over towards the village of Roquemaure, a view that is ever changing. You may think that things remain the same especially if you see the same scene every day, but if you really look the scene is never the same.

The daily photo from Réal has major interruptions at the moment due to illness. I thought I has managed to miss out on things like colds but I've got a bad one and not getting out to take a few photographs is kind of low priority at the moment. Hope this cold goes soon.