Magical Monday - Galloping Over Paris Rooftops

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

A Quayside Walk

For the first time in ten years I am alone in Paris for five days. No kids. No Other Half. It feels a little odd and very quiet, but okay. I headed out yesterday afternoon, without a plan. As I walked up Rue Joseph de Maistre the 95 bus drew up at the bus stop I was walking past. I decided to hop on and head towards the river. Sometimes when I take photographs I am looking for a particular theme to capture. Sometimes I have no particular idea in mind. Yesterday was like this, I was waiting to be inspired. I got off the bus at the Louvre and headed down towards the river. It had been grey and dull all morning but when I reached the river the sun was coming out. The light was beautiful, fresh and crisp.

Here is a photo taken from the quai by the Musée d'Orsay, looking towards the Louvre and the Quai des Tuileries.

Down on the Quai des Tuileries that runs along the Rive Droite the water was lapping over the edges of the walkway.

I love the different textures of stone and iron, enhanced by the low winter sun.

The shadows were so sharp. The colours so soft, gentle and soothing. 

A crow caught my attention, though it was never still for more than a few seconds and I had to be quick.

This cat shadow was easier to capture!


More photographs from my stroll can be found on my Flickr account, here (thumbnails) and here (slideshow).

Harvesting Hearts

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

14th Dalai Lama

Time to harvest some hearts.

First of all, some monochrome hearts. This is one of my favourites, spotted by our son in a manhole in Donegal. So romantic!

A foot print in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Another romantic one, a chewing gum heart.


A weeping heart.


Now for a little colour. A giant love lock. I'm curious to know what the barcode would reveal. 'Made in China' perhaps?


A surprise heart inside a butternut squash.


Mosaic hearts hidden within a mosaic work of art up in Belleville, Paris.


A simple pink heart.


A bold pink heart at the end of the Villa des Tulipes, Paris.


Small red hearts.

Bigger red hearts.



A bold multicoloured heart in the Stravinsky Fountain by the Pompidou Centre.


The same heart viewed from the other side...a beautiful rich red.

Heart gathering ventures from previous years can be found here.

Magical Monday - The Bull Grabs the Eiffel Tower by the...

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.