Siena, one of our beloved destinations during our trip to Italy,
is a walled city in Tuscany that has preserved its medieval, gothic appearance.
This World Heritage Site seemed a fitting showcase for this week’s Photo Challenge.
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is set on three hills,
drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps.
It offers a bustling life throughout its streets and squares with its many boutiques and shops, cultural events, theater, and a range of sporting activities.
The centre of Siena is accessible primarily on foot.
Cars, other than taxis and police, are prohibited, but motorcycles and scooters are allowed.
Come back tomorrow for a look at some other walls. Arrivederci!
Happy 2015, lovely readers, bloggers, and my feline friends and fans. ♥
Vivian’s the name, for you newbies who haven’t had the pleasure of my sparkling company as of yet. I’ve returned to brighten things up in the blogosphere with another guest-host spot on Jennifer’s Journal. So take a break from struggling with your (ugh) resolutions for a few moments, and join me, won’t you?
My sister Maisie and I agreed to help show what is new and different in our world, specifically a nifty newcamera to pose for since St. Nick dropped by last month. Jennifer hasn’t had time to learn all its functions yet, so she took these photos with the autofocus feature, just for a little test run.
Maisie hogged the limelight most of the time…
…but she did pose admirably and didn’t shy away, as she is wont to do.
Okay already! Now, what about moi??
Scenery? Is that necessary? Granted, the new camera does take nice shots – even through the kitchen window…
And naturally, Jennifer wants to show off her granddaughter’s new artwork, another of her treasured Christmas gifts.
(Yes, it’s her grandgirl’s birthday today too, so Happy Birthday, young lady! xox)
But what about me, and my joie de“Viv”?
Oh, come on, woman! In what universe are a couple of ol’ ducks more photogenic than two purry Perrys?
Finally! { sigh} That’s a bit of an improvement. But I know we can do better…
Vivian here again, returning to guest host on Jennifer’s Journal.
Today’s update is actually in answer to the Photo Challenge: “Contrasts” over at the Daily Post. Yes, we know it’s a tad late, but Jennifer was busy blogging about other stuff.
Hmmm…which makes me wonder: what could be more important than CATS?
Particularly, Moi?
Even my sister Maisie is somewhat miffed that we were put on hold for other posts.
Never mind I was centre stage in three of the last seven journal entries; everybody would rather hear from Adorable Me than yet another post about boring writing, appreciation, and now, bouquets… blah, blah, blah. Am I right?
You’re nodding, aren’t you?
Now, on to the Challenge. Maisie and I are a study in contrasts, that is a given. Yes, we are cats, yes, we are sisters, and yes, we both love Perry’s Point. But our personalities differ greatly. I don’t like bananas, Maisie loves them. I stand on my hind legs to please my daddy master, Maisie wouldn’t dream of it. I love licking Maisie and cuddling with her, she merely tolerates me. If we were human, you would probably surmise that I’m an extrovert and Maisie is an introvert, and you would be correct.
But this is a “Photo Challenge”. I haven’t figured out how to use a camera – yet – so Jennifer took the following shots (and the shot above) and tweaked them a bit using lots of contrast in her photo editor to achieve these results.
This one shows my dreamy, romantic side.
Jennifer says she’s going to paint this one someday, since I’m her MUSE, she tells me. (rolls eyes) Whatever!
I was on the Hunt here, too preoccupied to pose prettily. “Here, Mickey…here, Tweety…wait! I think I see a flutterby!”
Maisie playing with the camera strap. Get a load of those talons, will ya? Yeesh, someone overdue for a MANI-PEDI?
Ooh, even I have to admit this one was quite a capture. Sis looks like she sees something lipsmackingly delish. Did someone peel a BANANA?
Jennifer caught me unawares in this one….zzzzzz….but she let sleeping cats lie.
Jennifer says she thinks she’s onto something with the heavy contrast. She says the greater definition may help her draw or paint images from photos done this way. I’m iffy about it, but what do you think?
That’s it for me today. Vivian here signing off, but I leave you with my favourite quote:
“Of all God’s creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash, that one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”
Saturday was such a gorgeous day in our corner of the world, one had to get out and enjoy it. We decided to drive to Greenspond, a community comprised of several islands not far from where we live. Connected to the mainland of Newfoundland by a causeway, Greenspond boasts a wonderful walking trail around most of the perimeter of its largest island. It was perfect weather with light winds, so I took my camera.
This is the view from Perry’s Point before we left. The icebergs dotting the horizon were too far away to get good shots.
Once we got on the trail, it didn’t take long for us to discover our first “bergy bit” floating like an ice sculpture in a peaceful cove. The walking trail winds through the rocky terrain, carrying us through the brush and bog. The views of the coastline and of the Atlantic are spectacular.
We can’t help but admire the work that went into the boardwalks.Some were quite steep, making for a great workout.
It seems the locals thought of everything. 😉 Almost halfway… There seems to be a little berg in every bay. Another “sculpture”… …and another.
Time for refreshments.
The Greenspond Walking Trail is a collaboration between Man and Nature, resulting in what I consider a living work of art.
Come back and join me in a couple of days for Part Two of my Greenspond photo shoot. 🙂
To my Fellow Canadians: What did you do outdoors on this long Victoria Day weekend?
This week’s photo challenge at the Daily Post inspired me to have a look back on our memorable trip to Italy and France. It didn’t take long to come “up” with some photos that fit nicely with the theme.
(Not sure if it’s against the rules to share more than one. ;)) I hope you enjoy them.
View of the Italian Alps – Stresa, ItalyStaircase at our B & B – Stresa, ItalyView from our Hotel Room – Rome, Italyx2 at Nightmarble staircase in hotel – Romex2Palazzo Vecchio – Siena, ItalyDuomo of Florence – Italyx2x3Notre Dame Cathedral – Parisx2Inside Cathedral – ParisLouis Vuitton – ParisEiffel Tower – Parisx2 – at nightIn front of the Arc de Triomphe – ParisArc de Triomphe x2x3x4Ceilings in the Louvre Museum – Parisx2
Jennifer's Journal 