A Morning in Pictures
A few odds and ends….
Not quite a week in pictures, more like a morning and the final selection of photographs from the International Balloon Festival at Chateau d’ Oex in Switzerland. It’s also an opportunity to let you know that I’ve been working on my photography site and have refreshed, twiddled and changed a few bits including a photographic diary of the balloon festival so click here for a closer look.
I took quite a few of these from my hotel room window, feeling like the Jackal from Fredrick Forsyth’s wonderful novel as I balanced my telephoto lens on the window sill, zooming in on my unseeing ‘prey’. This guy seemed to come in from nowhere, they kept appearing from behind the mountains and made for a great sideshow from the balloons….
Gliding down a Swiss mountain
These intrepid balloonists seemed to be having a ball as they climbed slowly past my window, rather them than me it has to be said…
Hot Air ballooning in Switzerland
This was a promotion in our hotel, it was a glorious first day. People sat on the terrace drinking champagne and taking in the sun. What an event.
A Glass of Chilled for the Weekend?
I liked the idea of this shot, framing it behind the balloon and capturing it as it landed….
Helicopter Landing at the Festival Site
This was one of the biggest balloons of the festival, I loved watching (and photographing) the people around them. I couldn’t help but feel a kind of throw back to the early days of ballooning, sure the equipment has changed but the actions of the people really hasn’t. I like this shot because it reminds me of those early exhibitions back in Victorian England for some reason.
Waiting to Inflate
Hi Miles!
Love the waiting to inflate!
All shots great, but what a wonderful experience! Hot perhaps, mulled wine, the spectacle of balloons and ultralights.
A fantastic week ot have lived, no?
Laura
February 14, 2010 @ 11:46 pm
Superb !
Like the new gallery pictures as well - great effort
All the best
Rod
February 15, 2010 @ 8:37 am
Laura,
It was an amazing experience, more work than pleasure I’m afraid
Miles
February 15, 2010 @ 8:40 am
Rod,
Thanks, glad you like it. I did it whilst the weather was bad. On such rare occassions you have to make the most of it!
Miles
February 15, 2010 @ 8:41 am
Miles,
.
Great photo selection. The helicopter one looks like something out of 007.
The last one seems to keep an eye on the preceedings
I like your new Gallery, userfriendly with a wonderful variety of photos.
Anne
February 15, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
Miles,
I know it’s hard work, a job like yours but what variety and all of it in very glamorous settings…. not least your home county hotel. On the subject of style, your new gallery is very slick and for what it’s worth you get the thumbs up from me as well, I rarely see such wonderful photographs especially those taken in the Shire (father if you’re reading this, I like yours too it’s just that Miles does a bit of cooking on the side so he gets extra points
)
Cid
February 15, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
Miles:
I have a blog-topic request. . .
When you are feeling in a light mood, could you please tell us how you came up with the menus for the Faulty Towers and the Murder Mystery shows!
Just reading about them brightened another snowy day.
Laura
February 15, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
Hi Miles (and gang),
I’m sorry I’ve been absent of late, but I’ve been out of town (along with several other reasons, but I’ll spare you). I see I’m way behind with what’s been going on at milescollins.com. I’ve missed you all! I’ll start here and then filter back through your previous posts. These photos are incredible, as are the collections in your gallery. Very impressive, Miles! We have large balloon fiesta every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico (part of the American southwest, it’s beautiful country). I love the vibrant color of the balloons against the bright blue sky. Anne is right, that helicopter picture looks to be out of a James Bond movie.
Off to enjoy the rest of the posts I’ve missed lately.
Melissa
February 15, 2010 @ 10:06 pm
Wow, what a journey (sifting through all the past posts I’ve missed). Thank you, Miles. What a treat to go along with you on your travels, if only from afar. Your photos are truly incredible. I kept thinking I had found a favorite. That’s until I saw the next one. You are quite the artist, that’s for sure.
Cid — sorry I’ve been out of touch lately. Long story, but I’ll be back at it in the next couple of days. And Miles, sorry I’m connecting with Cid through you, but I don’t have an address for her other than in your kitchen.
Melissa
February 15, 2010 @ 10:29 pm
Anne,
Thanks, glad you like it
Miles
February 15, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
Cid,
Thanks, I’ve let the gallery go a bit truth be told but no more, no madam!
Watch this space!
Miles
February 15, 2010 @ 11:30 pm
Laura,
Oh no! Don’t tell anyone but they are banqueting style menus. The Faulty Towers is deliberately 1970’s. Actually the food is meant to be almost insignificant because the idea of the show is that the actors ( a professional company) serve most of it and are awful at doing so. Our only hope is that the guests buy into it!!
As for the Murder Mystery, it’s a Halloween theme if I remember? Sorry, I’ve been writing a lot of menus recently and mostly in Spanish
Miles
February 15, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Melissa,
There you are! I’ve been checking your place to see if you’ve gone off hiking again
Don’t worry, you’ve not missed much, I’m sure most of the gang wish they had your excuse and didn’t have to read this rubbish every day
Great to hear from you again.
Miles
February 15, 2010 @ 11:37 pm