Cold cold snow and warm pools from Charlene

Upper Hot Springs swimming pool by Charlene

Charlene says this is the pool where she learned how to swim.  It's above Banff  (not of course our original Banff, in Scotland - hypothermia would be the result there!  but it's namesake in Canada) . The water is 40C, which she feels is the only temperature to swim in  .   Warm water in the snow - amazing.

I remember seeing a film of monkeys in Japan lazing in hot pools in the snow - with blissful faces :>)   - it must be a heavenly experience, swimming in nice warm water and seeing that view.

Charlene's marks are kept so simple and uncluttered - but the grandeur of the scene and the activity of the swimmers comes across so effectively.

Thank you Charlene :>)

A snowy card in the middle of summer

It is such a treat to be part of this postcard exchange and to get such wonderful cards from such a varied group - in location and style. I must say that I have been looking forward to seeing one of Charlene's masterpieces in real life and was very excited to get this stunner in the post! Wow! I love the way she handles a snowy landscape.

Painting snow is something that I have never done... in fact I have only seen snow 4 times (up close) in my life. One skiing trip as a kid, 2 summer visits to our snow fields(there were a few remaining drifts only) and a white Xmas in Scotland... so this majestic scene of Castle Mountain half way between Banff and Lake Louise is extra special.

Thanks Charlene! I love it!

View of the American Mountains from Victoria

This is a view of Charlene's home city of Victoria in British Columbia - and the American Mountains across the border which is the Juan de Fuca Strait.  It's a great vista - just what I like!

The American Mountains from Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Her perspective is taken from Mt. Tolmie - one of the many large outcrops in the city of Victoria and shows the American mountains included are Hurricane Ridge (1,585 m), Mount Angeles (1,967 m / 6,454 ft ) and Mount Olympus (7,980 ft /2,432 m) in Washington State.

As an ex geographer I'm always very pleased to get views of mountains and hills! :)

However I have to apologise to Charlene as the scan doesn't do justice to the colours in the sketch that she's used and I've had no success in trying to get it read better.

For this Sketch I got out Google Maps in "terrain" mode and started having a good look round at Charlene's surroundings - and they're absolutely incredible!  Then I had a good read of the Wikiepedia links......then I started to look at their entries on summitpost!  All that from a postcard!

The area around Victoria

California Dreaming in a Winery

What a lovely way to spend a day - in the company of a good friend at Southcoast Winery and Spa in California. Even though there was a little rain, a very rare event in July, the mountain scenery was beautiful in the misty weather. Hasn't Desiree caught that effect and the recession of the landscape perfectly on my card in the skillful way she's used the different tones of pure fresh watercolour.

Desiree describes the vines as heavy with maturing grapes. Her lovely portrayal of the bottle and glass of  red wine seems to sum up her wonderful day there. I can just picture the experience. Makes me quite envious. I love my card. Thankyou.

Mt Blanc from Chamonix

You can imagine my complete delight when I arrived home to this breath-taking postcard from Alison. It is from Chamonix in the French Alps and shows the view of Mt Blanc at 4,800m - its massif is huge and every view is dominated by towering peaks regardless of which direction you are looking it. She says "You would love it here... Early june which is when we visit is very quiet ... you can walk for miles and not see anyone.you'd love the architecture too, old interesting facades and in parts begging to be sketched" It does indeed sound like I need to plan it into my next European visit. Hmm... I wonder if there is a tearoom there....

Thank you Alison... I LOVE it!!!