Spring is here! Already people are leaving their jackets and beanies at home and heading out into the sun to absorb some vitamin D. I have noticed new growth on my gardenias and the scent of star jasmine and my coco magnolia tree fills the night air with the sweetest perfume. Spring is my favourite time of year, the days are filled with sunshine and the nights are still cool, making sleep easy (unlike summer). Later this month there will be floral festivals in the towns around us, the keen gardeners with beautiful homes open up to the general public so that we can admire the results of their hard work and passion and hopefully be inspired to do more in our own gardens. It is a time when I like to take my camera and spend a few hours photographing flowers, not something that appeals to everyone but my husband is very patient and there are usually several other hobby photographers madly photographing everything with a petal.
Today I am reminded of the start of our holiday in Europe and where I was when the sun decided to shine after a few days of grey, gloomy weather. We were visiting the Palace of Versailles and it was my birthday. The layers of clothing we had been wearing were not necessary, my sunglasses became my accessory of choice and our delight at being outside, in Paris (or thereabouts), on such a glorious day was immense. Having written about the day on a previous post: Birthday celebration at the Palace of Versailles, I won’t write much about the day itself except to say that reading about our day at Versailles makes my heart smile and trawling through my photos again brings back very happy memories.
Is there a day (or event) in your travels that really makes your heart smile?
Enjoy the photos and for those of you in the southern hemisphere, Happy Spring!
Two Black Dogs 
In 2 weeks, LM & I will be on the plane to Paris… I shall make a note to think of you at Versailles! 🙂
I am so jealous and so happy for you at the same time 🙂
I think that the musical fountain show will still be on, they have a morning and afternoon session and I think the fountains only run for one hour but it is a wonderful thing to see.
These are gorgeous pictures! I visited Versailles in the fall so I didn’t get to see many flowers. And you must be enjoying spring – it’s about to be fall here and I like spring much better… 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I love seeing the changing colours of fall but the beautiful blooms and baby animals often born in spring make it my favourite season. I am definitely enjoying the longer, warmer days even though our winters are very mild in comparison to other locations.
Ooooh, beautiful photographs. It looks like it was a beautiful day for you, both inside and outdoors!
Thank you, it was a spectacular day 🙂
Awesome place and shots!
Thank you and yes, it is an awesome place 🙂
These photos are beautifully composed with great perspective. Lovely, all. 🙂
Why thank you! I took hundreds of photos that day trying to capture the beauty and sheer extravagance from numerous perspectives, it was such a magical day.
What beautiful photographs! I really love the one of the doorway or window opening onto a garden with the hanging lamp. so well framed. 🙂
Thanks George! I couldn’t stop snapping photos at Versailles, although I did make sure to take the time and look around. That particular photo was taken at the Grand Trianon (I think) and it was really peaceful because all the tourists and visitors were gathering around the canal for lunch 🙂