About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

La Bell' Italia - Click on pics to enlarge




The Italians have the most interesting doors and windows. This was one of the most beautiful windows I saw. Even in October and November, flowers were blooming.
















This famous ruin was at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily.











As I wandered around the valley, I couldn't help but see the beauty of the area. Although the ruins were spectacular, the scenery was even more so.













While we visited a tiny little village in Tuscany, I went off on my own to explore. I saw a gate that was ajar, so poked my nose in. This is what was in someone's backyard!














This is a typical scene of a fruit and vegetable store in Italy.






I know for a fact that no one else got this shot. I arrived back at the cars before anyone else and was gazing around when I looked behind me. I climbed up on the cement ledge of the parking lot fence and took this shot of a house in Sovana, a tiny village in the Umbria area.









I captured this shot at the Villa Rufolo - just trying to be "artsy."










This is at a villa in Ravelo, a small village high in the hills above Positano along the Amalfi Coast.












This is the town of Riomaggiore along the Cinque Terre region in north-west Italy. There are 5 towns that comprise the Cinque Terre and they are all built on the side of the cliffs. This is a shot of the town as we approached by boat.







This is the town of Portovenere across the water from Lerici where we stayed. The view from the top of the hill just outside the church was brilliant.








We arrived in Sicily and drove to this ancient hilltop village, Erice, and I took this shot looking back down the mountain toward the sea.




























18 comments:

Jo said...

Leslie, these photographs are exquisite. I'm tempted to do a watercolour painting of a couple of them.

I love the wrought-iron balcony. I have always wanted to live in a place like that.

Cheers,
Josie

Leslie: said...

You will see lots of scenes like these in a few months. You'll feel like I did - not want to come home! :D

Anonymous said...

My how beautiful some of those photos were! I loved that town in a V-shape! Amazing beauty!

Thank you for sharing with us.

Ellie

Leslie: said...

Thx Ellie. I just loved the entire country of Italy and can hardly wait to return.

Belizegial said...

This is truly breathtaking scenery here. Thanks for sharing your Italy photos with us.

My favorite one is of the town of Riomaggiore. From my view, the houses look like playing cards spread out and waiting to be reshuffled. Then set out again, but in a different formation :)

Lovely!!

Leslie: said...

Thanks for dropping by Enid. I'm glad you like the photos and in the area of the one you especially like, the scenery is phenomenal. It was my favourite area of all of Italy and I hope to go back one day. Hope you're having a great weekend.

heiresschild said...

leslie, these pics are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. what a wonderful travel experience for you. italy is such a beautiful, romantic country.

Anonymous said...

Just catching up on my blog visits.
Those are great pictures. You sure know how to frame a picture.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Just catching up on my blog visits.
Those are great pictures. You sure know how to frame a picture.

Cheers!

Leslie: said...

Gee thanks, 'dude.' You, too, Enid. I got my first digital camera last spring and have really enjoyed learning how to use it. So much more to learn, tho'. I have been told I have an "eye" for photos and have entered a few in the Telus photo contest. My first entry actually tied for hmmm...was it 6th or 8th...can't remember exactly (no prizes). It's fun to look through the lens and try to make it artistic. Your comments encourage me to continue to improve.

Leslie: said...

Sorry Sylvia, I'm a bit out of it these days as my Dad is in hospital - suffered massive strokes - and we're waiting to see if he's going to recover. I hope you're doing well.

heiresschild said...

leslie, my prayers for you and your family. i'm so sorry to hear about your dad.

sylvia

beachgirl said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Carol

Leslie: said...

Thx Sylvia and Carol, Dad's been in the hospital now for a week and each day he's a little bit weaker. I saw him last night around dinner time, and he wouldn't eat anything. He just seemed so tired. He's actually been saying his good-byes to everyone so we're pretty upset. I'm on my way now to visit him and will let everyone know how things are going. We don't think he's going to recover, so are praying that God will let him peacefully fall asleep.

heiresschild said...

wow leslie, that's so sad. i'm so sorry. will continue to keep you and your family in prayer.

Leslie: said...

Thanks, Sylvia and Franny. yes, it is upsetting when the time comes, especially when you have to watch your father who used to be a healthy, robust athlete. The stroke was very serious and the other day he became aggressive and violent. He also fell. So now they have to keep him sedated. When I saw him today, he looked so old (he's always been young looking and even kept his dark hair). He was sound asleep, propped up in a chair with is feet up and I couldn't wake him. I am praying he just slips quietly away. We're all prepared (or so we say) but it's going to be hard. Thanks so much again, both of you, for your kind thoughts.

Anonymous said...

testing

droma said...

That ANON was me.
I did not know that one can post as ANON, even though I am identified by my blog name.

I will use your blog to explain to tangolady (Sandy) what the
"sobriety test" etc. are all about.
Ellen