The Year from the Rear View Mirror - Goodbye 2006! (pic heavy)

[Eurobabe]

Hello 2007!!

I was too busy selling houses until May 2006 to take any photos OTHER than my homes in inventory, the market had started to slide, and I left my employer just in time. The real fun began when I arrived in Europe, June 2006. My retrospective covers the second half of 2006, because you all don't want to see a bunch of pictures of new construction!

After nursing a couple days of jet lag, we decide to take an ausflug (short trip) in our backyard to see some of the sights. This was taken on the Kochel See, a tiny lake about 20 minutes from our new home. The new leaves were tiny and very bright green, I found them mesmerizing.


Shortly after arriving, my youngest daughter came to spend most of July 2006 with us. Here she is on top of the world with my husband in the far southern German Alps. We traveled extensively to Prague, Vienna and around Germany. Had a blast. Her visit was too short. She comes again in May after her first year of grad school has ended. We'll be heading to Spain then, and I will finally be able to visit the Alhambra and Cordoba, which I studied in graduate school. A lifelong dream to see these places...


One of my favorite Prague pictures, The Charles Bridge, looks great in BW or color. July 2006


In August I spent more time with the camera, this is from the end of my street, a huge nature preserve. August 2006


September found me preparing to fly home again for 3 weeks, but not before we made a quick trip over to the Rhineland area to visit our favorite Aunt. August 2006, near Falkenstein, Germany


In late September after my jet lag subsided (see a recurring theme here? Jet Lag? It does me in), I drove to Vermont and New Hampshire to see my stepfather and enjoy the Fall colors. But Fall decided it was going to hold out on me. On my one day's excursion I literally ran into this Iraq War Commemoration/Protest put together by the good citizens of Rochester Vermont (I think that was the place?!) It was very moving, and also made me very angry at the Squatter in Charge.


The end of my trip to VT was cold and rainy, but the trees began to explode with color. Of course, the day I was driving back home! Better luck next year, I heard them say. September 2006, Fairhaven, Vermont.


October 2006, we went on vacation for a week in Gozo, the very day after the International newsmedia found out that the priest that molested Mark Foley was alive and well in the next town over from where we stayed on this sleepy little island. Here is one of Malta's many stray cats.


October 2006, one of my best shots of the year. Gozitan Windmill.


November we were traveling on business again, this time to Cannes. I know, life really sucks for the 48 family, but somebody's gotta do it. Cannes was gorgeous, but very expensive, thank the stars for expense accounts! A hamburger here was 20USD. I saw this homeless man on the beach, and at night he would sleep in a gazebo at the other end of the strip.


Over Thanksgiving, we visited my husband's lovely home city, Hamburg. It is very different than the southern part of Germany. Lots of ties with the sea, because of the Elbe River, its architecture looks like what you would see in the Dutch countries or Denmark. A man was serenading whoever would listen along the wharf. I took quite a few photos of him, and plan to do a tryptych in black and white.


Christmas in Munich, December 2006: A lovely day with Miss Honeychurch, we had a great time eating junk food and wandering around the city with our cameras.


The last picture is kind of sad for me. I took it on Christmas Day. There has been very little snow here at all this year, the ski areas are struggling, and if the papers are correct Global Warming has come to Europe. I can't imagine this area of the world without the white stuff on thr ground in the winter. Let's hope it is just an anomaly. Last year they got dumped on, early and frequently.

[jhain]

1. BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!

two continents, so many subjects... I am very glad you have a camera, Woman!

[Eurobabe]

6. Thanks everyone!

This past year, actually since my dear husband bought me the 20D in 2004 for Xmas, I've rediscovered my love of photography. Being in this group is making me a better student, I learn from each and every one of you.

Here's to a fantastic 2007 and lots of photo ops for all...

Group :hug: -48

[Maestro]

2. Your Prague picture is great!

And well, uh, if I were about 20 years younger and single I think I may be calling your daughter. She is gorgeous! I've been to Spain. It is a great place with warm inviting people. You are going to love Andalucía!

[Eurobabe]

7. That's cute

Yeah she's a beauty, actually I have two very smart beauties and I am extremely blessed. :D

[LeftCoast]

3. Your pix make me miss Germany and the rest of Europe so much!

I haven't been there since 2001 and before that was when I was an exchange student in 1990! I can't wait another ten years to get back.

I wish things weren't so topsy turvy here or I'd start planning my trip right now. Better wait till things settle down a bit though.

Great pix! Thanks for posting them!

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I've never been to Europe ... :-(

These are really great. I'm astounded by how much your picture number 4 looks like Alaska. I'd swear it was taken south of Anchorage. I don't know which I like best - maybe the one in Vermont because I love fall colors.

[Eurobabe]

8. Well Blue, between me and Miss Honeychurch

(how bold am I speaking for her! but we talked about you when she was visiting...) You know you have a place(s) to stay when you come to Europe. You got the vacuum and the lens now, it's time for a ticket! ;)

I actually prefer Germany anytime EXCEPT mid-June through end of August, it's too touristy then, the swarming masses of shorts and white tennis shoes. (Egads, I am turning into a EuroSnob) Of course the photography is spectacular during the height of summer, but in the fall the light is different, very clear.

You're always welcome. :hi: -48

[JeffR]

5. Hamburg busker & the anti-war flags

Wow. Just wow! And yes, your Gozitan windmill is a gem.

[Eurobabe]

9. Thanks Jeff

Yes, I have this thing for windmills. Hope to get north to Holland in the spring and see the tulips and the windmills. :) Maybe

MissHoneychurch will go with me? -48

[regnaD kciN]

10. Well, once again, you've not only knocked me out with your photos...

...but made me extremely jealous that my years spent in Europe were 1964-1966, when I was too young to even have an Instamatic. I haven't been back there for...well, in a few months, it will be thirty-five years. :-(

But, seriously, your retrospective made me feel I was back again. :hi:

[Eurobabe]

11. Thanks Reg, yeah it is cool being over here at

46, kids out of the house on their own, life is good :)

The only thing that gets worse every year is jet lag, and my eyesight!!

[F.Gordon]

12. Excellent!!!!

These are are very nice. And.... you've learned to do a little fotochopping.
:applause:

Thanks for your "year in review"