Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140 3.5-5.6G ED

Actually it is the pier to the Havre Des Pas (Swimming Pool -Lido). We have only been in Jersey for an hour or so and so am exploring. It has just stopped raining after a heavy downpour but things were going to get better. There were actually some people in the pool but not for us I am afraid. Have a good weekend.

“Excuse me waiter – do you know there is cacti growing out of my coffee” Enjoy full screen.

As one sits on this bench in the Howard Davis Park in St Helier, Jersey, we can concentrate of at least three angles of fine garden views. Unfortunately, sitting here just misses the view into the big band/concert stand around the corner on the right but you would certainly enjoy the sounds. HBM, enjoy the week.

We can expect anything here on the banks of the Danube in this great city of Budapest and so a flypast under the moon is quite in order, even if it is only by three pigeons! -OK, I know a fourth one is in view too…but…..that is not under the moon :) A busy place and photo for sure but not compared to our Asian counterparts. Have a good weekend.

A short drive (or longer walk, as we did) from Gorey and its castle is the small village of St Catherin's with its breakwater. Ranked as one of the Island's greatest architectural and engineering achievements. The northern (St Catherine's) breakwater is ½ mile (0.8km) long and founded on a tipped rubble mound consisting of two coursed masonry retaining walls with rock filling. There used to be an attractive lighthouse at the end but that had be relocated near the museum in the Islands capital of St Helier. There is in fact a modern lighthouse structure at the end now, known as the Verclut Breakwater Lighthouse but if you did not know, it would not be recognisable as a lighthouse. Established: 1950. Best full screen

A walk along the long St Catherine’s breakwater gives a glimpse of the local’s pastime. I heard that the fishing was good here. The PiP shows the whole breakwater. Have a great day.

Also known as Starflowers. We saw these whilst exploring the Botanic Gardens at Samarès Manor on Jersey. It is an annual herb and native to the Mediterranean region. Some parts of it are edible and its seeds contain oil. Enjoy full screen

Seen on Archirondel Beach, this Martello tower serves as a landmark to guide boats safety to the area. Sometimes known as 'The Red Tower', it is now a popular heritage Let. These towers were small defensive forts, mostly coastal, that were built across the British Empire during the 19th century from the time of the French Napoleonic wars. Most stand around 40ft (12m) high. Their round structure and thick walls making them resistant to Cannon fire Enjoy full screen.

A look here from the walls of the harbour of St Helier towards this castle. Although not as imposing as the medieval castle of Mont Orguel on the east coast it is striking nevertheless. It is reached by a tidal causeway over soft sands. Ideally a stroll and explore from within the castle walls would have been nice, but time did not allow. Sitting on an islet around 0.8km from the capital harbour of St Helier it has been here around 400 years. It is built across 24 acres of land which once seated an Abbey. It was Raleigh who named the castle Fort Isabella Bellissima or Elizabeth castle. The castle has many claims to fame having had residents such as Sir Walter Raleigh, King Charles II and German occupying forces. It has more than 30 historic buildings in its grounds. See PiP for Mont Orguel Enjoy full screen.

A bench placed for great views towards the lighthouse but the views to the side as we see here are still good with these rocks. PiP HBM, enjoy the day.

Enjoy this statue of King Matthias’s hunting party mounted on this wonderful fountain of Buda Castle in Budapest. ‘The fountain, a neo-Baroque masterpiece by Alajos Strobl, portrays a scene from a royal hunt with King Matthias at its centre. He is surrounded by his hunting party, including hounds and a fallen stag. ‘ Enjoy the day.

The lighthouse from sea/ground level is an impressive sight even from this distance. The rocks I am stood on are twice a day covered by the sea. (Taken some days after the shot in the PiP) Enjoy full screen.

As we walked along the lanes from Gorey to St Catherine's in Jersey I spotted this Poppy up against a fence. An artistic edit gives it a different look. Have a good weekend.

Sand or sea it matters not to this amphibious vehicle. It actually takes people back and forth to the Elizabeth Castle here at St Helier in Jersey. PiP. It is about a 1km journey. As the tide covers this route twice a day, the craft can act as a boat too and so still transports people but I suspect not in heavy weather. Enjoy full size.

Walking back along St Helier’s promenade from the yacht harbour we spot quite an amazing fountain in the 'Le Jardins de la Mer'. It is of two swimmers and two dolphins, (see Pip for 2nd dolphin) by Philip Henry Christopher Jackson, Scottish sculptor 1997. Enjoy full screen

As we sail east towards Bratislava and Budapest from Vienna, the sun rises over the misty waters of the Danube. I have no idea of the name of this railway bridge but you may see a second bridge in the distance too just right of the rising sun. Enjoy full screen

A visit to the ‘La Mare Wine estate’ on Jersey gave me a glimpse of this garden. No shortage of beverage for the long balmy summer nights here as seen by the barrels and bottles. The PiP shows part of the tour . www.lamarewineestate.com/products Have a great day.

Our last day of the Danube holiday was to be spent almost entirely up at the Buda castle. Only a short walk from there was this most picturesque part of Buda: the Fishermans Bastion. Here we have a reflection from one of its many tower scenes and also the top touring wall walk. As can be noticed. A very popular place indeed. See PiP (Adjacent photo) for a another view of the Bastion. Best full screen. Enjoy full screen.