These images were taken whilst paragliding in Annecy, France, in August 2004.

Here is a brief description of each photo.

Boot Up -  When the morning sun gets to work on the Eastern Face of the Roc des Bœufs, this side of the razor shaped ridge becomes flyable along its whole length., and one can ride on an almost continuous up draught generated by the sun hitting this near vertical rock face, which itself, provides the perfect catalyst for the upward movement of this warmer air. This shot features the classic `paraglider`s boot ` signature.

Mont Blanc – When you climb away from the launch site and surpass the height of the ridge above, the Alps begin to unfold before your eyes, and here the distant snow covered heights of Mont Blanc, some 30 miles away focus your attention.

Vertical -  I was in heaven, my altimeter was reading about 4000 feet, the sun was warming me nicely and providing a pleasant contrast to the crisp mountain air flowing around me. Looking vertically down, I could make out the static patterns made by the boats on the lake below as I made the 10 minute crossing to pick up the thermals coming off the famous Roc Des Bœufs on the other side.

Rock Cloud -  We are well in to the afternoon, and the sun has been working hard all day warming the terrain and sending up the thermals which announce their arrival at the dew point with fair weather cumulus. On seeing this particular cloud, I decided it was time to land as it seemed to herald the arrival of unstable thundery conditions and I wasn`t about to offer myself as fodder to a storm hoovering  up air from lower levels, to be then catapulted in to the stratosphere to join, and eventually become one of the circulating ice particles.

Les Dents -  Les Dents de Lanfon  are aptly named as they do resemble teeth sprouting from the ridge line. It is also here that an easy ride to higher altitudes can be found from this source of  abundant thermals. This extra altitude is important when crossing the lake as you are almost certain to lose height in doing so. Les Dents are also conveniently situated near the narrowest part of the lake, and once across,  the Roc Des Bœufs becomes the new playground. This cross country flight forms part of the `Petit Tour du Lac`.

Vistair  -  One of my favourites – this image conveys a depth of field and perspective, privy to those featured and privileged enough to experience a unique view of the world. This shot was taken late in the day as the sun began to cast longer shadows, but picking out highlights through the darkening skies and providing rich hues of scattered beauty.