It’s mid-January and overcast here in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday a friend told me she was suffering from the January doldrums; that blue feeling when the holidays are over,  New Year’s resolutions are broken and you’re faced with the long haul until summer. I’ve always enjoyed January; especially with later winters giving rise to surprise snowfalls, but in order to lift our spirits a little, I’m looking up, literally, this week.

Looking up at Seattle’s Space Needle – even on an overcast day it’s pretty spectacular.

One of my favourite things to look up at – a beautiful moonlit night along the Oregon coast.

I’m not sure who was more startled; me or this little squirrel at Snug Harbor Botanical Garden on Staten Island.

On the subject of squirrels, how about taking a photo from a squirrel’s point of view? Autumn leaves at High Rock Park in New York.

The Scots found an almost perfect spot to build Edinburgh Castle. When you see it towering impossibly far up on Castle Rock, its defensive advantage becomes all too apparent.

When I was in Edinburgh I spent an awful lot of time looking up, because the Old Town streets are crammed with the most delightful rooftops I have ever seen, with turrets, chimneys and spires all jostling for attention.

It always surprises me to see people rushing around, especially in big cities, with their eyes firmly fixed on the ground. There’s an awful lot of stuff happening above your head, if you take the time to look. So now over to you for your interpretation of Up. If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

• Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Up
• Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
• Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
• Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

Things are looking up already!

xxx

Ailsa