Above is a photo of what looks like a very busy morning showing many contrails over Belgium during our Easterly departure from London Gatwick. Below are some random photos of contrails taken somewhere enroute.
Thunderstorms can reach much higher than the maximum cruising altitude of an aircraft. They come with dangerous up and down drafts and turbulence and must be avoided at all times.
On the 27th July 2006 we witnessed an incredible sunset during our departure from Amsterdam back to the UK. It really caught us by surprise once we climbed above a cloud layer and it looked like the sky was on fire.