Comforting.

Sleet falling outside - roaring log fire inside.

Another mystery tour.

Early sunshine soon disappeared to leave a dull, grey day. But at least it was dry although a blustery chill wind forecast possible rain later.  After an early lunch we decided to take a drive using less familiar roads, passing through a huge area of beautiful countryside that makes up just a part of the Meuse and Meurthe-Moselle regions of Lorraine.  High, forested hills which sweep down into pretty valleys, through quiet hamlets, villages, small towns, to high, open hills topped with wind turbines and, eventually, to Longwy Haute and the place d’armes which we hadn’t seen before.

Some impressive architecture around this large square...

In the centre of the square a siege well designed by the prolific military engineer, Vauban 

We seem to stumble across Vauban's work, particularly fortifications almost wherever we go - including Malta!

Colourful tubs around the well - now a Tourist Office.

We turned homeward again at times using unfamiliar roads which took us to the familiar pretty spot with the old lavoirs by the river at...

…then on to Mangiennes, Merle and through the Damvillers Forest and home for a cup of tea and a slice of pain d’epices - spice cake topped with sugar crystals. 

Three times I missed the opportunity of photographing a buzzard - they sit on and blend with roadside posts but I know that, had we stopped, by the time I got out of the car and got the camera ready, the bird would not have hung around for a photo-shoot! They don’t appear to mind being so close to passing traffic but someone being up close and personal would no doubt present a different view!!  One day…

A breath of warm air…

Another beautiful day and we took stale bread to the lake at Les Ballastières, Damvillers.

We had a spell of high winds a couple of weeks ago and they had left some damage around the lake.  The ground was scattered with twigs and branches, large and small, some having been snapped at the base of the trunk.

 

and in the tangle...

...teazels!

There was that magical mix of blue sky, warm sun and water…

Plenty of bird life but none as majestic as the swan.

sometimes

sometimes…
I wish to wake
to find it was all a bad dream

then the nightmare of reality
dawns…

my heart is heavy
but beats relentlessly
and life, my life
goes on…

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day and the recent grey, damp weather has cleared.  Today the sun shines from a blue sky and it feels warmer although the outside temperature is only 2 degrees.  We decided to go out for lunch to mark the occasion and the temperature rose as we headed up and over the ridge of the Meuse Heights and down the other side into the village of Consenvoye to the bar/restaurant that is rapidly becoming a favourite although occasional stop.  We were not disappointed and after our meal enjoyed a drive through the countryside, making a stop at Remoiville by the river Meuse.

on the bend where the Meuse meanders
mistletoe and catkins are on show
sun shines from a blue sky
onto water as it flows below
the promise of springtime
gives hope that winter will be over soon
that promise echoed by birdsong
singing out of banished winter gloom

Between the showers.

After a few grey, wet days sunshine from a bright, blue sky was welcome this morning.  After brunch, we headed south of Verdun to Dieue-sur-Meuse…

Parking for cars, camper vans and boats by the Canal.

Not just in Verdun than!  A small road by the river.

The bridge across the River Meuse - scene of the battles mentioned above when the residents of Dieue and Ancemont regularly taunted one another!

On our return home, more and more deep, dark clouds were building and rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow and wintry weather is due to return by the end of the week.  At this time of the year, we have to grab our chances when we can!