Hallowe’en surprise

A bright, sunny day with barely-moving fluffy clouds.

After lunch, we set off to Verdun - planning a stop in the centre then to the widespread shopping areas on the southern outskirts of the city.

We got as far as the car then found a flat rear tyre.  With a small battery-operated pump, my husband inflated it and we set off directly to the south of Verdun...

The ring road by the river Meuse...

...past Parc Japiot...

...and to the shopping area...

...past a water feature on a roundabout...

...as ever the countryside not far away.

...but NorAuto was not where we expected to spend an hour-and-a-half of the afternoon!

Ah well, at least they were able to repair the tyre - and they did give us a cup of coffee.

We then went to the nearby Cora hypermarket hoping to pick up the large tubs of Greek yoghurt - the only place here we’ve found them although small pots are available - but they seem to have stopped stocking them - but - we did find butter which has disappeared from the shelves of our usual supermarket and also our local shop. We bought a few things and stopped for a welcome cup of tea and a pastry. There were a few groups of children in the store dressed up for Hallowe’en.

We decided to call it a day and will return to go to the other shops we need.  On the way home, yet another beautiful sunset - this time between Thierville and Charny-sur-Meuse.

It was not unexpected or a surprise this evening when the doorbell went a few times with children trick or treating for Hallowe'en. We were ready with a bag of assorted sweets and chocolate.

On the Woevre Plain

Overnight and early-morning rain and wind gradually blew themselves out to a calmer, still chilly but sunny Sunday afternoon.

We drove up and over the “hills of home”, through Romagne-sur-Cotes to Mangiennes and then onto the Spincourt road - taking whichever roads my other half fancied - ‘a magical mystery tour’ of the more-open Woevre Plain - where the fields are flatter and larger with the gold or brown of turned earth, of new-growth greens and many herds of cows but where the millions of trees are never far away stretching from one forest after another, in all directions.

On the way back to Billy-sous-Mangiennes we stopped by an old chapel…

1746

I had to take the internal shots through a party-open door which stuck and wouldn't go any further!

…through Billy and Pillon…

...and back to Mangiennes then the Merles-sur-Loison road, through the Damvillois forest where, on a long straight stretch of road the lowering sun was shining directly into our eyes and, once out and onto the main road, the sun was shining over Damvillers.

Damvillers on our left as we near Merles-sur-Loison.

Possibly an old look-out or water tower in the forest - I think "look out!" might be a warning shouted as it tumbles down!

At the end of the forest on the Damvillers to Dombras road.

Vitamins

Sunshine between the clouds this afternoon, after over-night and early-morning rain, which tempted us out.

A short drive to a favourite spot - the pond at Azannes et Soumazannes - and we sat at a picnic table for half-an-hour basking in the warm sun which shone directly onto us as we soaked up a little vitamin D....just a little as only our hands and faces were exposed - we had shrugged into warm jackets - but on the premise that every little helps. Our arthritic bones need all the help they can get!

A cluster of birds on the far rooftop were also soaking up the sun!

Like little balls of snow!

It was a short but pleasant break marred only by the whining, barking, howling of an unseen dog until a bank of black clouds headed to cover the sun, the breeze turned into a chilly wind and the combination of all three forced the decision to return home.  We closed our books and headed back to the car.

Before leaving, I checked a map on the tourism notice board and was reminded that I had previously  discovered the name of another hill which overlooks Damvillers and then had forgotten it!  Between Horogne and Romagne is Merlimont, where, it is rumoured (well, marked on the map) that there is an old Roman site although friends who walks these hills frequently know nothing about it and that is now on their to-do list.  It is too far and high for us to attempt now so we look forward to hearing their eventual report.

Now for some Vitamin C - that is in wine, isn't it?

Whatever, this afternoon has been a little tonic.   Cheers!

we are not strangers

we are not strangers
he frequently pops in
must know by now he is not welcome
but I feed him, creating barriers between us
and, sated, he departs…
until the next time he gnaws on my bones -
some call him Arthur
I simply name him Pain.

Autumn daze

19C, cloudy but with sunny spells in the afternoon.

A few days ago, rain from dull, grey clouds whipped by a cold wind washed away the Indian Summer we enjoyed last week.  Although the clouds are still lingering with just a little bit of sunshine breaking through at times, we hope we've seen the last of the many showers, some heavy, some light, when they departed early this morning and the temperature rose, to our relief - the sudden drop by 10C or more from last week’s was a bit of a shock!  Now everything seems more normal for the time of the year.

This afternoon, we sent to what is rapidly becoming my other-half’s second home - the DIY store at Stenay.  Afterwards we stopped off at Port Pleasance for a while and watched some anglers but my eye was taken by their small dog on the opposite bank as he stared and stared into the water and edge on the far side of a small boat. having spotted something only he could see.

All the scenery here is beautiful but we took “the scenic route” on the way back, through numerous forests, each opening onto views of more forests on the many hills and through some of the small villages tucked under those hills.

Two jackdaws (I think) welcomed us back as we parked outside our garage.

A simple outing but we are again dazzled by the beauty of this area lit up by the autumn colours.