Quick outing.

It was bright and sunny but, as we got ready to go out, the sun disappeared behind grey clouds. We realised rain wouldn’t be far behind so decided on a quick outing, heading up through the pretty countryside around Reville-aux-bois, up through forested hills and down to Sivry-sur-Meuse in the valley. We parked by the river, sat on a bench and just had time to throw a little bread into the water - although no sign of fish or fowl - take a couple of photos and the first, fat raindrops started to fall.

We took a different route home via the heights of Haraumont, where the valleys each side were filled with misty rain…

Raindrops on the windscreen on the way to Haraumont.

…then on to Ecuery-en-Verdunois where we were in the right place at the right time to do our good deed for the day by picking up a man walking  in the now steady rain and were able to give him a lift to his destination, 4.7km away at Damvillers - coincidentally the little town where we live.

Indoors, a reprise of my last post on my blog - rain sliding down the window panes and, soon after, a log fire burning brightly.

Autumn afternoon.

A few puffs of white cloud, bright blue sky and  warm sunshine - a perfect Autumn day in late September - Tuesday the 29th.

We drive to Reville-aux-Bois and climb the roads which twist and turn through the surrounding forests.  The view at the top, on the Meuse Heights, is wonderful.

Then down to Sivry-en-Meuse where we find a pretty spot by the water.

Out come the picnic chairs and our books which we read between drinking in the pretty surroundings.

My heel is less painful this afternoon and walking easier so I walk, without a stick, a short way to investigate a flurry of ducks.  Of course by the time I arrive most have disappeared but I get a photo of one…

  …the reeds…

...some cows in a meadow...

…and some of the flowers, bark and berries…

…and a distant shot of Ron, reading his book.

An hour or so later, the clouds join to partly hide the sun and the blustery east wind starts to become a nuisance so we leave, passing Sivry church en route.

We take a slight detour to Vilosnes where the Canal de l'Est and the river Meuse merge for a while.

Then up to Haraumont where I take distance shots of the communication towers (as promised in a previous blog post)…

…and again through forests and farmland to Ecurey-en-Verdunois and back home to Damvillers.

We were only out for two hours but it was a welcome change.

Haraumont.

Friday 19th June.  At the highest point of Haraumont very tall masts seem to scratch the sky.  They house communication dishes - and where would we all be without those nowadays! - but, even under grey clouds, which haze the distance, the surrounding countryside is breathtaking.

Panorama from left to right…

Forests...

...and farmland...

...too close to photo the full height of the red and white structures...

...but maybe on some future clear day, we'll return to get a distance view of these giants!

Doulcon...and back

24th April 2015 - a bright, warm afternoon.  We are able to take advantage of what may be the last sunny day this week, as rain is forecast from very early tomorrow morning until mid-afternoon on Monday, and head for the riverside at Doulcon.  We find a bench with the Ballastières behind us and the small riverside properties at Dun-sur-Meuse opposite the River Meuse.

 sojourn

in warm Spring sunshine -
a bench by the River Meuse;
at my feet grass,
scattered with buttercups,
daisies, dandelions, mustard flowers;
above, birdsong fills the air
while, nearer to the ground,
bumble-bees hum busily;
one disappears near my feet into a small,
deep hole - a nest or resting place perhaps;
ducks glide lazily on the water
as a man on the opposite bank
switches off his motor-mower
satisfied that his and his neighbours’
verges are tidy once more.

their bungalows are appealing
I say “I’d like to live there.”
“Not in winter you wouldn’t.”
came the reply.

I dream on…

The church clock chimes 4 and we head for home, stopping at Haraumont to take photos of the fontaine trough and the nearby lavoir. 

These cows must be shy - they ducked their heads as I clicked!

The church is up the hill...

...and, opposite the lavoir, white "candles" glow on a chestnut tree...

We head across farmland towards the sun-dappled forest...

...to...

The wash-house there is under the Mairie...

 
...adjacent to the war memorial...

...and opposite a glorious pink-blossomed cherry tree...

It was a lovely way to spend three hours and we return home happy, relaxed and enjoy a glass of chilled rosé.