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…

Pouilly-sur-Meuse

Sunday 28th June 2015.  A very warm, dry and sunny day.  After lunch, we decided to investigate a small area to the east and north-east of Stenay…an area new to us.

We approached via Laneuville, then between the Forêt de Dieulet and the Forêt de Jaunay on the D30, turning right at the border of the Meuse area of Lorraine.

Just below the village of Pouilly-sur-Meuse, the River Meuse and the Canal de l’Est run closely in parallel, then converge.

Canal views from each side of the bridge...

Three horses came to the river for a drink.  There was an obvious pecking order but once the first one had his fill, the other two went together, while the lead horse made his way for a nibble of leaves from a nearby bush.

Three people in a small boat head for the shallow weir and we head out on the return journey.

We returned to Laneuville - via Luzy-St-Martin and Cesse with the  Meuse on our left but sadly not visible - and back to the Meuse at Port de Plaisance at Stenay for a short walk by the river and afterwards a welcome, cold beer at the Café du Port before returning home.

Ah, a shady spot on a hot day...

...startling graffiti...

...sunlit ripples...

...and now for a cold beer which we enjoyed sitting at umbrella tables by the water - didn't take a photo as my mind was on the refreshment!

Late yesterday evening - at 11.45.p.m. - the sky was still light in the west…

Photos taken from a first-floor window at the end of a lovely day.

At last there are snowdrops!

Today the sun is shining from a mostly-blue sky. It is not hot but definitely warmer than of late and, at last, there are snowdrops!

By the sign for the village of Jametz, at the base of a crucifix statue,

two stone troughs are full of them…

On the opposite side of the road are the remains of an old castle, now just a grassy mound, and the recently-refurbished old wash-house…

On returning home, we see the signs of spring flowers in our narrow strip of garden between the house and pavement…

 Spring is arriving and our spirits lift.