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…