Japiot Park

Light cloud cover today but dry.  We decide to have a stroll in Japiot Park in Verdun before the supermarket shopping. 

The twin towers of the cathedral overlook the city.

The pergola alongside and opposite the tourist information centres.

Wisteria already blooming...when it has grown it will look pretty along with all the other plants on the pergola.

Since our last visit, they have added a rose walk to mark the centenary of the Battle of Verdun in the First World War...

It will be interesting to see her rose when it has grown more and is in bloom.

The bandstand and, behind it, the children's play area.

Strange growth on the tree trunk.  Above it the rooks have built their nests.

The ancient gateway into the city.

He ducked his head as I clicked!

Many lovely specimen trees on show.

The modern design of the park furniture looks good and is comfortable!

Lampposts line a path and are of a similar design.

Afterwards, a light lunch in an independent café in the supermarket complex and then…the shopping.  On the way back home we take the “scenic” route although all routes in this area are scenic, and detour to Consenvoye by the river Meuse for a short break.

It all made the “shopping experience” more pleasurable!

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!

November sunshine.

As is to be expected at this time of year, early morning, Sunday 8th November 2015, was foggy but soon gave way to a mini-Indian Summer and the beautiful, warm sunshine was unexpected but very welcome.  The outside temperature was 17 degrees but it felt much warmer. I wore a coat ‘just in case’ on my walk to the boulangerie this morning. This afternoon I didn’t need a coat at all…nor a scarf or gloves, both of which have recently had to come out of the wardrobe to ward off the damp chill. The sky wasn’t completely clear but the light clouds were thin and wispy.

Early afternoon we set off for Verdun through the countryside on the north-west side of the city.  There is still a lot of autumn colour around and we were surprised at how quickly the fields between the forests are already greening with next year’s crops. We arrived in the city and after a short hunt found a parking spot where we could just walk across the road into Parc Japiot.  Just a few people about initially but soon after 2.00. p.m. - after the two-hour "midi" - families and groups of friends started arriving to stroll through the park and excited young children raced to the children’s play area, which is well equipped.  The park is a delight and we too enjoyed our stroll.

The pond.

Winter berries for the birds.

A tree still has plenty of golden leaves but has shed many on the ground - below.

Bandstand - or perhaps just a shelter.

View of part of the city on the other side of the River Meuse.

We thought these were great and haven't seen them elsewhere...

Single-seat benches - well you don't always want to site beside a stranger!

  

Children at play...

Another view across the river.

A path runs between the park and the river.

To the left, the old gateway into the city.

Ducks!

Towards the childrens' play area.

A small bed of blue cornflowers - a Remembrance flower.

 

Men sweep away a carpet of crunchy leaves to uncover the petanque area.

On the way back, north of the city, we took the snaking road which climbs up and over the Hautes de Meuse.  Many trees have shed their leaves but some are still very colourful and I managed a few quick shots through the car window.

It was good to be able to take advantage of the beautiful day. Hope there are more days like this before winter arrives!