Colourful gathering.

15ème Chapitre de la Confrérie Jules Bastien-Lepage 

The members of the above society met in the Salles des Fetes, Damvillers and started their special day, as usual, at 10.30. with a parade to the Rodin statue to pay homage to the town’s famous painter…Jules Bastien-Lepage.  Afterwards they will return to the Salle for their celebration meal, wine, speeches and dancing.

Virton

In the past, we have driven through Virton by accident, partly losing our way en route elsewhere.  Today we decided to deliberately go there.

The countryside looked beautiful in the sunshine and in less than half-an-hour we had crossed the border into Belgium and soon after to the town of Virton itself.  We followed the centre ville signs into the high, old part of the ancient town and easily found a parking space just after midday which was free of charge at the weekends. "Perfick", as Del-boy would say.

The church of St Laurent dominated the square and many lanes twisted and turned down, some of them cobbled, and the area full of interesting architecture, the whole being the hub of cafés and restaurants…but we didn’t want a big meal just a little something to keep us going.

It was lovely to wander in sunshine through interesting, narrow streets until this attractive boulangerie/patisserie/café caught our eye where Justine gave us not only a a warm welcome but served us with delicious coffee and a pastry each - low calorie of course she assured us! 

A pain-aux-chocolate and pistache...himself had already attacked his cream-filled baba, but he did give me the house chocolate button from its topping!

The decorations included boxed games, books and artwork.

As we returned to the main square, the church clock delicately played a pretty tune then the big bell tolled the hour.

We'll return one day to have a look at the interior!

Soon after, we took the Montmédy road away from the town...

Pretty house for a police station on the edge of Virton!

At the French border.

...and went to our favourite pavement café in Montmédy Citadelle and relaxed with a cool, crisp glass of rosé wine in the warm sun, glad we had left our coats and scarves in the car.

The house opposite has received some attention with a new roof and we hope the repair of the front walls will soon follow.

Inside the Citadelle is such a peaceful place and we simply soaked up the ambience - as well as the sunshine and wine!

A quick visit to Aldi on the way and we returned home happy and refreshed and agreed it had been a lovely outing and four hours well spent.

March into Spring.

After several days of rain pouring from grey skies, the sunshine today was doubly welcome.  On our way to Plan d’eau at Marville, it was noticeable how the rains had left their marks with water-logged fields showing from puddle-sized to lake-sized bodies of water especially where streams and small rivers had risen over their banks.

Apart from sunshine, the greening trees showed we are on the cusp of Spring, that glorious and hopeful season of returning warmth and renewal.  On our arrival, a chorus of birdsong greeted us.  Today I remembered to take stale bread so of course there were no ducks on the water, two coots weren’t interested but black trout happily nibbled the bread sending concentric circles on the smooth surface of the lake. Later, from a distance, I could see two crows enjoying the pieces left scattered on the bank.

The water was very high which left no space under the pontoon bridge between the small and large areas of the lake.

In the sunshine, the trunks of birch shone silver amid the dark green of ivy and the lighter greens of new growth on the mix of trees. 

There was some activity along the paths - two couples, like us strolling, one lady on horseback...

 

... and another walking her small, white dog.  The black dog who lives at the equestrian centre just spread himself out on the grass and disinterestedly watched those busier than he felt inclined to be.

But there was no doubt we were all enjoying the sunshine and its warmth. I felt my soul stir a little as it started to free itself from the wrath of winter and the grip of grief.

White storks are returning - spotted at Vitaraville.

On our return home, Spring seemed to have suddenly sprung with signs of the season’s flowers growing in our small strip of earth between the house and pavement.

As I said…Spring is the season of hope.

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.

Comforting.

Sleet falling outside - roaring log fire inside.