A big day so we left very early. An enormous chateau dominates this Napoleonic town – a large celebration bringing crowds of devotees. It so happens that this well known soldier joined the army here at 9 years of age and stayed for 5 very informative years. Bullied because he was poor, he pulled out his ace card – brilliance at maths – enough to take over the ‘bully rights’.
Beyond the chateau and we soon witnessed more results of France’s very wet March.
There were deep gullies made from tractor tyres with water obstacles and hidden holes below the leaves and grass; but it didn’t take away from the beautiful experience of an early morning walk in a great forest.
Covering 70,000 acres of the Champagne region, this ‘Foret Orient’ which we have dipped in and out of over the last few days is a delight. Its 3 man made lakes provide havens for birds and allows people other than walkers to experience this gem. As we walked we could see swamps on both sides reflecting the thick roof of this enormous home.
A huge river reminded us of our track on a high ridge as it rushed comfortingly below. Rivers are now appearing in many villages, bringing those natural sounds and vibrancies that only a river can, bringing us a gentle pause to our sometimes hasty pace – rivers like La Voire and L’Aube did just that.
Across fields, wild flowers such as buttercups, poppies and flowers of purple, decorate the vast areas of crops. This wild flower treat seems to happen in the less dense crops, allowing more space, light and nutrients they need.
Lunch by a river, amongst the flowers on a stone wall by a church in a pretty village was indicative of the day that was perfect for walking. Now our new nest is in a Chateau surrounded by sunlit trees, a few metres from a river running under a bridge, with a huge water wheel outside, it’s time to do other things.