It was our last ride out this
morning. We set off at about 8.30 a.m.
and it was cold but sunny. The heavy dew
sparkled in the sunlight. I was concentrating hard as I pedalled up a steep
rise, focusing on the road and trying to avoid fallen chestnuts. A sudden movement to my right caught my attention
and there, looking at me in wonder (what was this puffing apparition in pink
lycra?) were three young deer standing in the meadow just a few feet away. They were so sweet, their dark eyes and black
little noses. I stopped and we just
looked at each other before they eventually bounded away into the trees.
We cycled past the lake, the water
levels still very low. There were some baby
coypus playing along the grassy banks and a heron took flight as we went by. It was all very bucolic.
We climbed Les Chenes for the
last time this year and suddenly the peace and quiet was interrupted by a
procession of four- wheel drive vehicles careering along the lanes. All the occupants were wearing orange Day-Glo
caps and jackets. Autumn is a beautiful
season in France – gorgeous countryside in a blaze of autumnal colours but it
also heralds the start of the hunting season.
I hope my pretty trio stayed safe today.
 |
| spiky chestnuts scattered on the road, not good for cycle tyres |
Just as the hunting season starts, I've started to see Deer all over the place. I worry for them. No chance! Still, they'll be plenty around again next year.
ReplyDeleteI've just been talking mushrooms with a neighbour. She says that if it rains reasonably hard on Sunday, we might well have some Cepes. Maybe you should delay your departure.
DeleteOh, that's not fair!
DeleteI'm glad the deer Camouflage in with the Autumn chestnut colours and, I hope you and Paul wear bright fluorescent lycra so the hunters can see you and not aim at you! :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
It can get quite dangerous around here during the hunting season.
DeleteThat's why I discourage Lady M from wearing her fur waistcoat and antler hat when she walks the dog.
DeleteThis sound funny Cro, but I know not really.
DeleteWhen we used to go scrunch chestnuts with my son and hear gunshot in the distance we used to talk, laugh and even sing very loud to let the hunters know we were humans!
X
They advise cyclists to sing and wear bright clothing during hunting season. I do that anyway.
DeleteThey are wobbling the grapes off today. I st day of Autumn and everything looks and feels good. Have you had a winter here?
ReplyDeleteYes, we've had several winters here in the past. Nowadays we like to head somewhere different for the winter. We'll be back early April I expect.
DeleteActually, Autumn is beautiful everywhere, favorite season of many people. Lovely two pictures of the sweet deer and the fallen chestnuts!
ReplyDeleteHello Duta, nice to meet you. Autumn is beautiful but a little sad with all the plants dying and the trees shedding their leaves.
DeleteThis piece of writing sounds very strange to me, like you were in a creative writing class and writing something for the end of term under duress. This is not a criticism of your writing but you are much funnier in your comments. Is this true do you think?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. It wasn't exactly written under duress but more like an essay of 'my ride'. My comments tend to be more spontaneous and I don't spend too much time thinking about them. I'd be too scared to write my blog like that!
DeleteIt makes the readers feel safe too; they are in a comfort zone with you.
DeleteSomeone said that about my driving once, I took it as a criticism.
DeleteI think you are a shy person.
Delete