We headed out for one of the less-advertised experiences in Champagne: forests on the hills above the vineyards. Having found many months ago in the State Library of Tasmania a publication "500 walks in France" (2003), we'd copied (electronically) details of these and have been using them as inspiration. However, the "details" are quite sketchy. (Stay tuned for more adventures inspired by this book!)
The forest was hushed and luminous in its early spring pale-greens, sometimes contrasting with the dark (occasionally muddy) brown of the forest floor and other times a carpet of vibrant green moss and varied ground coverings. It was frankly enchanting. Here and there deer prints could be seen. In one spot the snoutings of wild boar could be seen. Birds maintained a varied soundtrack, but were rarely seen.
After an hour or so of strolling we came upon the "cripples of Verzy". It's difficult to explain how unusual the trees are, particularly in this setting, but perhaps photos will illustrate somewhat. They're a fagus, and are rarely more than a few metres tall. The impression is one of bonsai. We speculate that in all seasons they're distinctive, as the passage of the seasons reveals more or less of the wizened trunks.
photo 3490 to come
Defn bonsai looking mate... very cool!
ReplyDeletePlaying catch-up as a spent last week in bed (not by choice unfortuneatly). When your child goes to Daycare, you tend to count the days you DON'T have something :)