Snow

Most of winter has managed to slip by with nary a shiver--the grass still green with small daisies peeking through-- more like a prolonged version of early spring that left me longing for the clear progression of the seasons and a landscape swathed in peaceful white. Then a few days ago the temperature dipped and finally last night the beautiful snow fell, transforming the world.These are scenes from my chilly but exhilarating neighbourhood walk this early afternoon.

 

Chateau of the Dukes of Bretagne (Brittany) under leaden skies

 

And with a simple turn my view changed to the cathedral rising misty and unfocused up from the snow filled oak park.

 

 Detail of a side entrance to Nantes Cathedral with its myriad of small narrative scenes

Some of the intricate lacework of carving that covers the cathedral facade

Cathedral gargoyle sporting a natural hairdo of fern against a clearing sky

Along one side of the cathedral an ancient gate to the medieval city

Detail of the gatehouse

Doorway to a medieval era courtyard

Beautifully patinated ancient hardware

Sculptures gazing out over the chateau

. Full view of the gatehouse--part of the ancient city wall

An anthropomorphic gargoyle hovers in the now sunny sky alongside the cathedral.

Nearby an angel unfurls a banner...

and an ancient annex reveals the many changes the centuries have made in its windows and doors.

A Short Walk to the Jardin des Plantes

When I am not traveling I live in the old medieval center of Nantes, part of a busy city very near the west coast of France. I will save a more careful profile of Nantes and its history for another day. For tonight I would just like to share with you a few of the sights along the way when I walk to the nearby Nantes botanical garden (jardin des plantes) and arboretum--a lovely park that has been in existence since the early nineteenth century, with many varieties of plants and mature trees from around the world ranged along its winding paths and rock bordered water courses. On our way you can spot glimpses of the neighbourhood's ancient architecture including Nantes' Gothic cathedral and the medieval era chateau of the Dukes of Bretagne (Brittany).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fairytale

Sometimes when traveling we stop rather randomly late at night wherever a good place to park the van presents itself. And sometimes I am fortunate to catch a glimpse through the darkness of a lovely witch hat tower faintly reflected in black water so that when morning comes I am up and ready to experience the changing light over yet another fairytale castle along the Loire River. This is the chateau of the Dukes of Sully, nestled where the water divides in two, embracing castle and an oak park populated with crows who noisily scold me for trespassing in their domain.

Across the water and into the village...

 

 A former mariner’s cottage along the Loire.

Fishing for something different in a garden along the banks of the river.