30 Mar 2012

Bourges, allotments & leaping deer.


A gentle cough to my right prompted a removal of eyes from binoculars which were enabling the amazing detail of beautiful stained glass windows to be clearly seen. They were way above me in the imposing Bourges, Gothic Cathederal. The Rough guide was right about the 'take your binoculars' little tip.

As expected the polite cough was to gain my attention and to be gently advised. 'J'regret non chien monsieur'. Normally I am walking about with Tanya in my arms in these wonderful old places where access is free and open. She often does not get noticed. This time to be allowed a full 15 minutes seated in one place as I viewed the beautiful stained glass windows with Tanya sat close and on a tight lead was a privilege.

"Aaah!, Oui monsieur et merci beaucoup".

We slowly made our way out and continued with our day out in 'a city'. We had a lovely lunch seated in the sunshine after a walk around what I thought on the tourist office city guide was a large park or garden. The area was in fact the river meadows now squared off with numerous irrigation dykes in between of which were allotments.

Aha! You say. I know allotments. I do too but what a difference to walk this area. A space, a very large space, populated by what I can only describe as individual plots of land being loved, tended and virtually lived on by a community totally in touch with and connected deeply to, it's rural roots.

The warmth, strong sunlight, croaking toads in the irrigation ditches and Tanya elicitating as always, comments, and in one case a lovely home made biscuit, from the 2 or 3 groups of friendly Frenchies enjoying a glass of wine and their 2 hour lunch break. Well it all made for a rather special walk.

The day had a special ending too. To save time we headed out of Bourges and back to where we had stayed the night before. However; as we had left in the morning I noticed an even more inviting little track not a half mile away.

Ok! So it was a bit of a narrow track and I did have to 're-position' some of the branches to allow Sadie through. The reward was a beautiful and completely hidden forest glade that caught all of the warm,  evening sunshine. Well worth it.

There was an added bonus too. On our early morning walk the next day Tanya and I were granted the privilege of having two deer trotting and leaping into the forest having not noticed us. They did but only at the point where their next leap would have meant a collision. I don't know how the leading one did it but somehow, in mid air a forward leap changed into a backward leap and, like lightning, off they went, with by now Tanya in pursuit. She returned about half a minute later requiring acknowledgement and strokes for the wonderful job she had done in saving me from these huge and wild beasts. 

"yes, yes. Alright Tanya. Good dog!"

31 days away now. Some facts. We've done 1100 miles which averages out at 35.5 miles a day at 26.00 mpg. We've used 50 litres of lpg gas at a cost of £37.00 and have only spent £65.00 on campsite fees. All well within my budget so I am a happy bunny.



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