A Winter Walk

I have been busy over these last few days.

It's amazing that although I don't go out to work,

time still passes at an alarming rate.

I still don't manage to do everything that I want to.

But I did get out for a long walk the other day with Mike and the Hounds.

The landscape has changed considerably since

I last posted any pictures of it.

We have had wind and rain on and off,

mostly on, for... mmmm

ever it seems.

All the leaves are on the ground.

All the days are grey.

But it is mild.

And that is good.

From our house

we can easily see the River Mosel from windows that face in that direction.

We are about 150 metres from the river.

There is a flood plain,

a road,

a bank,

another road, very quiet one,

and a house,

between us and the river.

In the summer we don't see the river from the house,

(but we sometimes hear a band playing on a boat

as it sails up or down the river).

There are trees in the neighbours garden hiding it from view,

apple and pine.

Trees along the roadside,

a hedge along the other side of the road,

and hedge/trees alongside the river.

It is all very pretty.

But we can't see the river.

Now, in winter,

we can,

and hear the boats themselves.

It is very stark in contrast.

And so it is throughout the landscape.

Quite brown.

But still beautiful.

There are still some splashes of colour.

The Hounds always enjoy a new walk.

As we got to the top of the valley,

they were very alert.

They had been smelling deer as we walked.

There are lots in the woods.

Once back down at the car,

we went into a small chapel.

It commemorates the First World War.

It is very beautiful.

As we opened the doors,

the smell of the burning candles filled the room.

It felt very calm and peaceful.

Paintings were painted directly onto the walls and ceilings,

depicting scenes from the Bible,

but also one scene of a soldier returning from war,

and another,

a woman in tears receiving news that her loved one would not be returning.

Outside again,

there is a cross,

standing,

leaning at an angle.

The date reads 1870-1871.

The time of the Unification and the Franco Prussian War.

There are lots of little roads and tracks to explore.

Always something new to see,

or smell for the Hounds.

Who are usually quite tired after their walk.

A warm fuzzy picture of Rufus, I didn't use flash.

While they doze we drink tea with a mincepie.