Thursday 6 October 2011

The Last of the Sunshine?


Thank you for your comments on my last post.
I was so heartened by them,
especially when I've been away so long.

Up to yesterday, we had been having some glorious weather.
Though the mornings would be very misty.

But once the mist had burnt off,
the day would be transformed into
the most glorious of days.
So I thought I had better
take advantage of the good weather,
and get my bicycle out.
So I went for a couple of rides at the weekend.

Cycling is very popular here.
Of course we are in the valley
which means that the cycle routes
alongside the river remain quite flat.

These photos were taken
on the Sunday, (I think).
We've been having trouble with the camera.
I've been a bit clumsy with it,
bumping it a bit too much,
and now the batteries keep falling out,
and the date needs correcting.

I cycled along the river to Traban-Trabach
a round route of about 20 miles.
I came back on the other side of the river for part of the way.

Most of these photos were taken
when I got to Traban-Trabach.
Traban is one side of the river,
a bridge spans the river
connecting it to Trabach.
That happens a lot here along the Mosel.
Villages have hyphenated names
and are usually separated by the river.

It has been a busy time here in the vineyards.
Everyone, it seems,
has been harvesting the grapes.
Only this morning whilst out with the boys,
I passed three separate vineyards being harvested.
I have been witnessing the little tractors coming by our house,
their trailers laden with grapes,
then passing a while later, empty,
on their way back up to the vineyards for more.

I just had to stop and get off my bicycle
on my way to Traban-Trabach
to take the photo below.
Whilst I was doing that,
a like minded lady coming the other way
did the same thing.
Except, she was with her husband,
and he went cycling on ahead not realising she had stopped.


There was a festival in the market place at Traban-Trabach.
I think it's main aim was to sell food and drink.


I had a wander round
before getting back on my bicycle to ride back.
I passed this pole,
a remnant from the springtime festivities.


I thought I would include the photo below
taken in the morning,
just to show the contrast.
Unfortunately,
I think we have seen the last of the good weather now.
Today it has been raining,
for the first time in about seven weeks.
So this picture is the same colour as it is here today, grey.


But I will leave you with a sunshine picture
taken at Traban-Trabach
from the weekend.



11 comments:

Sarah said...

I am jealous of your cycling adventures. I have a bik and used to cycle all the time but somehow over the last few years I have completely stopped. I am not sure why but somehow I can't get up the energy to do it at the moment. Maybe one day!Your photos are lovely. It has gone cold again here now.

Zuzana said...

Dear Lynne, I have said this numerous times before, but you live in one of the most stunning parts of Europe.;)
I would LOVE to live close to vineyards.;)
We to have had some gorgeous start on October, but suddenly that is all gone and autumn has arrived, for real, with wind and rain. And cold.
Gorgeous images as always.;)
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynne, It has been many years since I have attempted to ride my bicycle! I am so clumsy these days.
So glad you had pretty weather to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Thank you for sharing these amazing views with us.
Even though it was Dec. when I visited Germany, I do remember the acres and acres of vineyards. It is fun for me to see the tractors laden with grapes.
Sending my love to you all.

Annie said...

Lovely pics :D I think we've had the last of the sun here too. And they're harvesting ... but pumpkins and cauliflowers not grapes!

Connie said...

I'm glad to hear you had some sun for a while and were able to go out cycling. Looks like it was a beautiful day for it. Your pictures are very pretty. It would be fun to watch the vineyards as the seasons change from one to the next.

Kath said...

Oh these photos are beautiful, gorgeous blue skies, it all looks like a fairy tale.
I loved the photos of the hairy ones in the last post.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos! We have had blue sky and sunshine today, after some very wet and windy weather.

Steve Gravano said...

Beautiful as always Lynne. That's some haul of grapes!

Ash said...

Not so consistent myself on the blogging front!!! Great to catch up with you and your lovely pictures finally. No hailstones here thankfully just lots and lots of rain and generally a very soggy dog!! Finally given in and bought some wellies, I was sick of my own soggy feet!! :)

Ash said...

Gorgeous photographs, Lynne.

ashok said...

Love ur blog! beautiful photohraphs...cheers!