Révolution in Vire.

In Vire, the capital of the Bocage Normand (rural Normandy), I discovered a revolutionary graffiti on the wall of a Catholic Convent. Not sure if it's connected to the recent success of the macronistes, but it definitely wasn't there last time I walked round that 'secret passage', Rue de rames. 

Je ne sais pas si ce graffiti est connecté à la réussite des macronistes mais c'est vraiment nouveau. Vire, sur le mur arrière d'un couvent catholique à passage secret derrier du sous-préfecture.

На задней стене католического конвента в Вире обнаружилась новая надпись: Революция. Не знаю, это монашки к чему-то готовятся или юные макронисты торжествуют, но точно в последний раз, когда я там был с месяц назад, этого граффити не было.

First photo by A.Anichkin, second by Helena Lecourt. (page on FB here)

Ostrich guards private property.

Stopped on a country lane to take some landscape photos. And look who suddenly emerged from the barn, an African ostrich! Imposing at over two metres (7 ft) high.

They say that ostriches are very territorial and are better guards than dogs. There was nobody there to ask about the ostrich and how he ended up deep down in Norman countryside. I just retreated.

First Frost of the Year.

Winter.
Yesterday it was -3ºC in the morning. The field, the fence posts, the bushes and the trees were all suddenly white.
Except the bright green shoots in tuffets of moss.

A Misty Sunrise

Lovely floats of morning mist today and a bright red sun rising.

Frosty Morning

Going for a brisk walk in the cold could be the best way to avoid catching a flu.

Photo by Francesca Bostock

Happy New Year 2011: a Dazzling Sunset

A dazzling snowy sunset on one of the last days of 2010.

The Sun was low and I was shooting straight against the light.

Photo ©A.Anichkin

Magpie Buck Riding Event

Ever seen those African birds riding on the back of the buffalo? Or Texas cowboys competing in bull riding?

Here is the Normandy version: magpies riding on bullocks. Whatever it was there the birds seemed to find lots.

Sent by Peter Drearey in Orne

Norman Ceps

A lovely cep I found recently on a mushroom hunt in St Sever forest - and consumed with gusto. Take advantage of the mild damp weather, perfect for mushrooms and mushroomers.

Sent by Peter Drearey, 

Calvados 

Rowan Berries Mean Harsh Winter

Our young rowan tree produced lots of fruit this year. Old folks say that when rowans produce lots of red berries, the winter is going to be harsh.  Did you know?

Sent by Alice MacAlistair,

Vire Valley

Thunderstorm in Normandy

Got caught out by the rain today!

Photo by Francesca Bostock

Norman Spring: a pear tree in blossoom

Sent by Francesca Bostock,
the Manche

Spring: Norman Bocage comes into bloom - 2

A warm sunny day - and everything comes to life.

Photos sent by Francesca Bosctock, Sourdeval, South Manche

Spring: Norman Bocage comes into bloom

Daffodils bloom in March.

Sent by Francesca Bostock

A sunny winter day in the Bocage

Beautiful winter in Norman Bocage.

Sent by Francesca Bostock
Sourdeval, Manche

Call of the wild

My dog Bruno watching them shoot in the fields across.

Sent by Mark Johnson,
near Sourdeval, Manche.

Snow in Calvados

Last Thursday, 30 October, parts of Normandy were hit by an early snowstorm.

Sent by David Smith,
Calvados

It's cider time!

Apple pressing is a family affair.

Sent by Francesca Bostock,
South Manche

My Chickens

Speckled hen and white hen... read in the October Rendezvous what happened when chickens ran into a Normandy gite just as it was being inspected for inclusion in a famous travel guide series.

Sent by Francesca Bostock,
Manche

Normandy Harvest, 2008

Normandy farmers roll out in force to harvest wheat.




Their work finds appreciative audience...






...and often goes on till late at night.

Photos sent by Francesca Bostock,
South Manche

The French cockerel

A French cockerel recently won a court case against incomer neighbours who found their sleep disturbed. The cockerel has been France's national symbol since medieval times.
Read more in the August issue of the Rendezvous.

Photo:
'Basil rousing the troops'

sent by Francesca Bostock, nr Sourdeval, South Manche.
Published in the August Rendezvous.