Thursday 8 November 2018

Southwest France Walks: La Couronne Part 2

The Calm One and I returned to the area we visited in last week's post, but this time we hiked on the other side of the forest. A pair of trees with bowed multi-trunks captured my attention. A little research did not bring an identification, but I found out such trees are now in great demand in urban settings as they tend to bear much more leaves than a single-trunk tree does, therefore, increasing environmental benefits.  Also they provide an open view which aspect was what appealed with these two forest lovelies.

The second tree is right behind the first (one of its curved trunks can be seen in the middle right of the above photo)

As a child, though clouds and the sea fascinated me, it was the study of rocks that spellbound me because geology spells out deep time. I was gifted with a small collection which contained such beauties as pyrite and rose quartz. In my quest to add to it, I found out that if pouring 7 Up on a specimen resulted in a pronounced fizzy reaction then it was a positive identification for limestone.  However, all those stones I scrounged from city parks never got a chance to be tested, because I would drink the testing solution while wondering what could be revealed if only I didn't love lemon-flavoured pop so much.


After a brief stay in the forest, the path led us out in the open. The broad hillside gave us a panoramic view of the sky. First up was a flotilla of very determined puffs, perhaps set in motion by a pipe-smoking giant?


Two fluffy families, one nuclear, the other extended, sharing the blue.


Here's a great big powder puff beautifying a scraggly tree.


Fog-covered islands closely spaced in an ocean.


'Snowy mountains' positioned under a blue sky with a couple of wisps.


Red jelly bean tree?


Giant broccoli!


A nice note to end our hike is seeing that recent rain filled up a wide path's ruts and potholes. Thirsty wildlife say thank you, mother nature.


À la prochaine!