Sunday, November 11, 2012

Pristine France








You can click on any image to see full size

We pulled away from the Bed and Breakfast with the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning.  It was to be our first day trip into the Dordogne Valley.  My fear was that with such anticipation, there could only be a letdown, the Dordogne could not live up to my mind's eye.  I had taken this trip so many times while still in Indiana...dreaming about the lush valleys, the uninhabited countryside, the Pristine France I had always heard and dreamed about...so far from the urban centers of Paris, Bordeaux,  Toulouse, or Lyon.  A part of France that can only be visited by car, bicycle or on foot.  No interstates, no large airports, no bullet trains in this part of southwestern France....just unspoiled beauty.

When we left the Loire valley...our friend we had made at the family gas station told me..."Ah the Dordogne....you will love it...green, very green".  Now I know exactly what he meant.  The one lane roads under canopies of birch and walnut trees, pastures of sheep surrounding old stone farmhouses and the ever present Dordogne river winding through it all.

Too much to take in, in just one day trip.  We would be returning for more exploring several more days.

Dan

8 comments:

shabby girl said...

Gorgeous! What must it be like to live there? Well, quiet. :)
Is flooding a problem for that region?

Dan Felstead said...

Shabbygirl! Thanks for stopping by. Hope all is well with your travels!! Everyone has their personal preferences...for me...this was most beautiful part of France I visited.
I asked folks in the area the same thing...for an area dominated by a river such as the Dordogne...does it flood? They told me just like any flood plain it will from time to time flood in the spring with snow melt and heavy rains but rarely.

It truly is a paradise...at least through my midwest eyes!

Dan

J Cosmo Newbery said...

It is a lovely place. Tabac smoke a bit too common at times though!

Dan Felstead said...

J...yes...I'm afraid it was everywhere! Many more smokers there than in the US.

Dan

ADRIAN said...

Even by your high standards these are wonderful.

Unknown said...

Stunning images! BTW thanks to Adrian you got a new reader :)

Dan Felstead said...

Adrian...thank you on two accounts....for telling Wojciech about my blog and also for mentioning "Pillars of the earth" to me. I am listening to it on Audible (40 hours!) and it it fantastic. I only wish I would have listened to it before we went to Europe. I would have so much more appreciation for the majestic cathedrals.
Thank you so much.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Wojciech...thanks a lot for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you enjoy the images. I am plotting out a 6 week journey through France this summer.

Dan