Picking Lily of the Valley

Friday was a quiet day...mostly just enjoying the peacefulness of the gite which stayed cool while the outside temperature soared to 31C.

Elisabeth came by and said she was going for a walk in the woods to pick lily of the valley. I said I'd get ready and be right down.

On my way I noticed one of the lizards crawling on the side of a house. He hung out just long enough for me to get the camera out and opened. Then the camera decided to freeze in the open position. I tucked it in my pocket and started downhill again only to find another lizard on the wall laughing at me...no lizard pictures for this day! Instead, here's the side yard of the mayor's house...

I've never before thought of Lily of the Valley as a flower to pick for bouquets, but it has a wonderful aroma!



On our way to the woods, taking one lane roads that Elisabeth knows, we arrived at Lys and I spotted the lavoir. I even took a picture of how it is constantly draining.

Outside the lavoir running water was also provided for animals.

 
In Lys there is a gal who repairs and creates tapestries. Her husband creates jewelry next door and around the corner is a potter. It was during the lunch break, noon to 2:00, so their shops were closed. We just peeked in the windows. This poster hangs outside the shop.

The remains of an old tower and some kind of foundation were in the field just past the lavoir.

A beautiful plant decorated the wall by the lavoir.

At the woods Elisabeth parked by the side of the road and we walked down a dirt lane that was lined with lily of the valley. After picking a bundle along the lane, we headed into the woods...no path, but also no underbrush. The ground was soft and spongy. There were also many patches of blooming lily of the valley.

I've spotted a bird that looks similar to a chickadee, but is called a mesange nonnette, and another that is the same size as our robin and hops along the grass with the same mannerisms, but it's totally black and called a merle noir. I think the barn swallow is an hirondelle. I'm checking these out in a book from 1972. On most pages only the male is drawn and of course it's written in French so my information is limited.