This photo was taken the day before the full moon/partial eclipse. My OH and I are staying in a gîte with a friend, somewhere between Le Mans and Chartre. Out in the garden are trees laden with fruit. Apples, pears, grapes, mirabelles (small yellow plums) - though most of them are going over now. Beyond the fence there are cows grazing and three little calves. They are so restful to watch. They are a gorgeous chestnut brown with blonde tufts on their tails.

We have seen egrets in the field with them, glorious white plumage. There are red starts perching on the ridge tiles making their distinctive (try finding it online) jangling call and the other night as I lay in bed I could hear an owl hooting nearby, though we did not see it.

On the night of the eclipse, we were not able to see it happen as we are on the wrong side of the hill and when we went out to see when the moon had risen over the trees, the eclipse was over. However, being out on the terrace, I looked down and found a large, round toad looking back up at me.

On the sunny afternoons we have had lizards skittering across the terrace as we sat with a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) and soaked up some rays.

A couple of kilometres away there is a railway line which goes between Paris and Le Mans. The trains are Grande Vitesse and sometimes sound like a passenger jet taking off. We still get a thrill from watching them roar past in the distance.

It has been a lovely break, visiting some places of interest and enjoying some good French food. It has done my scores a lot of good to have a complete break away from home life. Like Julia, Sally and the Gardener, I love France and am so grateful to have the opportunity to visit. Definitely boosts my MH.

Getting out in nature is certainly good for one’s mental health, I even hugged a tree while out walking today.

Hoping all readers have opportunities to get out in nature and feel the benefits.

Love,  

Another Sally xx

A Moodscope member