As Winter Approaches.
Autumn leaves us behind , as trees light up for Christmas
Joan
12/7/20242 min read
This year, Autumn seems to be reluctant to leave us. It started early , as acers, plane trees ,horse chestnuts and more began to colour up. For much of September and October we enjoyed this spectacle, wondering when the oaks would join them. These are the dominant deciduous tree in our valley, and many grow amongst the Austrian pines. But the oaks remained in full green leaf. At last, two weeks ago , they began to colour up, their leaves turning from yellow, through bright orange, to nut brown. Marie Eve, the forester tells us that this happened late this year, because of the unusual amount of rain we had in summer. But not to worry, for finally we can enjoy this beautiful display. It is wonderful at the moment to drive home up our valley in the late afternoon, for it is then that the intensifying rays of the sun light up the oak leaves, and the whole valley seems to be aflame. Sadly, my photographs can not do justice to this spectacle, but I hope you like them anyway. B. and I are currently having a disagreement. I say that, because it has lasted so long, this is the best Autumn we have ever enjoyed here. B. says, there have been others just as good. But whatever, autumn in St Etienne de Gourgas is a sight to behold.
But stiff winds are blowing , and soon most of the autumn colours will have blown away . Yesterday we spent a musical evening in Montpellier. The concert (the wonderful Symphonie Fantastique ) was to be held in the Corum, so we walked through the Place de la Comédie where the front of the opera house was lit up for Christmas. But even better, just in front, stood a giant Norwegian fir ablaze with Christmas lights. What's more, our walk to the Corum took us through an archway of glittering trees of blue and white. And so, as our trees at home begin to lose their colour, Christmas steps in to play its festive part.
