Walking From Barrou

The Monday 29 June 'petite balade' (short walk) was a circuit from Barrou. Here are some photos from along the route.

This house was used by salt smugglers in the past. It is right by a ford on the Creuse River and the salt tax was lower on the other side than our side, so cheap salt was smuggled in via this route.

These young hounds were keen to greet passing walkers.

 Annual Woundwort Stachys annua (Fr. Épiaire annuelle), a rare plant associated with arable crops that I only identified after consulting with a couple of botanist friends.

 Soapwort Saponaria officinalis (Fr. Saponaire officinale), once used for washing hands, faces and delicate lacy things.

 Wild Teasel Dipsacus fullonum (Fr. Cabaret des oiseaux). I love the way the spines appear as a sort of haze, then the flowers become a band which moves up and down the head over several days.

 This Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium (Fr. Campanule gantelée) is growing in the middle of an actual Common Nettle Urtica dioica patch.

 A charming rural house.

 A derelict farm cottage.

 Looking over the Creuse Valley at Barrou and Lésigny.

 This variety of wheat is particularly beautiful.

 This cat is able to survey all passers by from his basket, safe and warm on a conservatory shelf, allowing him to see over the garden wall into the street.

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