Soggy and Boggy in France

 So yes, we’re back at our Crumbly Cottage Mk2 this week, making sure it hasn’t been washed away. Actually, we weren’t particularly concerned about that as Grand Est, while very wet, has not had the major flooding the poor souls in the south have had. It’s been appalling there as well as in Andalucia, Spain, and in Portugal. However, we were prepared for some inondation as it’s called here and were not surprised to see many places with lakes of standing water in fields that are normally dry and clear evidence of rivers breaking their banks.

Our own Marne river here in the village is higher than I’ve ever seen it, with some spots where it has lapped over into the neighbouring fields. What is most impressive is the speed of the flow. From being a usually fairly tranquil river, it has become a torrent of awe-inspiring noise, carrying tree branches and all sorts of debris with it in its race downstream. I took this short video of it from the village bridge.

Here are some other photos I snapped when I took Zoe for a walk along the path between the river and the canal.

The old laverie is completely swamped and full of water

Here, the river next to the laverie has broken
its banks

Another spot where it has risen over the bank

The ford where Zoe likes to drink and paddle is now too deep
to cross over.

There’s usually much more space beneath that foot bridge!
The mill in the background must be very noisy now.

More high water. It’s amazing the trees aren’t all uprooted

Yesterday morning, we had to go to Chaumont, the departmental capital, to do some admin at the tax office, so while Koos was busy negotiating his way through French bureaucracy, I went for a walk with Zoe. The weather wasn’t inspiring, but it was at least dry. Chaumont is a fine city built high above the Marne valley. We’ll definitely go back on a nicer day to explore more as this is the second time we’ve been in less than inviting conditions. Here are a few snaps to give an idea of its position.

Just beneath the high ramparts

Looking down into the valley from the ramparts

The city’s administration building is an example of the type
of archtecture prevalent in Chaumont

A rather nice bandstand in a small park 
opposite the city’s admin offices. If you
look through it, you’ll see more houses of a
similar style

We are hoping today will be a lovely one once the fog has lifted, so I’ll wish you all a good week, allemaal, and hope you are warm, dry and contented wherever you are.