Morning Meander

Early morning sky

My sleeping pattern, disrupted possibly forever, allowed for a very early morning stroll.  I have awakened in the early morning before, but have always managed to go back to sleep.  This morning, the sweetness of the air, the delicious cool lured me into my tennis shoes and out the door for a walk.  I did take my camera, as I have never captured the light at this time of day.  It always feels like things are new when I visit them in "off" hours.

Bronze sunbather catches early morning light amid the roses

I wish I were an easier riser.  Maybe I am just being contrary, but I had to get up every day of my working life--and that was a long time--before I felt ready and really awake.  I like my productivity level when I am up and active at 6 in the morning. However,  most of the time, I don't like it enough to actually---get up!  

Workers in Gambetta

Today the siren song of the outside was not to be ignored.  We had a little rain last night, and the air was scrubbed clean.  The birds outside my window were in full throttle, the light was gentle, and the winds, forecast to be strong this afternoon, were at this point, gentle breezes.  After my morning toilette and breakfast, I gathered the trash (never leave the apartment empty-handed) and was out the door by 7:15, later than I had hoped, but still early enough.

La Cite watches over the Pont Vieux and the Aude

Pont Vieux

I started my walk through Gambetta.  The city workers were out cleaning,  deadheading the roses, clipping stray blades of grass.  The city takes pride in its public spaces and does a thorough job of keeping them looking post-card perfect.  I got several good photos of the bronzes that are on display for the summer.  The proprietor of the Kiosque Gambetta was setting up for the day; I was tempted to stop for a cafe and croissant, but I had already had my breakfast, so I was able to resist.

Last hurrah of the mimosa

Yellow catches the first direct rays

I continued across the Pont Neuf (new bridge).  There was a little morning commuter traffic, but nothing like a big city would experience.  I stopped on the bridge to get some photos of the Pont Vieux (old bridge) in the early morning light.  A few joggers and walkers were out, but really, there wasn't much foot traffic.  The light on the arches of the bridge was just right.  

Shadows on the banana leaf

I continued across the Pont Neuf and then down to the gardens at the foot of Pont Vieux.  They are a riot of color and textures.  The sun was just starting to illuminate some of the tips of the taller ones.  I found a mimosa tree, the pink fuzzy-flowered kind, not the yellow mimosa here in the spring.  I missed its full glory, as many of the blossoms were spent and drying.  I watched shadows play over what looked like a banana leaf as the sun began to light it from behind.  

Bridges and arches

Reflection in last night's rain puddles

I was headed for the riverbank, and crossed through the wooded picnic areas on the Cite side of the Aude.  It had obviously rained harder than I realized as there were still puddles on the walking path and on some of the picnic table pads.  Good, because we needed the rain. 

Once I reached the river bank, I took the path that leads to the footbridge across the Aude.  The river was running swift and clear, a sign that there had indeed been some significant rain upstream, in the foothills of the Pyrenees.  The Aude has been low, and sluggish for most of the summer, but now it's back to speed.  From the higher bridges, it's deceptively calm.  On the footbridge, it's not so gentle.

Along the Aude

The Aude running swift and clear

Among the rocks of the riverbank

I was surprised by the stillness, the lack of noise other than the run of the river and the songs of the birds.  There was a siren in the distance, but very few other sounds of human origin.  At most times, the Aude is a place to be with one's thoughts, but this morning it was especially quiet.

I climbed up the steps and headed downstream, by the walls of oleander.  Other than birdsong, there were no other distractions inside these hedges of color and scent.  Maybe one day, technology will offer us a way to capture scent and include it with a photo.  Wouldn't that be something?

Oleander "wall"

Finally I returned home, energized, although I took too many photos to have taken an "aerobic" walk.  But I did get moving, I enjoyed fresh, sweet air, lovely sounds and glorious light.  I came home ready to write this, deal with the photos, and get busy on household tasks.  I want my weekend to be "chore free," so I can play without guilt.  And I came home with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for the spot I now call home.

Flower Box along the Aude