Carcassonne Chapter: Change of Season


Umbrellas glimpsed through the drying platane tree leaves

Neptune fountain at Place Carnot late summer

Summer does not want to leave us here in Carcassonne. It's hanging on with all its strength, to the point where it has worn out its welcome, I think. The temperatures are still in the 80's, and the afternoon sun beats fiercely into my office window, making it impossible to write without closing the shutters to keep out the heat and the glare from the computer screen. I am still operating the fan at night to keep a little breeze cooling me while I sleep. It's too cool not to have covers, but once under them, I get overheated. I have enjoyed summer, but it really is time for it to go--places in the southern hemisphere are awaiting its arrival.

Lagoon and salt flat Gruissan

Late summer colors at Abbey Fontfroide

There are signs that autumn is not far off. I was sitting at the bus stop yesterday, and the leaves of the platane trees have dried out to the point that their rustling in the wind sounds like running water. Sometimes when I lie in bed and listen to them skittering down the street, I think it is raining. We have had a series of thunderstorms in the late afternoons, but mostly they have skirted us, at least here int he Bastide, and have dropped their moisture further south. Walking across the Aude today, I was struck by how muddy it was--there must have been considerable raid upstream, which is south of here. The plants know that the season change is upon them...they are drying and turning brittle.

The plants know the season is changing

Going to seed and to rest

Silvery olive tree at the Abbey

The daylight is noticeably shorter. Dawn doesn't arrive until after 7 these days, and sunset is earlier. It makes for late risings and a confused time for dinner. I am not used to dinner in the dark, or, if so, it's late--8:30 or later. I remember last winter thinking it odd to have dinner at 5 because it was dark, and therefore must be time to have the evening meal.

Dusty greens and browns of the Corbieres

A welcome bit of shade

Geraniums' last hurrah

In the mornings, people are wearing jackets and sweaters and the ubiquitous scarves are reappearing. Long pants are showing up again. The shop windows are full of fall colors--wines, olives, browns, mustards. I love the colors they have selected for this season, and bought a wine-colored purse for fall, and am coveting one in feep olive green.

Salvia, I think

Full of bees

The harvest is underway and already finished in some vineyards. We had a wet spring and a very hot summer; I hope that means it will be a good year. La rentree (re-entry into school and work from summer vacation) is now history, and I have had my carte de sejour renewal--both signs of fall. This weekend is the heritage celebration all across Europe==Les Jounees de Patrimoine. (Heritage Days)

Sunsets are earlier each evening

Lights just coming on at dusk at La Cite

Yes, the Twilight Zone rings are still there, coming down at the end of the month

Warm evenings my the fountain

Playing with the camera

I have truly enjoyed walking and taking the air outside these past few weeks. It was one thing I missed in Brookings--it was always too foggy and cool there to spend much time outside after dark. But I am ready now for crisp mornings and evenings, a pot of boeuf bourguignon, slippers and long sleeves, and maybe even a rare rainy day.