Winter comes slowly to our valley, protected as we are by the fold of the Plantaurels between us and the mountains.The outlines of the trees slowly emerge as the leaves gently fall and by Christmas the woods are a mosaic of olives, purples and browns. Once more the picturesque église at Carla de Roquefort can be seen up the valley, nestling in the shelter on the hills.
The valley of the Douctouyre connects the villages along its route, not only geographically but also socially. The valley shares its schools, each village hosting a class and sharing in the ferrying of the children from one village to another. It is like an extended small school system and is is attracting young families back to live in the country.
Along the secluded banks of the river in the summer, kingfishers flash and children and adults alike splash in its rocky shallows and cool off in its refreshing pools.
But in the winter, the river roars after heavy rain, tumbling away the arches and serpent at le jardin extraordinaire, wiping the slate clean for the coming year. It spills over into the fields adding another dimension to our landscape, back lighting the forms of the trees and reflecting the strong winter sun to dazzle and delight.
And from mid January the little snow drops begi
n to appear, first in small clumps and finally in shining carpets of green and white.Delighting the eye and whispering gently that spring is not far away.
