Here comes the sun

After weeks of cold and grey we have been blessed with four days of glorious Indian Summer. I’ve got washing on the line, Rob needed the dry weather to get some work done on the teak deck, even the dogs are happy not to have to walk in wet grass.

We’ve just spent two nights moored in a little town called St. Mihiel. They call themselves “The City of Flowers” and we saw some beautiful gardens scattered throughout, flowers line both sides of the bridge over the river and the outlook off our boat was stunning along the path in both directions.

This weekend they held the regional Petanque finals, similar to the Italians Bocci Ball but with metal balls, just next to the Town Hall. We visited the Benedictine museum with its collection of religious art. Next door, behind glass, we were able to look into the very long room that has France’s best collection of old books, collected by the monks over the centuries. For me the most impressive part of the library was the ornate Rococo ceiling depicting lush scenes from garden to jungle. Later that evening we attended a concert at a 16^th Century church performed by the students of the local school of music. The “students” ranged from 12 – 70 years of age. All have been playing less than two years. They tackled six pieces some better than others. A Tchaikovsky number was actually quite good and the audience gave them a well deserved long applause. Some of the other pieces didn’t sound any better than Skye’s middle school band. The second half was a quartet of the better players. It was fun.

A Danish couple that we met at a mooring a few days back also attended. They are in their 70’s and have been on the canals for 13 years. In winter they have a small apartment in Malaga, Spain. Spring and autumn on their boat, July, August in Demark where they have two married children and one grandchild. They tell us it’s too hot and crowded on the canals in the summer. They are the first to say that, but I think it might be true.

As Rob mentioned there was horrific fighting, particularly during WWI, in the valley of the Muse River. In the 1920 there where whole towns to repair and build. Few have the former charm of the lost 17^th and 18^th architecture. But in this town, one or more architects had a say as to what style should be used and they chose Art Noveau. The structures run from grand homes to small businesses that are just so lovely I wanted them all. Sadly many of them are now vacant going to ruin. The pigeons are moving in.

Just as the state of Michigan has such high employment that people have walked away from homes, so it is here. And by the looks of it, it started here many years ago.

Real estate is not very expensive here. You can buy an apartment for 35K Eros, a three bedroom house for 160K and for 495K you can buy a beautiful three story 14 fireplace home on an acre river front. We walked past the house. Manicured garden with large old trees, a pond and the house itself so pretty and in nice condition. It’s sad that no one will probably buy it.