As the French celebrated Toussaints and as we all had a day off work, Ben and I began the day slowly with home-made waffles and a lazy morning upstairs in the office. Then, as the afternoon rolled away the grey clouds and revealed some blue sky, we drove through the autumn trees and yellowing vineyards to Mont St Odile.
In 1000bc the Celts used this mountain top as a source of shelter and as a place to sacrafice, and even today you can see why. Standing sheltered by rich pines, you cast your eyes left and right trying to absorb the expanse of the plateau. Today you are also sheltered by the immense abbey which still welcomes nuns and which is decorated by numerous small chapels and recluses.
After exploring the main site, Ben and I wandered along wooded paths and over big square bolders. In fact, the bolders lying on the green moss made one rather imagine the Gods had left their dice on the gambling table and gone to bed.
Now we're home we're looking forward to raclette, relaxation, and the next national holiday in - oh - ten days time!
2 comments:
A day off! You jammy people, you! We have no such luxuries in start-up land.
As ever, Alsace looks lovely, and you write about it so evocatively.
Lovely photo! Lovely place. You are so where you are meant to be, aren't you?
Hugs
M
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