You don’t need a weatherman
This place, this place, this place. However hard I try, I do miss this place. Snapped last summer during le canicule (the heatwave), this is my corner of France parched, thirsty – gasping for water but still flaunting green trees. And there’s a tower beckoning Rapunzels and Ladies of Shalott from far and wide. Or in my case just girls that never grew out of romantic ideas that a tower in a fanciful mind will make all those whimsical dreams come true. And give roots.
My offering for Claudette’s Emotography Challenge (free-form simplicity – just a simple ask that you offer a photograph along with the notion of the emotion it was prompted by or that it provokes in you) screams homesick to me.
Hence the necessary PS that my title is the teeniest stolen snippet of Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues
I remember my garden looking a bit like that. Very dry and sad.
It seems an eternity ago – the weather is the most fickle and dictatorial of mistresses 🙂
Ooo, I share this feeling. I@m on my way back to the UK; I don’t want to leave my little corner of France – I get homesick – and when I’m in the UK I can’t wait to get back here. Strange how two years can change perspectives and “allegiances” altho’ I’ll always be a Brit.
That’s it exactly – I’ve been in France since September 2013. When I came away for this sojourn it felt like a bit of me had been ripped away. It still feels like that even though I now feel i have adjusted sufficiently to really begin to appreciate this place – and there is much to appreicate. I am back to France for a meagre week in 10 days and then to England for two weeks. Where I differ from you is that I do not feel anything but foreign in Britain now. Maybe I was always a dastardly imposter ….
But you do love your tea 😄
I do understand you:”Maybe I was always a dastardly imposter…” 🙂 I often feel “dépaysée”(uprooted), but in fact I can adjust(adapt) to lots of places…
kinda global citizen – being here is also being away from elsewhere… 🙂
Those wide vistas bring the parched summer back. Even in town, the plane trees looked ever so sad. Lovely photo.
There we go again mirroring each other, you know how homesick I am feeling at the moment. I long to wake up to the sun streaming in from the east and looking at my slither of the river Marne.
Also – and you’re going to love this – the post that I began writing last night to publish Thursday or Friday, has our favourite girl in the title – yes Rapunzel is back in the limelight.
Did you know that the original painting of ‘The Lady of Shallot’ is here in the Walker Art Gallery at Liverpool? It was my favourite painting when I was a child and I once used my Sunday pocket money to buy sweets, to buy a postcard of this painting. ‘She has a lovely face, God in his mercy lend her grace’ (or something like that!)
Watch this space for my own ‘Rapunzel moment’………..
Homesickers of the world unite x
I really look forward to your post – Rapunzel should be celebrated at every opportunity. I can entirely understand you spending your pocket money on The Lady of Shalott. Homesick is beastly but at least we both know we will be French-side eventually xx
Just had coffee in Calderstones with my cousin Cyndy, so not all bad x
Lovely! and I spoke to my KL based daughter on skype last night and am about to speak to number three in Bristol so not all bad here either. Though I could do with a coffee mate! xx
Get over here and we’ll stroll around the gardens, or go for a bracing walk by the river….there are loads of free concerts coming up at ‘The Palm House’ in the summer – including Salsa early September, if you can get over for that?
April and August are the two planned trips so far …. Salsa at The Palm house is tempting 🙂
My own paddocks are looking even more parched than this. It’s been the hottest, driest summer here in Tasmania-I’m homesick for a drenching rain!
I just commented on the wrong comment! This is where my comment which has landed on your Dolomites was meant to go! One of the things I find strangest of all is that Australia is coming to the end of summer whilst we are only just emerging from winter. 🙂
Simply beautiful. I love the wide open spaces, and rolling hills. It has some similarities with California by the end of summer.
Cantal is a hugely varied place considering its area is only about the same as Rhode Island which is one of the things I love about it … The pays de Massiac where this was taken is high and sparse – thanks so much for your comment 🙂
I have never been there, but your photos, and stories makes me curious 🙂
Good! I’m glad to pique your interest somewhat 🙂
You certainly did!
Lovely image. This place is quite a contrast to our area where the weather can change moment to moment. Cheers.
Cantal has a very varied landscape – this bit is high and spare but the surrounding gorges are thickly wooded with rivers and lakes. Actually I am loving the landscapes here in New England which are equally varied … It’s what I love about walking – you notice the nuances more, I think 🙂
Oh so very beautiful! It appears peaceful and tranquil. I love the rolling hills! 🙂
So peaceful I can get quite irritable if I see other people!!!
I can understand wanting it all for yourself! 🙂
That is lovely! I can imagine waking up every morning to that view.
Great spot to build a cabin 🙂
With a big porch!
But no banjo playing 😉
No deliverance, thank you! Squeal….
In England some years ago I had a friend help me build a porch on my house (I LOVE the American tradition of porches and verandas and had craved one for years complete with rocking chair – blame The Waltons for this obsession) and when we finished a friend of my daughters turned up with a friend and christened it by playing the dueling banjos. I was scared to sit out on it for weeks!!!
That movie haunts me to this day!
Me too 😱😱😱
What wonderful colours!
We have had drought here- just broken by a few showers this week – and the colours- if not the contours – are similar.
I’ve never been homesick: I’ve enjoyed – or not – where I’ve lived, have a continuous slideshow in my head of plants, buildings,landscapes but don’t look back with regrets. Except for decent cheese…
Though I’m still a Scot, if asked…..
I’m glad you liked the shot – I’ve been looking for an excuse to use it …. that part of Cantal is very exposed and I like very much the long views one gets in contrast to the deep gorges, forests and lakes that also dot it liberally. And the volcanos, of course. My homesickness actually springs from the distance from my children and the Aged P more than anything. As for what I am – I suppose I AM English but I feel increasingly foreign when I visit 🙂
Quite glad at times that my Aged P lives on the other side of the Atlantic….I do slot back in when I visit England, but then I’,m not there long enough to start getting hot under the collar about the way the country has declined.
It’s the lack of manners that gets me every time I go back. That said every visit so far has been a month this time I am only there for 12 days which might be an advantage!
Porches are great. There is something about sitting out front of one’s house and interacting with passers by that I love.
Ther is a little triangular area outside our village house just big enough for a bench or a couple of chairs for the main evening gossip!
I am just posting about this — Osyth I swear you are psychic!
Certainly touched with something G 😉 xx
A very beautiful shot and a lovely memory! So sorry you are homesick! I know the feeling! This picture is not what I would picture(no idea what it would look like) and so it is lovely you shared with us! I love this challenge that combines pictures and emotions! So beautifully stated!
This is just one face of my place in France – it is a really changeable landscape which is one of the things I love about it. I’m OK now …. I’m enjoying my time in the US which might after all stretch far into the future – I have so much to see, there is SO much to see and experience here and I have only really seen the tiniest little smidge of it so far. But Cantal does hold my heart 🙂
Yes miss there is allot to see! hint hint xxxxx lovely writing as always
No hinting required 😉 xxx
hahahaha good
It’s funny how emotions evoked will vary from one observer to the next.. Mine comes straight from the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows.. even without the reference to Rapunzel, the photo seems to have popped into our time from long long ago in a world of knights, dragons, kings and queens, heroism and valor..
And look to the right edge of the tower ! There’s a blonde streak running down the tower, from what is surely Rapunzel’s prison !!! We need a modern knight on a speedy steed to save the day !!!
Hmmm.. Guy has many horses under the hood.. Maybe he’ll rush in and climb up Rapunzel’s long, long, loooonggg locks !
😄
Since I’ve never witnessed that beautiful scenery, I don’t feel homesick.. But I can sure understand why you are..
Btw, I zipped you an email the other day..
I got the email … Will answer later today :). I love your description …. That tower is begging for the right Guy to rescue Rapunzel and now I look you are right … Her hair is beckoning in a blonde cascade on the right of the tower. By the way – the tower is contemporary with ours in Marcolès – cept this one didn’t fall into ruin. Watch out for Chapter 7 of that story tomorrow or Thursday 🙂
It did not fall to ruin !!! It just is experiencing a temporary depression and will soon be in its glory again with the talent and TLC from you and Two Brains !!!
Can’t wait to read the next twists, turns, progress and townie shenanigans in store !
Glad you got the email..
This is true – my house loves you for your understanding 🙂
💜💛💚 I’m determined to send the troubled tower a house warming gift.. Not for you and Two Brains, but for the house, as a welcome home to itself 😊
Oh that is lovely. It has been mistreated and I really do feel privileged to be able to restore her to her rightful splendor 🙂
😂 i guess the emotion would’ve been good to put in my comment..
Anemoia..
😳😜😀
Oy vey 😕
You’re going to have to grow your hair really really long and bleach it blonde you know..
😂
I can buy into this challenge …. My second daughter used to do Part time work as Disney princesses for children’s parties when she was first in Malaysia. She said the Rapunzel wig was so heavy it gave her a crick in the neck!!!!
Oh my, I bet that was “a load off her shoulders” after each shift 😯
Beautiful landscape, beautiful photo. 🙂
Thank you …. It’s great for clearing the head in the way that open space and solitude are good at 🙂
Beautiful picture. I also love my porch and porch swing. I love to sit on it and watch the world go by. Our neighbor’s cat had made it one of her favorite spots.
No wonder you’re homesick with a view like that. I love the ochres and umbers with the greens, blues and greys – oh dear, I need to be back in the studio, but enjoying time with our beautiful granddaughter this week. Warm wishes 🙂
And to you too – the warmest wishes, that is. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy …. I know you will be. That place is absolutely magical – you would love it. But then I am certain you would fall head over heels for most of what Cantal has to offer – forgotten France … it’s pretty magical 🙂
Magical indeed.
I thought the skies were painted over the scenery. I could not believe how beautiful and melted looking the clouds were like marshmallows floating on a blue hot cocoa. Just serene and deep in your words and I can feel the French countryside calling out for you. Did you ever see my friend, Veronica on my post? She lives in France and has a vineyard, a fellow and a dog. She had a horse but must go down the road to visit it, She also has posted about the quaint church nearby. Her photos are great. Veronica La Croix, but I will return once I find her post. Smiles, Robin
I hope you know the scenery was gorgeous and it caused me to “wax poetic” about it here (above!)
So glad you went to look at Veronica’s post and I see Melanie here, too. 🙂
Melanie and I have been friends a long while …. I love her words and unerring belief that love and nature are the most important gifts we have 🙂
Lovely photo, sad about the emotions. I suffer dreadfully from homesickness – even when I am only 3 ours away! Something in us pulls to certain places, some feel it more than others, some are true nomads & happy anywhere. Hugs for your homesickness, may you soon feel “home” whereever you are.
P.S thanks for joining in this week.
My pleasure to join …. I love this challenge, as you know. The sickness is abating and I think I have now got it settled in the place it needs to dwell rather than feeling it run amok and ruling me. Sensitive wee beasties we are 🙂
I have never lived in France, only visited, but I am homesick to visit…..such a beautiful country…I bet your counting the days down!!! what fun…..are you going alone?? xxkat
Two Brains and The Bean are travelling with me then back by themselves to Boston whilst I go to England to see my mum and daughters for two weeks. France would welcome you anytime 🙂
trust me I will revisit it again someday…just not sure when….glad you have company going over….I am itching for a road trip…I think we are heading north to the Sedona area, its about 200 miles from here…be a good break….kat
You are just a natural explorer …. When I’m back in France you can always come visit 🙂 xx
Don’t tempt me….!!!
It’s a serious offer – I never say anything I don’t mean, remember? x
yes I do remember….so I wont feel bad when I knock on your castle door…….xxkat
What colours! But remember: love the one you’re with!
I’m there baby bird! Oddly enough my husband is in Hawaii this week (such a tough life he leads) and it has rejigged my head quite brilliantly. I am now fully immersed in making this amazing country home from home properly instead of paying lip service (the fact that I fly to France in a week for a week and then onto England for a fortnight with my mother may be concentrating the mind a little). Tomorrow I am off with The Bean to enjoy our first ever early morning breakfast in a real American Diner and to be frank, I’m pretty excited!!!!
Just stopped by to check if I missed a ost or comment. Peace be with you. I do understand homesickness. Hugs, Robin
That’s very sweet … Thank you – the waves of nausea are abating and it is in huge part due to the kindness shine me by my blogging friends. I’d never have guessed it 🙂
I am going to give your post a shout our and let me know if it is okay tovsay you are my fiend, using Fiona and also, how you admitted to putting on a lemon face when you resist saying yes. I am writing ost about overcoming my recent instinct to say no more. I want to say “Yes!” more! 🙂 Please let me know but don’t worry not being published for awhile. Smiles, Robin
Robin I’m absolutely fine with all of that – flattered and humbled actually that you would like to. I was rather occupied yesterday making food for our first ever dinner and overnight guest here in the US but on a separate note, I have a lengthier response to our conversation on your Goose thread – I would not want you to think I’m ignoring you ….
How lovely. Have a wonderful vacation.
Thank you …. It’ll be nice to check on things and particularly to see my mum and girlies 🙂
You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the winds blows.
Subterranean Homesick Blues. My absolute absolute Dylan favourite 🙂
I can’t choose a favourite really … But SHB is right up there 🙂
🙂
By the way the promo for that song was ahead of its time …. And nicked beautifully by Richard Curtis in ‘Love Actually’ ….
Absolutely. The front door sequence. I know it well as I have been the one feeling like he did…..
Osyth, that’s a beautiful shot. Your choice of artist and song seem fitting. Reminds me of one of my backyards. The BLM [Bureau of Land Management], Nevada. I’d saddle Bo [Bandit’s best 4 legged friend] and the three of us would make it a day. My only objection to the open land was the ‘blow me over’ wind. I have yet to see a more beautiful sunset though.
Have a wonderful trip my friend…can’t wait to see pictures….eyes open at all the airports…!!! xxxxkat
Thank you! It’ll all be good. And I promise I have put on my fly-eyes and my bat-ears for the trip(s) …. pictures and drivel promised from France and England 🙂 xxxx
Just thinking about you….great minds sync LOL have a great time…..xxxkat
I like that – great minds sync alike! It’s a possible top seller as a t-shirt or bumper sticker, I think 😉 xxx
I am up for that…we could make our millions….LOL
Stunning even parched, Osyth! I can see why you miss it so. So lovely!
Thank you – it is very beautiful and it has many many different personalities …. this is the North East corner which is a high plateau with far-reaching views. I was walking there yesterday to stash some memories to bring back to the US. Italy is another of my great loves by the way – I lived there for a couple of years in my twenties. You do a lot to keep that flame alight when you talk of your family and experiences 🙂
Just gorgeous, Osyth! Or should I say fellow Paisana?? Love to you, my friend ♥
I love that – fellow Paisana …. this is a label I can stick with 🙂
Beautiful colours, but a reminder of just how dry it can be here. It looks like it did in 2003. However, it’s rained a lot since the beginning of Jan, so hopefully it will stay green for some time. I do understand your missing the place. I love it where we are but I have a specially attachment to Cantal.
Cantal has something indefinably special about it. I was talking to the spouse this morning and mentioned how much you love it even though you live in a very lovely part yourself (we drove through TetG last summer en route to Ariege – sans pèage it was very very long!) He and I both wondered what the je ne sais quoi is and then decided it doesn’t matter what we are just very lucky to be in it.