Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Another trip to Mazerolles.

Firstly I would like to apologise if I have not visited you for a while!  I seem to be getting further and further behind schedule and I have no idea where all the time goes!  We will be away for a lot of May, and the beginning of June, so I am going to take a break from the blog over that period, but I will be back, I promise, towards the end of June!  I hope to come back with some great stories to tell you; the first few posts unrelated to the Charente,  but hopefully of interest.  I will be trying to keep the photodiary up to date when I can over the holiday break, but this will depend on availability of WIFI and, of course, time!

For those of you following me on Google reader, I gather that this service is being closed down at the end of June, so the best plan would be to follow by email; the email link is at the right hand top of my home page.   If you have Facebook, it seems that you can also use bloglovin.  I am not a Facebook fan, so I know little about it!  Also suggested by followers is feedly.com.

Last week we took a country walk around Mazerolles with the local leisure club and near the end of the walk, we were shown a "small" mound, tucked away at the back of the church. The mound and moat are all that remains of a centuries-old defensive position - we had no idea it was there!  A circular wooden stockade would have been built on the top, to provide shelter for local inhabitants in times of attack. I wrote about the church just over a year ago HERE.  At that time we did not walk around the back and just look at what we missed!

A  feudal (medieval) mound and moat, on land kindly donated to the commune by two local benefactors.

This medieval mound is reported to be 20 metres high, and 25 metres in diameter at the base, but looking at the proportions in the photo, I think the diameter is substantially understated!. It is surrounded by a ditch and an embankment. It is said to date from the XIII century, but fell into ruin after the French Revolution. There are suggestions there was a castle at the top, but it must have been quite small! A little research shows that, although a few archaelogists have dug test pits in various places, nothing has been found, so the site's history will remain a mystery! While trying to find out more about this feudal mound, I discovered that Mazerolles was one of the last places in the kingdom to testify to the presence of wolves (canis lupis).Pity I cannot take any photos of them now!

Lots of digging!!

Some of us climbed to the top to take a look.

Here we are on our way back down.  Luckily there were some stout posts with rope attached, to help you on your way!

A little way down the road is this pretty lake
and on the opposite side of the road, next to the stream that runs into it, is the old lavoir.  One of the few we have seen that has not been restored.

I was also fascinated by this collapsed building and hidden doorway, slowly being reclaimed by nature!

Walking through the country lanes and bridleways, I tried to find as many wild flowers as I could.   Here are some of the pictures I took, with questionmarks where I cannot identify the species!
 
 Possibly Blue-eyed Mary

 Bluebells

 Gorse

With thanks to Beatrice I have discovered this is Euphorbia.

 Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum )

 ???

 Early purple orchid. (Orchis mascula) I think!

 ???

 One of the violet family.

 Stitchwort - possibly Greater stitchwort.

???

I think this is one of the Plantain family.





see my daily photo diary  HERE

and also - My Life Before Charente Updated 30/04/2013 will be taking a break as well.


79 comments:

  1. What a pretty area for a walk, Diane! I just took a half hour walk around the neighborhood which doesn't compare with being in the woods, etc. Gorgeous flowers, our are just starting to open here. Here's wishing you a great time in the next month or two!

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    1. Thanks so much Pam. I hope I come back refreshed and with new ideas, sure by then blogger's block will have disappeared :-) Have a good week and take care while I am away. Diane

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  2. Lovely nature photos, Diane. You reminded me about Google reader shutting down! I am not happy about this as I've loved the service but it seems all good things do change. I still have to figure out what I'm going to do about it. In the meantime, I wish you and Nigel a very happy holiday.

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    1. Joyful, I have no idea why they are closing Google reader down but I am going to find it a real pain to follow everyone without it! I thought the service was very good. Take care while we are absent and keep well. Diane

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  3. I don't know which you enjoy more, the tours or the wildflowers! I'd have a hard time deciding, myself. I'm so glad you finally have Nigel around full time to enjoy all of these things with you, and it looks like you're doing so much more these days!

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    1. Marjie I enjoy both, we always seem to find something of interest and often, as this time, the people we were with have not seen before! Wonder how it could be missed when it has been around for so long, guess people do not normally walk around the forest area at the back of the church! I never realised that retirement could be so busy :-)) Keep well Diane

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  4. Diane, you always find such nice areas to walk through and share with us. Very lovely pictures. Enjoy your holiday, be safe, and we shall be here when you return. Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan, the break will do us both good and I hope that I will come back refreshed and looking forward to blogging once more. Keep well maybe see you next year. Diane

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  5. Such a beautiful part of the world. And your pictures of flowers are amazing. Spring is here to stay, it seems.

    Have a good break!

    Red

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    1. Thanks Biye By Red, I hope the weather is good to us and that we can enjoy the break to the full. We are both looking forward to it. Take care Diane

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  6. It must be exciting to come across such old historic sites. That hike up to the top must have had everyone puffing. The woods and wildflowers look beautiful. Enjoy your break and I am looking forward to reading about your holidays. There is an app to replace google reader it is called Feedly. I have uploaded it but I don't use it. I didn't use google reader either. I use my blog list on my side bar or my comments. However, a blogger, Sandra at Madsnapper has written a post on how to use Feedly here. Hope this helps.
    http://snapperone.blogspot.com.au/search?q=feedly

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    1. diane b, thank to Gaelyn above I have already got feedly on my computer and it seems to be working well. I will though look at what Sandra has written as i may learn something else. Thanks. Keep well and I will be back towards the end of June. Diane

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  7. Bonjour Diane ... I am so excited for you and your travels in May and June, look forward to all your posts that will follow :-) .. Looks like a super walk and love the photos ,,, the Blue flowers are a gorgeous colour .. I am now following you by email .. take care and have a super super time xoxo

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    1. Anne I am sure that you are not as excited as we are :-)) I just hope all goes well and Nigel fears in Barc are unfounded. We have covered every precaution we can think of. It seems that Gaelyn has the answer for following blogs, see her comment below. I have downloaded and it appears to work well so far. Take care and I will try to keep the dailydiary going when I can. Will chat though before we leave. Diane

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  8. Looks beautiful and peaceful!
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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    1. Regine, incredibly peaceful, it always so quiet on these country walks. Take care and I will be back towards the end of next month. Diane

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  9. What a fascinating place! I'll have to share this post with my archaeologist son (educated at UCL in London).

    The wildflowers are so lovely and dainty. Most are different from what we have here in the southeastern U.S.

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    1. Freda maybe you son will discover something that I have not, I would be delighted to find out more about this place, it is intriguing. Take care and keep well while I am away. Diane

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  10. Dear Diane, take your time and have as much fun as possible. I will miss you, but I will be looking forward to reading about your new trips and adventures. I loved all the flowers, too bad I can't help with the names. Take care!!

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    1. Pamela I will also miss you all, but I think when I come back from the break I will have lots of interesting posts to write, I hope so anyway if all goes as planned. Take care Diane

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  11. I'm glad you went back to Mazerolles...the motte was interesting in itself (and my knees would have appreciated the post and rope on the way down) but the surroundings were attractive - and just look at all those flower photographs!
    Absolutely lovely.

    Have a great time while you're away...you'll be missed.

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    1. Thanks so much fly, I will miss the blog contact but it will not be for long. Meanwhile I will pop in and wee you when I can if I have WIFI contact. I will try to keep the diary going but again it will be limited to contact. Keep well you two and take care, Diane

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  12. So fun to speculate on the people from this bit of history. The grounds and old buildings are marvelous.

    Here's what I've migrated to from Google reader http://www.feedly.com . Does basically the same thing.

    Have a wonderful holiday. Look forward to posts when you want to. Be well my friend.

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    1. Gaelyn I would love to be able to go back in time and be a fly on the wall, hopefully they did not make fly swatters in those days :-) Will drop you a line at some stage and I will be back at the end of June. You keep well also, I will pop in when I can to see how the canyon is doing. Diane

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    2. Oops forgot to say thanks for the link to 'feedly' it seems to work well so far as I can see. Diane

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  13. Lovely photos Diane - you certainly gave that Nikon a workout! The mound is exceptional - I would have gone up too for the view. Lovely close up shots, many thanks. Enjoy your break and look forward to hearing about it.

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    1. Craikg I am really enjoying the new camera but think it may get left at home while on holiday. It is not nearly as portable as the old cheap Samsung :-) Take care, will pop in to your posts from time to time. Diane

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  14. I agree with the others. You always find such interesting places to take a walk and I'm so glad you take us along. Enjoy your time off and rest assured we'll be here when you get back.
    Sam

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    1. Sam I do my best to make things interesting but it is not always easy. I hope the break away will refresh my mind once more :-) Take care Diane

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  15. I love all the spring flowers on your walk. Enjoy your holiday and will be looking forward to see where you journeyed to.

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    1. backroadjournal the wild flowers are quite amazing at the moment. Take care while I am away and we will be back very soon I hope. Diane

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  16. Stunning photographs, as usual Diane.

    Have a good break and I'll look forward to reading about your adventures.

    Have a safe trip.

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    1. Gaynor it never ceases to amaze me what we discover on these random walks, all sorts of unusual things turn up :-) Take care and I will be in touch. Diane

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  17. So GREEN and beautiful flowers.
    Very nice images.
    We will hopefully get more signs of spring here in Stavanger soon.

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    1. Gunn, green is an understatement, it never stops raining at the moment! The flowers though are stunning. Take care Diane

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  18. Hi Diane, I think the flower with the question mark after Gorse is a Euphorbia (Euphorbe in fr). I posted a picture similar in my Rando Vars posting in march and a fellower hiker gave me that name !! A new place that we will have to visit, thanks
    Looking forward to see your future postings, have a good Holiday . A Bientôt Béatrice

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    1. Thanks Beatrice now you have given it a name I have looked it up and I am sure you are right. I will make a note on the post later. Take care and keep well while we are away. Diane

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  19. I love that medieval mound Diane. I wonder what stories it could tell? :) Beautiful flowers. Enjoy your trip.

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    1. Joan there is so much history here in France, if only it could tell us its secrets! Be back soon Diane

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  20. Lovely post and great flower photography!
    You seem to have such a wide variety where you live!
    Quite impressive, I must say!
    Cheers, Diane!

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    1. Noushka the flowers seem extra good this year but it may well be because I have new camera and I am extra observant :-) Take care Diane xx

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  21. Another great post; love all of your pictures of the flowers! Just beautiful!

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    1. Thanks Michel, I loved you last post as well. Keep well Diane

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    1. Kitchen Stories thanks so much, keep well Diane

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  23. Dear Diane, Such beautiful history. It is thrilling to think of the life that lived before. The moat the medieval mound. It really is thrilling!
    The photo's of the flowers are stunning.
    I hope that your time off is pleasant and safe. I look forward to your return and visiting with you.
    Blessings dear and hugs, Catherine xoxo

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    1. Catherine we are really looking forward to our break and seeing some new places. I hope that all is well with you now and that life is back to normal. Take care Diane

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  24. Lovely tour! I hope you have a great break and see lots of wonderful things that you can share with us on your return!!

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    1. Thanks Deana I am really looking forward to the break, many things are are cropping up at the moment trying to delay things but I live in hopes that we will get away as planned!!!. Have a wonderful weekend. Diane

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  25. Another brilliant post Diane. So interesting to read about the things you find. Have a great holiday x

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    1. Thanks so much Kerry. Any queries you can always contact us at my address and N can answer form there. We are very happy to help when we can. Drove past on my way home from French this evening :-) Fingers crossed. Have a fantastic weekend D & N

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  26. Wonderful series of images to go with your story today Diane. I would definitely have climbed to the top also, how strange to be walking around the mound in what used to be the moat. Oh how I wish they would find something to give a clue to what was originally here. I wonder if it's too late for me to study archeology :) Have a super break, catch you when you get back.

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    1. PerthDailyPhoto it was not the largest of mounds and I wonder just how many people could be at the top fighting those below! Keep well Diane

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  27. Hi Diane .. that was a lovely tour .. somewhat reminds me of Old Sarum .. which even back in teh 60s was not nearly so atmospheric as Mazerolles ... your flowers are delightful to look at - I'm afraid I can't help and my dedicated knowledgers have gone to the place of all knowledge and left me bereft!!

    Have a lovely time while you're away and I look forward to the photos etc .. cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary for all you your comments and following. Hopefully I will be back in the later part of June feeling refreshed. Meanwhile take care Diane

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  28. Une bien belle ballade.Merci beaucoup.
    A bientôt

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  29. What a lovely stroll, Diane. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. We'll be here when you return. Godspeed....Mary

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    1. mary, glad that you enjoyed this walk. Take care and I will be back, I hope, very soon. Diane

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  30. Such beautiful flower shots and great greens on top!

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    1. Thanks JM, have a good weekend, See you back here at the end of June. Diane

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  31. Ola querida amiga,que lugar encantador para viver.As fotografias das flores estão maravilhosas.Adorei tua visitinha.Meu maior abraço,SU.

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    1. Graças Suzane para o comentário. Bom fim de semana. Diane

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  32. Blogging is hard to keep up with when our lives get really busy. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Lovely photos, interesting place and so many beautiful wildflowers, several of which I have never seen before.

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    1. Denise I love my blog and all the ones I follow, but it is not easy to keep up I agree. I hope when I return I will feel more refreshed and maybe have a little more time. Take care Diane

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  33. Enjoy your time away. We will be here when you return.

    I do have to figure out what I am going to do about the blogs I follow (sigh).

    Velva

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    1. Velva I have tried to cut back on the blogs I follow but it is not easy. I feel like everyone is a friend and I do not drop my friends easily! Take care, I will be back soon Diane

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    2. Wow, Diane, that defencive mound is huge. I love your beautiful floral images. I've seen plantain (the food/fruit) but never seen the flower. A very interesting post

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    3. Jo managed to find you non a reply :-) Thanks for the info re email and the comment. Take care Diane

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  34. Diane, Good to hear from you. Yes, it's hard to keep up, I'm way behind also. Hope you enjoy your break. PS My youngest sister is retiring to France in the near future.

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    1. Judy I love to have followers but it takes so much time keeping up!! maybe we will get to see you if you visit you sister :-) Have a good weekend, Diane

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  35. Hope you are enjoying your time away, Diane! Can't wait to hear about your new adventures =) The pictures, as always, are beautiful!

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  36. Those bluebells are so pretty! I remember I saw those on Peter Pan's cartoon. hehe...
    Kristy

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  37. Just stopping by to say hi and to let you know I'm following you on feedly and bloglovin. I'm trying both out to see which I prefer.

    Hope you are well and have a lovely weekend.
    Sam

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  38. Love much this wonderfull country,Have a nice spring beter than here,rain and cold!

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  39. Those wild flowers are gorgeous!

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  40. Amazing wild flower pics.
    Love your photos, love your blog.

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