Anyway all this got me thinking about light and how a bright day always makes us feel alive and energised whereas a grey and drizzly day can affect our mood and energy levels. I know I'm certainly affected by the weather. I don't mind cold - as long as its a crisp Autumn/Winter day. I don't do summer cold! I don't mind rain - so long as it gets on with it and then the sun comes out afterwards. No, its the level of light that is crucial, particularly the quality of light near the sea ...
We were in France last year and decided to drive from our gite here to the seaside resort of Royan on the Gironde estuary where the combined flows of the Dordogne, the Lot and the Garenne flow out to sea. I love the Atlantic Ocean. It was quite a drive, but worth it. I wanted to see the Belle Epoque villas so after an early lunch we walked along the seafront at La Grande Conche, a tree-lined promenade lined with the most amazing villas and with a great view across the Gironde. At the end of the 19th century sea-bathing became very fashionable and rich Parisians flocked to Royan to spend the summer. They built the most extraordinary villas along the seafront and in the area known as 'le parc'. Former residents include Picasso, Sarah Bernhardt and Emile Zola.
Anyway, during our walk the sky rapidly darkened and the most amazing cloud formations began to gather over the horizon, forming a funnel-like shape almost like a tornado and it was heading inland. Everything went eerie quiet, you know - like it does just before a storm. Suddenly and without warning the heavens just opened and it poured. I have never seen rain like it! We were about a mile from where we had parked the car and with no shops or cafes to offer shelter we just had to dash for it. By the time we reached the car we were like drowned rats - absolutely soaked to the skin. We were so relieved to be out of the storm however that we collapsed into hysterial laughter as we dried ourselves, taking off any article of clothing that we could whilst still remaining decent!
We decided to leave the town and head north of Royan to the beach at Conche de Gilet. Further along the coast is the Marias, low lying and criss-crossed with ditches, the cultivation of oysters using the flooded beds or 'claires' has been a source of seafood for centuries.
As we drove northwards the black clouds disappeared and and a pale yellow sun appeared. The light was incredible - it literally sparkled.
We sat on the beach and dried our clothes in the sun ...
lovely fishing huts on stilts ...
Yes, that special light is hard to beat....
Jeanne
x
20 comments:
Yes, I know exactly what you mean about that light - it's so different by the sea. You've reminded me of when I got caught in a downpour on my allotment once, and had to drive home totally soaked! I too took off as much clothing as I dared to!
As we drove northwards the black clouds disappeared and and a pale yellow sun appeared. The light was incredible - it literally sparkled.
This is a beautiful description.
I love what the air feels like after rain. Everything smells cleaner, and the trees look more lush.
We've been having strange weather here too. A hurricane coming up the east coast of the US (and the thunderstorms have already started). Earlier this week there was also an earthquake, so strange.
I don't know where the summer went.
Dear Jeanne,
What a beautiful description of a memorable day in France! I know what you mean about the light. It is important and we got to little of it this summer.
I am still hoping for an Indian summer, with leaves turning golden and red, the sun high in the sky and me out in the garden enjoying it all from a deckchair......
Oh, what I wanted to say...If you ever visit Holland, please let me know. I would love to welcome you in my garden!
Lieve groet,
Madelief x
Hello Jeanne:
The light by the sea is always something very special and it is little wonder that so many artists have in their time tried to capture it exactly. Not easy, for there is something elusive about it which is why, most likely, its magic is so appealing.
Oh, those splendid seaside villas. How wonderful they would have been when first built and how exciting to travel in those days from Paris to such a grand second home.
But how dismal the weather is for you, Jeanne. During our brif recent stay in Brighton we found ourselves turning on the central heating in the evenings. And, as you say, this is August! Now we have returned to days where, by mid afternoon, the temperature is over 40C. It is, we find, just too hot!
That's the oddest thing Jeanne. I was thinking something very similar this morning. It had stopped raining but the sky was still brooding but the sun lit up the tower on the Tor and for once, I had my camera in my hand!
Lovely photos! I especially liked the little tarn of stones.
Liked that.Bravo
Great post Jeanne,
Our weather has been quite erie for the past year, huge downpours almost instant deluges like you experienced. The light is a big warning but sometimes not enough.
Eileen
It's definitely the light that affects us so. I am interested to know that your gite was not far from where we used to live in France although I don't know that area well but we were in St Junien about 20 minutes from Limoges. One of my French friends has a house in Royan so I have heard quite a bit about that too though never actually took up her invitation to visit them when they were there. Beautifully worded post Jeanne - loved it.
yes, it is all about the light. so nice to see you on my side of the ocean the other day!
~mignon
Sometimes the light here is green and it gives me an incredible feeling.
I enjoyed your story of the rain, and then drying in the sun - lovely memory for you.
A heavy downpour can be so refreshing, especially when the sun comes out to dry everything afterwards. There's very little light here today, it looks like the rain is in for the day.
Dear Jeanne, it has been the rainiest summer on record in Scandinavia.:(( I can tell you that it has been the worst summer weather wise I can ever recall living here. It feels like we have literally had no summer at all. So I am so not ready for autumn, but being the optimist I am I will try to enjoy it.;)
I recognize those downpours you describe here from my years living in North Carolina.
Love the collage!;))
On another note; Batact is fine and has moved with me, planning a post about it.;) And I run most of the time alone - sometimes my handsome man will join me, but as he is a professional soldier, he claims I am running way to slowly for him.;)
Have a nice weekend,
xoxo
I couldn't agree more about the relationship between the quality of light and wellbeing.
And you've reminded me of a day just like the one you describe, in Suffolk not France ... we were so wet it was as if we'd been swimming in our clothes. We were caught on the shingle between Dunwich and Walberswick with nowhere to shelter ... in the end we just sat on the pebbles with our feet almost in the sea and waited for the sun to come out. Happy days!
Dear Jeanne,
Oh, how I love your beautiful pictures and your lovely words. I love how you always let us tag along on a small corner on your trips and see the world through your eyes. :)
Yes, it certainly has been an interesting summer this year with no day like the other. Today summer came back BIG TIME here in the South of Sweden and we're supposed to have tropical nights during the weekend. Last week it was as much autumn as one could imagine. It's hard to dress these days. ;)
Enjoy the weekend my friend and thank you for your always so wonderful comments on my blog. They always make me so happy! :)
Take care!
Lotta
xx
I am sitting here on a dark very wet Saturday morning, nodding my head as I read your post Jeanne and wanting to find out more about the places you mention. Funnily enough the biggest drenching I have ever received from the elements was in the space between the nearest bus stop and home. Luckily I was soon able to peel off unmentionables :)
Jeanne,
I am convinced by the association of light to mood. You are spot on here with everything you have said. Love the architecture of those houses - all of them - from the grand to the fishing huts. Wonderful post. Thank you. Lesley x
Hello Jeanne,
Living both by the sea and in soggy Cumbria, where we get more than our fair share of dark rainy days, I couldn't agree more about light level and mood.
I enjoyed your lovely France photos, I am not familiar with that area but it looks both beautiful and interesting. Definately somewhere to keep in mind for future holidays, thanks for showing us.
.
Hello Jeanne. Just had the loveliest of catch ups - loved the pics of your beautiful garden and the river photos were gorgeous too. Low light levels are just dreadful and , like you, I don't mind the cols as long as it is dry too. Here's to autumn where the Cornish sunlight is usually blissful and rosy! x
Lovely post Jeanne. I think you only see that sort of light associated with rain - usually after rain. It has a sort of heavenly, unearthly glow about it doesn't it?
Cheers
Helen
Dear Jeanne,
Your post has plunged me into pleasant nostalgia for the years when we lived by the sea on the Normandy coast. Rain was a constant companion but it did not curb our enthusiasm for the place as we were guaranteed, after the rain, the most stunning moments of light which crystalised the desire so many painters had to reside in that windswept part of the world.
Best wishes,
Stephanie
ps I am shyly informing you that I am hosting a giveaway and I would very much like you to have a chance to win the gifts on offer being of a gardening nature.
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