Uzes in the morning and Figaro!

So I sit; just hearing the sounds of French voices, loud and friendly, conversation and exchange- little tables along the sidewalk with people walking through carrying their baguettes, leading children off to school, newspapers in hand, coffee at the cafe... I am really amongst it now.
This is really being in France .

Pathway down to the valley

Down in the Vallee d'Eure

Ancient  mill in the valley

Walking down , early in the morning, to the valley..... down past the Cathedral and down the rough, broken stone pathways, steeply steering me into the valley. Trees and bushes shelter the path from the hot sun, even this early in the day...

And I look back towards the slopes lining the valley and wonder about the ancient peoples who first moved through here, through this verdant  and warm place, moving water .... who were those people?

Limestone hills surrounding Le Valle d'Eure

Walkinf up to the top

I have now a sense of place as I walk along the paths, lined with stones , placed as walls,,,,,, up to Avenue Andre Gide, past the Cathedral. down some unknown streets- narrow and cobbled....

The coffee is strong and enlivening......A large black dog- Figaro- sits on his haunches across from me, attached to his person by a striped lead. Is he bored by the conversation, does he want to run through the streets, challenging all other dogs?
It is not so busy this morning as the weekend tourists have left and the locals carry out their normal living. Figaro leaves, looking more enthusiastic than he had done for the last hour! I met a wire hared sausage dog this morning and spoke to his owner in french, commenting on the wonderful little doggies! How clever am I?
Then it is time to be back at the apartment and time for breakfast...... blogging and then it will soon be lunch... a leisurely affair in the town square......