We opted for xmas day as the perfect day for a hill walk and it did start out nice and mostly sunny, albeit cold. By the time we had parked the car and put on our boots, however, a big bank of fog moved in and decided to stay for the rest of the day. So, instead of grand vistas, we were surrounded by mysterious blankness.
This kind of cloudy presence created a deep silence around us and at times, all we could do was stumble through it, never sure what was around the corner. Yet, we discovered ancient sulphuric springs dating back to the Roman times.
And suddenly, a bit of clear sky to cherish the deep beech forest.
With thick mosses and lichens.
Volcanic remains from an eruption dating back 200,000 years.
Eventually, we settled down for our xmas dinner in an old hunting shed.
And arrived back at the car with much mud to clean from my boots bring home.
The next morning, we woke to brilliant blue skies and not a trace of cloud in sight. Ah well, I suppose we can have a walk in sunny weather any time, whereas climbing and sliding through foggy mud is exceptional.
Since every commercial aspect, such as shops and restaurants, comes to a standstill for three days here over xmas, I am only slowly getting my orientation back, reminding myself what day of the week it is and so on. Suddenly, I am noticing that pile of papers and files on my desk I think I may have to sort through before the (tax) year ends and I get the tiniest inkling of stress but only briefly. But then, a shrug, who cares.
Here I am. What happens now, happens to me.
Very little closes here anymore. Most shops just close on Christmas day, but not all.
ReplyDeleteA foggy walk sounds lovely. I love fog. And hot springs that date back 2000 years, wow. Can you imagine how nice that would have been 2000 years ago? Hot water. I often wonder how smelly people were back then. It can't have been good.
Lovely photos, especially that beech forest. We don't have beech trees here.