…as Fall slowly ‘leaves’ us and opens the chilly door to Winter, time to sit back and enjoy the colourful highlights of past weeks (preferrably in a comfy chair, with some cake and cup of tea)
There were battlefields of chestnuts and colourful magical fungusamongus pop-ups…
Long-legged shadows and lots of patterns and textures…
Tears from heaven with November rain
Short and longer walks (and lots of stopping to take pictures)
…And for those with an imaginative eye nature gives some subtle hints that Christmas is definitely coming!
Enjoy these last days of November!
Ingrid
xxx
And all the lives we ever lived and all the lives to be are full of trees and changing leaves…
Luxemburg’s Müllerthal region is where we found ourselves last week: a little nature break in an impressive geological and green mini paradise nicknamed Little Switzerland….
We stayed in Hotel Meyer in Beaufort with start of many hiking tours and Beaufort’s renaissance castle within walking distance.
view on castle coming from village
Leading hiking track in the region is the Müllerthal trail, 112 km long and composed of three main routes linking the several villages and their natural and cultural highlights. These three routes are all connected however can just as well be hiked seperately and, if feet are not weary enough, another four extra tours complete the region’s wanderlust Erlebnis.
First day of our tip we explored Beaufort and walked part of the b1 hike starting at castle.
Day two was all rainy and windy, die-hards wouldn’t let this stop them from hiking; not that fanatic though 😉 we took a trip to nearby Trier to indulge us in warm coffee, chocolates, some shopping and local beers.
Day three and already final day of our nature break…sun present again so we decided to make most of this day starting off with an early morning walk in neighbouring Grundhof. With moist and rain of previous day still in the air and soil (and my bones) this gave a strange mystical feel to the forest.
From where we stood, pointing the camera in the other direction gave the below photo, and no…not a b&w one…glad Halloween was over, tiny bit creepy!
After checking out off the hotel we headed to Berdorf and saved best for last…
Along the trail stairs and ladders help to conquer the height differences…or you can take the more adventurous path like this young lady (not me in pic)
Typical are the rock formations and narrows…curious how nature formed such a mind-blowing landscape?
Millions of years ago, Müllerthal region was covered by a large sea. Over time, however, a thick layer of sand covered the clay underground. When the sea receded and water starting flowing over land, the relatively soft sandstone eroded, eventually forming a landscape of stream-filled valleys and cliffs. However, when water filters through the porous sandstone and reaches the watertight layer of clay beneath, it builds up and is trapped resulting in destabilizing the rocks around the valley edges, causing parts of sandstone to slip down the valley or break off completely.
Pretty sure that’s one of our ancestors coming peeping out of the rock…anybody else see the human head shape, or is it just me?
Now that days are getting colder and shorter and the soil is covered under a multi-textured carpet of soft rustling leaves little wonders carefully show their heads…whether leaning against a tree, feeding on dead wood or in full spotlight…I always stop to admire these wonderful fungi in all shapes and colours.
Studies showed that what controls forest diversity is not the trees but the fungi that interact with them, some are visible to us, some on a microscopic scale below ground and hidden from sight.
Join me on this walk through the park, eyes on the ground…
We have so mushroom for a fungi like you…
Watch your step on your next walk in nature…little recyclers at work…
Short intermezzo on the travel flashbacks and planning future trips as nature’s golden age reigns in full glory these days…though every reign has it’s enemies and Winter is coming…time to step outside and go treasure hunting: Autumn has decorated ground with fragile bits of loosened gold!
This giant stands in the back of our garden, well actually, our neighbour’s garden, but it spreads out and covers four gardens easily…and I never have a lack of pinecones!
‘Dreams come in a size too big, so we can grow into them’
Wishing on a star? A golden one…surely those dreams must come true now!
Just in case the ‘wishing on a star thing’ doesn’t work out…still have this one!
…guess I’ve found my pot of gold!
‘I am rich today with Autumn’s gold’
Hope you enjoyed our little golden tour, fyi most photos are shot in our garden.
Step outside and immerse yourself in golden and rusty hues!
Belgium’s little gem Durbuy, situated in the province of Luxembourg and nicknamed smallest town in the world, could not leave you more enchanted than on the last day of October when the medieval town centre becomes the magnificent open-air stage for the annual Halloween celebration. Think Captain Jack Sparrow parading in the winding cobbled 17th century streets, fairies and witches, jugglers and other costumed street artists performing, lots of food and drinks of course, musical acts and a show with light and sound effects and fireworks to end the festivities with a sparkle.
Château des Comtes d’Ursel, Durbuy
Some window shopping in Durbuy
Halloween not your thing? No worries, Durbuy and this region have so much more to offer: nature lovers can stretch their legs and catch some oxygen in the surrounding woods or tiny hidden villages. Those searching for some more adrenaline can go kayaking or head for the outdoor adventure parks and if you are searching to excite your taste buds, look no further, this region has a large number of gastronomy level restaurants and chefs using excellent local produce.
Chapel St-Hubert, Vervoz, tiny village breathing history and architecture being an ancient Roman colony
Lovely autumn colours
Lunch is served!
Typical house in Ny
Hot air balloon experience in Durbuy
‘tiny’estate in Vervoz
Being blessed on this little getaway of ours with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius have our batteries recharged. Nothing beats a wonderful yummy breakfast, some nature exploring and lunch and dining al fresco when end of October/early November, right?!
Just like four years ago again we stayed at b&b La Lisière, just outside Durbuy city centre. They have three lovely cosy and spacious rooms, one gîte and one cabin in the garden, all offering nature views. Bénédicte and Stéphane, your hosts, are keen on reducing their ecological footprint, this also translates into fresh local produce at breakfast and promoting local beers which you can enjoy relaxing in the cosy bar.
Panoramic views outside the b&b
Panoramic views outside the b&b
Well, Halloween has left us for this year, peace and quiet have returned, but plenty of good excuses remain if you want to plan a trip to Durbuy: November hosts a lot of hunting season concerts and December says Christmas market of course! Just check out the city’s tourist info page for more detailed info on upcoming activities or nature inspiration.
Fall…of all seasons surely the one with the most vibrant colours, the purest emotions, the strongest contrasts…we said goodbye to those long warm Summer evenings carrying the sounds of crickets and playing childern. We start cocooning again and it’s the sound of wood cracking in the fire place that brings comfort…that and the aroma of a beef or lamb stew!
the hydrangea blues turning to purple
‘Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autum tree’ (Emily Brontë)
Though I am a big fan of the changing seasons, it’s a double feeling as for me it usually announces a period of more back pain. The combination cold and wet weather just doesn’t match my bones and joints and consequently my mood. So far we have been extremely lucky as we are blessed with a dry and sunny fall, keeping that blues and those aching joints under control and leaving more time to enjoy and observe the changes in surrounding nature!
Our tree of gold in the garden
Of course you can schedule a walk in the woods or countryside somewhere remote and sometimes it’s truly worth it covering the distance by car to get there but very often, well, just stepping outside is sufficient. These photos are all taken in our own garden and local communal park so whenever that ‘fall of the leaves’ blues get you in its grasp, just start walking, let your eyes wander and let them lead you through the wonders of this season…enjoy!
The Back Road Chronicles 