Outside my door is rarely flat, we live at the base of the Saint Baume mountains. A much loved path is up one of the many hills that has a chapel at the top, along the way are the stations of the cross.
Natural springs are plentiful, as are stone arched bridges covered in ivy. Enchanting for mountain bikers, hikers, hunters and those who search for fairies.
The shepherds and their flock are down from the Alps, they will stay in Provence until mid June, then head back up to the cooler weather.
Driving along the road back home I was greeted with a flock of sheep. Like a parade they came with their bells ringing, taking over the entire road leaving me little choice but to pull over and admire them.
Their master, a Shepherd for over thirty years, told me he was bringing his sheep down (on foot like most French herders do between seasons of Autumn/Winter, Spring/Summer) from the French Alps, and that he would stay in the area until June 15th. Then when the heat of the Provence becomes too hot to bear he will lead his sheep back into the French Alps.
The winter sun warmed my back as the Shepherd and I watched the sheep enjoy their constant meal. Wherever I was going took a back seat. It was if this moment was meant to be... meant as a reminder to enjoy the gift at hand.
how lovely-- sometimes you just have to stop and take in the view....
Posted by: g | 27 February 2015 at 01:46 AM
I would be searching for those fairies if I was traveling along these roads. Then of course, fairies love sheep. What a special time to just savor the day.
Posted by: Marilyn | 27 February 2015 at 02:04 AM
Thanks for sharing this special moment. Beautiful!
Posted by: mimi | 27 February 2015 at 02:20 AM
I love the way you savor moments. This was a favorite for me. I have a thing for sheep.
Posted by: Candy | 27 February 2015 at 07:01 AM
I love this.. shepherds and sheep, like from ancient biblical times to my citified self. I don't think I ever realized that this still happens..I mean, sheep that I know of are on farms with fences. Where do the shepherds live when they come down? Now I'm curious. I'm gonna go find one of my favorite poems about a shepherd now..I think it is from Greek mythology.
You have such a magical landscape..those beautiful old stone bridges are awesome.
Posted by: tammyCA | 27 February 2015 at 07:20 AM
There is a wonderful film about this movement from the mountains down to the meadows of summer - "Hiver Nomade" or "Winter Nomads" - http://www.hivernomade.ch/en/ It's called the transhumance -
Posted by: Barbara Greenberg | 27 February 2015 at 09:05 AM
...as one who searches for faries still (at 55!) lovely post.
Posted by: Bindy Barclay | 27 February 2015 at 10:10 AM
WHAT A GIFT INDEED!
Posted by: La Contessa | 27 February 2015 at 03:12 PM
What a lovely moment to stumble upon. It's so nice to know in this fast-paced, technology-driven, self-focused world that there are people out there still living and working as generations before them have, their lives dictated by the seasons. Not an easy life, I'm sure, but one I see as beautiful.
Posted by: Kate | 27 February 2015 at 03:39 PM
It's called transhumance en Français...
Posted by: WR | 27 February 2015 at 04:26 PM
So sweet......thanks!
Posted by: Pam Norwood | 27 February 2015 at 04:44 PM
What a beautiful sight! Thank you for the link, Barbara.
Posted by: Natalie Thiele | 27 February 2015 at 05:21 PM
Thanks, I'm going to watch the video later..these things really interest me.
Posted by: tammyCA | 27 February 2015 at 07:06 PM
Ah, found the poem,but couldn't find my book..taken from the book, "Mythology" by Edith Hamilton, credit seems to be given to the 3rd century poet, Theocritus:
"Endymion the shepherd,
As his flock he guarded
She, the Moon, Selene,
Saw him, loved him, sought him,
Coming down from the heaven
Kissed him, lay beside him,
Blessed is his fortune.
Evermore he slumbers,
Tossing nor turning,
Endymion the shepherd."
And, Keats' famous poem, "Endymion" begins:
"A thing of beauty is a joy for ever..."
So many great works of art inspired by the eternally youthful & beautiful shepherd, Endymion and the Moon Goddess. Some paintings in the Louvre, too.
And, of course, the Good Shepherd of Christianity guarding His flock is always a very comforting image and thought.
Posted by: tammyCA | 27 February 2015 at 07:28 PM
I love this thank you so much for taking the time to share-
Posted by: g | 27 February 2015 at 08:15 PM
scenes like these remind me so much of the once a year sheep walk through the middle of Madrid Spain.
Centuries ago this walk always instinctively happened
and still does. These sheep cannot help but know this
is what should be done.
Long ago the reining king of then, King Alfonse, wrote
into law this was to continue forever, so long as the
famous sheep led their way.
Now thinking back to those days, the center of Madrid
today where the famous path lies, one finds exclusive
residences though in those centuries these areas were nothing more than dusty roads and of no consequence.
When the time of year arrives, all who fortunately live
there..gather all along the sidewalks to view this spectacular event. Many tourist come and the emotions begin. How breath taking to watch the hundreds of sheep fill the streets with the guidance of their dogs, and shepards. Yet, these sheep know their way.
One can hardly count the sheep...a few thousand or more.
Afterwards, imagine the mess? Nothing is too disturbing for all the Espanoles.....after all this
is an awesome event.
So, that said.....all of you should take the time and go see this.....
Oh! i must not forget....notice the shoes these shepards are wearing...hand carved of wood and decorated. So much like the Dutch. In the end all the sheep go back to the grand Pyreenes. One of the highest mountains of Europe.
Posted by: sel | 01 March 2015 at 01:58 AM
As a knitter nothing is more magical than sheep and faeries!
Posted by: Aimee | 09 March 2015 at 06:37 PM