March marché

 

The tops of the vendors' trucks of the Sunday marché are just visible behind the levee that protects Amboise from flooding by the Loire.  The post title is an etymologist's playground.  The English word March is the 3rd month of the year.  Uncapitalized, it means to walk in a military manner.  The French word marché is market in English.  It also derives from the verb marcher (pronounced the same) that means to walk in English.  Don't get me started on the word levee.

quiz answer: wildflowers

 

the stone sky

Or maybe it's just the stone path at the base of the levee as seen from its top.  Every winter the vegetation dries up and seems to disappear from the levee's sides.  And by summer the wildflowers are back in control.

down by the levee

hangin' out on the levee

It's August.  It's hot.  What better to do than to sit in the shade and try to catch a little breeze off of the Loire on top of the levee.  Then add in some tunes.

lightning strikes twice

Figuratively anyway.  In fact, after a five year "drought" from snow, Amboise had its second snow of this winter yesterday.  So guess what you're gonna be seeing for awhile here !

This the top of the levee, with the Loire on the left, and the château in the distance.

shadows on the levee

Shoppers leaving the Sunday market have a great view of the Loire from the levee, but they're missing out on the shadows.  This shot is quite in contrast to yesterday's which was taken very close to this one.  But no more snow now.  The sun has returned yet it's quite cold (for Amboise).

frozen roses

Another shot from the snowfall of two weeks ago.  Here is a rose arbor on top of the levee next to the Loire.  The sky was very overcast, and I decided not to brighten this up as this is how it looked. 

on the levee

fall finale

Trees along the top of the levee next to the Loire with the bridge Leclerc in the foggy distance.  And Happy Thanksgiving to all.

morning lights the way

The path on top of the levee.  The château in the distance.

the poppy path

Yesterday's post showed a poppy growing on this path on top of the levee.  The levee protects Amboise from flooding by the Loire river.

looking a lot like winter

Everywhere you go.  (Still have those Christmas tunes running through my head.)  But to follow up on yesterday's post, here is what the river bank looked like that same day...  a thin layer of frost on everything and a bit foggy.

dawn on the levee

The good thing about the shorter days now is that I can easily get photos at dawn.  Today sunrise was at 8:03 am (Central European Time).

step up to the light

Stairs on the levee on the right bank.  You do remember why it's called the "right" bank, of course.  You can see how dry it's been here lately.

peace on the levee

A rare moment on the levee without the crowds of tourists and one can look out over the Loire in peace.  Have a peaceful Sunday everyone.

life can be harsh

One day you're blooming in the sun and four days later you're freezing your petals off.

relaxing is where you find it

These teenagers appear to have been exhausted after seeing all the sights in Amboise and decided to take a rest on the pathway atop the levee.

the levee as shady lane

This nice row of trees provides some welcome shade to the path along the top of the levee.  And this path is well used as it leads to the Friday and Sunday markets.

wildflowers on the levee

Just to the west of Amboise, the levee follows the Loire to this wonderful nature reserve.