Traves Tangents

  Deep in the woods… …you can find a magnificent… …Benedictine Abbey, which you may have heard of, as they make very good cheese. Although the place dates from the last century, there is an atmosphere of deep calm and tranquility. Deeper into the woods… …there is a hidden delight… …a little glade… …with a statue of the Virgin Mary. It is an extraordinary place.

 I love Saulieu… …itˋs a little gem… … of a town. However, my main reason for visiting, is the lovely little museum… …thatˋs tucked away… …behind the church. As well as some magnificent Gallo-Roman bits and pieces… …and some delightful polychrome wooden statues… …the museum showcases the work of local boy, François Pompon. I absolutely ADORE… …his work… …and will take any opportunity… ….to go and revel. I was delighted to see some modern pieces there too. This one, ˋMoonlightˋ is by Hélène Arfi. I would have pinched this one, ˋTime to Reflectˋ, by Marc Debrie, if I could. I hope itˋs not too long before I can visit again.

  Itˋs still too damn hot, but I managed a trip out to Corbigny, where there is a lovely toy shop… …interesting mediaeval bits and pieces… …fun shop signs… …a great place to drink coffee and watch the world go by… …suitably mad French cars… …and baffling street furniture… …and a chilling reminder that not that long ago, people like you and me were taken away and annihilated. Remember them, never forget, never again.

For a small, sleepy place…Moulins-Engilbert…  …has a very large church. It is… …rather… …lovely… …with lots to see… …beautiful… …carving… …and lovely old wooden pews. And as well… …as these lovely faces… …there are… …some glorious statues in the crypt. However, what most spoke to me was the war memorial… …including my hostˋs grandfather.

What is there to say…  …about Vézelay, which hasn’t already been said by better wordsmiths than me? We set off early because of the heat… …and to my great delight…had… …the basilica…more or less… …to ourselves… …in calm… …tranquil… ….peace. Do try… …and visit… …if you can. Part of my soul… …is always there.