IT BEGINS LONG AGO
Emerging from Europe’s Dark Ages, Charlemagne’s death marked the emergence of the French and German nations. Here, at first, petty principalities for self-defense against marauding Norsemen, Huns, Tartars and other barbarous hordes, were headed by Duke, count, Bishop or Baron.
One such was an ancestor, Jean Guyon, created Baron in 1289, who from his big stone castle erected on top of Roche-Guyon, still overlooks the surrounding country through which the stately Seine winds its way northwest of Paris to the sea.
From this vantage point these early overlords kept a watchful eye over their subjects, protecting them from armed robber bands and acting as chief of police, judge, patron of church and monastery, and generally maintaining peace and order throughout their small domain.
THE HUGUENOT
As the centuries rolled by there gradually developed in Western Europe and ever growing battle between Church and State with the “common people” in between, exploited by both.
In France, a bitter…
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A sea of snow geese
From my spinning collection – Schwarzwalder Spinnstube – translated is Black Forest Spinning Room
Trying to find my car which was parked somewhere – I was only vaguely familiar with the neighborhood and couldn’t remember exactly where I had parked the car in my rush to get to the start line and registration.
climbing the stairs
The climb back up to the start (and the car) after walking the 5K to get to the finish.
Good companions on the walk
Still smiling on the walk – feeling cosy in my dragon hat (the closest I could get to a turkey)
Approximately 1/3 of the way along.
En route