Morning mist

We woke early this morning to take a trip into Troyes, as we left the house the mist was still hanging in the valley as the early morning sun was rising and just starting to pick out, in a golden splash, some of the higher vines.

We drove around Landreville and could see the sun illuminating the recently renovated church. It was so peaceful and calm - and yet you could feel the day starting - bright and full of the excitement of a day out. Confinement in France has been eased, and we can now venture out without a signed form, so we had planned to go to Troyes to collect our framed pictures, and have a wander around the city.

Troyes is steeped in history dating back to 600 BC, where they have found evidence of a Celtic settlement. During the Roman and Medieval times it expanded as a city, but in 1524 there was a massive fire destroying a lot of the city. So most of the houses that now crisscross the city date back to the 16th century. The old wooden houses that line the little alleyways and streets are all trying to be bigger than their neighbour, pushing to grab their piece of space. Nothing has really changed over hundreds of years. Some look top heavy and about to topple forwards. Some are crumbling from being weary from time and others are lovingly restored and standing proud displaying their architecture and wanting to tell their stories. We will go back to Troyes when we can wander the streets and drink coffee in the cafes and enjoy a relaxing lunch. For now we had fun just absorbing the Christmas flair.