Neuves-Granges: Afternoon Walk I

After Ernest had experienced a heart attack last year and Nicole had been diagnosed with a genetic illness two years ago, both of them were ordered by their doctors to walk at least one hour a day. In Haute-Saône where they were living permanently, the nature offered a perfect environment for their compulsory exercise, which was far more a blessing than a torture. When another nature lover like me joined in, their routine was even merrier.

That Friday afternoon, as we walked past their tenant's house, she greeted us and volunteered to mow their lawn after she had done with her side. In order not to let her wait too long, we decided to make our stroll a shorter one.

When we were strolling along the path to the forest, Ernest told me that it used to be an important route for merchants with their horses.
It was a bit hard for me to associate the current rural image of this region with the fact that at the beginning of the nineteenth century, it was one of the ten most industrialized regions in France.

My family name "Lim" in Chinese signifies woods. In parallel with it, I love forests very much. When we stepped into the forest, the rich greenery of grass and trees filled my eyes.

The different shades of green were quite different from the ones of our tropical forests in Malaysia.

There was a big house at the exit. The woods had extended their hands to it with leaves crawling up its wall.

Next to the house was a former horse trough which became an open container that held water for filtration before it was delivered to the household of the village.

Ernest and Nicole appeared at the area frequently. It was not surprising that the owner of the house knew them well.

After a short chat with the inhabitant, we continued our journey

until we reached a stream. There was a small wheel which was turning round with the flow of water. That was our final destination.