Les Cerfs (Deer)

This morning we met up with a friend of Bernard's who hunts deer so that he could guide us in the forest. The rondez-vous was for 7am, just as dawn was breaking. It was a 20minute drive to get to the forest ( the biggest north of Paris ) and before we were even in there very far and still on the main road, we saw a hind on the side of the road before she slowly moved away. We reached our spot and got out into the crisp morning air with our guide. It was 1deg so very fresh, but such as incredible place to be at that hour of the morning. Dawn was just breaking, the birds were beginning to sing and there was not another sound except for the huge bass tones of stags calling to each other. Their deep-throated roars echoed through the forest as we crept along as silently as possible hoping to glimpse one through the trees. It felt as though we were living thousands of years ago with these massive prehistoric noises booming out through the forest. They were so loud. The only reason I felt relaxed was because hunters aren't permitted in the forest till after 10am!  There were so many stags in our vacinity and after a short while we saw our first one through the misty light amongst the trees. He  looked such a beautiful and majestic creature and obviously didn't sense us as a threat because he didn't bolt when he saw us. Over the next hour we saw another stag then a hind and then driving home, a really small deer that was obviously born last year.  By then, my face was numb and it was light and the roaring had all but finished. Obviously the hormones calm down in daylight!

 

Bernard (on the left) and I with his hunter friend.

 

We stopped at a Boulangerie on the way home for baguette and croissants for brekky - yes, my first croissant since I arrived. Bernard filled his baguette with pate and cheese and true to his ch'ti style, dunked it in his coffee before he ate it!
I then began preparing my lunch for everybody. It is common for extended families to eat together for lunch on Sunday.
My meal was well received with everyone vying for copies of the recipe for Pavlova!  After an afternoon 'rest' we are going in to a nearby village for a walk. I look forward to that.