Autumn is coming to the Vallee d'Ossau

Autumn is coming slowly but ever so surely to the Vallee d'Ossau. Changes, some small and subtle and others less so can be noticed in the trees, the air, the people and the animals. Across the mountainside one can see a faint hint of colour in the green, green forest - a yellowing on the edges of some trees and an occasional tree all brown or russet. The silver birch near the house changed colour slightly to brown and then dropped most of its leaves with an overnight breeze. There are fresh leaves on the ground in the forest and the tracks are softer now. Days are shorter, mornings darker as the sun takes longer to climb the mountains to the east.

Flocks of sheep and herds of cattle have begun to descend from the high mountain pastures and most evenings a troupeau will clamour its way through the streets of the village. The tall buildings and narrow streets amplify the sound and we hear every mob that passes through our village and through Beost on the other side of the valley. The stock are being brought down to lower pastures for autumn before moving into sheds for the winter - long wooled sheep trotting obediently along the roads and through the streets always accompanied by the Berger and his dogs and any number of assorted helpers. Some stop in a communal field below the house and the shepherds separate the mixed flocks by catching the sheep one by one until eventually one little flock trots off. The remaining sheep call to their friends as they disappear until next summer. At night the bells tinkle softly as sheep move about but mostly they are still and quiet till morning- exhausted by the long walk.
Cattle move more languidly with a different note and head on down the valley.

The fields have been mowed a last time. A period of intense activity - mowing, conditioning, raking, baling and carting hay to the sheds. Small fields are mown and raked by hand - every small bale of hay is important for the winter. Manure has been spread on the fields and it is as if they are ready for the long sleep of winter.

Trees are changing - colour and shape
subtly at first but fast gathering pace,
leaves falling softly through the forest
the mountain paths coloured and softened
Birds appear around our windows
migrating cranes are heard at night
Days are shorter, mornings cooler
Hay is cut and gathered in
manure spread - fields laid to rest
The troupeaus descend
bellies full of soft summer grasses
with them bergers and dogs
The valley is drawing in
coming home for winter
For warmth, for safety, companionship and renewal
the cycle continues