Have you noticed how August usually goes by so quickly? As if we had forgotten to enjoy summer in July and that everything really starts in August. So I swapped my painting outfits for construction site ones. We are currently renovating a stone house and the light on these limestone walls captivated me to the point of stopping the work to organize a photo shoot. After all, when an idea comes to you it is so satisfying to give yourself the means to implement it, whether it works or not, at least we have been test it!
Inspiration from nature
Since I arrived in the Verdon (in the South of France), the legendary hike of the Blanc-Martel trail has tempted me greatly. Announced for 14km in 6h30, classified as difficult, it took us a beautiful day to cross the gorges. I wanted to start this hike with the sun because I find that the sunrise on the white rock reflects a particular atmosphere. The contrasts between the warm light on the left bank and the cold blue shadow of the morning of the right bank fascinate and inspire me.
It was also an opportunity to go hunting for giants, to find faces, hands, silhouettes in the cliff... A treat! But it wasn't just the cliffs that came to life, the trees too, century-old oaks with sublime curves, branches like hands turned towards the sky, moving away from the trunks... One of my favorite parts of this hike was these crossings in the shade of the trees.
Halfway, after about 3 hours of walking since our departure, we stopped at the confluence of the Jabron and the Verdon. We were able to observe the trout and feel the freshness of the water (without having to swim in it). The atmosphere is peaceful and invites us to sit for a few moments in silence to enjoy what nature gives us as a spectacle. Access to the Verdon during this hike allowed us to take a few breaks to rest a little with our feet in the fresh water and take the time to draw a little.
The second half of the trip was more athletic, braving the rock stairs before reaching La Brèche Imbert where steel stairs have been installed to pass the obstacle, offering us a dizzying view of the gorges. The passage through the Baou tunnel is also one of my favorites with its few openings to see the Verdon running a few meters away.
