West of highway A10

I just had to know...what's the landscape like on the Other side. On the other side of the Highway that goes South from Paris, the A10. So, equipped with my GPS I felt ready to scout out some undiscovered territory. Chartres is over there, but I wasn't committed to driving that far. I would be content to see it rising up on the horizon like a solitary mountain. That's how Jaques Brel describes a similar view in Holland, Le Plat Pays.

Well, you'll have to take my word for it, but there it sits, not exactly a mountain on the horizon, but it is there. ( I know, I know, an Iphone isn't a camera)

But before I got there, first I stopped here to do a painting. A beautiful farm, alot like the many beautiful farms I have seen on MY side of the highway.

Thereatened rain the whole time, but my car strategically placed provided a decent wind break. In general the weather has been quite nice, and I love these immense and moody skies.

I found some of these lovely farmers' lakes, for lack of a real name.

It was a pretty relaxing day, not pushing too hard with the painting, and really enjoying the solitude and the open spaces.

After driving past several groups of modern-day gleaners, I plucked up my courage to stop and ask if I, too, could pick up some potatoes...which ten minutes later resulted in the loveliest bag of tiny new potatoes I ever did glean.

PS I cooked them up for la famille in upper New York State style: Salt Potatoes. Thank you Jennifer!!!! They were delicious.