My friend Dessa has a large house in a hamlet perched along a ridge which has stunning panoramic views to the south. Last week I walked down the terraces below her house and looked back up at it for the first time.
What a stunning fortress of granite.It has to be said that the main approach to the house, from the other side is probably more beautiful, but I find that the only two photos I have of it are in fact one of dogs in the courtyard and another of a window in her guest apartment. Must remedy that.
We were actually down below the house for Dessa to show me her water source. We all have a ‘Manon des Sources’ story to tell, especially Dessa! The source is inside an incredible structure carved into the hillside. Philippe, who does a multitude for jobs for both of us, is busy excavating the steps down to the source. He is working like an archaeology, discovering yet more wonders of the amazing way people in the the past created impressive water systems with very basic tools. (The plaster on his forehead bears witness to a recent tumble on the terraces, not an insignia of some order.)
I thought I would finish by slipping in photos of Dessa’s second house just along the road from her. She sold it a couple of years ago to a very nice family (classical music teachers, architect, retired scientist) who are dividing this huge property up amongst the different members of the family. I love this house, but recognise that there was too much space and too much work to be done for Dessa to choose it rather than her present one (which is also divided into her apartment, one rented out and a guest apartment).
I took these photos with my drone, which sadly I have since sold to pay for my swanky Apple watch.
