Bike riding is not a typical image I think about in winter. A shiny bike by a Christmas tree however can be a solid image and hope for many. Randy and his road bike take to the road a couple times a week. A few months ago a ride led him to Château La Roque, cru Pic Saint-Loup. (I blogged about this under November VII.) Upon researching events for our family to attend nearby he found an invitation for December, at the chateau. A French field trip for our entire family accompanied with wine, good food, horses, dogs and sheep!! A win win for all of us.
We were reminded this month during church that when Jesus was born it was a typical normal day for everyone else. Shepherds were watching their sheep, bakers were baking, farmers were preparing or harvesting the land, children were playing, and some people were traveling. In the morning at the chateau we learned how horses plow the vineyards. The farmer spoke in French and Randy translated important details for us. I was interested in seeing how the farmer was connected to both the plow and horse by a lengthy leather belt. Not sure why the donkey was present but she was everywhere, maybe someone’s pet, maybe for show, maybe just because. We talked about how some breeds have a cross on their back.
After the plowing session we spied sheep and goats in the vineyard. A watchful dog kept the animals in place, occasionally running to one side or another when part of the herd started veering off. A shepherd communicated to the watchdog using different whistle sounds. We watched in fascination with joy on our faces. The goats with their crazy horns reminded me of miniature reindeer.
Next we walked to an enclosed pasture housing a small flock of sheep and a gaggle of geese or flock of ducks, not really an expert of geese and duck differences. The same horse farmer led the sheep dog exhibition. Different shepherds, male and female, took turns with their dogs guiding and herding the sheep throughout the field. Some had their dog split the sheep. One shepherd had his dog roundup geese/ducks and walk them into a pen. Yes, I was thinking about the movie Babe while observing these animals and their trainers. All the dogs waiting for their private turn were locked in on the herd from outside the fence. The farmer-shepherd explained the commands being told to the dogs. Some shepherds commanded in unique whistle sounds, others used words to direct their dog to come, stay, turn right (à droite) or left (à gauche). The youngest pup to herd was 9 months old. Even the 20 month old Belgian Malinois, Skeep, had his turn.
Lees in France 