We first saw this place in June 2003. The old house had been empty for 40 years and certainly it showed the signs. The weather was glorious, the amount of work needed overwhelming, but it was brimming with history and wildlife and a dream was born.
The absence of people, pesticides and herbicides has led to a rare biodiversity not seen often in habitable areas, and the soil is incredibly fertile.
There are 4 houses and 6 outbuildings, starting from approximately 800 years in age. Originally a source of Tuffeau, the local white sandstone used for building. It has been quarried and mined here creating the labyrinth of around 15km of caves, and the cliff surrounding the older part of the property. Afterwards as a vineyard/wine merchants, and eventually as a mushroom farm in the caves.
Since then, it has seen people of all ages come and go.
I find myself confined here today, after a restriction of movement was imposed by the government. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be, and this is my story.
I feel strangely free but slightly nervous too. The birdsong is deafening at times, and how many species. I need to blend into my surroundings, causing as little impact as possible to keep this going. Veggie plot needs starting in urgence, wood chopping for the heating and cooking, and quite a few repairs need attention.
It will be interesting to see what happens to our little community of humans in the area too, we need to help each other usually for certain tasks, but this will lead to possible exposure to the virus. Nature of course carries on regardless and everything is in growth mode, with reproduction the objective. An objective contradiction between species, our own being the only one with complex communication skills.