‘Ambience’: this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge.
I felt stuck. In my head, I rummaged through my photo collection. I discarded foggy moody atmospheric mornings like this one. I rejected bright summer meadows and crisp snowy winter walks as not quite projecting the ambience I want to think about on this dismal January day.
Here’s what I’ve chosen. It’s an image that’s more than six years old now, but it sums up much of what we loved best about our years in France.
Our walking group had played its part in organising a walk for ramblers from all over the region. We’d arranged signage, helped sponsors set up their stall, marshalled the event, walked ourselves, and handed out certificates at the end before the visiting walkers departed. Now we could relax.
Here we are in the mediaeval town square in Mirepoix, unwinding over a good and copious meal with plenty of wine. The sun is shining. The afternoon stretches lazily ahead of us. We’re among friends. This is an ambiance chaleureuse at its finest.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
I think this sums up both ambience and rural France to perfection, it’s what we love so much about living here.
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I know. I miss it.
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Agree how miserable it is today. Thought I recognised the place – we had a good lunch in Mirepoix last September on a hot, sultry day. It was the only place that we heard other English voices in two weeks of holiday down there.
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You would have done. It’s Little England, which is why we didn’t want to live there.
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I had to look up “chaleureuse” but, yes, this photo is perfect!
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Happy times!
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I had to look up “chaleureuse” too. What a wonderful word! And captured so well in your chosen image. It must have been a tough decision to move on from such a life 🙂
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It was. But then … our family is here.
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Wonderful photo! Certainly captures the atmosphere, the ambience! 🙂
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It brought back many memories for me.
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I love how the French eat their meals outdoors–such a sense of community, friendship–makes the whole dining experience rather special.
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It’s fantastic, isn’t it? I do miss it.
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Even in cooler weathers!
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What a lovely warm feeling that photo has, just the right one to brighten up this dismal, cold, wet January day! 👏🏻
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Ah, it’s less dismal here than it was. I hope it’ll brighten up for you too.
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Done nothing but rain all weekend but supposed to brighten up in the week. Chillier though.
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Like KerryCan I had no idea what chaleureuse meant and I looked it up, Perfect word. Perfect photo. A warm afternoon spent enjoying food and friends and wine – sounds fabulous. Have a wonderful week.
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You too! The lighter days are coming – all good.
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That image really hit the spot.
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Thank you!
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You made a great choice. I’ve been struggling with this word too.
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Thank you. I know you’ll find something good. You always do!
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I do like this photo! I can almost hear the voices and the munching going on!
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Nice to see a cheery, summery photo on this very dreich day here!
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That’s pretty much what I thought.
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A lovely scene and lots of warmth exuding from it!
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‘Warmth’ in every sense of the word 😉
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Ah, Mirepoix- lovely to visit!
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Best avoid Monday mornings. You’ll only hear English 😉
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“Ambiance chaleureuse” ~ such a joyful term and it reminds me of what I read in your lovely blog posts from France when I first discovered you! I hope you are unstuck now! Spring is coming.
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You’re right. The snowdrops are out, the daffodils are working on it, and the days are longer. A better focus today than Politics with a Big P.
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