More memories of summer, crickets in Bissy-sur-Fley, Saône-et-Loire (71)

 

It was 18 July 2020, in Bissy-sur-Fley, Saône-et-Loire (71), and the ground was thick with crickets, almost the only sound coming from these amazing creatures, thousands of them. Above, one landed on the bonnet of the car, presenting a wonderful view of these beings. I just wonder when we'll be allowed to see such sights again.

Silver-Washed Fritillary Butterfly, Bissy-sur-Fley, Saône-et-Loire (71)

Memories of summer. Will we be allowed to have one in another country in 2021? There is a buddleia bush in the shadow of the Château Pontus de Tyard, Bissy-sur-Fley, Saône-et-Loire, teeming this July with scarce swallowtail (flambés in French) butterflies, and also silver-washed fritillary butterflies (tabacs d'Espagne in French), so easily confused with the pearl-bordered fritillary (grand collier argenté).

Boîte à lire, Bissy-sur-Fley (71), Saône-et-Loire (71)

Tucked away in a corner of Bissy is this this rather cute Boîte à lire next to the letter box, where I got rid of the French books I'd read and didn't want to keep, and picked up a book by the fascinating sculptor and author Roland Topor, most known for his eerie Le Locataire chimère (translated as The Chimerical Lodger).

Pontus de Tyard in Bissy-sur-Fley (Saône-et-Loire (71))

Pontus de Tyard (1521-1605) was a poet, musician, philosopher, theologian and bishop of Chalons-sur-Saône during the wars of religion. As a poet he was one of the Lyon school encouraged of Maurice Scève, and also a member of Ronsard's Pléiade: Ronsard sang his praises in his verses.

The works of Pontus de Tyard.

From the vineyard, the Château de Pontus de Tyard. The Château itself: