The brief return of our shadows: Neveres - Ferme Auberge des Pirodelles - Lignières

Yesterday twice I tried to take a picture of our shadows before the clouds moved in again.  Although there were some showers we had a beautiful ride, much of it along the tow paths of various canals.

Pont Canal over the d'Allier river.  A pont canal is a canal built into a bridge crossing above another river or valley.  They are remarkable examples of canal engineering.

We had full sun for a lovely picnic at Apremont Sur Allier, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France. 

France is much more of a meritocracy than Canada. Every town is judged and only a few hundred make the plus beaux list. There are other competitions as well; one of them recognizes the quality of flower displays by rating them as one to four town des fleurs.