Here what a hedgerow should look like.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
How tall where the hedgerows in Normandy
Last year, my wife and I did a tour of the beaches in Normandy. The tour guide pointed out that the farms in Normandy had a unique style if buildings. But the interesting part was that the current hedgerows are only 50 some years old. When the war ended the French government decided to remove all the hedgerows. Why they said the hedgerows impede the modernization of the country side. Later it became apparent why the hedgerows important to Normandy, wind soil erosion. In the 50's the wind had stripped off most of the good top soil. The farmer couldn't grow the food. It become like the dust bowl of Oklahoma. Don't make your hedgerows to small.
Here what a hedgerow should look like.
Here what a hedgerow should look like.
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Very enlightening, I'm surprised by how narrow the road is in your second picture, please take tons of photos.......and Old Pal, could you do me the favor of picking up a decent Michelin map of the area if you happen across one?
ReplyDeleteNot sure when that will happen again John. This years trip was cancelled because of medical insurance problems.
DeleteWe live in Mayenne, the Northern most part of Pas de Loire joining Orne and Manche Normandy, a lot of our Mayenne bocage hedges survive from the medieval period as we are dairy farming not crop like most of upper Normandy.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest problem with the clearing is the loss of wildlife and the frozen ground so crops take longer to grow. There is a push in France to make it a unesco heritage to save what remains.
Cheers
Matt
Hercé Salon de Guerre
Mayenne, France
Bluewillow, thanks for the input about Normandy. Our quick bus tour to the beaches we got to see alot of the Normandy countryside. I see you have a bed and breakfast. That is very nice. One of your blogs is now listed on blods I follow.
DeleteYes Gary,
DeleteWe own a former Barons residence who's family were heavily involved leading the Royal Catholic Armee in the Vendee.
Our idea is for couples to come on a holiday, us boys can visit the battlefields and wargame them and the ladies can do some retail therapy!
Cheers
Matt
French Wargame Holidays At L'Hotel de Hercé
Mayenne, France
Very interesting how the landscape has changed. cheers
ReplyDelete