Cloud Watching in Fountainbleu

Taking a full day to enjoy a beautiful park area just south of Paris, France.

Today was the day William had promised to take us to Fountainbleu for the whole day. He said it was a great way to celebrate our publication worthy short stories that we had read to the class the day before.
​I don't know about Laurel, but I felt pretty good about that.
Laurel said she had some good ideas for possible magazines that might be a good fit. I was tempted to send it to The New Quarterly to see if it would get accepted. No harm in trying.
The day was perfect. All of us had brought things to add to our picnic. William even had a waterproof blanket we could stretch out on.
He'd rented a car for the weekend and picked each of us up. He came to get me first.
"Okay Bronwyn. This is it." His smile was as bright as the sunny day when he saw me emerge from the building. He took my bag of goodies to add to our food stores. "What me to help you with the backpack?"
"No thanks. I got this. If I can't carry it now, I'll be struggling on the trial.... so I brought my bigger one and packed and repacked it with only the things I figured I'd need. I even managed to get a pair of jeans and a hoodie in there in case it gets chilly later."
"Good idea."
Laurel was already waiting at the curb sipping an iced latte when we pulled up. "I got one for each of you." she said as she brandished the tray.
Driving through the city was as exciting as the last time. Only this time we were at car level instead of ramped up higher in a bus.
By the time we reached the forest's parking area, I was ready to stretch my legs and move.
"Oh my God. I forgot how beautiful it is here. It's been awhile for me, but.... Wow." Her voice trailed off in awe as she stood there looking up into the vastness of foliage that seemed to engulf the trail.
"I figure we stick together so we don't get lost. Hike for awhile then stop for a rest, some food and a chance to write or whatever you have planned." William said as he pulled out the gear and handed our packs to us.
"There is a perfect spot William and I found last time that looks our over the valley. I think it would be amazing to capture at sunset."
"That's the plan, unless we find someplace better."
"We lucked out with the weather." Laurel said already bouncing on her toes and testing the weight of her backpack.
We headed into the forest. The coolness brushed over my skin on a breeze that was both welcome and necessary. The heat seemed to dissipate with the waving leaves and I let out a sigh of contentment as we moved along the dirt path making sure not to trip on the roots that cropped up every so often. The birds sang in full fevour as if they were glad of our return.
"This is heaven," I whispered not wanting to disturb the beauty and peace of the place.
William through me a beaming smile in agreement.
Laurel scooted ahead and William took that moment to catch my hand and give it a squeeze. My heart flipped over and sped as I squeezed his back.
"Guys, you gotta see this." Laurel whisper screamed back at us as she crested the next hill. without looking back she motioned for us to hurry up.
Still holding my hand, William moved ahead and I scampered to keep up with him.
Just over the rise not far from us a family of deer held court at the edge of a small glen. The two younger deer frolicked as their mother nibbled at the grass before raising her head to look in our direction.
We all seemed to inhale and hold our breath as we watched.
Unconcerned the mother deer strolled back into the undergrowth, her fawns following on dainty legs.
"Now that was a sight," William said in a breathy whisper. "First time I've seen wildlife that close."
Laurel and I exhale as we nod our agreement.
"Amazing," I whisper just as breathy as him.
We walk on emerging into the wee glen and I look up into the sky to see the bluest of blue with only a few Cottonelle puffs of clouds moving lazily along.
"Didn't think this day could get any better," Laurel said as she stopped to look up at the sky.
We walked on. Stopping here and there to take photos and scribble a few words. Both Laurel and I tried out hand at some poetry that wasn't half bad.
It was not until we got to the flat top surface of rock overlooking the valley that we decided to get comfortable and have some lunch.
"My legs need a break," Laurel said as she flung out the blanket, then kicked off her shoes to sink down crisscross apple sauce. "This spot is awesome. Catch that view."
William stretched out on the other side of the blanket and I took the middle top edge with the basket sitting in front of me. Kneeling forward I began to pull out the sandwiches I had made as well as the potato salad that Laurel had created.
William pulled out the water bottles and handled them around. "I brought fruit and... brownies."
"You made brownies!"
"I do have some skills... yes, but the fruit was just in case anyone wanted a healthier dessert."
"Screw healthy," Laurel said as she reached for a brownie first.
"I brought chips and some candy," I said pulling out the junky goodness from my bag and dumping them onto the blanket.
"Oh, good score." William said tapping his water bottle against mine. I felt his wink all the way down to my toes.
There are a few more clouds now." I said looking up at the sky. White puffs of cottony softness morphed and moved along. "I think that one is a bunny."
"And that one is a bird."
"A whale."
I smiled as we played this game while we ate. Sometimes we needed convincing, but other times the shapes made perfect sense. By the time we finished eating I was ready for a cat nap. William patted his belly and I shifted so that I could take advantage of his offered pillow. For a writer he was pretty buff, but I enjoyed being close and touching him. I was even willing to endure some of Laurel's teasing as she put away the uneaten portions of food and shifted the basket out of the way so she too could get more comfortable.
"I could stay here forever," she mused as she bent her elbow and plopped her head down onto her open palm. "You can see for miles."
After some time we all pulled out our writing gear and settled into a few solid hours of writing. It was bliss.
​​Before we knew it the sun began its journey down toward the horizon painting the sky and clouds with hues of purple and pink. By this point we had put our writing away and sat enjoying the last bites of food; polishing off the brownies in the process.
"I hate to say this ladies, but it's going to take a bit of time to get back to the car. We had best head back now or we'll be out here in the pitch darkness."
"I brought a flashlight," I said pulling out my Maglite and aiming the beam into the shadows that were beginning to grow. "Always prepared."
William grinned though he shook his head. "We still need to go."
We were able to make good time heading back. Our packs were lighter, given that we ate all our food, including all the candy and chips I had brought. I carried the flashlight in my hands just in case. William carried the picnic basket that now held only our garbage and recyclables. We took everything out we brought with us leaving the place as beautiful as we found it.
"This has been a fabulous day. I'm glad I came." Laurel said as she dropped her pack into the trunk of the car. "I'd love to do it again."
"So would I, but I expect we'll all have more adventures just as wonderful over the next year." I added my backpack beside hers, then shifted to let William add his own stuff.
"I can't believe the workshop will be over by next weekend. The time has flown by... have you decided on your next adventure, Bronwyn?"
"William's invited me up to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival and the International Bookfest that runs in mid to late August. I'm looking forward to that. I just haven't decided on what to do from now until then. I could take more time in Paris, but... I don't know. I'm kinda following my nose."
"I've been trying to convince her to come back to Edinburgh with me...."
I patted his arm giving him a soft smile. "I'm not committing to anything."
They climbed into the car and William got them back on the highway heading for Paris.
"I was thinking I'd like to visit the ocean. See what it's like on this side of the world. Maybe Brittany would be lovely if it's not too expensive."
"Maybe we could venture there together. My next writing retreat isn't for awhile and I could even tag on with you to Scotland. Care to travel a bit. We could double up and make it cheaper for both of us... if you like. I don't want to impose."
"That might be just the thing. Let me have a think on it and let you know."
As we motored along. I watched the clouds holding fast to the last sliver of light that crested the horizon. The dazzling spectacle predicted a fine day tomorrow and I felt the swell of pleasure and warmth as William reached over and took my hand. I couldn't ask for better friends.
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This version has 1698 words. My goal is 1800. That might be okay.