September 08, 2008

D2 out of Bordeaux

Location: Gironde, D2 heading north out of Bordeaux, junction with D211, crossroads to Macau (east) and Paloumey (west)


At the start of the D2 going north out of Bordeaux (which is the road that passes many of the great Bordeaux vineyards and chateaux) there is a wonderful roundabout where each "side" tells a story. The roundabout sits at the D2 junction with the D211 to Macau on the mouth of the Garonne.

We have the blue of the sea circled by a net. Then there is the red earth surrounded by vines. Spanning the two is a metalwork
"gateway", with fish and vine leaves. Although difficult to see because it is covered one side by a banner, I think there is also an artichoke in the centre of the "gates".

The whole is a grand entrance to the Médoc wine region.




D207 at Brach

Location: The Gironde: The D207 Carcan < > Castelnau-de-Médoc coming into the village of Brach

The small roundabout at the entrance to Brach on the D207 to Castelnau-de-Médoc in the Gironde is gently surreal. Is the skeleton hut meant to be leaning over? And what is the bicycle wheel attached to the rusty oil drum supposed to be?*

* Paul suggests that it might have been stuffed with burning straw or sawdust and used to keep frost or insects at bay in orchards