[paul m]

I'll be in Lille for a week shortly - not an ecological expedition but I should have some time for studying nature .... unfortunately all my internet searches come up with dry history rather than natural history and mention of wildlife gives me masses of hits on the Bouvier des Flandres which is probably a fine dog but not one of my interests! Anyone know any sites worth the seeing in the countryside around Lille?

[frostfire]

Never been in the area my self, but this site might help:

NATURE - Holidays and Weekends in Nord-Pas de Calais

~*~Frostfire~*~

[paul m]

Thanks, some useful pointers there - shame I don't have a couple of weeks.
Big decision now is what clothing to take - very changeable weather at this time of year ....

If the worst comes to the worst can always do indoor tourism at the botanical garden and zoo!

Originally Posted by frostfire

Never been in the area my self, but this site might help:

NATURE - Holidays and Weekends in Nord-Pas de Calais

~*~Frostfire~*~

[paul m]

Well, I have nothing much to report; certainly not in the same league as Black ... although at least I didn't suffer from leeches! Very dull and cool in Lille and environs so confined myself to urban ecology ....

Few flowers to be seen. Ranging from the ridiculous:


to happy signs of spring:


The Jardin des Plantes is a pleasant enough park but not of massive botanical interest - the systematic beds
are sparse and disorganised and the tropical house
poorly labelled but steamy and warm!