How green is our valley

With all the talk of drought around the country and in our region, it's hard to tell at first glance that anything's wrong. Everything looks pretty green. But if you live here, and know how it looks when it's raining normally, you can see the differences and the effect the lack of rain is having.

The view across the Cher Valley from up in the vineyards, looking roughly north.

For one thing, the fern cover in the forests isn't as dense and high as it normally is. Plants are generally smaller this year than last year. The grass is browner and doesn't need cutting as often. The colza crop has long been harvested and the grains are brown and ready. The sunflower fields are looking pretty sad.

In the photo above you can see brown and green fields. Most of the brown are where colza was planted. The green fields are vineyards. I wonder what they'll be saying about this year's wine when it's harvested? Dry conditions often make for good wine, but the yield will be lower. It could start raining again at any time, but for many crops it will be too late. Even the grape vines have already set their fruit for the season. More or less water will only have an impact on the quality of the juice, not the quantity.