Happy Halloween – Polytechnique in Autumn Colours

October 31 (so, happy halloween) 2016 was one of those all too rare autumn days on campus: blue sky, bright sunshine, fairly warm – and, nature at its very best. Despite being busy, it was impossible to resits taking a quick afternoon stroll and in nature in all its colourful glory.

It was also time to wish “bon voyage” to old friends: the lake on campus is home to geese and such, some of whom were hatched there – and whom I’ve therefore on my regular walks on campus seen grow from cute, but messy, little balls of feathers, clumsily trying to keep up with their parents, and into big, beautiful birds ready for their long winterly trek. Fare well, and come back next spring to hatch your young.

Ecole Polytechnique in autumn colours, October 31, 2016
Geese resting on the lake at Ecole Polytechnique before their long flight…

It is a privilege to have office in an environment where there’s green (and red, and yellow, and …) of nature, and  with room for wildlife: in addition to geese, I regularly see foxes and rabbits, when I am strolling around the campus grounds to clear my mind.

Ecole Polytechnique in autumn colours, October 31, 2016
Reflections

Students at Ecole Polytechnique live on-campus – so they do not just get to study in this environment, but to live in it, play sports in it. Almost makes you want to go back to school …

Ecole Polytechnique in autumn colours, October 31, 2016
Ecole Polytechnique Campus Entrance
Ecole Polytechnique in autumn colours, October 31, 2016
Soccer field in autumn colours