Saturday, December 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas in a stone caravan...
The annual Samaritans YouGov poll of 2,000 adults found that 2010 was considered a bad year or the worst year ever by 30% of the population – a rise from 24% in 2009.
An interesting result from the UK, perhaps illustrating that 2010 has been a difficult year for many...it certainly feels there is some truth in this for me...the silver lining of course being that 2011 maybe not so!! The soothing relief of the collective suffering is a curious thing, knowing others got caught by the dogdy chicken takeaway somehow reduces the dispair...either the pull to community or a more Freudian position of the dark forces within wanting the other sibling(s) to suffer too...
Having had a week in the UK, introducing C&L to the rigors of urban life, catching up with that lovely 21 year old before she battled her way through the masses of Heathrow (and managed to fly out! to the warmth of NZ), enjoying the latest arrival of the Davies tribe, young Saffir...a lovely happy n healthy baby...testing the in snow driving skills (very thankful for the old Landrover..especially this side early Saturday am, snow, ice, no grit (in France) and so driving on a skating rink from the port to home)...C&L were great to travel with and so all in all a great trip..
Have just finished the sand/lime render in the kitchen and so a milestone of sorts...January is the month for cutting wood out there so when dry I shall be on the end of my chainsaw and when wet beginning the floor base...aiming to replace the roof in February so I won't put a nice wooden floor in before that...
So this is Christmas...with the cold keeping much of the activity indoors the cabin fever begins to develop...adults, twins, dogs and all the associated stuff that goes with life crammed into our one room does have it's moments..certainly sufficient motivation to ensure next door will be ready for next winter!! For me, it is the lack of space, be it psychic, physical, emotional..after last week's intensity I am aware of a need for some space...A friend Duncan suggests building a cabin down by the river, not sure what the Marie will make of that!
C&L have caught on to the descent of Santa and so await with the usual anticipation for his arrival...we have people coming in the farm house gite over Christmas so a mid winter clean has happened, Heleen has put some lovely decorations above the fire so hopefully they remembered to send a redirection order to Santa...
Seeing that we are soon to be in a new year here is a tentative wish list...
* A neurological breakthrough enabling language downloads whilst sleeping..
* All Blacks to beat Australia in the RWC final...
* A new Marie for Plouyé (a nice one please!)
* Biologique certification
* A whole house!
* Being happy, healthy, wealthy & wise
* World peace (if you don't ask...)
Nadolig Llawen a'r holl bethau da i un a phob yn 2011...
Joyeux Noël et toutes les bonnes choses à toutes et à tous en 2011...
Happy Christmas and all good things to one and all in 2011...
Be thankful
Rxx
Friday, December 17, 2010
Home alone
To celebrate Siany's 21th birthday Rod and kids have gone to the UK. I've stayed behind to (finally) get some work done, look after the animals and maybe even do something with the horses.
I must say, I had to get used to the quiet for a day or two. But overall it's been a great week, got LOADS of work done, gone completely back into my single person lifestyle for a week when it comes to housekeeping: lovely.
Without my big warm snoring bear in bed I haven't been sleeping very well. During the day I'm getting used to the cold, but I don't like a cold bed...
The ground was frozen and sometimes slippery so not really good for a ride but have gone for two really big walks with the horses. Conclusion: Milo will not become an endurance horse, I had to drag him up the hill on the way back. My old mate Harry walking in the front, ears pricked in the air, loving every minute of it, especially on the tracks where he can walk of the lead. He's still going strong at 22 and loves the wintery cold.
While Rod and C&L are boarding on the ferry home I'm going for a big shop to fill our very empty fridge. Looking very much forward to hear the little twittery voices of my lovely kiddies tomorrow and to give them long a warm snuggles.
Hope Rod will write a nice post of his adventures in Bristol. With pictures...
I must say, I had to get used to the quiet for a day or two. But overall it's been a great week, got LOADS of work done, gone completely back into my single person lifestyle for a week when it comes to housekeeping: lovely.
Without my big warm snoring bear in bed I haven't been sleeping very well. During the day I'm getting used to the cold, but I don't like a cold bed...
The ground was frozen and sometimes slippery so not really good for a ride but have gone for two really big walks with the horses. Conclusion: Milo will not become an endurance horse, I had to drag him up the hill on the way back. My old mate Harry walking in the front, ears pricked in the air, loving every minute of it, especially on the tracks where he can walk of the lead. He's still going strong at 22 and loves the wintery cold.
While Rod and C&L are boarding on the ferry home I'm going for a big shop to fill our very empty fridge. Looking very much forward to hear the little twittery voices of my lovely kiddies tomorrow and to give them long a warm snuggles.
Hope Rod will write a nice post of his adventures in Bristol. With pictures...
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The school issue
Mondaymorning I first rang the teacher that the kids were not coming to her school anymore. She was quite civil to me but mentioned that I cannot just change schools, that I have to talk to the maire. I already knew that this was the case if I wanted to go to the school in Locquefret, but she suggested that I had to have his permission for any school.
At midday I talked to Mr le Guern, the maire of Plouyé. He was expecting me and he said instantly that he wouldn't sign for the kids to go to Locquefret or Landelau school or any other school...
His explanation was that the local community pays for the little ones education and that they have to go to school in the local commune. Besides that, if the number of pupils drop below 50 the school will have to go back from three to two classes. I'm not sure if C&L are the two pupils that bring the total up to 52. Sometimes my french is just not good enough to get all the details.
I thought in France everybody is free to choose where they have their education, but the Maire said this is only the case for kids that go to college (11 years and older). One of he teachers in Landelau told Rod that this is not true and that we are allowed to go to their school. We know several Plouyé kids that have been to Landelau.
The maire almost begged me to try for another month, but I've just finished trying for another month. The only thing the kids say is: The teacher didn't yell at me (good days) or The teacher yelled at me today (bad days). They don't know any other french then what I've taught them and I hear that they don't speak at all in school, not in french or english.
When they hear french outside of school or see kids form their school they just want to hide their heads under my sweater. Not very handy when you live in France!
The maire told me he'd tell 'Gene' to 'watch her mouth', but I don't need her to change. She's done this for 25 years, if it works for her and french kids, great, but it doesn't mean that it works for me or my kids.
Besides from intimidating the kids, she also does it to the mothers! I know of other women she has been going of at, including me. The kids are scared of her, and I'm not to keen on het either and I can't see it getting any better….
At midday I talked to Mr le Guern, the maire of Plouyé. He was expecting me and he said instantly that he wouldn't sign for the kids to go to Locquefret or Landelau school or any other school...
His explanation was that the local community pays for the little ones education and that they have to go to school in the local commune. Besides that, if the number of pupils drop below 50 the school will have to go back from three to two classes. I'm not sure if C&L are the two pupils that bring the total up to 52. Sometimes my french is just not good enough to get all the details.
I thought in France everybody is free to choose where they have their education, but the Maire said this is only the case for kids that go to college (11 years and older). One of he teachers in Landelau told Rod that this is not true and that we are allowed to go to their school. We know several Plouyé kids that have been to Landelau.
The maire almost begged me to try for another month, but I've just finished trying for another month. The only thing the kids say is: The teacher didn't yell at me (good days) or The teacher yelled at me today (bad days). They don't know any other french then what I've taught them and I hear that they don't speak at all in school, not in french or english.
When they hear french outside of school or see kids form their school they just want to hide their heads under my sweater. Not very handy when you live in France!
The maire told me he'd tell 'Gene' to 'watch her mouth', but I don't need her to change. She's done this for 25 years, if it works for her and french kids, great, but it doesn't mean that it works for me or my kids.
Besides from intimidating the kids, she also does it to the mothers! I know of other women she has been going of at, including me. The kids are scared of her, and I'm not to keen on het either and I can't see it getting any better….
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Curtains
The first anniversary of my mum's death in two days time. Time to remember her by sowing curtains with her lovely sowing machine. I finally have to learn to do stuff like this, now she can't do it anymore.
I've been feeling her peeking over my shoulder: Oh no this is not straight, oh no, don't you need to pin that first? And I bet she wished she'd also put some green string in with it.. Anyway, they're up, great fun, thanks mum!
Also thanks to Hansa who bought the fabric, not our first choice - green, but it actually looks allright.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Colds and snow
Greetings one and all...
Another month slips by as we descend into the winter depths, Thursday's market saw the first flurries of snow and today on my way to French it tried again...not enough to stay around (much to the twins dismay) but a signal that the winter has arrived and snow will happen at some stage (next Tuesday according to the forecast)...
Have met some lovely people of late, Simon, Audrey and the crew and this week Steve, Ali & wee Erin... although this is against the background of heavy colds, coughs and aches (not something I have had much in NZ)..Charlie especially has not been right for awhile...this has kept them out of school but in actual fact they have finished at Plouye (no-one knows as we are not brave enough to face Madame le Mat..!!)...There is a commonly held belief here that, as a parent you have the right to choose the school you wish your children to attend. However, in reality, I think we have to crawl, cap in hand to the Plouye Marie (he who holds all power in our commune..ie the person not to piss off) and tell him of our decision and seek his blessing to move.
We shall aim for somewhere in the middle (very diplomatic!), go and see him yet be firm on what we want for the kids...quite different if we were local of course...
What with sickness and cold, dark nights the hemp rendering has slowed considerably, I am 3/4 through the second coat and so may get the last one on before Xmas...
I have decided to head over to the UK for a week in December to catch up with Sian before she heads to NZ to thaw out..she will be 21(!! amazing really) on the 11th, is in Bristol on the 15th and so I shall catch her then...
Other than that no real news as everything slows to a survival pulse, the sap is sinking and first waves of the hibernative coma are felt....perhaps we shall post again when the days lengthen!
ZZzzzzz
Another month slips by as we descend into the winter depths, Thursday's market saw the first flurries of snow and today on my way to French it tried again...not enough to stay around (much to the twins dismay) but a signal that the winter has arrived and snow will happen at some stage (next Tuesday according to the forecast)...
Have met some lovely people of late, Simon, Audrey and the crew and this week Steve, Ali & wee Erin... although this is against the background of heavy colds, coughs and aches (not something I have had much in NZ)..Charlie especially has not been right for awhile...this has kept them out of school but in actual fact they have finished at Plouye (no-one knows as we are not brave enough to face Madame le Mat..!!)...There is a commonly held belief here that, as a parent you have the right to choose the school you wish your children to attend. However, in reality, I think we have to crawl, cap in hand to the Plouye Marie (he who holds all power in our commune..ie the person not to piss off) and tell him of our decision and seek his blessing to move.
We shall aim for somewhere in the middle (very diplomatic!), go and see him yet be firm on what we want for the kids...quite different if we were local of course...
What with sickness and cold, dark nights the hemp rendering has slowed considerably, I am 3/4 through the second coat and so may get the last one on before Xmas...
I have decided to head over to the UK for a week in December to catch up with Sian before she heads to NZ to thaw out..she will be 21(!! amazing really) on the 11th, is in Bristol on the 15th and so I shall catch her then...
Other than that no real news as everything slows to a survival pulse, the sap is sinking and first waves of the hibernative coma are felt....perhaps we shall post again when the days lengthen!
ZZzzzzz
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Big river
These photos Rod took after heavy heavy rain. We went down to see if John's cottage was still there. The river was so big that it came only 10 meters from the little house. Advantage of the river being so high is that Marley doesn't take of, it's tricky to cross at the moment.
After the rain a few nights of frost, and now back to rain again...
Friday, November 5, 2010
chanvre
From one sort of relationship to another... France is known for it's attachment and use of hemp, seeds for their oil and nutrition and the straw for it's many building qualities. Since Dupoint kindly kicked the hemp to touch in the 50s (to ensure the success of it's new synthetics in the US) we potentially lost an amazing resource. Sure, the advent of the 60s ensured it's survival yet also and ironically ensured it's isolation...
It took the French to develop and subsequently license five seed strains of cannabis that are virtually THC free and therefore 'okay' to grow for their products. So it is not unusual to come across small fields of what appears to be something we may see on a documentary in the foot hills of Vietnam, yet to the locals this is just chanvre.
One of the (many) wonders of hemp is it's ability to thrive without need of chemical intervention, produce bountiful seeds full of omega rich oil and a straw that is an incredible insulate, both thermally and acoustically. It is this that first caught my attention for here we had 700mm stone walls, stripped of a suffocating layer of cement render yet in need of covering. Hemp, when chopped and mixed with water and lime (looks alot like tuna mayo at this stage) makes the perfect answer...
The walls can breath through the render, it is a by product of a very eco crop, provides insulation second to none. looks fantastic (soft, rounded, thick...pictures will appear soon) and is lovely to work with, applying by hand, moulding on the wall...something very old and satisfying is felt...
I am sure this product would be a a big hit in NZ yet it would need to be grown there to ensure it is sustainable...maybe once mr key and his cronnies have gone?
So this is exciting stuff for us as the kitchen starts to lose that ruin look (which was really beginning to wear me down!)...yet with much shorter days now and still the same amount of other stuff to do it seems it may take some time to complete...
So here comes our first winter, stacks of wood in the shed (I still find it amazing that the previous people had little or no wood system other than burning it green), the next thing to do is try my hand at nettle beer. Made a lovely nettle soup last weekend and before it all gets zapped by the frosts I think a beer will be a fitting end. We did spend a day last Sunday at Debbie and Duncan's helping them with their annual cider pressing. It would seem that the (apparent!?) dryness of the summer has meant that the apples are short on juice, suffice to say it was tough going.
I shall not mention my struggle with French other than it is...as to how long it will take me to get to a place of being able to hold a conversation is unclear. there are some that give me hope, my friend Hilka (sells flowers on the market) chats away in French and all learnt at street level but she has been here 20 years!
What with the language and therefore reliance on Heleen to provide the sharp end of an income I have had a difficult week in my head. A lot of anxiety re the future, economic vulnerability etc. and the prospect of remaining quite powerless to influence this from here... however, as with most things in sitting with it I notice that being here accentuates the reality of our lives...as we get older the options are reduced and so I can not so easily fool myself with thoughts of endless time.... I am beginning to think that France may well become quite a meditation for me!
Still no news on the green beans, have found a place in Tilbury and Antwerp, Tilbury I guess is slightly easier yet the irony is not missed that I could have delivered to Albany, organic, fair trade beans cheaper than here in Europe (go figure)...
Time for bed said Zebaddy, all those reading this from the fair isles of NZ..enjoy the spring, I do miss you all and hope to see you at some stage of this particular journey...
R
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Mammie on holiday
Last Thursday I went on a little holiday 'all by my own'. Alibi was the seminar of paardenbegrijpen, an organisation that promotes the art of academic riding that I follow on the internet. It's been the first time in almost 7 years I've been to the Netherlands for 'pleasure'. And it's been a pleasure overall, but with some difficulties to get around and back...
Thursday night Liesbeth picked me up. It's so nice to see here so happy and relaxed! Great to be able to visit the Netherlands without a huge jetlag...
In the morning she dropped me of at the station and I went to Arnhem where Jolanda, another french member of the horseclub, picked me up. The day was held in a stable that was set up with a lot of space for the horses to wander around as a herd. The place had several feed cabins similar to those in cow sheds that repond to the microchip of the horses. Very high tech!
The seminar consisted of 9 demonstrations of squires showing all the levels of work starting with the basics of the in hand training of a young horse to the advanced work like canter pirouettes with an more experienced horse. Very useful to see and hear the explanation. Great to see all the people I only know from the forum.
All of a sudden the day was over and almost everybody left! A bit of a missed opportunity maybe. It would have been great if everybody had stayed for drinks and chats, but the pouring rain made everybody rush to their cars... Felice and I went to have dinner. I really enjoyed getting to know her better and maybe we can email a bit more in the future...
Saturday Joyce gave me a riding lesson on a very experienced stallion. A bit overwhelmed by cold and all the new impressions it took a little while before I really got into it. Then a mare entered the arene and we decided to continue our lesson on another horse, Roko (not a stallion...). It doesn't really matter what horse you're on if your teacher is good you will learn something.
I had a real eye opener. Joyce made me feel the different influences my seat has and how any tension in me is responded to by a change (for the worse) in the horse. At the end of the session I felt I really had found a missing key in my horse riding skills! Great stuff, worth every cent. Thank you Joyce!
I came back downtown Arnhem and it was incredibly busy... to find there where no trains at all that day. By bus and train back to Amsterdam. A new public transport ticketing system makes it not easy for tourists like me. By that time I felt pretty exhausted by the whole urban experience. Is it me, or is it really so much more overcrowded everywhere?
Sunday I had a lovely day with Liesbeth and Quint. First I had a chance to practice my 'new seat' on her horse and wow it worked! I've never really felt this kind of being in balance on and with a horse! I could even do very nice flying changes, stuff I only know in theory!
In the afternoon we went on their Harleys to the beach. I love that sound and that feeling of strong engines nicely tucked in lots of layers of clothes and leather. But Gee, very 300 meter there is another red traffic light. Lots and lots of traffic, even on a Sunday afternoon.
Monday another nice social day: Breakfast wit h Hilmar, a quick visit to the dentist, shopping with Ineke, coffee with Alan. So Nice to see everybody, picking up the friendship as if I'd never been away.
With Jan to Lelystad to visit his new horse: A beautiful young mare with very long legs. Interesting also to be able to guess what side she would prefer by just looking at her feet!
My flight was delayed due to the strikes. Tuesday I had a quiet day, reading a book and visiting a museum. Sounds boring? Not for mums with four year olds!
Wednesday morning I had the change to visit Saskia and her baby twins. They were so adorable and so calm! But I had to run again, to the plane... Everything seemed to be on time, boarding was slow, waiting for fuel. Then more then an hour on the runway.
The ladies on the plane reassured me that there were hardly any planes on time. They advised me to run for it! So I did... CDG is a very very big airport. The plane had left. And by the time I had found a phone Rod and the kids had left too to pick me up. I felt so bad! Staff tried everything to get the people in Brest to make Rod phone them, but no luck there.
Rod's gone home after two hours. I arrived around 11. My only option was a taxi. The lovely taxidriver gave me a good price and we chatted french the whole way back.
So nice to be home, have cuddles and funny chats with the kids.
Thursday night Liesbeth picked me up. It's so nice to see here so happy and relaxed! Great to be able to visit the Netherlands without a huge jetlag...
In the morning she dropped me of at the station and I went to Arnhem where Jolanda, another french member of the horseclub, picked me up. The day was held in a stable that was set up with a lot of space for the horses to wander around as a herd. The place had several feed cabins similar to those in cow sheds that repond to the microchip of the horses. Very high tech!
The seminar consisted of 9 demonstrations of squires showing all the levels of work starting with the basics of the in hand training of a young horse to the advanced work like canter pirouettes with an more experienced horse. Very useful to see and hear the explanation. Great to see all the people I only know from the forum.
All of a sudden the day was over and almost everybody left! A bit of a missed opportunity maybe. It would have been great if everybody had stayed for drinks and chats, but the pouring rain made everybody rush to their cars... Felice and I went to have dinner. I really enjoyed getting to know her better and maybe we can email a bit more in the future...
Saturday Joyce gave me a riding lesson on a very experienced stallion. A bit overwhelmed by cold and all the new impressions it took a little while before I really got into it. Then a mare entered the arene and we decided to continue our lesson on another horse, Roko (not a stallion...). It doesn't really matter what horse you're on if your teacher is good you will learn something.
I had a real eye opener. Joyce made me feel the different influences my seat has and how any tension in me is responded to by a change (for the worse) in the horse. At the end of the session I felt I really had found a missing key in my horse riding skills! Great stuff, worth every cent. Thank you Joyce!
I came back downtown Arnhem and it was incredibly busy... to find there where no trains at all that day. By bus and train back to Amsterdam. A new public transport ticketing system makes it not easy for tourists like me. By that time I felt pretty exhausted by the whole urban experience. Is it me, or is it really so much more overcrowded everywhere?
Sunday I had a lovely day with Liesbeth and Quint. First I had a chance to practice my 'new seat' on her horse and wow it worked! I've never really felt this kind of being in balance on and with a horse! I could even do very nice flying changes, stuff I only know in theory!
In the afternoon we went on their Harleys to the beach. I love that sound and that feeling of strong engines nicely tucked in lots of layers of clothes and leather. But Gee, very 300 meter there is another red traffic light. Lots and lots of traffic, even on a Sunday afternoon.
Monday another nice social day: Breakfast wit h Hilmar, a quick visit to the dentist, shopping with Ineke, coffee with Alan. So Nice to see everybody, picking up the friendship as if I'd never been away.
With Jan to Lelystad to visit his new horse: A beautiful young mare with very long legs. Interesting also to be able to guess what side she would prefer by just looking at her feet!
My flight was delayed due to the strikes. Tuesday I had a quiet day, reading a book and visiting a museum. Sounds boring? Not for mums with four year olds!
Wednesday morning I had the change to visit Saskia and her baby twins. They were so adorable and so calm! But I had to run again, to the plane... Everything seemed to be on time, boarding was slow, waiting for fuel. Then more then an hour on the runway.
The ladies on the plane reassured me that there were hardly any planes on time. They advised me to run for it! So I did... CDG is a very very big airport. The plane had left. And by the time I had found a phone Rod and the kids had left too to pick me up. I felt so bad! Staff tried everything to get the people in Brest to make Rod phone them, but no luck there.
Rod's gone home after two hours. I arrived around 11. My only option was a taxi. The lovely taxidriver gave me a good price and we chatted french the whole way back.
So nice to be home, have cuddles and funny chats with the kids.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A bit sick
The flu (or was it just a cold?) has knocked us all down over the past few days. In the night we were all coughing and sneezing en gurgeling and snorting in our little marae style bedroom...
Now the kids are back to school now and seem to be ok with their runny noses, and Rod and me are well enough to chip away on the building site. The new front door is in place. Rod's taken the floor out and this week we've taken a thick layer of concrete and pizzeria style plaster of the walls. The space is starting to breath again. We're basically stripped it back to the stable it once was. You can even see where the cows were standing and lying down in the way the concrete on the floor is cracked and worn.
Now the fun bit can begin: Plastering the whole lot again...
Our little tractor Hector is sick too. Hopefully Rod will be able to fix it, but the poor thing just doesn't seem strong enough for our big land and our tough grass...
We have a little guest: Pillou, the tiny maltese dog of our crazy neighbour Joelle. That she has stolen our wallet we can sort of forgive her, but that she has left her dog (and cats) while she is going away for half a year we find absolutely disgusting. We didn't really know what to do about it until last night.
It was as he was politely waiting for our invitation, lying on the road looking this way. I called him and he came running down the road. He enjoyed a bath and a haircut (one big stinky felted woolen flea bale he was. Oops I cut his ear) and he has completely moved in. Our dogs love him, so no problems. But we weren't exactly looking for a third dog...
Lola has started to sing french songs without words, but her pronounciation is beautiful. We've done some recording today, that was a great game!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Rain, rain, rain....
So, we slipped into October and it started to rain..yet to stop!!! I think this is day four but you tend to lose track of time after awhile (didn't read this in the small print LOL). The amazing aspect of all this being the lack of mud, by now in Waitoki the infamous clay would have liquefied to trench-like conditions. I suspect it is the stone in the ground that allows drainage so within half a day of raining the ground is almost dry..shall see how this is January perhaps.
The clocks are yet to change so it is quite difficult to get up early enough for school, markets etc. I think they go back at the end of this month... suffice to say the chickens are not quite so demanding in the mornings!! I appear to have lost two over the last wee while, I found a hole in the fence in spite of a knee locking electric wire just alongside..a hungry fox I presume, I think owning a shotgun will be handy but first I need to take a test (of course in French) so it maybe sometime before I can tackle that.
I am happy to report I have found someone up the road who is selling his whole bee keeping operation (has developed an allergy..can happen so it appears) so I have bought three hives, extractor, suit, smoker, bees and many other bits. I shall pick it all up when the temperature drops so the bees are quiet! I am both excited and a little nervous but having read about them for awhile I feel it is time to get on with it..
Markets are going well in spite of my shockingly poor French, some people are not amused but on the whole they seem to be okay with my stumblings.. occasionally I get to say something that is understood and this feels great. The organic market has finished for the summer so I am back at Carhaix, between here and Huelgoat I manage to sell around 9 trays. I imagine the girls will take a break over winter as I do not plan to install lights etc. I feel they give enough over the year so a well deserved rest is fine with me.
The renovations are slow at the moment, I think it is something to do with doing it alone, quite unmotivating at times and overwhelming..although I do think it is a particular stage as everything is a mess. Once a few things such as a floor are in place the rest will follow. Also aware that the cold is soon to arrive and therefore this limits how much I can remove at a time.
Last Sunday I went to an artisan market in Locarn, there I met a chap who grows industrial hemp for oil, foods etc. He is always looking for people to grow some as he needs more seed than he can grow..After DuPont effectively killed the industry in the 50s France developed 5 strains of hemp that are have a zero THC rating and they now supply hemp growers worldwide. The great thing about hemp is that it requires no chemical intervention and of course the whole plant can be used. He would want to buy the seed at approx €1/kg (getting approx a tonne/ha) that leaves us with the straw...very good for building/insulation. Shall keep you posted on this one but it does sound like a great way to use some of our land and something that NZ should be growing by the truck load...
All in all we are well as we settle in for our first winter, have missed the boat for many things in the garden but we knew this would be the case on year one. Next year I shall have more time (and contacts) to get a plan together, hopefully will have built a glasshouse/potting shed that will give us the ability to grow many things we currently cannot...
Still no news on green beans so I shall have to stop selling coffee and just roast it for us. I reckon the best approach would be to have a mobile coffee machine at the markets etc. although the French are not so keen to stroll and drink/eat I am sure enough will try it and discover coffee can actually taste so good. Will require quite an outlay if it is truly mobile such as the machinery etc. but I shall think about it for awhile..perhaps I can incorporate it into my market stand or my landrover!!
Okay that is enough for now (the rain has stopped!) I shall attempt to post a couple of pics re the 'kitchen'....
R
PS Kids are doing much better in school. They are now speaking 'fake french' to each other and Lola was correcting Rod's pronunciation the other day. Funny.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
I don't like the teacher :-(
Going back to school hasn't been easy for poor little Lo! Just before summer holidays their lovely teacher Cecile had left. In the new year C&L found out they'd moved up one class, from petite section to moyenne. And there they were also faced with a new teacher: Genevieve, la directrice. Oops
It is probably not an easy job to teach 28 kids ranging from 4 to 8 all at once, but she's done it for over 20 years. After two days Lola was terrified because Mme le Mat yelled at her. Lola peed in her pants, got nightmares about a giant chicken pecking her toes "because she didn't know the word".
The teacher tried to convince me that I just had to let go of the kids (They are big now!) and put them in school all day, just like all the other kids. That would solve the problem! It's a bit like breaking in a horse the old fashioned way: to swim or to sink. Well, we have different ideas about it. The kids can go full days when they decide they want it.
My french is not good enough for politeness stuff. But I managed to tell the teacher that Lola loves going to school, but that she is scared of her. Back at home Lola made a drawing for the teacher to 'make her like her'. With a beautiful monster (?!) and 'Pour Genevieve' written on it.
Now most days Lola runs out of the school smiling and happy: 'The teacher didn't yell at me!'.
Charlie is not at all impressed by anything it seems. His colouring in style is just covering the whole lot with a thick layer of crayon, giving everybody a big smile and then getting on with what he likes best: His tractor.
After lunch C&L go back to school for half an hour for some extra french with the same teacher and just two other kids. That will improve their relationship too I think. And prepare them for going all day at some stage.
I wait in the car and read a french book. After they are finished I see them racing around in the square with scooters and little bikes. I ask them if they want to stay for the afternoon. No, they say. This is not where we live! We will die here because there is no food! (Actually, there is a lovely lunch in school, I'd like to eat there myself!)
I don't think it will take long before they decide to stay. In the afternoon they do more fun things in school like gym, painting and singing. In the morning it is mainly hard work with drawing, cutting and glueing.
French education has a good name, but till now it (she) feels all a bit rigid to us.
- - - -
In the mean time Rod is just working - working - working. The whole left side of the house is stripped on the inside and has now a big door to the garden en a small window where the sink will be. I ordered a new front door, but it opened the wrong way, so we have to wait another 3 weeks before the new door arrives...
I've been doing some 'pointing' at the back of the fireplace. With sand and lime filling in the gaps between the stones. I really like it! I am going to start at the outside of the house now, trying to do a bucket per day and working my way around.
Last night I had a first ride out on Milo: all by himself out on the tracks, through the river and round, ending up at our neighbours' place for a break and a chat. He is standing nice and still with mounting and doesn't worry about things too much. All the gentle work of the last three years is paying of. I'm so proud of my horse! (and me!)
It is probably not an easy job to teach 28 kids ranging from 4 to 8 all at once, but she's done it for over 20 years. After two days Lola was terrified because Mme le Mat yelled at her. Lola peed in her pants, got nightmares about a giant chicken pecking her toes "because she didn't know the word".
The teacher tried to convince me that I just had to let go of the kids (They are big now!) and put them in school all day, just like all the other kids. That would solve the problem! It's a bit like breaking in a horse the old fashioned way: to swim or to sink. Well, we have different ideas about it. The kids can go full days when they decide they want it.
My french is not good enough for politeness stuff. But I managed to tell the teacher that Lola loves going to school, but that she is scared of her. Back at home Lola made a drawing for the teacher to 'make her like her'. With a beautiful monster (?!) and 'Pour Genevieve' written on it.
Now most days Lola runs out of the school smiling and happy: 'The teacher didn't yell at me!'.
Charlie is not at all impressed by anything it seems. His colouring in style is just covering the whole lot with a thick layer of crayon, giving everybody a big smile and then getting on with what he likes best: His tractor.
After lunch C&L go back to school for half an hour for some extra french with the same teacher and just two other kids. That will improve their relationship too I think. And prepare them for going all day at some stage.
I wait in the car and read a french book. After they are finished I see them racing around in the square with scooters and little bikes. I ask them if they want to stay for the afternoon. No, they say. This is not where we live! We will die here because there is no food! (Actually, there is a lovely lunch in school, I'd like to eat there myself!)
I don't think it will take long before they decide to stay. In the afternoon they do more fun things in school like gym, painting and singing. In the morning it is mainly hard work with drawing, cutting and glueing.
French education has a good name, but till now it (she) feels all a bit rigid to us.
- - - -
In the mean time Rod is just working - working - working. The whole left side of the house is stripped on the inside and has now a big door to the garden en a small window where the sink will be. I ordered a new front door, but it opened the wrong way, so we have to wait another 3 weeks before the new door arrives...
I've been doing some 'pointing' at the back of the fireplace. With sand and lime filling in the gaps between the stones. I really like it! I am going to start at the outside of the house now, trying to do a bucket per day and working my way around.
Last night I had a first ride out on Milo: all by himself out on the tracks, through the river and round, ending up at our neighbours' place for a break and a chat. He is standing nice and still with mounting and doesn't worry about things too much. All the gentle work of the last three years is paying of. I'm so proud of my horse! (and me!)
Friday, September 3, 2010
Autumn
Hiya
Well, here we are in September, the last of the tourists have headed home and we are left to prepare for winter... beautiful sunny days at the moment to assist in our wood collection, finishing off the harvest and then contemplating the rather large job of the redesigning the house!
I have had the Rayburn sandblasted and it is now resprayed (not a bad job for my first one) and this week I have been collecting large pieces of old, thick slate that will be our kitchen floor. Having searched and researched woodburners, decided to buy a British Hunter...this looked likely to cost the best part of €1,000...tomorrow I am picking up a 3 year old one after my market in Carhaix for €350...very nice indeed..
I have finished recladding one of the barns (pics to follow), will finish it off with stable doors and then the focus will be on the house. As to how much we can achieve before winter is the question, I am starting to feel alittle worn out and looking forward to a winter rest (a Tui ad I suspect!)
However, winter will be the time I shall get ready for my bees, have decided to buy a (French) traditional hive and build a top bar hive so I can see the difference. Mick (of Gambia fame) is briefly back and has both experience and preference re bee hives so there is plenty for me to digest. I am reading beekeeping for dummies right now which is a lovely broad stroke guide....
A big mention to a lovely Belgium couple, Linda and Thierry...they have introduced me into the fascinating world of Belgium beer...oh boy what stunning beer it is. Also rekindling my desire to own and be able(!) to ride an old Harley..lovely.
Charlie and Lola are back at school yet the teacher now wanting them to go fulltime, we both think they are too young so we shall have to wait and see if we can hold the line! I really can not see they need fulltime school this year, we are not obliged by law so if the school insists we shall find another in the area..
All in all life is good here in Kervelen, kids are happy, the land is fertile, we have met some lovely people..if only I could crack the speaking French part..lentement!
Well, here we are in September, the last of the tourists have headed home and we are left to prepare for winter... beautiful sunny days at the moment to assist in our wood collection, finishing off the harvest and then contemplating the rather large job of the redesigning the house!
I have had the Rayburn sandblasted and it is now resprayed (not a bad job for my first one) and this week I have been collecting large pieces of old, thick slate that will be our kitchen floor. Having searched and researched woodburners, decided to buy a British Hunter...this looked likely to cost the best part of €1,000...tomorrow I am picking up a 3 year old one after my market in Carhaix for €350...very nice indeed..
I have finished recladding one of the barns (pics to follow), will finish it off with stable doors and then the focus will be on the house. As to how much we can achieve before winter is the question, I am starting to feel alittle worn out and looking forward to a winter rest (a Tui ad I suspect!)
However, winter will be the time I shall get ready for my bees, have decided to buy a (French) traditional hive and build a top bar hive so I can see the difference. Mick (of Gambia fame) is briefly back and has both experience and preference re bee hives so there is plenty for me to digest. I am reading beekeeping for dummies right now which is a lovely broad stroke guide....
A big mention to a lovely Belgium couple, Linda and Thierry...they have introduced me into the fascinating world of Belgium beer...oh boy what stunning beer it is. Also rekindling my desire to own and be able(!) to ride an old Harley..lovely.
Charlie and Lola are back at school yet the teacher now wanting them to go fulltime, we both think they are too young so we shall have to wait and see if we can hold the line! I really can not see they need fulltime school this year, we are not obliged by law so if the school insists we shall find another in the area..
All in all life is good here in Kervelen, kids are happy, the land is fertile, we have met some lovely people..if only I could crack the speaking French part..lentement!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Harvest
The garden hasn't had as much attention and work as we'd like, but still we managed to get some good crops of potato, courgette, beetroot, tomato and one or two big pumpkins. Cooking is not my favorite thing, but cooking with my own produce I really like!
August is a great month for picking endless amounts of blackberries in the hedgerows. A very mixed pleasure to stick your arms into the very prickely maze of branches and get double stung by the blackberries BFF the stinging nettle. My hunt for blackberries has led me to hidden and overgrown places on our property I hadn't been before. It's like a jungle out there! Everything is buzzing, flowering and so alive! It's lovely and wild :-)
We're surprised by the amount of raspberries we can pick, day after day after day. And the french love their confiture framboise! Yesterday the yellow plums started to ripen. Soon the purple plums and apples will be ready.
August is usually a wet month they say. Well indeed it is pouring down and chilly. To wet for Rod to finish the work on the barn (it's already looking great) but he is doing up an old Rayburn stove and he can spraypaint it today under cover.
For me time to sit behind the computer and get ready for next holiday season. I've made a new folder, you can download it here. Please download and forward to everybody you think needs a nice Brittany holiday?
Friday, August 13, 2010
6 months later...
Indeed, we left NZ 6 months ago (seems alot further away than that) to discover a new challenge. I having the fantasy of taking a year out to settle in !!!!! here I sit, Friday evening feeling somewhat battered, toothache (August is the month of holidays for most!), sore wrist awaiting treatment (ditto) and tweaking back! Thankfully a soothing Bath ale beside me care of Rom, many thanks...
As you can see we are slowly knocking the place into shape with the focus being sealed and warm for the winter. Another legacy of Rom is the complete rethink of the layout downstairs, great to think we can design our own space and in the process delete some current things that just do not work... Tomorrow we are off to look at a Rayburn stove that is on offer for 150 euros, we have been warned it is "a horrible chocolate brown" yet works well. This will allow us to run radiators off it and of course cook if we want. Rayburns are very much become the heart of a house so we are sure we can cope with the colour!?
Still picking plenty of Rasberries, Heleen is busy on the blackberries and so the jams are coming thick and fast...coffee is beginning to sell on the markets although people seemingly buy it ground...I reckon much education is needed for them to see how good their coffee can be. The average cup of coffee served in the cafes is, at best, poor, surprising considering the reputation France carries, maybe in the bigger cities but not here...
Days are shorter now and so it is time to stack the wood and harvest the fruits of the land. Alot of grain grown around here, not in the huge expanses we see in the US etc. but I do have a sense the farmers here are wanting to expand as lines of trees disappear along their hedgerows. That it would appear symbolises the conflict here, on the one hand farmers are keen to maximise their output by cranking the land and we (and others) want the regrowth of a balanced, sustainable harvest...
Talking of which I am getting closer to bringing in the bees so this time next year I will have honey on the market, I have a sense this will be both a challenging and satisfying experience...
I must go and lock my chickens up before mr fox takes his chance (and find the panadol)...
R
As you can see we are slowly knocking the place into shape with the focus being sealed and warm for the winter. Another legacy of Rom is the complete rethink of the layout downstairs, great to think we can design our own space and in the process delete some current things that just do not work... Tomorrow we are off to look at a Rayburn stove that is on offer for 150 euros, we have been warned it is "a horrible chocolate brown" yet works well. This will allow us to run radiators off it and of course cook if we want. Rayburns are very much become the heart of a house so we are sure we can cope with the colour!?
Still picking plenty of Rasberries, Heleen is busy on the blackberries and so the jams are coming thick and fast...coffee is beginning to sell on the markets although people seemingly buy it ground...I reckon much education is needed for them to see how good their coffee can be. The average cup of coffee served in the cafes is, at best, poor, surprising considering the reputation France carries, maybe in the bigger cities but not here...
Days are shorter now and so it is time to stack the wood and harvest the fruits of the land. Alot of grain grown around here, not in the huge expanses we see in the US etc. but I do have a sense the farmers here are wanting to expand as lines of trees disappear along their hedgerows. That it would appear symbolises the conflict here, on the one hand farmers are keen to maximise their output by cranking the land and we (and others) want the regrowth of a balanced, sustainable harvest...
Talking of which I am getting closer to bringing in the bees so this time next year I will have honey on the market, I have a sense this will be both a challenging and satisfying experience...
I must go and lock my chickens up before mr fox takes his chance (and find the panadol)...
R
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Under construction...
Apart from lots of nice visitors, looking after kids, chickens and horses, going to the market and webdesign, Rod is also doing some building projects. We already had the plan to add some windows at the back and move and raise the front door. (Not easy with 70cm thick stone walls!) Then Rom came with the suggestion of changing everything around... She's obviously watched 'Grand Designs!'...
So where the bathroom is now will eventually be the kitchen and vice versa. In stead of two staircases we'll end up with just one so we can utilise more floorspace upstairs where we'll have two bedrooms eventually (after we've replaced the roof!). Downstairs a large living/kitchen area and separately a lounge.
In the mean time also the barn is under construction. Rod's put the entrance of the barn on the more sheltered road side and built a wall to keep the weather out on the windy and rainy side. In the masterplan all will be plastered, and also a tackroom is pending...
Anyway, hopefully the bigger gaps will be closed before autumn.
Days are getting shorter!
Some more photos to give you an idea, or come over and have a look yourself one day...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Gites...hellos n goodbyes...
Before our summer guests arrived we heard a variety of cautionary tales from (former) gites owners...stories of drunk guests, loud, difficult & many flavours in between so you can imagine our slight wariness heading toward our first summer. However, I am very glad to report that to date we have had/met some lovely people, today having to say goodbye to Sonya, Brett and Raul after their week here. Very heartening to meet good people in a world that the media tells us is so grim! It is a nice thought to have that some people will come again another year and thus continue the connection and watch the progress!
Have many ideas for improvements over the winter with the idea of developing a holiday home that really is a lovely experience....
In the meantime I am busy rebuilding one of the barns so it is dry and warm for the winter complete with tack room for Heleen and all the trimmings. Sadly my wrist seems to have packed up with classic symptoms of carpel nerve pressure and of course we have no cover yet! If you have had this you will know the worse part of the thing is that it is far worse at night and so my sleeping is very poor right now. So, I shall go and see a doctor next week to ascertain how much it will cost...bummer.
Yet to get anywhere near building my hives, stone raised beds or the second half of the house but if I can get a new wrist things will begin to happen. I notice the days are getting shorter (already!) so always a good reminder to keep chopping wood and mend roofs...
The French is slowly coming along, I notice how less at sea I feel at the market and be able to respond...I shy away from phone calls and use Reverso alot for emails! However, if I keep plugging away this time next year I am sure I will be fluent(ish)!!
Went to a local bar last Saturday morning to watch the All Blacks convincingly beat the Boks...watching the ABs reminds me just how much I identify my self as being a part of NZ, much more so than watching Wales (just don't tell Tony for Godsake!!) I shall be back there on Saturday to watch them play Australia.
An interesting side issue of watching games at this time is having coffee rather than beer, little in that other than the quality of the coffee here is poor (to s*@t)...seemingly the French are content to drink this? So I have began to build toward a quiet revolution in introducing fresh coffee...selling well at the small markets we do, sadly needing to be ground as there seemed to be a lack of grinders (the next step I think will be equipment)...so I shall let you know how that goes.
Chickens are firing on all cylinders since introducing the organic feed, at €600 a tonne it is far from cheap yet the girls are laying around 45 per day and even the old girls are looking great (could be the introduction of George the rooster too!)... seems like we may have many little rabbits soon as the two 'girls' we acquired last month seemed to be doing some strange things to each other for sisters...bugger.
Pigs yet to arrive as we have decided on the mini (or is it micro) version and the people are down South at the moment. All are well under the Kervelen banner although Heleen and Charlie seem to suffer a certain type of hay fever...feels abit daunting having a tackle the French medical system as I have a sense it will be an expensive business (with no guarantee it will solve the issue-that having far scarier implications)...shall leave this open for Heleen to say some words...
Here we go: Today Milo and me have cantered through the fields for the first time. He has breaks and steering now. He is such a good boy!
Have many ideas for improvements over the winter with the idea of developing a holiday home that really is a lovely experience....
In the meantime I am busy rebuilding one of the barns so it is dry and warm for the winter complete with tack room for Heleen and all the trimmings. Sadly my wrist seems to have packed up with classic symptoms of carpel nerve pressure and of course we have no cover yet! If you have had this you will know the worse part of the thing is that it is far worse at night and so my sleeping is very poor right now. So, I shall go and see a doctor next week to ascertain how much it will cost...bummer.
Yet to get anywhere near building my hives, stone raised beds or the second half of the house but if I can get a new wrist things will begin to happen. I notice the days are getting shorter (already!) so always a good reminder to keep chopping wood and mend roofs...
The French is slowly coming along, I notice how less at sea I feel at the market and be able to respond...I shy away from phone calls and use Reverso alot for emails! However, if I keep plugging away this time next year I am sure I will be fluent(ish)!!
Went to a local bar last Saturday morning to watch the All Blacks convincingly beat the Boks...watching the ABs reminds me just how much I identify my self as being a part of NZ, much more so than watching Wales (just don't tell Tony for Godsake!!) I shall be back there on Saturday to watch them play Australia.
An interesting side issue of watching games at this time is having coffee rather than beer, little in that other than the quality of the coffee here is poor (to s*@t)...seemingly the French are content to drink this? So I have began to build toward a quiet revolution in introducing fresh coffee...selling well at the small markets we do, sadly needing to be ground as there seemed to be a lack of grinders (the next step I think will be equipment)...so I shall let you know how that goes.
Chickens are firing on all cylinders since introducing the organic feed, at €600 a tonne it is far from cheap yet the girls are laying around 45 per day and even the old girls are looking great (could be the introduction of George the rooster too!)... seems like we may have many little rabbits soon as the two 'girls' we acquired last month seemed to be doing some strange things to each other for sisters...bugger.
Pigs yet to arrive as we have decided on the mini (or is it micro) version and the people are down South at the moment. All are well under the Kervelen banner although Heleen and Charlie seem to suffer a certain type of hay fever...feels abit daunting having a tackle the French medical system as I have a sense it will be an expensive business (with no guarantee it will solve the issue-that having far scarier implications)...shall leave this open for Heleen to say some words...
Here we go: Today Milo and me have cantered through the fields for the first time. He has breaks and steering now. He is such a good boy!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Summer in Finistere
Summer is great this year. Hot, blue skies, warm still evenings with pink & purple sunsets at half past ten.
Our lovely first guests Pam and Caroline were very lucky with the weather; only one morning rain, in general too hot for walking! They thoroughly enjoyed their holiday and they were an absolute pleasure to have. We even went out together to a fest noz in Locmaria. Very nice to hang out with the locals and join in a game of egg throwing/catching...
In the mean time some new animals arrived: 19 lovely white sussex girls that have joined the laying team. And two rabbits: Coco and Tatti. We'ved let them out of their cages, it was too sad. Now they are hopping around in the backyard with young rooster Johnny and some old hens. Cats and dogs know they are pets and the bunnies are now just relaxing on the lawn, coming and going as they please.
Soon we'll get some piggies too. Not sure we'll go for a couple of mini pigs (the only grow till they are 15 kg!) or a small black pregnant pig. Also thinking about some small sheep...
What more? Kids are on holiday. We've discovered the lake by Drennec that is a great place for them to go for a swim. Marley can go there too. After NZ it's nice to be able to take your dog to places.
I'm trimming hooves, helping people with their horses, riding almost every evening. The only horrible thing here in summer are the flies. The horses are in their stable all day!
Rod's picking fruit, making jams, extending the berry gardens, ordering chicken food and roasting coffee. His french is improving but I don't think he's noticing it....
Monday, June 28, 2010
Just buggered!!
We are still here yet there seems so little time to sit and write at the moment...long, hot days and so all those essential jobs line up for attention..
I have been busy getting ready for another batch of chickens, today I bought 19 Light Sussex, point of lay...I have decided to focus on the pure breeds and pull away from the hybrids from now on. Seems more of a natural position and the pure breeds tend to last longer. I shall post a picture of them, 2000 year old breed developed by the Romans I think, some what appropriate being the Roman were living here (awhile ago now!)...
Starting to pick the fruits, strawberry, black&red currant, rasberries & gooseberries are almost there...have been spraying all the beds with seaweed tea and have turned the first compost heap in addition to applying biodynamic applications 502-507 in the heap. I have also bought enough BD500 to cover 10 hectares, doing this by hand (bucket and dust pan brush to be precise) will be a meditation in itself..
Gearing up in my mind to tackle the roof and bedrooms etc. (I think it usually takes me a couple of months before I am ready to pick up the hammer!)
Next guests arrive on Saturday, our first ones are here until Friday...they have been lovely to have, quiet, friendly and enjoying their holiday...thank you Caroline and Pam!
C&L are due to finish school this week until September 1st, sounds along way off! They are happy kids although the long nights tend to mean they don't get to sleep until late...I am sure they (we) will hardly get out of bed come winter...bbbrrrrrrr
Okay, I must sign off and lock up the chickens, the young ones will probably need putting on the roost, if I were to leave them I wonder if they would eventually!?
Soon
I have been busy getting ready for another batch of chickens, today I bought 19 Light Sussex, point of lay...I have decided to focus on the pure breeds and pull away from the hybrids from now on. Seems more of a natural position and the pure breeds tend to last longer. I shall post a picture of them, 2000 year old breed developed by the Romans I think, some what appropriate being the Roman were living here (awhile ago now!)...
Starting to pick the fruits, strawberry, black&red currant, rasberries & gooseberries are almost there...have been spraying all the beds with seaweed tea and have turned the first compost heap in addition to applying biodynamic applications 502-507 in the heap. I have also bought enough BD500 to cover 10 hectares, doing this by hand (bucket and dust pan brush to be precise) will be a meditation in itself..
Gearing up in my mind to tackle the roof and bedrooms etc. (I think it usually takes me a couple of months before I am ready to pick up the hammer!)
Next guests arrive on Saturday, our first ones are here until Friday...they have been lovely to have, quiet, friendly and enjoying their holiday...thank you Caroline and Pam!
C&L are due to finish school this week until September 1st, sounds along way off! They are happy kids although the long nights tend to mean they don't get to sleep until late...I am sure they (we) will hardly get out of bed come winter...bbbrrrrrrr
Okay, I must sign off and lock up the chickens, the young ones will probably need putting on the roost, if I were to leave them I wonder if they would eventually!?
Soon
Saturday, June 19, 2010
White gite
All the hard work has been done. The white gite is ready for its first guests...
The White Gite
The entrance and garden
The living
The kitchen
Master bedroom
One of the two twin bedrooms
The White Gite
The entrance and garden
The living
The kitchen
Master bedroom
One of the two twin bedrooms
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Hay biologique
Yesterday a big tractor came to cut the hay. Over the next few days we are expecting nice sunny and windy weather. Contractors will come and shake it and rake it and bale it into 400kg(!) bales. No more romantic & sweaty bale stacking with the whole family; one guy in a shiny John Deere can do 12+ha all by himself.
Haymaking these days doesn't make you sweat or itchy anymore, but lucky me this time it doesn't take any organising or money or knowhow or storage either: Yves & Veronique, a lovely couple we know form the market are organising it and are taking the hay for their organic dairy cows. A man from Ecocert declared the pasture biological by looking at the diversity of the grasses... And I get to keep hay for the horses. Now we just have to clear some dry storage space in our very leaky sheds...
Well, just in time before the big cut some shots of the biodiversity :-) I've pulled out some ragworth and won't touch the hay from the top field with the digitalis. They do make a nice picture though.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Happy Birthday Charlie & Lola!
Charlie & Lola are 4 today! Their opa Karel and Granny Auriol have given them a trampoline! And there were many little presents and a new dress for Lola (She's very happy to work it a bit in front of the camera!). C&L brought sweets to school to share with the other kids, but they didn't sing happy birthday. Or joyeux anniversaire. Weird.
We haven't got a clue what's going on in school, but it must be quite effective. I guess before summer holidays start (in 3 weeks) Lola will be probably writing... Not sure in french or english...
On days like today I miss their oma Hannie very much.
On Sunday we had a little family outing to Concarneau, a beautiful little seaside town with a quai and a port and a bastion. We had lovely icecream, a picnic in the sun on the steps of a building and a ride on a caroussel. Silly mum forgot the camera!
We were all very tired when we came home.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sian, Mabli and Auriol :-)
Last week Sian, Mabli and Auriol were staying here and it was great to have them. Charlie and Lola loved every minute of it: drawing, reading, hair platting, nail polishing, baking and going for drives...
In the mean time normal life continues: The white gite is coming together, the chickens are laying (sort of), the grass is growing. Most days it's summery and sometimes really hot, time to fill the bucket baths! The horses are huffing and puffing in their winter coat... It gets dark very late at night (11pm), so I get the chance to ride both horses quite a bit. Milo is doing very well in the arena. He has a new saddle, we've been cantering and we're almost ready for a first ride out on the road.
Rod and me are gathering more and more information about becoming certified organic. Rod has set the process in motion to become an auto-entrepreneur (self-employed) and applied for a license to sell stuff on the market. French bureaucracy is extensive but so far I haven't got the feeling it is suffocating. People have been very helpful so far and even rang me to ask if I need any help filling in very incomprehensible french forms. Oui merci!
A few more pictures...
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