So on Thursday we made the 450Km journey to The Alpes! About one hour into our journey our battery died. We waited two hours until someone had jumper leads. A very long and amazing story short... We pushed started the car with the help of 5 people at different points in the journey, we bought jumper leads and got help from 10 people at different times and 13 hours later, 1900 meters above sea level, with no address of where we were sleeping that night saw some familiar faces waving from their chalet balcony. Needless to say we were so happy to be with people we know in such an amazing place. i'll let the photos do the talking.
-morgan
On Monday some friends invited us to join them Canoeing around Lac d'Esparron. This lake is absolutely incredible and the colour is the water is breathtaking. We didn't want to take our cameras out on the water, so just have a few phone snaps to share. It was lovely to canoe and swim in the fresh cold water after many hot summer days. We felt very relaxed to sit and have a picnic drinking rose, watching over the lake.
-kim
Last week Morgan's grandma wanted to take us to see the Lavender fields around Sault. It was beautiful driving around and seeing all the flowers in straight lines and the contrasts of colours. We also decided to drive up Mont Ventoux, a frequent challenge on the Tour de France route. As we made our way up the mountain in the car it was incredible to see all the bicycle riders making the grueling ride. At the top, people were celebrating their achievements, so proud they had made it to the top. It was an inspiring sight indeed.
-kim
It has been a really great experience working here on the farm. Over these last few days I have had a great "revolutionary" experience in the way I view produce. On Tuesday we were out in the rain pulling out all the pea and broad bean plants, as they were ready for harvest and a new plant would be placed in the ground. We were out for hours in the mud pulling them all out and collecting them up to bring back to the shelter. Once we were back and in dry clothes we proceeded to pull the beans from the stalks, a process that was long and messy. In total we had 65kg of beans and about the same of broad beans. The next day after they were washed they were sorted into good and bad and ready to be distributed to the customers. The bad beans were to go to the house for us to eat, so morgan and I then spent the afternoon shelling the peas and in the evening we ate them.
This whole process took 4 people over 2 days to complete, and it was a good reminder where my food comes from and the process it takes. I usually buy bags of frozen peas, all ready to cook in 1 kg bags. To get that 1kg of peas takes a long process on an organic farm, which I have never even considered.
As someone who loves good food, it has been so good to get a reality check on where our food really comes from and all the work that goes into it.
-kim
The other week, Morgan and I stumbled upon a little boutique/cafe called Forget me not. Shops like this are quite common in Australia, but here in France this was quite a rare find. We shared a pot of organic rose tea and had lovely chats about the world with Marie, the owner. If you're ever in Biarritz, try and find it, you'll love it.
-kim
Forget Me Not
2, rue Simon Etcheverry
64200 Biarritz.
This past week has been rather frustrating waiting for our pay to be finalised so we can pack up and head to our next destination. One thing that has made the waiting worthwhile is the cherry trees. We have watched these trees blossom, the leaves turn green and the fruit start to grow. The cherries have just started to ripe in the last few days and we have taken much joy climbing the trees, picking the fruit and eating cherries to our hearts content.
Morgan grew up visiting this house in summer and eating these cherries, and it has been nice to do these things together with him.
-kim
On Friday we took a long drive out to see the incredible Verdon Gorge. This place is truly breath-taking. We began in the little village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and drove through to the Gorge, overlooking the lake of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. The lake is the most beautiful blue I have ever seen, and as we drove through the winding road of the Gorge, it was incredible to see the towering Mountain range. The most incredible part of the day was when an enormous eagle flew down right above our heads.
enjoy -kim
For a while now I have been meaning to write about my attempts to try and go more natural with my body products. Most of us are aware of the toxins and "bad stuff" which are in products we use on our bodies on a daily occasion, and this great video below, made by the team at the story of stuff, shares a little more into that.
I thought I would share a few of the products I have been using in my attempt to "go natural".
clean your face
Cleanser: To clean my face I rotate between to products. Most days, inspired by Crunchy Betty I wash my face with honey. Its incredible how simple and effective natural honey can do for your skin. I have found these past few months washing my face with honey, has been the best my skin has ever been.
The other product I use sometimes is the Angels on Bare Skin cleanser from Lush. I do really love the Lush products, which are all handmade and use natural products. This cleanser is essentially ground almonds, lavender and rose.
I don't wear tons of makeup, but as my products have been finishing I have been replacing them with less chemical based products.
Blush: I wear the Lush Black Stockings body tint as a blush on my cheeks each day. I have found this to be a real nice colour, and is essentially Cocoa and Shea butter.
Mascara: My sister brought me some mascara from New Zealand company Living Nature. This mascara is great, although because it is 100% natural it doesn't last as long as the waterproof chemicals stuff. If I go out after work, I have to re-apply again.
Also, we have previously brought some Moon Goddess Vegan Soap. Once again, this soap left your skin smelling amazing and so soft.
Shaving Soap: Morgan started using the Orange Fuzz Beer and Clay Shaving Soap at the start of the year and it has been so economical. He has quite sensitive skin, and this works a treat.
Body Lotion: The Funk OffVanilla, Blackberry and Sage Lotion is flipping incredible. This stuff smells amazing, its vegan and lasts ages. We brought some about a year ago, and still going through it. Well worth the buy.
Lip Balm: When we brought our other products from Funk Off, they threw in a Spearmint Lip Balm for us to try. This is great at soothing dry lips, and leaves you smelling minty fresh.
I hope you go check out a couple of these stores and can find yourself some new natural products to keep you looking and smelling amazing, without the toxins. -kim
