WWOOFing at La Tranchardiere

View of the house.

The driveway to the house.

Ten days farming and living with an English family in the french boonies that is Deux Sevres, France, overall life at La Tranchardiere farm/B&B was riveting. There were so many new experiences that Kim and I shared, especially Kim :) She almost road a bike for the first time (got two full pedal rotations before falling!), learned how to row a rowboat, we both built and maintained a huge bonfire, and plucked a freshly killed duck in preparation for dinner! Just working hard and contributing on the farm was very satisfying in general. We both learned a bit about a farm and what it takes. Such as what goes on the compost pile and what gets fed to the chickens, how to care for chickens and collect eggs, gardening and planting seeds, and we got really good at wheelbarreling and digging holes. I feel confident now to try everything myself and build my own home and lifestyle around self sufficiency. I also now know that I am more than capable to, if needed for survival, catch and prepare and eat any wild bird.

Kim and I in front of the chicken coop.

The best part of course was the family: Patricia and Jeff, their daughter Kathy, her husband Ian, and their two children Charlotte and George. As Pat and Jeff picked Kim and I up from the train, found us like the two wondering and weary American girls that we are, it all felt immediately like home away from home, very comforting and open. They all went on with their daily routine, so we just fit ourselves in with them. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting around the dinner table and hearing all of the day's excitement and stories, one big happy family. I learned so much about their lifestyle that I will incorporate into mine. I am so gracious and happy for the time I spent there. It has been a fantastic peek into the relaxed beautiful country environment of the french countryside. And it was such a nice change of pace from the hectic times spent travelling. Thank you to the Whites and Hickmotts and you shall be missed!!

Our work boots that we lived in the whole time, in the row boat.

Ian, Kathy, and baby George laughing at us in the rowboat from the bank.

Charlotte and Kim with their pet chicken Pew Pew.

Me with Pew Pew on my head.

Charlotte in front of the garden.

Now we are on the road in Southern France- Carcassone and Montpellier (blogs of those to come) and on our way to Florence, Italy!

Au Revoir for now,
Camille