Monday 19 May 2014

A trip to France has had me captivated. I have been lucky enough to be able to spend some time out without my children (wonderful as they are) with two fabulous friends at the organic smallholding of my husband's uncle.
The farm is in the Midi Pyrenees and lies an hour and a half north of Toulouse. Not many folk live in the area and the traffic is non existent.

Never have I experienced such deep and profound silence and peace. I felt very connected to the world around me. There was time to meditate, do yoga and chat.
We cooked food from the garden and ate our way around the hedgerows which are prolific in their food production.
We laughed. We sketched. Rachel painted and danced amongst the vegetables. Valerie swang in the swing, cooked and read and I did all of those things ....

It was heartening to know that it is still possible to live almost off grid and through the fruit of the land. Permaculture is a fascinating lifestyle and I have come away with many ideas to add to what I already do in an urban environment.
The key to this medieval building


 looking through the gateway
 Into the courtyard - like a scene from Romeo and Juliet
 The well
 Looking toward the pond with resident frogs and lizards
 Birds nesting and feeding their young within the four walls of this bastide style house
 Into the garden
 After the gardening!

 Places to eat and sit below from the balcony

the barn - a wonderful space. Graceful.
Peace
Valerie lying on a bale
Oh those blue shutters





Bits and pieces - all very photographable!
Quite some time spent thus





interiors and windows - beautiful too




 out and about walking for miles - no cars




Rachel's painting depicting light through the barn door -
 work
and play
 a sketch through the bridge - no paint so we used river mud!!!

Dave - leave the door on the latch .... we will be back!




8 comments:

  1. What a beautiful building to stay in. Rachel's painting is wonderfully full of light.

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  2. What a beautiful place Clare, no wonder you felt so connected. Using mud to do your work - such a fantastic result and also bringing a piece of your contentment home with you.

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  3. Oh lucky you! Such a beautiful place in the world. Permaculture is something that I am very interested in...

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  4. that was a very uplifting blog and lovely photos are those shutters really so blue?

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  5. Hello from the considering weave forum. I loved your photos, such a beautiful place. I looked back on your blog and loved your artwork as well.

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  6. this is the most beautiful place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! such an uncle is priceless!!!!!!

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