A bumpy bus through France in the middle of the night landed us in South Western France for our 
new house sitting assignment in La Trappe. It was daylight savings time and our host graciously picked us up at the nearest bus station a 50 minute drive away from their farm and at 5:30 (really 4:30!) in the morning.
On this trip, we try to be as economical as possible while we move around the globe. That means trying to find the cheapest way across a country. The bus to SW France felt like a red-eye flight but, we recovered soon enough. 
House sitting also provides us with a place to be a family while we also ‘live’ for a bit. Yes, there are chores, meal plans, and world schooling schedules. We have noticed that we have incorporated more movies than we would have at ‘home’ in Portland, Oregon as we have different time schedules. We often bring in location compatible movies. So, you can bet your baguette we had a rousing viewing of Les Miserables.
Many stories to share and these are some of our recent tid bits.
We discovered several things on our trip to France. Rural France. Sounds so romantic, right? Yes, some of it and some is hard. Here are about 10 of our discoveries. Not a complete list of course.
- You can get baguette in a vending machine easier than you can get soda.
I was completely mesmerized by the convenience, cleverness and cheekiness of vending machines in the French countryside that sold baguette. It was funny, as sometimes you might find competing companies with machines within several hundred yards of each other but, then none for many, many miles.
In all our travels around the world, France was the place lest likely to find someone who spoke English. Or was at least willing to speak English with us. We would ask (in French) if they spoke English and they all, every single one, said ‘no’. They could a little but, didn’t want to be thought of as having a good command of the language or so we think. 
- Not speaking English-made this part of our entire trip the most lonely. I am not wanting you to feel sorry for us, I get it. We were in South Western France and it was magical and lovely but, when you can’t even talk to the cashiers, bakery attendants, market folks…anyone, you tend to feel rather lonely. More of a reason to learn French! We were there for more than
three weeks with just the four of us for company. We really enjoyed our hosts (English retirees) when they returned.
- We were in the countryside when all things were budding and blooming. A very magical time to bear witness to the wonders that effected all the senses and even some allergies. We found new ways to pantomime allergies in the local pharmacies. Also, thank
goodness for Google Translate!
- We learned a lot about French Kings, Crusades, Roman invasions, Charlemagne, conflicts with the English. I’ve been reading a great book called 1000 Years of the English Annoying the French by Stephen Clarke which has helped us gain some perspective on this nations’s rich history and with a lot of humor.
- France still follows the scheduling plan of most stores closing for lunch, from about 12-2:30pm and most restaurants only being open from about 12-2pm. If you want to do one of those
activities outside of those official time frames. Too bad!!
Paris is a beautiful city and what the world mostly thinks of when one thinks of France, however, most resident people we met have either never been there or have only been once or twice. There are many rich and thriving cultural experiences outside of the capital.
- Pastries and baked goods have their own food group in France. Not only in sumptuous flavors but, with artistry befitting an exhibition.
- We celebrated the double blue moon in France. When we have two blue moons in one calendar year. Blue moon is when there are two full moons in one calendar month. This happens about three to four times a century. We howled with the best of them. Our previous full moons? Thailand, Cambodia, Denmark and now France.
- Cognac is a kind of brandy made from grapes distilled in barrels like whiskey. Cognac is only made in specific regions in France, specifically Charente and Charente-Maritime.
We have more to say about France but, wanted to share these gems. More to come about the specifics of house sitting many 
chickens, sneaky cats and a lovable dog named Zara in a 200-year-old farm-house.
Meanwhile, thanks for reading.
One of the bedrooms in our 200-year-old house.
The La Trappe Tree we watched blossom during our stay.
Last day at our tree.
Chicken Donuts!!
The farm was the home to a couple who taught us a lot about Danish Hygge. One who worked part-time as a butcher and the other a foot and physical therapy (not to be mixed!). 
Their farm-house was nearly 140 years old, had two floors and easily six bedrooms. Wonderous views from each direction through windows and skylights showed us the ever-changing sky.
dozen chickens including five roosters, three of which became dinner…more on that later. 
After months of being in tropical weather and convinced we would not have a ‘regular’ winter we were treated to several winter storms, snow flurries and downright blizzards. We were overjoyed to make snowmen, slide on some ice and have snowball fights. I was more an observer but, we all very much enjoyed it.
We consumed cup after cup of coffee or tea several times a day and often pared them with Danish baked goods found in neighboring villages. We had farm fresh eggs (up to 12 a day!) as well as dark, thick bread that after toasted only needed a smear of butter to become a slice of heaven.
We had been away from a fully supplied kitchen and we relished in having the ability to make breakfast, lunch and dinner on site, warm ourselves by the fireside while wearing the handmade wooly socks made by our host. Can you say Hygge? Ib and Ann offered up all their coats, boots, gloves, hats, scarves (even a Gryffindor one much to Oakley’s delight) and overalls as well as their car to supply us with the tools to journey around the property and the Island of Fyn.
Our experience with the Danes as a people was also warming. They won’t walk up to you to introduce themselves in grocery store, however, once introduced they proved to be some of the warmest, friendliest people I’ve ever met.
I had been struggling with some physical ailments (back pain, sleep issues, digestive challenges) Then I got pretty ill. Headache, fever, chills, throat pain. You know that feeling that you’ve swallowed broken glass? I was there. I was going through Ricolas like cigarettes for a heavy smoker.
We landed in Bangkok. Nothing like a city of over 8 million, humidity, a smaller hostel room for four to emphasize your discomfort. For our entire time in Bangkok’s Chinatown (where our hostel was) I saw the inside of a hospital (twice) and a 7/11 (they are everywhere in SE Asia) to get supplies.
I gotta throw out the biggest kudos to 
luxorious and grounding.
We are in a beautiful place in warm weather. The dream of many folks, especially with all those winter storms happening in the States at the moment. Yet, I am feeling a bit rudderless. I think this is the longest place we have stayed in the last 4+ months of travel.
I think we pulled it off as we were able to find strands of Twinkly lights to put up where we were, found a Star Wars Lego Advent calendar which can do wonders for little boys psyches. We even found a 5 ft plastic tree for $10. 
A bargain!
You even get an ice drink made from ice and get to gleefully throw it against an ice wall as you depart. How very satisfying!
We spent about 25 minutes inside (they have a requisite three minute acclimation period going in and out of each side). Many people spent more time in the acclimation room than in the actual ice room.
It is completely different when you cannot leave your kids by themselves. Kelvin and I haven’t had awake time alone in months, especially in daylight. 
I am enjoying not thinking about when we eat next, what to do next, thinking about how everyone might react to the next choice.
Any lover of indie rock from the 90s might know what I am taking about.
It makes you feel that you are really on the long haul. Then there are the serious but, somehow seemly cute signs warning
you of Kangaroos and Koala bear crossings.
magic of 
discussions of favorite candy bars and breakfast foods while swimming and diving for Australian coins. We were kindly and generously served Australian wines and given some great insights of places to go and very kind inquiries of our travels. Thanks Fiona and Tony!!
at times. It is hard to see him sad and we work to help.
are not profit putting their earnings back into research which they were conducting while we where onboard. We saw an amazing array of whales, mommas, escorts and babies, who seemed to be just flirting with our boat all afternoon doing all the activity described on the phamplet. Even our guides seemed to be impressed with the activity.
We have seen people laying out high teas complete with champagne and several tiered cake trays, hot plates with kettles and a ‘civilized’ spread that would challenge most high-end dinners out. These folks know how to enjoy the out-of-doors!
