Hello from France!

11 years ago

What a beautiful country is all I can say....

We arrived two weeks ago. Internet access has been a challenge....but thats been OK :-)

We spent a wonderful week in Burgundy then a week in Provence....so different, one from the other, each amazing. If I had to pick a favorite it would be Burgundy.

The food is amazing even in the most simple establishment, and the wine....what can I say !

As it happened Meredith and her GF were in France for a two week vacation and met up with us in Burgundy for two days, so that was very special.

Now we are in Bordeaux , right in the heart of the city, and have internet access!!!!!! :-)

I do have pics and will post as soon as I get that part figured out...

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

triciae
11 years ago
What a fantastic trip!

Tapping toes...waiting for pictures!!!

/tricia
annie1992
11 years ago
Sharon, I knew you were SOMEWHERE, I just couldn't remember where.

I'll also look forward to pictures. Elery says to drink some extra wine for him, you know how he likes his red wine.

What fun to meet up with Meredith, that's some great timing. Travel safely and have fun! Or maybe that should be MORE fun.

Annie
Related Discussions
Hello from France via England!
Q
Comments (2)
These are all great ideas! You can never have enough old stuff around a farm to put to use. Here are some I recyle at our farm. I use old pots with broken handles for animal water and food. Old water heaters cut lengthwise for water troughs or feeders. All paper products are used as mulch (covered by free wood chips courtesy of local tree trimmers). I'd like to make purple martin houses out of leftover pvc pipe.
...See More
More Blast from the Past! OGR Conference -- France 2007
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks, Malcolm. I envy you the visit to Andre Eve's nursery and private garden. Wow. Also the Bagatelle judging, complete with champagne. I was very lucky to be able to attend the conference myself, and have some photos on my Picasa album of the Day of the Rose at Chaalis before the conference began, and of Prof Joyaux's gallica collection in Commer. I broke my camera during the conference so it's nice to see your photos, Malcolm - I didn't get very many. It was fun to see a photo of me, Sherri and Judy. I had to laugh at photos of Betty under a drippy umbrella - is it ALWAYS raining when she's visiting gardens? It certainly should whet appetites for the conference in Lyon. Are you planning to go, Malcolm? I will have to miss it -- Anita Here is a link that might be useful: Day of the Rose
...See More
Brebas falling off
Q
Comments (28)
Actually Xon is the lucky one; I live 50 miles south of Paris and this is not a fig friendly climate! We have long winters and short summers; for example, last year, the last frost happened in late may, we had a short spring in june, a heavy heat wave in July, a cold and rainy august and an average fall.For information, I have a "grise de Saint Jean" planted in my yard (very protected by high walls), well the leaves have not appeared yet, just tiny brebas the size of peas! That's why I recommended Pastiliere to grow in pots in cold ereas, because as it doesn't have brebas you don't have to put it back inside everytime the temperature drops (very ennoying, especially if the pots are heavy)! Weird thing; this year we had almost no winter, only a few nights of very slight frosts (global warming?) Xon, nice to know that "col de dame" is doing fine in pots,although unfortunatly impossible for me, the col de dame being a late fig in the season, there 's no possibilities for me to grow one in my region.I must be a month and a halph late compare to you, I have to chose early ones. A Shame because col de dame is one of my favorites. But I am working on moving down south (if anyone is interested in buying an old farm from the seventeen century . . . . ?) For Nathanr and Bonsaist; the soil you are using seems to be just fine. Rouge de Bordeaux is also known as Pastiliere or Herta and violette de Bordeaux is Negronne. Two great varieties in cold areas. Go to the Encanto farm web site (link bellow) you'll find what you are looking for. Take care Marc Here is a link that might be useful: Encanto farm /Figs4 fun
...See More
Importing into U.S. from France
Q
Comments (12)
Hi, I was interested in the process of importing figs too but if you look I think you can most varieties here. I applied on line for an account with the USDA e authentication PPQ system. I then had to go to the nearest USDA or agricultural office and present my license to finalize the account setup process. I apply for the permit online. You have to send that permit to who ever is shipping the material. Of course it will be in English and you will have to explain to them what they need to do. That permit goes inside the package and the package gets shipped to a central location that depends on where you live to be inspected before entry. It probably get inspected at the country of origin too. That permit has your address on it and then if it passes it is shipped to you and you are charged whatever the fee is. I'm not sure how that is paid for since I never completed the process. I tried to buy off of the EU ebay and I think it was from the Baud nursery too. I sent them the paperwork and the permit but they eventually told me it was too difficult and they had to travel a long distance to where the needed to drop of the plant for inspection on their end. One last thing. You will then open your property up to inspection by a USDA official. You must isolate that plant material. You will not be able to distribute of propagate that material for a couple of years. If any problems are found there is always the possibility that the official could order that plant or other plants destroyed. So I decided not to import anything and just find it here.
...See More
dedtired
11 years ago
Oh lucky, lucky you. I have only seen Paris and I just long to visit the rest of France. If anyone wants to go, let me know!
doucanoe
11 years ago
Oh, now I am the one who is jealous! Not sure what your travel plans are but I would recommend Normandy if you have the time. Very beautiful and historic.

I can't wait to see pictures, too!

Enjoy the rest of your trip! France is one of my favorite European countries. (Along with Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Great Britain....well, you get the idea!)

Linda
User
Original Author
11 years ago
I am lucky and I'm also very thankful to have the opportunity to visit this amazing country.

Meeting up with Meredith was planned a while back. She and her friend were planning a trip to Europe and they picked their time to have few days overlap with ours. No fool that girl.....no accommodation expenses and of course Daddy was picking up the dinner tabs!

Unfortunately we won't get to Normandy this time but there will be a next time !

Tomorrow we explore the vineyards of Medoc .....Annie tell Elery I'm making sure I get his share of the reds!
wizardnm
11 years ago
Have a glass for me! It sounds like an amazing vacation.

Nancy
User
11 years ago
Sharon you raised that girl well.

Sounds like a dream vacation.

Looking forward to photos and meal and wine descriptions.

Enjoy!!!

~Ann
chancesmom
11 years ago
Hi Sharon - big waves from Thunder Bay! Chance and I just got back from France about 3 weeks ago. We did 5 days in Paris, 8 days in Provence and 2 in Nice. I agree it was so lovely. You must be into lavender season - we were too early. We loved it too and hope to go back in two years. Enjoy, say hi to Clive and Meredith for us.

We will be down in Toronto Aug 21 - you guys around that week?

take care

janet
annie1992
11 years ago
Sharon, I'll most certainly let Elery know that you aren't going to let any of that precious red go to waste. Of course, we knew we could count on you, LOL.

Yes, you did raise Meredith right, both because she meets you there AND that she makes Dad pick up the dinner tab, LOL.

Annie
rob333 (zone 7b)
11 years ago
Hi Sharon! waving from over here...

-Rob
compumom
11 years ago
Sounds fantastic! I can't wait for photos!
And yes, our kids know how to "work it"! LOL
sally2_gw
11 years ago
What a fun sounding trip. I can't wait to see your pictures.

Sally

Hello from France!

Comments (12)

triciae

annie1992

Related Discussions

dedtired

doucanoe

User
Original Author

wizardnm

User

chancesmom

annie1992

rob333 (zone 7b)

compumom

sally2_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Hello from France!

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

UserOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author