Ferme de Gally

Saturday, we went to pick our own fruit, vegetables and flowers and La Ferme de Gally which is about a 20 minutes drive from where we live. Boy, this place was really busy, despite the frequent downfalls of heavy rain.

On the way to the farm, you can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance

The farm isn't organic, however, they don't use pesticides unless absolutely necessary.

As it was our first time and it was rather late in the day, we didn't buy much, but we'll be going back for more soon.

The children moaned a little (they always find something to complain about) but they enjoyed picking their own fruit, especially raspberries.

Flowers are sold by the kilo and this was Marie-Kate's flower harvest.

Marie-Kate hiding in the weeds next to the cabbages... well I think they were weeds

We were supposed to go to explore the farm's mazes afterwards, but never had enough time, glad really as it didn't look that good and was expensive, and would have cost us over 26 euros. We have certainly seen better mazes, like the one a Thoiry and Cormatin ...

Unplugged Sunday

I have noticed that Oliver and Charlotte spend far too much time plugged, be it, on their mobiles, watching dvds, and especially on internet (Facebook), it's quite worrying really.

I have been wanting us to switch off and have time together doing family things, playing board games, going for walks, or just talking. So as of this Sunday we will be disconnecting for the whole day, no tv (well no-one watches French television here) no internet, no texting, no phone calls that go on forever and as for Angry Birds, I think I'm going to ban it from being played in this house!

Maybe we'll just hang-out at home and cook and just be together, or maybe we'll go and visit the Orsay Museum. I'll let you know next week.

My churros and Charlotte's photos

Since coming back from her holidays, Charlotte has rekindled her love for photography.

Today she took about a million photos of me making some Churros for the first time (thanks to my new cookbook "Mexican Food Made Simple).

They were really easy to make and were gobbled up by my five ever hungry children.

This week we'll be eating Mexican a lot, it brings back memories of my good friend Adrianna, who showed me how to make the best guacamole ever.

And of course London and that great restaurant Wahaca, run by the author of my new book.

Bon appétit!

17

This year for the first time, Oliver didn't celebrate his birthday with us. He was still in America and had his birthday (and cake) at the Hard Rock Café, and then spent most of his birthday on a flight back to France (via Frankfurt).

On Sunday, we all sat down to lunch and birthday cake with one seriously jet-lagged Oliver.

The next day, Oliver was ill and I had caught an awful cold, but we are getting better, however, Oliver who is a creature of habit is having a hard time sleeping and waking when he should. Alain thinks it will take him more than a week to get back to normal, until then, Oliver is one jet lagged boy.

Brittany in a kayak and Port Louis

On a whim we bought a kayak, we always wanted one when we lived in Sanary but never got round to actually buying one. The first day we went across to Port Louis for a picnic, we had the whole beach to ourselves which was great.

On the subject of Port Louis, a little seaside town I love, I was disappointed to see that our favourite bookshop there is closing down. We always buy books from this place and it's sad to know it will not be there, next time we go.

Something new to see in Port Louis. Elephants. There are lots dotted around the town, but I just got a shot of these two.

Brittany on the beach

Alexis and Marie-Kate love spending time on the beach and they are lucky enough to have grand-parents who live within 50 meters from one, so they spend a lot of time there.

After the first week, we joined the children and eventually made an appearance the day before coming home

Kinder liked it most when the tide was low.

oliver and facebook

Oliver, Charlotte and Gaby have a Facebook and I have pseudo which allows me to keep an eye on them. Usually there's nothing to look at, especially when it comes to Oliver's one...well that was until now. Photo's galore