Out on bikes, following what used to be years ago an old railroad route and is now a segment of "Voie Verte" or green path, here is some of what we came upon one day.

We wondered: is it a beautiful old outdoor bread oven? And the abandoned chateau, why is it left to decay? In France the past is with you wherever you turn.

Did you know there are almost 37,500 miles of walking trails in France? Even in our tiny hamlet there were numerous signposts of trails, one just steps away from our house. We had a map of trails and cyling paths in our vicinity and set out to discover the "backcountry." You have to be prepared to get lost but not to panic, there is usually some knowledgeable farmer around who will point the way!

More La Boudonniere, jolie village

I gave up my 4 month-old vegan diet as soon as I got to France.

La Boudonniere is deep rural France...the windmill is around 400 years old and on Sundays they grind local wheat into flour. The local bakery makes a special round loaf using this flour and there is nothing better than a slice spread with Breton butter made with Breton salt flakes.

In the Loire valley

Here is the tiny village in France we stayed in for two weeks, La Bourdonniere. The closest train station is Ancenis

and from there the train took about 12 minutes to the city of Nantes. It is very hard to see but in the first photo there is a horse-drawn buggy at the end of the street!

winter vegies

Today was our first delivery of organic produce, fresh from the farm. I signed up for weekly deliveries from Full Belly Farm. The produce varies each week, depending on what's in season. Right now the two celery roots are simmering away on the stove--they are delicious in salads. The daikon radishes are the only item in today's box I've never eaten. It's exciting to try new vegetables, and to be surprised at what is inside the box!