I had forgotten how chilly the mornings there could be though. Icy tractor shadows: what a difference a little sunshine can make.
My timing was intended to coincide with the arrival of this year's kids and, no joke, I arrived to see triplets being born as I entered the stable. Within a week over 20 kids entered the world and it became difficult to walk through the herd without almost tripping over an over-excited little one.
Unfortunately, the circle of life being what it is, with life came death. Not all of the births were easy and sometimes Lucile or the vet needed to intervene. Needless to say, it was nonetheless a beautiful experience to witness such an abundance of new life.
Cuddles with little Lily. Too cute.
Of course being around the baby kids everyday meant I, too, began to smell of stale milk because so much had been spilt in their excitement to be fed.
It was great to be back with Lucile, Nicolas and the kids. Étienne and Hélène couldn't get over how much my French had improved. I loved seeing how things had changed at the farm and learning of the new renovation plans they had in store.
On the first weekend in March, I went back to Stuttgart for Jutta's 30th. Staying with Lucile and Nicolas, and then of course with Jutta was fantastic (Jutta bought my bed off me - I actually slept in 'my' bed!). While travelling may be incredible and the experiences are often unforgettable, it's so important to feel comfortable and 'at home' somewhere.
I've made a shocking discovery... there's no direct translation in French for 'home'. There's your house and the place you feel you can be yourself or comfortable but no home. By the end of my time in France, I'm determined to invent a word (or learn of a translation, if one already exists).
So La Ferme d'Esmeralda was my first and last taste of Normandy. Let the Breton coastal adventures begin!
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