Magic Mushrooms

The cèpe de Bordeaux is mandatory fare for me since I am here next to Bordeaux and they are growing in the surrounding forests.

This is good news because this meaty mushroom is delicious. Also known as Porcini, the scientific name for this mushroom is boletus edulis from the Latin stem bolet meaning “superior mushroom” and edulis, meaning edible.

Slice and cook with potatoes or fry with shallots, salt and pepper. Yum.

Milking the cows

Jarouilles is the local language for Oak trees

Ferme des Jarouilles is near Coutras to the north east of Bordeaux. It is run by Isabelle and Laurent Tite. They have three children; Noel, Laure and Abel. Taking Wwoofers is a new thing for them and I am their very first.

ma chèvre preferée

They have 45 cows and 1 bull, about 30 goats, pigeons, guinea fowl, chickens, 5 horses and a donkey. I have milked the cows, milked the goats, made yoghurt and cheese, and helped with deliveries to shops and various AMAPs.

A little too at home making yoghurt

AMAP markets are held weekly in a community. A group of organic producers, and consumers wanting to purchase organic fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, enter into a contract- normally for two seasons of production- whereby those in the group prepay for a “panier” of items each week. The panier may contain different fruit and vegetables according to season. Other products, such as dairy products may be included in the panier or may be optional. These markets are really popular here in the South of France and are a great way for people living in the same community to get to know each other.

A little bit of Guinea in Foix

Ba at Foix

Whilst I was staying with John and Rose I accompanied Rose to the market in St Girons on Saturday. It was very busy brimming with “alternative types” as one alternative type confided to me. People flocked to Rose’s stall for her Bio fruit and veg.

I was introduced to Tony Smith. He used to be an excellent runner. He also used to be married. He is now neither and lives in a quaint house up in one of the valleys surrounding Moulis and spends his time helping Rose with the market and enjoying the laid back lifestyle. Paula Radcliffe lives nearby.

Tony had a friend visiting called Paul and Paul’s thirteen year old twins. I spent Saturday with them and on Sunday the four of us went to an African musical festival in the town of Foix hosted by Ingenieuse Afrique.

Be alive

Hot, sweaty drummers mmm...

There was some great music especially the band (named after its lead singer) Ba Cissoko who hail from Guinea. They had two Kora‘s and their music was a mix of traditional and modern. The energy that ripped through their performance was so contagious that one could not help but love it.

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