Well, it's finally starting to warm up in France! After a week of freezing weather, it may all be over soon. I'm staying in an unheated bedroom full of sprouting potatoes, and I'm craving a bit of hot weather. The thought of swimming in the Mediterranean this summer perks me up more than a strong cup of coffee these days.

Sunday I'm off to Toulouse for a few days, then I leave for Morocco, one way or another! This may include a train trip through southern Spain, but I have yet to decide. Morocco looks great, and I'm excited for the mini holiday.

I'm living with a family on a property--a proper property. When I first arrived, staring throught the gate at the sprawling chateau, I thought I'd made a mistake. I've had my fill of chateaus (and the attitudes that go along with them), or was I at the wrong address?

Berangere's parents live in the chateau that they've been reconstructing for the last twenty years. The two impressive towers at either end are pigeon towers (pictures to come), something that is really common in this part of France. Berangere and her family live in the smaller house, and she rents a feild in the neighbouring town, where she has two very large greenhouses and plenty of field to work. She has been doing regular basket delivery--a little like Green Earth Organics, or other delivery systems, but this is farm direct. In May, she's starting up with AMAP, a co-operative of farmers who pool their produce together so sell. In other words: I'm finally learning something! I've arranged to come back in early June, so those of you who are inclined to write, you can send me mail here (check my March address for the actual address...) That also means that I get to see what became of all the things I'm planting now. I'm hoping to coincide with strawberry season, even if strawberry picking is slow and tedious.

I was the first WWOOFer this year, and it's been two weeks of harvesting winter vegetables, and prepering the earth for plowing. The snow and cold kept us closer to home the last week, so we've been sewing seeds and transplanting seedlings in the small greenhouse in the backyard. 5 degrees in the greenhouse beats 2 degrees outside in the wind. I'm trying to develope a greater appreciation of radishes--I'm not the biggest fan, but they are one of the earliest garden rewards, and they are quite pretty all bundled up in a rosette. I've also discovered manche, a winter lettuce that I've only encountered in France so far, and blette, which I suspect is a sturdier cousin of swiss chard. I made a raclette sauce for the blette this evening--delicious.

I've also discovered Godeale--something like good ale in the name, and what a wonderful beer! Not the dark and molasses I usually go for, but golden and super tasty. Look for it, beer drinkers! Wine is overwhelming here, I have to say. There is a whole aisle of red wine, and only a skinny self of beer, so when I don't have the energy to concentrate, it's easier to pick a French beer than a French wine. I'm also less interested in red these days, and the white selection is much slimmer and more expensive than the reds. I need to drink more water anyway.

I've been devouring graphic novels since Jean-Fred showed me their library of band dessiné. Trois Ombres by Cyril Pedrosa, and Muchacho by Emmanuel Lepage were both fantastic. I've got Le Combat Odinaire by Manu Larcenet at my side for when I'm ready to brave the cold of my room! They've got Chris Ware and Craig Thompson in French, but I'm not tempted enough to read them again. Have I mentioned how great the French graphic novels are? The selection is incredible...

I should have an address for April soon--keep on the lookout!