Louise and Pierre, France June 24th to July 13, 2016 WW 111 and 112

The great thing about Louise and Pierre, was that they were generally happy and didn't mind working outside when the weather wasn't perfect.
Louise a publisher and Pierre a professor of food law, had been travelling in Quebec where Pierre was working at a university, sharing his EU knowledge of food law. They arrived at a perfect time, the rhubarb, sour cherries (Louise's photo) and raspberries were ripe, and the garden was ready for the first major weeding, compost and mulching. Needless to say they were very busy weeding and harvesting. But we did managed to visit Thompson Falls, attend a Summer Kicks Concert and celebrate Canada in Golden, which included the Classic Car Show and Farmers Market in the town center. After leaving here they headed for Vancouver to visit a friend, and tour Vancouver Island. Their last email said they were enjoying the city and that they had a good time on Vancouver Island. I expect one day we will all be reading Louise's books, and that Pierre will be named in a major paper for explaining the EU food labeling regulations.

2018 -01-22 I received a lovely card from Louise, Pierre and now Sophie. Sophie was born in April. Loren is wondering why they didn't name her after him? Louise said that they are all fine with a lot of projects. The biggest of which is buying an apartment. They are in Nantes. France.

WW109 and 110 Thilo and Julia Germany May 9th to 25th, 2016

Thilo and Julia had already been travelling for 7 months and now were on an adventure in Canada and US. This was their second time in Canada, but their first time wwoofing in Canada. They had bought a minivan in Vancouver, and were heading for New York, all the while making a film. They helped us and then were heading to Montana, where they would stop to visit a friend and pursue information on First Nations for the film. Then they would head down the west coast, across to NY, sell the minivan and fly back to Europe.  They were here before the garden was ready to plant, so of course this meant weeding, raking and spring prep. This included a fair amount of painting, and Julia is very good a detail, lawn mowing and we finally got the inside roof fixtures in the shop painted. As well they house sat for house, which is always great for us. Loren helped them construct and secure a bed platform in the minivan, and I know they are enjoying their camping. We are looking forward to the film from their travels. As Thilo showed us a brief film he did for school and it is very interesting.

Denise,

thanks for your message! Great to hear you had a busy summer and some people to help with harvesting the garden. 

I am sending you this message from Philadelphia, PA and after 2 months traveling the U.S. we are within our final month and still doing well, although we are ready to give up our live on the road and move back home!;) 

It is a incredible journey, so far without major problems and the car is still running. We have visited quite a few reservations and there are only a few shot missing for our film project. 

In Philadelphia we are staying with an aunt of Quincy, our Montana friend, before we continue our journey to Boston and the East Coast. We will then travel to Toronto to sell our car (as you were right and it is not possible to sell it in the States), fortunately we have already received some messages from potential buyers, and fly to New York August 27th, where we will stay with one of Quincy's cousins in Downtown Manhattan. 

There have been some pictures attached to my last email, but maybe something went wrong, so please find them attached. 

How are you doing with your woodlot!

Say hello to Loren and Roxy! 

Best wishes

Thilo & Julia

WW 106,107,108 Lucile, Remy n Adrien left Sept 22, 2015

This family Lucile and Remy and Remy's brother Adrien, from France, and stayed with us for 2 weeks. They had all been in Quebec and drove across Canada in a car that left them stranded. We were glad to have there help, even if it meant that we had 5 ww at one time. This often makes for a bit of stress, but because everyone was so helpful, all went smoothly and we had plenty of laughs and got a tonne of chores out of the way. Remy and Adrien worked with Loren concentrating on filling the woodshed. Lucile worked with Doro and Adina at fall gardening and weeding flower beds. Everyone took turns prepping for meals and keeping the main house ship shape. As well we finished up some painting. Because we were tight for space, Remy and Lucile stayed at the cabin, so it was also cleaned up and made comfy. We received a great compliment from these three, as they wrote in the woofer book. "You are the best Canadians we met." 

WW 104 and 105 Doro and Adina Sept

Doro and Adina 'really enjoyed our relaxed way of life and our hospitality.'
They were only here a few days before we accepted three more helpers who were in need of a place. So it was a flurry of activity while we had the overlap. Doro and Adina helped with everything from the harvesting of a second crop of rhubarb to harvesting some of the garden.
 

WW 102 and 103, Judith and Johaness from Germany

Judith and Johaness. I have to wonder what's up when all I have in the woofer books is the first names of 2 helpers and nothing more?

WW 100 and 101 Maximillian and Valentin June 14th to June 23rd 2015

Max and Valentin both from Germany had been back country hiking for 8 days before they arrived here. The garden was mostly planted (except beans which they planted) and weeding was a priority. But they both were able to help Loren with some carpentry. What I remember most about Max and Valentin is that they were wondering what was next in their lives. Basically whether the path they had been on was the one that they wanted to continue with or whether a more organic life was where they would rather be. MMM  

WW_99 May 25th to June 4th 2015

Well it has been so long since I updated this blog, that I can't say much about Frederike. Frederike is from Germany. She helped with getting the garden ready and preparing our place for the summer. While Frederike was here Loren and I had to make a quick trip to Calgary so we dropped Frederike at Banff for the day.  The best part was after we picked her up later in the afternoon.  Between Banff and Lake Louis, we spotted 3 grizzly bears feeding on a slope next to the road. Needless to say Frederike tooks some great photos.

 

Denise and Loren Snapshot 2015