Les Halles Centrales

This was one of the most beautiful walks I have ever had in France. The La Vendee trail is called La Bauduère. It's a 5.9km pedestrian and cycling circuit that will take you from the town centre  of Olonne Sur Mer crossing the fields all the way to tranquil marshes. 

Remember that post I wrote about How to Order Coffee in France Like a Local ?

I am not going to leave France without snapping photos during my last visit to grab a take-away coffee on the road. The French Mc Café has its very own café counter tucked in a corner away from the main one, equipped with a viennoiserie and patisserie display. Not to mention, the biggest surprise I had when they were selling macarons!

Before we begin, this post chronicles my days spent at my father-in-laws' garden in France as I learn first-hand from an expert like he is, tips and techniques how he does it. Guess what? He planted this tomato babies in less than 15 minutes.  Ok, I'm definitely not a green thumb! I was that type of gal who wouldn't plunge her little fingers in dirt for fear that an affectionate slug will wrap itself around her finger.  Yet, when I started pulling out grass to help maintain another garden (my sister-in-law's), the obsessive maniac in me couldn't stop and fearlessly dug my hands in to pull out weeds.  Since then, I help out maintaining the garden.  Though we grew tomatoes year after year in our own small backyard garden in Dubai, I still wanted to learn, so that I can take this knowledge and experience with me when we move to the Philippines. 

Take away the wildflowers from this landscape picture and it suddenly becomes less pleasing. Somehow the presence of these wildflowers not only adds beauty to the entire scenery, but a certain kind of softness that transforms a seemingly scary pond into something worthy to capture. It offers a certain serenity and calm to the unknown. 

As I walked quietly in the countryside along wheat covered fields and trees with branches that bent over pathways, I was drawn to the beauty of these wildflowers. What I love about them is their quiet determination to survive in an unplanned or unexpected environment.  They have the strength to thrive. They stand tall and proud as though within their roots is an abundant source of light. They acknowledge their natural beauty with an innate simplicity. They are confident to reflect their authentic self.