Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Living in the country









I live in a farmer's village. It is a small community with only a few hundred people. It smells of cow poop and fertilizers and a few times a year we hear the guns shoot from the military base in the next village when the soldiers practice war.

When we first arrived to Switzerland we settled in one of the posh villages near the lake and the train track. It was a rich community with pretty villas, lots of expats. And very expensive. We quickly grew out of our small town house and decided to move. Up the Jura mountains, away from the lake and the train. We found our farm house, paying half of what we paid in the posh village for our small apartment. And our new made friends couldn't understand how on earth we could chose to "move so far away" and how could we "move to a place that stinks of cow shit?"

Well, I guess we are all different in what we need, but I certainly prefer the natural smell of cows and views like these on my walks.

I certainly prefer the laid back farmer's mentality in the village where no one is judge by their appearance, come fashion or what type of car you drive. Or being born with a cleft palette like my Luca Bo.

I certainly prefer the small community of French speakers to force me to integrate in the society as we are here to stay.

I certainly prefer hanging around my house instead of popping in and out in shops and cafées and developing needs I didn't have before I saw yet another beautiful ceramic bowl or bag or pair of shoes although I have everything I need.

And I don't mind driving 10 minutes to the lake in summer time to spend a day on the beach.

I don't mind driving 10 minutes to get to the big shopping area where I quickly can purchase everything from construction material to garden tools, flowers and food, toys, gifts and interior design items if I need.

I love it right here, right now. Just look how beautiful life is in the country. Even on a cloudy and rainy day.

Kärlek
Annette



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28 comments :

  1. Beautiful, picturesque place, congratulations, greetings from Warsaw

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  2. I understand you love this place! It's beautiful! Enjoy life!

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  3. So beautiful photographs... I loved them all. Thank you, with my love, nia (photographyofnia.com)

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  4. I'm in village, too. And my father was a sheep shepherd. Yes, when I going to the big city, Barcelona, is a good day. And when I am young I spent a few months. But now, with my little girl 3 years old, I enjoy of tranquility. I know the feeling that you speak. I know that you are so happy.
    A big hug from Catalonia, Annette!

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  5. Be of cheer: cow poop smell is much milder than eau de pig farm! As Mother used to say, "Ah, the smell of money!" I think you have chosen well!

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  6. the photo's are beautiful. And you're right. I would prefer a farm over a big city or something. I'm really jealous you in live in such a beautiful place and country.

    Greetings from Holland,
    Emily
    (casacreaemilia.blogspot.nl)

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  7. You're lucky to live there!
    Isabella

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  8. You are fortunate to have the village life....and yet be close to conveniences :) Ideal I'd say..... :)

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  9. Annette...I know that every time I open up the email with your blogpost in it, that I will feel peace and tranquility. There is a sense of homesickness, a yearning for that peace and the views. Thank you for your lovely photographs and thoughts in my mailbox. Eva

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  10. Living in the country agrees with me too! I'm retired now but when I worked I would drive 20 miles one way to work through the fields. No stores so I would have to shop after work in town. Thanks for sharing the loveliness of your country living.

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  11. We live in the country too. Although along a busy highway, our view front and back is fields and lovely Amish neighbours across the road. Simple living is great! I'm sure you appreciate it even more having lived in both sides of the fence. Love your pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us. Greetings from Ontario, Canada.
    Janina

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  12. I love those villages. Har spenderat många somrar i en sådan liten by - Vullierens. Där bodde jag en lååång sommar för att få ordning på min franska. Så bra jag blev och så härligt det var...ända tills jag kom tillbaka till skolan o min fransklärare rynkade förfärat på näsa o utbrast "men herregud du låter som en bonde!" /jennifer

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  13. lol at the cow shit! We live 'out in the country' and drive by many a farm stinking of cow manure! EVERY time we all loudly exclaim 'Country Fresh Air!' lol!
    We will be moving back to the neighborhood that I was raised in (in a few months) and I can't wait to be back! But I'm with you about not being too close to the hustle & bustle of the city (although we love visiting downtown!)

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  14. I would be in out there in the hills with you too. Sounds wonderful and there's no greater skill than appreciating what you've got when you got it so I applaud that as well! :)

    S x

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  15. You could not have said it any better, Annette! We also live in a small farming town (and actually live on a beef cattle farm) and I love the quiet peaceful experience I am having here. You live in a very beautiful place :). How many languages do the kids speak?

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  16. Beautiful and so peaceful. This scenery is sure to make anyone happy. Is it awfully quiet?
    Thank you for sharing your pics. Gives me some relief in my concrete jungle!! :)
    Have a great day.

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  17. Annette, I agree with you !!!
    Even my family lives in the country. Well recognized the smell of shit and cows:-))
    In a small town, we have only 6 km, and I go to work.
    For you it is beautiful, you are right, even before the storm:-)

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  18. It is beautiful, Annette. I often think that life would be so much better if we lived a simpler life!

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  19. Good for you! 21 years ago we moved from London to a very small village in South West England, a working farming village, yes, with lots of cow shit :-) , but no shop. The life suddenly became slower and more simple. We spend 20 beautiful years there, we loved it all. Last year we moved to a town, a very small town, but with shops and a hospital - that is the concession to our (mature) age. We don't want to do so much driving any more and we can walk to the shop. But I am so glad we had the 20 years in the village.
    Enjoy your life :-)
    xx

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  20. I can only agree... Nice photos, nice blog!

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  21. Well chosen .... you live in very beautiful surroundings.... thank you for sharing ! Loving regards from a, also rainy Holland

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  22. I can understand why you moved away from the city! The area around your home is gorgeous! I've always been more of a country gal myself.

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  23. I love living in the country. There's nothing to beat it.

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  24. Lovely! I'm a country girl born and breed. (not only the "aroma" from cows but chickens too here.) ;D I get claustrophobic in big cities. It's a 30 minutes drive for us to shop, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It suits me down to the ground as they say.lol

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  25. I love this post. When we first arrived here I found it very strange when one of the first questions people asked me was 'how long are you here for?'. Ah, the expat bubble. We live in a very small one in St. Genis. We will (hopefully) be here for good though! What is not to love about this beautiful part of the world.

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  26. I know just how you feel Annette! We moved to the Welsh country side from London 10 years ago and most of our friends thought we were mad and would be back within a year. Since then many have changed their minds as when they visit they can find total relaxation here. No noisy neighbours, hardly any cars drive down my little lane, 360 degree views of mountains and good clean air. What's not to love.
    Big hugs from one country girl to another
    xx

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  27. So glad that you figured this out sooner than later. I too would rather live where you are than in the "posh city". You are indeed very lucky and blessed to have the life you have! Enjoy!

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Thank you so much for visiting my world. I love reading your comments and I do my utterly best to respond to questions and sweet messages. Thank you again for popping by.

Kärlek
Annette

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