For all you food lovers

A very un-eventful day as my son Curtis battled fevers and cold symtoms so had to take him to the local Medcin (Dr). We did venture into Cahors for an icecream and as the temp rose to 33 degrees until about 6 or 7pm we felt salad was the order of the day. Here are some pics of todays spoils. The Camembet was 500gm and cost about $5 Australian and the brie was even cheaper! Bread from Boulanger round the corner and beautiful fresh salad and prccutio ham.

We thought we would never get here

Hi all as the title suggests it was a extraordinary journey. Left Sydney 9.55pm Monday night and flew via Hong Kong with a 4 hr wait before going on to Paris arriving Tuesday 5pm France time but 1am Wednesday Aussie time. We then hopped into our hire car and drove out of Paris to out house in Catus which took much longer than the 5 hrs it was supposed to as getting out of Paris was a right nightmare! We arrived at 1.30 this morning (Wed here) after over 30hrs of travelling. Woke up to beautiful weather at least 28 degrees all day even at 7pm tonight it was warm. We stayed in Catus to day to recover and only ventured short distances by foot to the Boulanger for our bread and boucherie for some meat for dinner (which he minced in front of us- none of that pre-packaged crap).
Not much photography today I could barely string a bonjour together let alone be creative!
Here are some shots of our house and village and a couple of Ruby and Curtis.
xx Corrina

Up, Up and away

 

It's that time of the year for us when we have months of saving, planning and dreaming come to fruition in a wonderful trip through France. This year we will re-visit some favorites (who can resist Paris!) and check out some places we have never been. The kids are very excited and we have our oldest son coming with us this time for his first time in Europe as an adult. I will endeavour where time and internet coverage allows to post some highlights of our journey. We look forward to warmer weather and fine food, with a touch of history, romance and sheer beauty. xx Corrina

The Long Table Secret Supper Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first event at "The Long Table Secret Supper Club" we had 14 paying guests. The menu was French and we raised over $500 for the A21 organisation who rescue and rehabilitate human trafficking victims. So proud of the entire evening. Hoping to do this semi regularly! Photos courtesy of Karin Neate. xx Corrina

Summer has ended and Winter is here but the Garden keeps giving.....

Well it certainly has been some time since my last post. I have been caught up with photo shoots and life with children. The very exciting 21st birthday of my twins which we hosted over 50 people at my house and catered for ( a post on this will come soon). One of the things we have really loved through summer and Autumn is working in out Potager (vege garden). My husband has done the most amazing work in our garden this year and we are so proud of our heirloom tomatoes which we are still harvesting- partly due I think to our unseasonally warm Autumn and to the amazing ability of my chief gardener (Shane my darling hubby).
I would like to wet your appetite with some shots of the tomatoes which I might add- yes the pics are not lying- two tomatoes weighed 1kg! You can also click here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Corrina-Tough-Photography/604832219534359

for some of my still life photo shots featuring our produce as well xx Corrina.

Great Give away from Rachel Khoo

If you seriously love cooking and the use of fresh produce, or a life of farming, Rachel Khoo is having a wonderful give away of a book that encompasses farming, with gorgeous illustrations and information on anything from growing to machinery click here http://www.rachelkhoo.com/on-my-bookshelf/on-my-bookshelf-farm-anatomy#comment-7819

Hope you all have a wonderful week full of inspiration and fun. I'll be back on the blog track soon- right now we're preparing for a double 21st (my twins) busy busy busy xx Corrina.

The Little Paris Kitchen

I am so excited about the new cooking show with a twist now airing in Australia on SBS on Thursday nights.
The wonderful Rachel Kwoo cooks up a storm in her minuscule kitchen in Paris (all authentic!). Due to lack of space and a desire to tweak ever so slightly the traditional French fare, she comes up with amazing dishes anyone can make at home- big or small kitchens alike.
Her eclectic sense of style and love for food and ingredients makes it a delight to watch- while  Paris turns on all its charms in the stunning imagery that can only evoke those moments that dreams are made of.
Celebrating her first anniversary since the publication of her book 'The Little Paris Kitchen" Rachel is holding a give away that I am only too happy to promote- go here http://www.rachelkhoo.com/news/the-little-paris-kitchen-book-anniversary#comment-7706

Hope you all enjoy a look over on her foodie blog xx Corrina.
 

Honouring our Anzacs and the story of the Wilson Brothers

Just for a little detour from my posts about Senlis in France, I would like to take a moment to honour our Anzacs past and present defense force for their sacrifice they have made and make for our country and for their families who release them to serve our country.

The Story of the Wilson Brothers (My husband Shane's great uncles)
George and Isabella Wilson moved to Australia from Ireland for a better life. They started in Braidwood in NSW but after having several children moved to Portmacquarie on the north coast of NSW to start a business in the timber industry.
Three of their sons, Eric-21, Samuel- 29, and Jim-17,  were inseparable and all enlisted together to fight in World War 1.
Three weeks after arriving at Fromelles France they joined the 53rd Battalion  and  the boys were part of one of the bloodiest battles in a 24hr period in Australian War history. Samuel and Eric were last seen charging together and were both killed on 19th July 1916. Jim was shot in the neck almost killing him and was found later in an English hospital.  Eric and Sam were buried by the Germans in a mass grave alongside hundreds of other soldiers, at Pheasants Wood Fromelles and with that began a 94 year mystery as all those soldiers remained under ground in what was an  unknown  location, therefore the families never had closure over the missing dead.
Fast forward to 2009 and the mass grave was discovered, relatives were asked by the Australian Defense for DNA and in 2010 Samuel and Eric Wilson were positively identified- they were buried together. Their mother died before Jim could return home- some say of a broken heart. Jim did return home and went on to live a full life. The soldiers were buried in a new cemetery purpose built at Pheasant Wood, right near the place they were found, and not far from where they lost their lives.

When we traveled France last year we were able to visit the cemetry and other memorial sites in Fromelles as well as visit the museum in the town Marie which had an incredible collection of war items and photos including a huge photo of the Wilson brothers (the largest one there) which was incredibly emotional. I felt immensely proud to be an Australian, it is clear the French have a huge love and respect for us because of the sacrifice our soldiers made. Here are some images to Honour the Wilson Brothers and the Battle at Fromelles France.