What an amazing place Leon, thank you for sharing. I love the idea of a open air church right in the middle of nature, which God created. Beautiful.❤️🌺🌸🍁
Leon you are such a kind sweet man. Congratulations on your 21st episode.May you have many many more episodes. Thank you, Ludy & Maria for allowing us to be part of your journey to such a tranquil holy setting. God Bless you all & May you all have a Blessed Easter .
Great Steve, I'm happy I could do that. I suspect it's going to be a regular place for me to visit. After the lockdown, that is. Happy Easter and peaceful weekend to you!
You have a gift. I know you are finding joy in creating these videos. It shows in the choice of music, in the easy pace of the storytelling, and in the deep respect you give to the people and the moments you share with us. Thank you
What a lovely spring day for an outing - and what a magical, inspirational destination! I cannot believe it has been 21 weeks of pleasure now that you have brought us from your little corner in France. Congratulations on reaching this milestone - and a hearty thanks for doing so! And have a happy Easter!
Bonjour Leon, Congratulations on your 21st episode! It was very touching. I love the Blessed Mother, and what a beautiful place to honor her so. Thanks to Ludy and Maria as well. The Bobotie looked so delicious, I'm sure John will want me to make it asap! It had all of his favorite spices. I see the subscriptions keep on growing too! yay! You do such worth while work, I know your popularity is just going to keep on expanding. Thanks again to you and all of the RFJ friends, families, subscribers, and supporters! X P.S. for those who would like to know more about Saint Bernadette, there is a movie made in the late 40's starring Jennifer Jones as Bernadette, called "Song of Bernadette" a very moving story you won't regret watching.
Bonjour mon ami Jayme ! Thank you so much for your beautiful comment and all your regular encouragement - it's because of all the wonderful subscribers and viewers that I'm always inspired and wanting to deliver my best. Wishing you and John a wonderful, happy Easter X
Thank you Leon for the beautiful trip to the open Chappelle with all the rosaries on walls the statues of Mary, streams, and bouquets of wild flowers, it was quite an amazing and calming trip , I was waiting for the consumption of your Bobotie, but alas we only got the prep. 😛
Hi Jim, thank you! Hahaha, I wanted to film the eating of the bobotie but then the video might have been too long. Ludy and Maria thoroughly enjoyed it! The next 4 weeks will be a challenge as we are in full lockdown again - so maybe lots of eating coming up!
You always share beautiful places we are not likely to know about. Thank you for expanding our knowledge and enjoyment. A lovely "outdoor cathedral'. I love all the floral offerings and small statues. I recall seeing footage of large, diverse groups singing Je Vous Salue Marie within sight of Notre Dame the night of the fire.
What a beautiful comment - thank you so much Bernadette! I remember the footage outside the Notre Dame...wow, I'm impressed you know the words in French! Happy Easter X
What a lovely place of solace and a haven such a tranquil place. Merci Leon. Congratulations on your 21st episode bravo Merci Marie et Ludy for sharing this place
Greetings Leon! This video was a spiritual, Good Friday meditation for me. I anxiously awaited it here in CA, USA. Thank you, Leon and May God bless you and keep you. I can only add my congratulations and agreement with so many other comments to this blog. Happy Easter to you and All! Patricia Fay-Magiera
Leon I cant tell you how much I enjoy your amazing videos thank you so much everyone so far are filled with so much information and so intersting Thank you for sharing your adventures Thank you for sharing beautiful france from Australia
The stream is so relaxing listening to the sounds and the beautiful wooden chapel is so authentic...A place for people to pray in peace...Thank you all for sharing...You have made my Good Friday wonderful!!!
Oh Leon ! Such a Spiritual and Tranquil place!. It's beauty just radiates a simpler time from every nook and cranny of the GrottoYour camera work is really excellent.Maria & Ludy seem like gentle and kind people who would gravitate to such an enchanting place. You are getting quite good with the camera. Thank Maria and Ludy for sharing this very spiritual place with us. Your music picks are quite a nice touch. Well my friend you stay safe and I wish you a lovely Easter
Thank you Leon , it is such a peaceful & tranquil vlog... you can feel yourself walking there amidst all Our Lady’s statues , small & large, plain & intricate , placed so lovingly by so many people.I love all the Rosaries that just add such a subtle touch & brings the reasons for being there to the fore ...you can feel the atmosphere of the area is somber but I think also joyful with all the flowers & blossoms around you a lot place is filled with prayers..... This would definitely be on my list when we visit , sometime in the future!! ❤️🌺🙏🏼
Thank you so much Leon....That really made me very emotional seeing all the lovely statues of Our Lady and such a beautiful place to sit and pray. The walk looked so relaxing and that bridge was amazing for its age. Your South African dish looked terrific also and I could just imagine all the great smells with the glorious spices. Blessings to you for Easter xx
Thank you dear Susan! What an incredible place - I decided I will go there often from now on. Hmm, the dish was very tasty! Blessed Easter to you and yours too XXX
What a beautiful outdoor sanctuary! It reminds me of some of the grottos I see in neighboring state of New Mexico! A perfect place to wander on Good Friday! Have a blessed Easter!
I love spending a part of my Friday evening watching your videos. They are such a nice escape from the busy week. They help me relax and daydream of traveling again as I begin my weekend. I am also loving seeing spring! We still have a foot of snow and temps as Low as 9 degrees F. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!
Thank you so much Jill! Next week will be another relaxing trip - a surprise I came across in desperation before the new lockdown kicked in. We had lovely spring weather but I can feel a cold spell coming! Maybe even snow as from tomorrow! Lots of love X
This is such a special vlog Leon. The content and selection of music just moved me, touched my heart and soul. I could have spent a whole day here just sitting and watching the water flow over the rocks, feeling blessed to be in such a special place. Merci beaucoup mon ami.
Beautiful, peaceful place. I have a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that was my mother's. It is plaster of Paris and was cracking all over. I carefully soaked it in water and removed the paint very carefully and I repainted her. She was up on a corner shelf in my parents house for so many years and my mother prayed endless prayers in front of her. To this date I have her in my curio cabinet which is our altar. She has traveled in my suitcase and remained intact. My husband and I are Christian but do not practice any particular faith but we have deep respect and devotion for the holy family. I once did a dissertation for the priesthood but I chose nursing as a career and did that for 42 years thus far. Thank you for showing us this.
You know I always knew that you would become someone to be watched on here ... if thats understandable lol. The way you show us around your world over there is amazing. Thank you for all you do. Always remember that it doesn't matter how many watch all that matters is you enjoy it and those no matter the number love it. ❤
Thank you so very much for this peaceful and tranquil video. I couldn't help but wonder if my Grandmother came here to visit as she sought healing for her blind son, my uncle. Thank you for the calm and peace. It moved me to tears.
@@RuralFranceJournals No she was not, but she use to travel to all shrine sites in the world that she could with her church and St. Bernadette, rings a bell.
Oh Leon the Grotto and Chapel were so beautiful and moving. Maybe it was because it was from a simpler time when people took the time.to appreciate the simpler things. And again your friends Maria and Ludy were so kind to have shown us all this beautiful place. Please thank them for me.It was so very spiritual Perfect for Easter Week. Your abilities with the camera is excellent. Stay Safe Leon. I hope you are very content. HAPPY EASTER MY FRIEND !!!
@@maryannelegzdins6187 thank you for this beautiful, encouraging comment! I will convey your thanks to Maria and Ludy. A very happy Easter to you too dear Maryanne!!!
Bonjour, Leon! Congratulations on this your 21st episode. And many more in the future. What a beautiful surprise you gave us. Peaceful and full of nature. I'm touch with peaceful feelings, thank you. Felices Pascuas! 🙏
@@RuralFranceJournals Thanks for your response, I was at the market getting a couple of ingredients for your recipe. This I will be able to make but, I needed chutney which I have never used before and ginger in powder form. I'll let you know how it turned out. Thanks for the recipe. This is an adventure in cooking for me.😬 Until your next vlog have a wonderful weekend. Bye! 👋
Ohw how beautiful the video has turned out again. We were back for a while. The special feeling was there again. A special place with, for me, special people who are dear to me. Thank you Leon, also for the Bobotie. Until next time, love from us
Leon congratulations on your 21st episode and what a beautiful vlog it is Thank you for taking us with you to visit this peaceful place . Lovely to see your friends again . Happy Easter.
Thank you Leon, Maria and Ludy for showing us this beautiful, tranquil place. Such a wonderful opportunity to think and reflect which is very much needed during these strange and unsettling times. Also, great to see you cooking Babotie - I tried it in South Africa, made by a SA friend of my nephew - delicious! Happy Easter to you and all of your lovely friends! 💕
Dear Liz, thank you for always making such lovely comments! I will definitely visit that sanctuary more often now - some sanity and peace during these crazy times. Happy Easter XXX
Such a lovely drive the outdoor cathedral so peaceful heavenly love the history the malas hanging everywhere Leon such a pleasure your vlogs the scenery stunning lost for words congratulations 21 episodes many many more to come you have such gracious friends off home to your delicious South African dish I for one will be adding to the menu this week love what you do Leon a ray of light you are😍❤️🥰👏👏
Hello Leon 😊..wow ! I absolutely loved this 21st episode. Such a beautiful & tranquil place , it's Eutopia 👍. Nice to see Maria & Ludy again. Thanks for sharing your South African recipe & a special thank you for thinking of us vegetarians ...I will definitely try it👍 nice to see our community is growing 😊 Have a great Easter 🐣. Till next time..stay safe 😷💪✌️
Yes, what an incredible setting! I will definitely go back for peace and quiet. Try the recipe with lentils - I've had it before. Stunning! I also added a recipe for chutney on my FB page. Happy Easter XXX
@@RuralFranceJournals we love you too Leon, it will be a small party when we can meet again. Fortunately, it is not out of sight, out of mind. Stay save, Love from us
oh leaon this video moved me to tears it was so peaceful and meaningful it captured the peace that you feel in your heart when you visit lourdes. iAt the age pf around 12 i saw a film called the song of bernadette and after seeing this film i vowed one day i would go there to lourdes. In 2006 i had a diagnisis of breast cancer and in april the following year me and my husband went to lourdes and it captured our hearts. The healing there you can feel it and the pilgrims all come together and smile. Its a place of love peace and hope. We visited lourdes every year after up until 2019. And when all this pandemic is safe again we hope to return. We used to go for one week and during that week walked to Bartres at least 3 times during our times there . Often wne we got to the sheepfold we were the only ones there and we always took a picnic and sat on a big rock eating our food to the sound of the breeze through the leaves and birdsong and in the background the tinckling of the sheep bells . Truely magical and we could sit and take in the scene and almost be transported back in time when Bernadette was there tending her sheep. This was so right leon for me to sit and watch on good friday. Thankyou from my heart dear friend and happy easter to you ludy and maria god bless you and keep you safe dear friends
Dearest Vanessa, you just moved me to tears with this comment...how very special and so touching. In the future when you come back I would love to join you and your husband! Thank you for this beautiful comment and sharing your personal experiences. Lots of love and a Blessed Easter XXX
@@RuralFranceJournals many thank leon . Robin and i go with tangney tours when we do go to france we usually fly in to tarbes we dont ever drive as its a long long way. I look forward each friday to your vlogs/videos and wonder where we are going to go its like an adventure with leon. I am back working tomorrow easter sunday i am a nurse and have been on annual leave these past 2 weeks at home
(Moira Ashton) What a lovely peaceful vlog! I'm not at all religious, but what a beautiful place that was, so tranquil- all that beautiful moss and the flowers placed there.. really lovely, Your recipe looked good too, Congratulations on your 21st vlog, onwards and upwards!!!
Great music choices as usual. What a beautiful place that is! I did want to see you all eat the Bobotie! I wanted to see how much they enjoyed it! So many ingredients, my mom used to make it. Happy Easter!!🐰
I am intrigued by the statues and trinkets related to "Our Lady"/ I suppose it is a physical manifestation of feeling the spirit and gratitude. You captured the feeling of mystery and miracles rather beautifully. On a more earthly plain.....if you are living abroad and don;t have access to Mrs. Balls chutney, Major Grey's chutney does the job too. I hope Maria and Ludi enjoyed the bobotie.
Thank you Nicolette! I will look out for Major Grey's but chutney is hardly available over here. I usually make my own (recipe is on my FB page). They had 3 helpings each!!! Happy Easter!
Merci Christine ! The story of bobotie starts in Indonesia. Bobotok was an Indonesian dish consisting of meat with a custard topping that was cooked in a pan of water until the egg mixture was set. The first people that brought “Bobotie” to South Africa was the Dutch. The first recorded recipe of this dish was in a Dutch cookbook in 1609. This dish was then introduced to South Africa and the Cape Malay community adopted this dish, naming it Bobotie, probably because it reminded them of their own Bobotok or Bobotu. From there the Afrikaners adopted this dish and took it with them when they left the Cape Colony.
@@RuralFranceJournals Fascinating story! Thank you so much for your explanation. I had temporarily forgotten the much earlier Dutch Indonesian connections. xo
@@christinelachance8012 Mrs Ball's chutney is a unique South African product - a chutney extremely popular in SA - you get different versions like hot, mild, peach, chilli, etc. Unfortunately I can only get it in France if I order it from online outlets in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium but the prices are ridiculous. However, a lovely lady from the UK offered to send me some :-)
What a beautiful episode! It was so peaceful watching it. There doesn’t seem to be much beauty or passion here in NYC for Easter this year or in many places for that matter and this really touched me. Your South African dish looks very interesting as well and I for one will give it a try. I know SA wines very well, but sadly nothing of the cuisine. Merci, dearest Leon! Happy Easter to you! 🐣
Big thank you to you dear Kimberly! I heard from my friend Melissa in NYC that nothing is really happening over there. I just received a beautiful pastry from my neighbour Nadège - will have to include it in the next video! The Bobotie is one of my winter favourites: many variations but I prefer this one from my friend Lenie. A very Happy Easter to you too X
Thank you Leon what an apt video for good Friday, so quiet and tranquil. Will be trying your dish and will let you know soon. Are you now in lockdown again?
Thank you Kevan! Yes, try the dish - it's yummy! As from tomorrow night we are in full lockdown again. For 4 weeks! That will be a challenge for the upcoming videos. Happy Easter!
Hello Leon, my holiday home is very close by to the sanctuary but we cannot get there at the moment, it was lovely to see our little part of France which we hope we can visit soon. Thank you. Barbara (UK)
Hello Barbara, your holiday home is in a beautiful part of France - it's so peaceful and calming. I hope you can visit soon - please let me know when you are coming over. Thank you for your comment :-)
Another wonderful video Leon. What a beautiful place and I will definitely be visiting once we are out of the new lockdown and I can travel more than 10km. Love you recipe for Bobotie it is slightly different to the one I use, I am so jealous that you have some Ma Balls chutney! I am blaming you for the fact that Bobotie is for supper tonight lol
Hahahaha, you will enjoy it! Yes, the place is not far from you. Let's just get through the next 4 weeks. Happy Easter! PS We should have the traditional SA Easter dish - curry fish!
Hello Leon, uit n koue nat Kaap.Jou bobotie lyk heerlik,dit kom mos v d slawe tyd,,so is seker Oosters.Hier is dit rugby,bier,en boerewors. Dankie vir jou pragtige musiek en die dorpies toere.Ek stam vanJaques Malan van Merindol in Provence 1688, miskien moet jy daar n draai gaan maak vermy net die paaie.videos waaraan al die TH-camrs.vasklou.groetnis
Hallo Roche! Toemaar, hier is dit steeds Kaapse weer: nat en koud. Die bobotie kom van bobotok, 'n Indonesiese dis met heelwat ander bestanddele. Die eerste resep vir bobotie verskyn in 'n Hollandse kookboek in 1609. Daarna is dit na Suid-Afrika waar dit deur die Kaap Maleise gemeenskap aangeneem is. Interessante stamgeskiedenis. Provence is bietjie ver, maar ek beplan 'n klein toertjie later in die jaar. Baie groete!
Happy 21st episode!! Well done and we wish you many more!! Thank you for such an appropriate video over Easter! Such a peaceful place to be. Very good photography and music: one really feels the peace and quite of the place. Must be very peaceful to sit and pray in an open air cathedral with such peaceful surroundings. Thank you to Maria and Lido for taking us to such a tranquil place. (I trust they enjoyed the mouthwatering Bobotie you made!! I actually checked the ingredients in my cupboard and see we shall also have heart-warming Bobotie over the week end!) Altyd baie interessant en lekker om jou videos te volg! En danksy jou leer ken ons ook van die Franse platteland en haar sielsmense! Is dit naby Bergerac? Sjoe, ek sal maklik sommer maklik daar langs die rivier tussen al die bome in 'n kothuisie kan bly. Sê asb vir Maria ek verstaan heeltemal hoekom sy in Frankryk wou bly, al kan mens dit nie verklaar nie. Geseënde en rustige Paasnaweek vir jou en jou hartsmense!! Tot volgende keer! 👌🇫🇷🐩
Dankie Helana, kan nie glo dis al 21 nie! Dis soort van in die rigting van Bergerac wat ons volgende naweek sou doen, maar nou nie kan nie. Dis in 'n ander departement en van more af mag ons nie oor grense nie - full lockdown! Ja, daardie plek is baie spesiaal en ek sal beslis weer gaan. Na 4 weke se gevangenisskap. Lekker bobotie! en geseënde Pase vir julle ook X
@@RuralFranceJournals Ai siestog man dis aaklig dat julle beweging so erg beperk word. Baie sterkte hoor!!! ( klink my jy sal 'n papegaai of iets vir geselskap moet begin aanhou! 😉. Baie sterkte)
@@helanalurie9962 Dankie - dis nogal 'n ramp vir die video's, maar ek sal 'n plan maak om dit interessant te hou. Miskien is die papegaai 'n goeie idee! :-)
What a beautiful and inspiring vlog. I can't thank you enough for showing me this site. I am amazed by the content of your volts! I am going to find you on Facebook and try to make your recipe you brought from South Africa! What a taste sensation this dish must be. Thank you again! I want to try to help you with buying me a coffee, I just don't know how to do it. Is this an app or can someone assist on how to purchase you a coffee, please? Thanks for any help with this important matter! I just love your friend as well! Happy Easter 🐰!
Hi Fred, I discovered this comment only now - I was not notified of it by TH-cam for some or other reason. Thank you for your very encouraging comment, as usual! The buying of a coffee is very easy: you click on the buymeacoffee.com link below the video. There you follow the instructions: choose for example one coffee and you simply pay per card via a very secure site. Happy belated Easter Fred!
@@RuralFranceJournals oh yes, I do! We have recently had friends send a parcel to us in Poland and it contains quite a few bottles of chutney. Sent from the UK. Will let you know
@@RuralFranceJournals we have been in heaven dining on tge bobootie. And yes we had Mrs Balls too. Got a food parcel sent from the UK a few weeks ago. Thank you for the recipe
What an amazing place Leon, thank you for sharing. I love the idea of a open air church right in the middle of nature, which God created. Beautiful.❤️🌺🌸🍁
Thank you Sarah - I fully agree!
MashAllah so beautiful statues different saints and mama Mary.. thank you for sharing..God bless you more..
Thank you so much Azilana!
Leon you are such a kind sweet man. Congratulations on your 21st episode.May you have many many more episodes. Thank you, Ludy & Maria for allowing us to be part of your journey to such a tranquil holy setting. God Bless you all & May you all have a Blessed Easter .
Thank you for your most beautiful comment Priscilla! Blessed Easter to you X
Such a lovely video Leon! You have given me the gift of a little bit calmness today.
Great Steve, I'm happy I could do that. I suspect it's going to be a regular place for me to visit. After the lockdown, that is. Happy Easter and peaceful weekend to you!
You have a gift. I know you are finding joy in creating these videos. It shows in the choice of music, in the easy pace of the storytelling, and in the deep respect you give to the people and the moments you share with us. Thank you
Dear Cindy, thank you for this incredibly beautiful comment - I appreciate it so much XXX
What a lovely spring day for an outing - and what a magical, inspirational destination! I cannot believe it has been 21 weeks of pleasure now that you have brought us from your little corner in France. Congratulations on reaching this milestone - and a hearty thanks for doing so! And have a happy Easter!
Thank you so much!!! I still can't believe it's been 21 episodes - time flies. Happy Easter to you too! X
Thank you 😊 Leon for sharing another interesting video with us! Well done on the 21 high quality episodes so far! 👍🏼👍🏼🙏🙏👏👏🍾🥂
Thank you Gert! Can't believe it's been 21 already. The next 4 weeks will be a challenge as we are back in full lockdown.
Bonjour Leon,
Congratulations on your 21st episode! It was very touching. I love the Blessed Mother, and what a beautiful place to honor her so. Thanks to Ludy and Maria as well. The Bobotie looked so delicious, I'm sure John will want me to make it asap! It had all of his favorite spices. I see the subscriptions keep on growing too! yay! You do such worth while work, I know your popularity is just going to keep on expanding. Thanks again to you and all of the RFJ friends, families, subscribers, and supporters! X P.S. for those who would like to know more about Saint Bernadette, there is a movie made in the late 40's starring Jennifer Jones as Bernadette, called "Song of Bernadette" a very moving story you won't regret watching.
Bonjour mon ami Jayme ! Thank you so much for your beautiful comment and all your regular encouragement - it's because of all the wonderful subscribers and viewers that I'm always inspired and wanting to deliver my best. Wishing you and John a wonderful, happy Easter X
Thank you Leon for the beautiful trip to the open Chappelle with all the rosaries on walls the statues of Mary, streams, and bouquets of wild flowers, it was quite an amazing and calming trip , I was waiting for the consumption of your Bobotie, but alas we only got the prep. 😛
Hi Jim, thank you! Hahaha, I wanted to film the eating of the bobotie but then the video might have been too long. Ludy and Maria thoroughly enjoyed it! The next 4 weeks will be a challenge as we are in full lockdown again - so maybe lots of eating coming up!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful - Happy Easter - Love, Love, Love....Congratulations Leon!!!
Ahhh Chris, thank you! People like you make this so worthwhile! Happy Easter to you too!
You always share beautiful places we are not likely to know about. Thank you for expanding our knowledge and enjoyment. A lovely "outdoor cathedral'. I love all the floral offerings and small statues. I recall seeing footage of large, diverse groups singing Je Vous Salue Marie within sight of Notre Dame the night of the fire.
What a beautiful comment - thank you so much Bernadette! I remember the footage outside the Notre Dame...wow, I'm impressed you know the words in French! Happy Easter X
Lovely. Peaceful and lovely.🙏🏻
Thank you Jane X
Thank you, that was absolutely lovely .
Thanks Leigh!
Congratulations on your 21st instalment ~ very calming and appropriate for Good Friday 🌸
Thank you Judy - Happy Easter!
Beautiful ... Merci Leon, Maria et Ludy. Joyeuses Paques a tous.
Merci Alice! Very Happy Easter to you too!
What a lovely place of solace and a haven such a tranquil place. Merci Leon. Congratulations on your 21st episode bravo Merci Marie et Ludy for sharing this place
Thank you Annette! I cannot believe it was 21 already. Happy Easter!
This is truly beautiful and so befitting for this weekend! Thank you Leon and Bonne Paques!
🐣🐰🍫 Go easy on the chocolate!
Thank you Janine! Bonne Paques à toi aussi mon amie. Sorry, I hear a chocolate calling me :-)
I watched your video again and I got a chocolate advert! This is not helping matters hahaha!!! 😂😂
@@janineduclos9774 Hahahaha, serves you right! They know what you're thinking. I bought a whole big box on special today - happy days are here again!
Greetings Leon! This video was a spiritual, Good Friday meditation for me. I anxiously awaited it here in CA, USA. Thank you, Leon and May God bless you and keep you. I can only add my congratulations and agreement with so many other comments to this blog. Happy Easter to you and All! Patricia Fay-Magiera
Thank you so much dear Patricia! Happy Easter to you too and love to CA! X
What a wonderful way to get my day going. Thank you. I so look forward to your vlogs. Have a blessed Easter.
Thank you Kristine and a blessed Easter to you too!
What a beautiful, peaceful place.
Absolutely Carol - like a different world!
Thank you Leon, Maria & Rudy for the journey - I recall enjoying a film ‘The Song of Bernadette’ as a child. Happy Easter 💛
Thank you Dawn! Happy Easter to you and yours too. I am getting more and more curious about this film - quite a few viewers mentioned it. X
Beautiful music 🎶
Thank you Alda!
Thank you for sharing this with us, so peaceful. Happy Easter to you and all your subscribers.
Thank you Carol! Happy Easter to you too X
Leon I cant tell you how much I enjoy your amazing videos thank you so much everyone so far are filled with so much information and so intersting Thank you for sharing your adventures Thank you for sharing beautiful france from Australia
Bonjour Kay ! Thank you so much for the encouraging comment - lots of love to you and beautiful Australia!
That was so nice. Thank you for taking us there. The water and bird sounds were so relaxing and peaceful. 😊
Thank you Karen - the place was real food for the soul.
The stream is so relaxing listening to the sounds and the beautiful wooden chapel is so authentic...A place for people to pray in peace...Thank you all for sharing...You have made my Good Friday wonderful!!!
I'm so glad Chris! Peaceful Good Friday to you :-)
What a beautiful peaceful place , thank you for showing.
Thank you for the comment Christine - Happy Easter!
@@RuralFranceJournals Happy Easter to you too.
Oh Leon ! Such a Spiritual and Tranquil place!. It's beauty just radiates a simpler time from every nook and cranny of the GrottoYour camera work is really excellent.Maria & Ludy seem like gentle and kind people who would gravitate to such an enchanting place. You are getting quite good with the camera. Thank
Maria and Ludy for sharing this very spiritual place with us. Your music picks are quite a nice touch.
Well my friend you stay safe and I wish you a lovely Easter
Dear Maryanne, thank you for this huge compliment. Yes, Maria absolutely beamed while she was there. Blessed Easter to you and yours too, thank you!
Thank you Leon , it is such a peaceful & tranquil vlog... you can feel yourself walking there amidst all Our Lady’s statues , small & large, plain & intricate , placed so lovingly by so many people.I love all the Rosaries that just add such a subtle touch & brings the reasons for being there to the fore ...you can feel the atmosphere of the area is somber but I think also joyful with all the flowers & blossoms around you a lot place is filled with prayers..... This would definitely be on my list when we visit , sometime in the future!! ❤️🌺🙏🏼
Thank you Elise - the place was truly magic! A definite MUST SEE XXX
Thank you so much Leon....That really made me very emotional seeing all the lovely statues of Our Lady and such a beautiful place to sit and pray. The walk looked so relaxing and that bridge was amazing for its age. Your South African dish looked terrific also and I could just imagine all the great smells with the glorious spices. Blessings to you for Easter xx
Thank you dear Susan! What an incredible place - I decided I will go there often from now on. Hmm, the dish was very tasty! Blessed Easter to you and yours too XXX
@@RuralFranceJournals You are very fortunate indeed xxx🙏🏻
Thank you. What a beautiful place and you have added the most appropriate music.
Thank you Dot!
Everything look peaceful flower on table are beautiful
Thank you Tim - really a beautiful and peaceful place.
Really enjoy your videos ,this place was beautiful ,so tranquil , just lovely thankyou from Australia
Thank you Jan!
As an artist you fit the music so beautifully with the video content
Thank you Marek! I try my best because music is so important in a video.
What a beautiful outdoor sanctuary! It reminds me of some of the grottos I see in neighboring state of New Mexico! A perfect place to wander on Good Friday! Have a blessed Easter!
Thank you Jill! Blessed Easter to you too. Lots of love!
Once again your vlog was top class. Thank you 🙏 wishing you a happy Easter.
Thank you Rita! And a very Happy Easter to you too X
I love spending a part of my Friday evening watching your videos. They are such a nice escape from the busy week. They help me relax and daydream of traveling again as I begin my weekend. I am also loving seeing spring! We still have a foot of snow and temps as
Low as 9 degrees F. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us!
Thank you so much Jill! Next week will be another relaxing trip - a surprise I came across in desperation before the new lockdown kicked in. We had lovely spring weather but I can feel a cold spell coming! Maybe even snow as from tomorrow! Lots of love X
"Blessed be ..the Tranquility" this is what I so enjoy from your vlogs..thankyou from Canada.
Thank you for this lovely comment Esther - much appreciated! Love to beautiful Canada X
This is such a special vlog Leon. The content and selection of music just moved me, touched my heart and soul. I could have spent a whole day here just sitting and watching the water flow over the rocks, feeling blessed to be in such a special place. Merci beaucoup mon ami.
Je vous en prie mon amie !!! I suspect that is going to become a regular haven during these crazy times. Have a blessed Easter! XXX
I'm sure you will come up with something for the next one. Thanks for letting us into your life and world.
Thanks Kevan, I already came across a hidden gem! So one nice surprise coming up :-)
Beautiful. So glad I found your channel. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Linda!
Beautiful, peaceful place. I have a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes that was my mother's. It is plaster of Paris and was cracking all over. I carefully soaked it in water and removed the paint very carefully and I repainted her. She was up on a corner shelf in my parents house for so many years and my mother prayed endless prayers in front of her. To this date I have her in my curio cabinet which is our altar. She has traveled in my suitcase and remained intact. My husband and I are Christian but do not practice any particular faith but we have deep respect and devotion for the holy family. I once did a dissertation for the priesthood but I chose nursing as a career and did that for 42 years thus far. Thank you for showing us this.
Thank you for sharing this with me Peter - what a beautiful story!
You know I always knew that you would become someone to be watched on here ... if thats understandable lol. The way you show us around your world over there is amazing. Thank you for all you do. Always remember that it doesn't matter how many watch all that matters is you enjoy it and those no matter the number love it. ❤
Justin, what a beautiful, endearing comment - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! XXX
It's always interesting where you take us on your journey with each vlog well fine Leon
Thank you and Happy Easter!
How tranquil and beautiful?! A wonderful surprise to see Ludy and Maria again! Thank you Leon for another great vlog.
Hi Alison - such a gem of a place! Happy Easter Alison!
Bon Paques mon ami - Merci beaucoup pour le partage de la vidéo
Bon Paques à toi aussi mon amie ! X
Thank you so very much for this peaceful and tranquil video. I couldn't help but wonder if my Grandmother came here to visit as she sought healing for her blind son, my uncle. Thank you for the calm and peace. It moved me to tears.
Thank you for this beautiful comment Maria. Was your grandmother from here?
@@RuralFranceJournals No she was not, but she use to travel to all shrine sites in the world that she could with her church and St. Bernadette, rings a bell.
@@reeree1972 Wow Maria, that's amazing. Lots of viewers knew of Bernadette.
@@reeree1972 The main sanctuary for Sainte Bernadette and Our Lady is in Lourdes, a little further south!
Thank you for showing us this place of tranquility, peace, love and devotion. You always choose lovely and appropriate music.. keep safe.
Oh Leon the Grotto and Chapel were so beautiful and moving. Maybe it was because it was from a simpler time when people took the time.to appreciate the simpler things. And again your friends Maria and Ludy were so kind to have shown us all this beautiful place. Please thank them for me.It was so very spiritual
Perfect for Easter Week. Your abilities with the camera is excellent.
Stay Safe Leon. I hope you are very content.
HAPPY EASTER MY FRIEND !!!
Thank you very much Pamela! X
@@maryannelegzdins6187 thank you for this beautiful, encouraging comment! I will convey your thanks to Maria and Ludy. A very happy Easter to you too dear Maryanne!!!
Happy Easter Leon
Thank you Lynne, same to you and yours!
You find such interesting things to share. Thank you!!
Thanks Jan, I try - however, difficult with the lockdown at the moment.
Bonjour, Leon!
Congratulations on this your 21st episode. And many more in the future. What a beautiful surprise you gave us. Peaceful and full of nature. I'm touch with peaceful feelings, thank you. Felices Pascuas! 🙏
Bonjour Bill ! Thank you for the good wishes and a very Happy Easter to you too :-)
@@RuralFranceJournals
Thanks for your response, I was at the market getting a couple of ingredients for your recipe. This I will be able to make but, I needed chutney which I have never used before and ginger in powder form. I'll let you know how it turned out. Thanks for the recipe. This is an adventure in cooking for me.😬
Until your next vlog have a wonderful weekend. Bye! 👋
@@billgreen1861 I also added a chutney recipe on my FB page. Till next week - happy cooking!
Ohw how beautiful the video has turned out again. We were back for a while. The special feeling was there again. A special place with, for me, special people who are dear to me. Thank you Leon, also for the Bobotie. Until next time, love from us
Thank you dear Maria! Many subscribers thanked you for showing us this place X
@@RuralFranceJournals That is very sweet, it is done with love. Happy Easter to you and the subscribers and the people who see the video. X
Lovely to watch. Could you please visit a cemetery, a real old one showing us how they look after loved ones after they are gone.
Thank you Rose! I did visit an old cemetery in Episode 12 but I promise I will visit some more.
Leon congratulations on your 21st episode and what a beautiful vlog it is Thank you for taking us with you to visit this peaceful place . Lovely to see your friends again . Happy Easter.
Thank you Sushila! Happy Easter to you too X
Thank you Leon, Maria and Ludy for showing us this beautiful, tranquil place. Such a wonderful opportunity to think and reflect which is very much needed during these strange and unsettling times. Also, great to see you cooking Babotie - I tried it in South Africa, made by a SA friend of my nephew - delicious! Happy Easter to you and all of your lovely friends! 💕
Dear Liz, thank you for always making such lovely comments! I will definitely visit that sanctuary more often now - some sanity and peace during these crazy times. Happy Easter XXX
Greetings and congratulations from Joplin Missouri USA! So happy for your success. A lovely place. Best wishes for a wonderful Easter.
Thank you Edward! Happy Easter to you too and love to Joplin Missouri!
That was an interesting recipe! Thanks for the peaceful tour of the grounds and sanctuary. So peaceful.
Thank you! My comfort food in winter - and you can play around with the ingredients.
Joyeuses Paques a vous.......That recipe sounds very good, like some of the Moroccan foods from North Africa.
Merci Georges, à vous aussi ! Very similar to some Moroccan dishes: spicy and tasty!
Such a lovely drive the outdoor cathedral so peaceful heavenly love the history the malas hanging everywhere Leon such a pleasure your vlogs the scenery stunning lost for words congratulations 21 episodes many many more to come you have such gracious friends off home to your delicious South African dish I for one will be adding to the menu this week love what you do Leon a ray of light you are😍❤️🥰👏👏
Ah, thank you from the bottom of my heart Brenda! XXX
Hello Leon 😊..wow ! I absolutely loved this 21st episode. Such a beautiful & tranquil place , it's Eutopia 👍. Nice to see Maria & Ludy again. Thanks for sharing your South African recipe & a special thank you for thinking of us vegetarians ...I will definitely try it👍 nice to see our community is growing 😊 Have a great Easter 🐣. Till next time..stay safe 😷💪✌️
Yes, what an incredible setting! I will definitely go back for peace and quiet. Try the recipe with lentils - I've had it before. Stunning! I also added a recipe for chutney on my FB page. Happy Easter XXX
Love her
What a lovely video, such a beautiful place. And the food looked delicious .Have a wonderful easter Susanne :-)
Thank you Susanne! A very Happy Easter to you too X
Thank you Leon to bring us to this peaceful place. I wish you a Happy Easter. 🥰
Thank you Monique and a very Happy Easter to you too XXX
I LOVED that you made bobotie!!! Well done! 😂
Such a beautiful video 💙
Dear Sandy, I have to show we also have traditional dishes, hahaha! XXX
Fabulous to see them again, adore this video Leon!!
Thank you so much! Yes, I love them but because of the new lockdown I won't be able to see them for another 4 weeks!
@@RuralFranceJournals we love you too Leon, it will be a small party when we can meet again. Fortunately, it is not out of sight, out of mind. Stay save, Love from us
oh leaon this video moved me to tears it was so peaceful and meaningful it captured the peace that you feel in your heart when you visit lourdes. iAt the age pf around 12 i saw a film called the song of bernadette and after seeing this film i vowed one day i would go there to lourdes. In 2006 i had a diagnisis of breast cancer and in april the following year me and my husband went to lourdes and it captured our hearts. The healing there you can feel it and the pilgrims all come together and smile. Its a place of love peace and hope. We visited lourdes every year after up until 2019. And when all this pandemic is safe again we hope to return. We used to go for one week and during that week walked to Bartres at least 3 times during our times there . Often wne we got to the sheepfold we were the only ones there and we always took a picnic and sat on a big rock eating our food to the sound of the breeze through the leaves and birdsong and in the background the tinckling of the sheep bells . Truely magical and we could sit and take in the scene and almost be transported back in time when Bernadette was there tending her sheep. This was so right leon for me to sit and watch on good friday. Thankyou from my heart dear friend and happy easter to you ludy and maria god bless you and keep you safe dear friends
Dearest Vanessa, you just moved me to tears with this comment...how very special and so touching. In the future when you come back I would love to join you and your husband! Thank you for this beautiful comment and sharing your personal experiences. Lots of love and a Blessed Easter XXX
How far do you live from lourdes?
@@vanessaschofield7927 Quite far - 437 kms. So I will be a nice stop-over for you when you come to France :-)
@@RuralFranceJournals many thank leon . Robin and i go with tangney tours when we do go to france we usually fly in to tarbes we dont ever drive as its a long long way. I look forward each friday to your vlogs/videos and wonder where we are going to go its like an adventure with leon. I am back working tomorrow easter sunday i am a nurse and have been on annual leave these past 2 weeks at home
@@vanessaschofield7927 happy working day to you - hope it is a slow day. A BIG surprise next week X
So interesting as usual Leon. Enjoyed that.
Thank you Roslyn - hope you're having a good Easter!
(Moira Ashton) What a lovely peaceful vlog! I'm not at all religious, but what a beautiful place that was, so tranquil- all that beautiful moss and the flowers placed there.. really lovely, Your recipe looked good too, Congratulations on your 21st vlog, onwards and upwards!!!
Thank you Moira! I will go back just to be in undisturbed nature - it's so beautiful there. I can't believe it's 21 already, thanks Moira!
Great music choices as usual. What a beautiful place that is! I did want to see you all eat the Bobotie! I wanted to see how much they enjoyed it! So many ingredients, my mom used to make it. Happy Easter!!🐰
Thank you and Happy Easter to you too!!! Everybody is asking for the eating of the Bobotie! Next time - they ech had more than one helping! XXX
I am intrigued by the statues and trinkets related to "Our Lady"/ I suppose it is a physical manifestation of feeling the spirit and gratitude. You captured the feeling of mystery and miracles rather beautifully. On a more earthly plain.....if you are living abroad and don;t have access to Mrs. Balls chutney, Major Grey's chutney does the job too. I hope Maria and Ludi enjoyed the bobotie.
Thank you Nicolette! I will look out for Major Grey's but chutney is hardly available over here. I usually make my own (recipe is on my FB page). They had 3 helpings each!!! Happy Easter!
very nice
Thank you Raul!
Such a lovely place, spiritual, enchanting, beautiful, tfs. Hugs
Yes, it was such a beautiful experience - and quite hidden. Good for the soul :-)
Félicitions pour votre 21ème épisode Léon! Lovely pilgrimage... The Bobolie seems heavily inspired by India/Pakistan cuisine (except for the beef!)
Merci Christine ! The story of bobotie starts in Indonesia. Bobotok was an Indonesian dish consisting of meat with a custard topping that was cooked in a pan of water until the egg mixture was set.
The first people that brought “Bobotie” to South Africa was the Dutch. The first recorded recipe of this dish was in a Dutch cookbook in 1609.
This dish was then introduced to South Africa and the Cape Malay community adopted this dish, naming it Bobotie, probably because it reminded them of their own Bobotok or Bobotu.
From there the Afrikaners adopted this dish and took it with them when they left the Cape Colony.
@@RuralFranceJournals Fascinating story! Thank you so much for your explanation. I had temporarily forgotten the much earlier Dutch Indonesian connections. xo
Congatulations on 21 episodes!!! Looking forward to next 21! This was beautiful and calming. Oh, and Mrs Balls rocks
Dankie Ellené! My last bottle Mrs Balls!
@@RuralFranceJournals ...What is Mrs Ball?
@@christinelachance8012 Mrs Ball's chutney is a unique South African product - a chutney extremely popular in SA - you get different versions like hot, mild, peach, chilli, etc. Unfortunately I can only get it in France if I order it from online outlets in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium but the prices are ridiculous. However, a lovely lady from the UK offered to send me some :-)
What a beautiful episode! It was so peaceful watching it. There doesn’t seem to be much beauty or passion here in NYC for Easter this year or in many places for that matter and this really touched me. Your South African dish looks very interesting as well and I for one will give it a try. I know SA wines very well, but sadly nothing of the cuisine. Merci, dearest Leon! Happy Easter to you! 🐣
Big thank you to you dear Kimberly! I heard from my friend Melissa in NYC that nothing is really happening over there. I just received a beautiful pastry from my neighbour Nadège - will have to include it in the next video! The Bobotie is one of my winter favourites: many variations but I prefer this one from my friend Lenie. A very Happy Easter to you too X
thank you
Thank you for watching Arne :-)
Thank you Leon what an apt video for good Friday, so quiet and tranquil. Will be trying your dish and will let you know soon. Are you now in lockdown again?
Thank you Kevan! Yes, try the dish - it's yummy! As from tomorrow night we are in full lockdown again. For 4 weeks! That will be a challenge for the upcoming videos. Happy Easter!
Hello Leon, my holiday home is very close by to the sanctuary but we cannot get there at the moment, it was lovely to see our little part of France which we hope we can visit soon. Thank you. Barbara (UK)
Hello Barbara, your holiday home is in a beautiful part of France - it's so peaceful and calming. I hope you can visit soon - please let me know when you are coming over. Thank you for your comment :-)
Tamsak done
Another wonderful video Leon. What a beautiful place and I will definitely be visiting once we are out of the new lockdown and I can travel more than 10km. Love you recipe for Bobotie it is slightly different to the one I use, I am so jealous that you have some Ma Balls chutney! I am blaming you for the fact that Bobotie is for supper tonight lol
Hahahaha, you will enjoy it! Yes, the place is not far from you. Let's just get through the next 4 weeks. Happy Easter! PS We should have the traditional SA Easter dish - curry fish!
Hello Leon, uit n koue nat Kaap.Jou bobotie lyk heerlik,dit kom mos v d slawe tyd,,so is seker Oosters.Hier is dit rugby,bier,en boerewors. Dankie vir jou pragtige musiek en die dorpies toere.Ek stam vanJaques Malan van Merindol in Provence 1688, miskien moet jy daar n draai gaan maak vermy net die paaie.videos waaraan al die TH-camrs.vasklou.groetnis
Hallo Roche! Toemaar, hier is dit steeds Kaapse weer: nat en koud. Die bobotie kom van bobotok, 'n Indonesiese dis met heelwat ander bestanddele. Die eerste resep vir bobotie verskyn in 'n Hollandse kookboek in 1609. Daarna is dit na Suid-Afrika waar dit deur die Kaap Maleise gemeenskap aangeneem is. Interessante stamgeskiedenis. Provence is bietjie ver, maar ek beplan 'n klein toertjie later in die jaar. Baie groete!
I love Babotie one of my favorite meals
Me too Hellen - my comfort food in winter!
Happy 21st episode!! Well done and we wish you many more!! Thank you for such an appropriate video over Easter! Such a peaceful place to be. Very good photography and music: one really feels the peace and quite of the place. Must be very peaceful to sit and pray in an open air cathedral with such peaceful surroundings. Thank you to Maria and Lido for taking us to such a tranquil place. (I trust they enjoyed the mouthwatering Bobotie you made!! I actually checked the ingredients in my cupboard and see we shall also have heart-warming Bobotie over the week end!)
Altyd baie interessant en lekker om jou videos te volg! En danksy jou leer ken ons ook van die Franse platteland en haar sielsmense!
Is dit naby Bergerac? Sjoe, ek sal maklik sommer maklik daar langs die rivier tussen al die bome in 'n kothuisie kan bly.
Sê asb vir Maria ek verstaan heeltemal hoekom sy in Frankryk wou bly, al kan mens dit nie verklaar nie.
Geseënde en rustige Paasnaweek vir jou en jou hartsmense!!
Tot volgende keer! 👌🇫🇷🐩
Dankie Helana, kan nie glo dis al 21 nie! Dis soort van in die rigting van Bergerac wat ons volgende naweek sou doen, maar nou nie kan nie. Dis in 'n ander departement en van more af mag ons nie oor grense nie - full lockdown!
Ja, daardie plek is baie spesiaal en ek sal beslis weer gaan. Na 4 weke se gevangenisskap.
Lekker bobotie! en geseënde Pase vir julle ook X
@@RuralFranceJournals Ai siestog man dis aaklig dat julle beweging so erg beperk word. Baie sterkte hoor!!! ( klink my jy sal 'n papegaai of iets vir geselskap moet begin aanhou! 😉. Baie sterkte)
@@helanalurie9962 Dankie - dis nogal 'n ramp vir die video's, maar ek sal 'n plan maak om dit interessant te hou. Miskien is die papegaai 'n goeie idee! :-)
What a beautiful and inspiring vlog. I can't thank you enough for showing me this site. I am amazed by the content of your volts! I am going to find you on Facebook and try to make your recipe you brought from South Africa! What a taste sensation this dish must be. Thank you again! I want to try to help you with buying me a coffee, I just don't know how to do it. Is this an app or can someone assist on how to purchase you a coffee, please? Thanks for any help with this important matter! I just love your friend as well! Happy Easter 🐰!
Hi Fred, I discovered this comment only now - I was not notified of it by TH-cam for some or other reason. Thank you for your very encouraging comment, as usual! The buying of a coffee is very easy: you click on the buymeacoffee.com link below the video. There you follow the instructions: choose for example one coffee and you simply pay per card via a very secure site. Happy belated Easter Fred!
Тhenk the interesing excursion.
Thank you!
Guess what my Polish wife is making this weekend. BOBOOTIE!
Wow, that is super Marek!!! Let me know how it turned out. You have chutney???
@@RuralFranceJournals oh yes, I do! We have recently had friends send a parcel to us in Poland and it contains quite a few bottles of chutney. Sent from the UK. Will let you know
@@mbrylewski You are so lucky!!! I will have to start calling my friends in the UK! Bon Appetit !
@@RuralFranceJournals we have been in heaven dining on tge bobootie. And yes we had Mrs Balls too. Got a food parcel sent from the UK a few weeks ago. Thank you for the recipe
@@mbrylewski That's great news, so glad you enjoyed it! Still jealous about your Mrs Ball's chutney, hahahaha
How tranquil and beautiful?! A wonderful surprise to see Ludy and Maria again! Thank you Leon for another great vlog.
Hi Alison - such a gem of a place! Happy Easter Alison!