Our second wwoofing experience (world wide opportunities on organic farms) is on the edge of the Bay of Fundy on the New Brunswick side. We are with the Dionne family and I must admit it has been rare that we have been the "seniors" amongst our new friends on this trip. However, Curtis and Rachel are a young, artistic couple who have chosen the relaxed eastern life style over the western hustle and bustle. They have two gorgeous kids, Axel, 4, and Iris, 2, and live on an acreage along with Curtis's brother Mike, Jessica, Micah, 3, and one on the way.

Glass Roots is the name of their homestead, as Curtis is a professional glass blower. He has a studio here on the farm, and one in Cape Breton that he works at during the summer. Rachel runs The Octopus Garden in the summer, which is a wonderful restaurant and gallery in the village of Alma at the entrance to Fundy National Park. She uses local and home grown produce, makes her own pasta, and (as soon as Tim has it plumbed in) will provide the best fair-trade cappuccino in the area.

Here the only tools are hand tools so we have been doing all the garden work, including rototilling, by hand. Not ever having had more than one or two woofers at a time before, Curtis was amazed at what a team of five can accomplish in one day. He has had to expand his "to do" list and Rachel has stolen Tim for maintenance on the restaurant. Of course I am still running my camera pretty much full time, but have had a few work breaks now and then - when I'm not playing with the kids!

This Eastern life is considerably more relaxed and wonderfully serendipitous. We had a bonfire last night with all the bits and pieces we gathered in a big cleanup for the Studio Tour this weekend. Seeing the fire, neighbours arrived out of nowhere for what was destined to be a good time. Bongos and guitars appeared and all of a sudden we were part of a community. Without a doubt, we are loving the soul and stride of the Maritimes.