Transylvanian summer

Transylvanian hills, Jud. Arad.

Last year, Sylvain and I bought a place in Transylvania. An old 19th century flour mill in a small village surrounded by forests and hills. We had our fair share of hard times, doubts and faced many challenges, but we stuck by it and this summer was probably one of our most rewarding time as a family yet.

Following the massive flooding last summer (two weeks after we bought the house…), it was difficult for us to regain energy to face all the awaiting renovations. We had almost given up and were ready to pack and leave. But after a while, something shifted. We started working on the house again, projecting our ideas and even managed to set up a bathroom and temporary kitchen so we could move in. When we were finally set in the house, life took a fulfilling flow. Our days were rythmed by early bike rides to pick up raw milk and eggs, homeschooling, cooking, fruit picking and on to building, cutting, painting, repairing...until dawn. We worked very hard all day and it felt good. The boys took part in every aspects of the tasks and learnt so much. They grew in confidence and loved being involved in all the process (one of the most important aspect for us as parents).

After a long day of work, my favourite moment was to light our candles in the window, saluting the shepard passing by our house just before sunset. Those fresh river dips in the summer heat were also such a bliss and sitting by the evening fire on our terrace felt like the best place to be.

If you ask the boys what do they like so much about our life there their answer always is: ‘the freedom’. I see it in their eyes when they jump on their bikes to chat with villagers in their best Romanian (they picked it up so fast!). I see it in their eyes when they stroke their kittens, when they play on the hay stack, when they take their fishing rods or when they hand fish in the river late at night. As for me, if you ask what I like the most, well, I guess it’s the fact that not all is perfect and it’s ok. 

We left at the end of the summer heavy hearted. We are growing to love our ‘Moara' and we cannot wait to get back there for more ventures and kitten’s love.