The majority of the photos I am using in this blog were actually letters sent back to family in Switzerland. The photos thus far were sent by Charles and Caroline Fleur de Lys to my father and his mother, Renee. Each photo had on the back detailed descriptions of the photo. For example the picture of Charles Fleur de Lys in the barn describes what the barn is made of and what buildings were close to it. I can imagine that much of the equipment and buildings portrayed in these images appeared very rustic compared to the farms that my father had been working on in Switzerland. My father was just finishing his studies in agriculture and had done a number of practicum placements. These farms were well established with buildings of stone that had already stood for years. Charles explains that the wagon wheels are made of iron but all the rest is "leger mais respond a la job" - is light but does the job. I think he was well aware of how the new farm may appear to the family back in Switzerland and was trying to reassure them.
The other photo is of Charles Fleur de Lys newly arrived on the farm. The back of the photo announces "Papa visitant son nouveau domaine de 43 acres" - Papa visiting his new land of 43 acres.
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