France and Paris

France, was great to catch up with Jean and look over his farm, had a great home cooked meal, you have no idea how much I want to cook my own meal by this stage of the trip!!
Off to Paris and what a city, thank god for Matt Simmonds who was our tour guide for the day, he showed us the ropes with the subway, we started with two farmers markets which were simply outstanding, produce so fresh and appealing you just wanted to take some home and cook it, really had to laugh at one guy, who after buying a bottle of wine and a baguette turned to his wife and said "OK we've got breakfast let's go" sensational!!
Then it was off to do the touristy thing with visits to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notradam and the Arc de triumph.

Poor old Richard Weston, I conned him into taking a ride on a thrill ride, it was like being strapped to the end of a blade on a wind turbine that could rotate as well, arguably the most intense ride I have ever been on, which is saying something, he was a little concerned at times and I can't repeat most of what he said to me during the entire ride, what a hoot that was, I'm sure he will forgive me but I don't think he'll do anything I suggest again!!
Then it was back to the airport to head off to Ireland.

WW1 Battle fields

Visiting the battlefields of Belgium and Northern France was quite a humbling experience, we were all very impressed at how well looked after all the cemeteries were very much a place of respect.
With all the roses in bloom very picturesque, you can't help but respect the sacrifice made and and bravery of the soldiers who gave their lives, but it is also a stark reminder of the utter stupidity of man, and war.
It was great stand next to the statue of Simon Fraser who is a descendant of our Fraser clan also, and admire the effort of his battalion in retrieving the bodies of the dead and wounded.
So many moving moments, unfortunately a period in our history which we don't teach enough of to our kids, maybe if we did we might all look at things a little different.
On an upside the last picture show a little patisserie wow!!!!

Belgium

Belgium,

What a surprise, home of chocolate, European parliament and a rich history, first up we met at the Aust embassy and got the lay of the land from Russell Phillips, there we met up with some of the UK scholars which was a great chance to catch up again since earlier in the year.
Day two in Belgium saw us visit the parliament and have what was the highlight for me a meeting with the USA embassy advisor for agriculture who gave us the USA perspective on the EU and all the issues surrounding trade politics etc, and he did not pull any punches very honest and had the group wanting more, excellent.
Then off to the European commission for agriculture to get the European political version interesting difference the politics involved in keeping 27 countries happy is not a position anyone would want to be in, that's for sure.
All out for dinner, ribs Belgium style was on the menu and all you can eat at that, not sure any more australians will be offered all you can eat there again, man they were tasty.
Then it was off to a BAYER show case farm, still operated as a commercial farm they showcased different methods of handling common issues in farming mostly with organic principles or at least an environmental approach, very interesting and a credit to there research. Main things were IPM, bee hotels and bee attraction areas, erosion control, habitat restoration, natural disease controls, an excellent show piece.
Then on to Ypres, and the Menen Gate we managed to get there in time for the ceremony which was great to be apart of Australians are held in high regard in some of these small towns which were hit hard in the wars in particular WW1. Ypres was a beautiful town steeped in history and a incredible resilience in the people to rebuild after the town was destroyed in WW1.

Canada

Canada,

Didn't we get looked after in Canada, Karen, Crosby, George and Shane looked after us very well thank you guys.

Canada again had a big campaign on buying local produce which Sarah Megens was doing her Nuffield on very interesting how it is all interlinked, a farm which is really making this count was Stroms Sweet Corn near Guelph, very impressive business with enormous energy from Channing and Amy a real credit to them.
Energy wise a big learning curve for me with a look at Nuclear power, hydro and wind, all of which have there pros and cons but hands down no comparison nuclear is the most efficient provider of electricity.

Canada's farm assistance programs were extensive and again removed a lot of the seasonal risk from farming, having said that the programs were quite straight forward and made America's programs look quite cumbersome and politically driven by comparison.

Again co operatives were working well Witham visit to Hensall which is a bean co op this will be a must stop for me on my personal travel with alot of similarities on the processing front.

A farm stay at Bill and Marion Sharpes was fantastic with extensive grain storage and processing business, feedlot, produce stores and contract sowing, spraying and harvesting business, great people and again big similarities with home.

Also a good look at wine production and operating in a monopoly market where the government controls and sells all alcohol in the state, quite a unique wine industry but on that has become very innovative with products like ice wine, and some innovation in how to process the mark.

Canada finished off at Niagara Falls, all I can say there is what a massive amount of water goes over these falls absolutely incredible, also the amount of commercialized tourism was extraordinary for a seventh wonder of the world, would never be able to happen in Australia. Still a must see all the same.