tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78283072703200343232024-02-02T06:35:22.425+01:00The Rickety Old FarmhouseAngushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.comBlogger254125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-27307387774194205452013-04-08T17:04:00.003+02:002013-04-15T10:20:58.219+02:00This site has moved<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the arrival of two new puppies its time to bring The Rickety Old Farmhouse blog to a happy and graceful <span style="font-size: large;">close</span>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The ongoing chronicle of <span style="font-size: large;">v</span>illage life, the never ending saga of keeping The Rickety Old Farmhouse standing and of course the madcap antics of Bob and Sophie can now be fou<span style="font-size: large;">nd at a new blog - </span>Bob and Sophie's French <span style="font-size: large;">A</span>dventure ( click link <span style="font-size: large;">below )</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bobnsophie.blogspot.com/">www.bobnsophie.blogspot.com</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you for travelling with us. We look forward to seeing you <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">at the new site</span>.</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-11947825554698271872013-04-07T11:35:00.002+02:002013-04-07T17:40:00.061+02:00What to do with this old blog ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What should we do with this old blog ? Ke<span style="font-size: large;">ep it or drop it ? <span style="font-size: large;">Some blogs run their natural course. Perhaps we should <span style="font-size: large;">u</span>se <span style="font-size: large;">this one</span> as a place for posting about the<span style="font-size: large;"> village <span style="font-size: large;">, Madame Bay and the beer and absinthe crowd at the cafe ? Maybe a plac<span style="font-size: large;">e <span style="font-size: large;">for esoterica like this photo of a baby stroller complete wit<span style="font-size: large;">h trays full of snacklets for its young occupant.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivymQB3EpkzuczKhVEST_5O62_LjlFv8s2YTr0y3dAAYUaXofzFuKoujDehrtAuqZg5Zx45FjuQcstwra9kTuDifHLTS5oIg70-cfF1LcyToHfBY6wQ-VVqMt-AKiRbSArx7DzEUo_l3g/s1600/IMG_6251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivymQB3EpkzuczKhVEST_5O62_LjlFv8s2YTr0y3dAAYUaXofzFuKoujDehrtAuqZg5Zx45FjuQcstwra9kTuDifHLTS5oIg70-cfF1LcyToHfBY6wQ-VVqMt-AKiRbSArx7DzEUo_l3g/s640/IMG_6251.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Or this sand loving dog ?</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_37H5LCogVnfrVlfuiAIEWvXYmyUC3ggtkX1mWOq7dzKXDCdJXXCIZ3FJLrl7NzLr2szaltA7y3kog29605nHYsxWLnZzPo_2DHFtVCGAaNtYqhr6nZBHAaTkIiBZ27qISURDeFl208/s1600/IMG_6095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_37H5LCogVnfrVlfuiAIEWvXYmyUC3ggtkX1mWOq7dzKXDCdJXXCIZ3FJLrl7NzLr2szaltA7y3kog29605nHYsxWLnZzPo_2DHFtVCGAaNtYqhr6nZBHAaTkIiBZ27qISURDeFl208/s640/IMG_6095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqI1cLeRYpSOIf1LUp0vsvux2mXOwbkEVMjcy643iBKQwbYG4YTspzQpyYamJxpV7ODqogF499wf0oOhxuOU6Ay9lNJn08Ugo41JSJp_I1m2mBNdEoDM-L4qvGEyU15tCs2b9fZ_yUUQ/s1600/7+April+2013+B&S+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqI1cLeRYpSOIf1LUp0vsvux2mXOwbkEVMjcy643iBKQwbYG4YTspzQpyYamJxpV7ODqogF499wf0oOhxuOU6Ay9lNJn08Ugo41JSJp_I1m2mBNdEoDM-L4qvGEyU15tCs2b9fZ_yUUQ/s640/7+April+2013+B&S+036.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then of course there's the Rickety Old Farmhouse itself. We've come back to find that a water main has burst, flooded the basement and caused all the newly decorated walls to crack. Bob and Sophie will be meeting a stream of builders and structural engineers next week. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps we'll keep the blog going in parallel as a venue for lifes esoterica.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-86564814397305341102013-04-06T07:43:00.005+02:002013-04-09T09:01:43.023+02:00A high security prison and a flight to London.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvM-VCfiae8dYrdtcZ6kuKtkM97FDkai6CAcx0qx3PMN_OyZt7jES2o-A0441BE1gHe9saBlTdBXMaCb2JkoL20GCp2iVkAF-C-UhRp1Y7vDoY0LhjLfOBlOxul1csig1n_5ZGfcJBjI/s1600/IMG_6329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvM-VCfiae8dYrdtcZ6kuKtkM97FDkai6CAcx0qx3PMN_OyZt7jES2o-A0441BE1gHe9saBlTdBXMaCb2JkoL20GCp2iVkAF-C-UhRp1Y7vDoY0LhjLfOBlOxul1csig1n_5ZGfcJBjI/s640/IMG_6329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uoU-8Pw8l1GU24FH0FXWRgTqqqPxIy1-RYDnOl2gImDzDwyorjb-zScqazSEWdHaNTd0bjm8qsG8Yo1OG5p1XbprFR5kuUTAsxGak54Nj6x1FDUy87Zcmi_zNALSCtK1KLpzvG_LknM/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uoU-8Pw8l1GU24FH0FXWRgTqqqPxIy1-RYDnOl2gImDzDwyorjb-zScqazSEWdHaNTd0bjm8qsG8Yo1OG5p1XbprFR5kuUTAsxGak54Nj6x1FDUy87Zcmi_zNALSCtK1KLpzvG_LknM/s640/IMG_6364.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf27bG_HdApHnDUtfhmYTxHaHUV6yGoUufNiHQIjDs09HgQaz650r2SrG8E0a51QGRNCGFzprmkjmRp7vEsHa-dXmsiMFmSBLx6ze0ndWGJ8ohjkaasPMiMH_zB9ohWoeDmM5mEsJ8P60/s1600/IMG_6338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf27bG_HdApHnDUtfhmYTxHaHUV6yGoUufNiHQIjDs09HgQaz650r2SrG8E0a51QGRNCGFzprmkjmRp7vEsHa-dXmsiMFmSBLx6ze0ndWGJ8ohjkaasPMiMH_zB9ohWoeDmM5mEsJ8P60/s640/IMG_6338.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3KYfif3hJHfDQQJwGTsK_FnamCGyXFQkZPX5P0SfsiiRE1pIsbYtRwIqH1XqZ6t9GeZhfBCMKPN1qKdK1RYcHPO_A0F9cznqXtlo7lTMiTyyAFxy9MwI1IBh-JNIB1YqEZx4LHRGrDM/s1600/IMG_6161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3KYfif3hJHfDQQJwGTsK_FnamCGyXFQkZPX5P0SfsiiRE1pIsbYtRwIqH1XqZ6t9GeZhfBCMKPN1qKdK1RYcHPO_A0F9cznqXtlo7lTMiTyyAFxy9MwI1IBh-JNIB1YqEZx4LHRGrDM/s640/IMG_6161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our last morning in San Francisco. Time for a quick ferry ride before heading off to the airport<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> Two choices. A<span style="font-size: large;"> boat</span> to Saus<span style="font-size: large;">a</span>lito and one to Larkspur. We choose Larkspur. This is a mistake. Larkspur is the home of the California Department of Corrections San Quentin Prison . The f<span style="font-size: large;">erry sails right past the prison exercise yard. T<span style="font-size: large;">he</span> isolated terminal a mile or so from an industrial park. No sooner have we got there than w</span>e quickly reboard the ferry under the watchful eye of orange suited inmates and head back to town.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The ten hour British Airways flight to Heathrow punctual and as smooth as a millpond. Not even a hint of turbulence. A chance to watch Lincoln , Argo , a totally incomprehensible <span style="font-size: large;">film</span> called Cl<span style="font-size: large;">ou</span>d Atlas and a feel good movie with Bette Midler and Billy Crystal as inept grandparents. Bette Midler used to be a decidedly risque figure but now she's as wholesome as apple pie. The reverse of a disgraceful old age ?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the airport a sign for Thai Curry stuffed French <span style="font-size: large;">C</span>repes. Probably not a good idea before a long flight.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another sign forbidding ' shoes with wheels '. Whatever happened to the term roller skates ?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now there's a</span>n hour before our connecting flight to Toulouse. An e-mail from the breeder saying she's looking forward to seeing us.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-61036115092712987702013-04-05T09:13:00.002+02:002013-04-05T17:37:01.537+02:00Dog toys and a forgotten airline.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FNnSEPDwTWmOzhbuDObxF_l7pnrSJwjyPK3895tDhKjU4of6YVSTPi4uyi9nxvDDycaDhX5P2QuXnGIZXC41z0S8Z25TFgc9aklalVIavt0rEU3fn2H7LYFR3xIiIIoqogGnim2VoUU/s1600/IMG_6163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FNnSEPDwTWmOzhbuDObxF_l7pnrSJwjyPK3895tDhKjU4of6YVSTPi4uyi9nxvDDycaDhX5P2QuXnGIZXC41z0S8Z25TFgc9aklalVIavt0rEU3fn2H7LYFR3xIiIIoqogGnim2VoUU/s640/IMG_6163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2ChYnA8rxnalTmbZkECk3DOPpMkibgqZEDiesgrD5MjzuGTbg_wXLxR_C8JkY5Gxlp8P9Ds3XMdixbsn64luk2k5lSyrQlO8-cDVieL0co4hgvNZg82JdBuX0nlydIUIg2msN27nrsE/s1600/IMG_6164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2ChYnA8rxnalTmbZkECk3DOPpMkibgqZEDiesgrD5MjzuGTbg_wXLxR_C8JkY5Gxlp8P9Ds3XMdixbsn64luk2k5lSyrQlO8-cDVieL0co4hgvNZg82JdBuX0nlydIUIg2msN27nrsE/s640/IMG_6164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3krGc4YXyN6ro3809TEwCap78Qb3GCdDI3ISKDjpSykqzTqSpJrg9aGhXxYOVCHYBZxxzYxvTvf8KJ9MeUTfRUGTO-DXX6-_RhosNbRYQlFbNg6mWsdmSx0WRvLYQutHdtGwLY-FDos/s1600/IMG_6012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3krGc4YXyN6ro3809TEwCap78Qb3GCdDI3ISKDjpSykqzTqSpJrg9aGhXxYOVCHYBZxxzYxvTvf8KJ9MeUTfRUGTO-DXX6-_RhosNbRYQlFbNg6mWsdmSx0WRvLYQutHdtGwLY-FDos/s640/IMG_6012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Tvb4YqzoJwX7Sc42M8Apc_g4tuw7u_semu1mHrBom1-MmiAWiHTt8XbNrcjU2DPUWVXjRebKKuqIM-oljbYaYL_TM6RKK6VeHYqgrmPljWtUIMJ1BQl5b05MFZBsiYjw_4fcz6LodZI/s1600/IMG_6007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Tvb4YqzoJwX7Sc42M8Apc_g4tuw7u_semu1mHrBom1-MmiAWiHTt8XbNrcjU2DPUWVXjRebKKuqIM-oljbYaYL_TM6RKK6VeHYqgrmPljWtUIMJ1BQl5b05MFZBsiYjw_4fcz6LodZI/s640/IMG_6007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-dVemHavl0ExF09hBxnEYYIBqBdYBXYtk08QOT2SzOewh6d0sb9O4gmMPQ3IdhKcrh-TWW6Od63LbbWmDBmAW3J7Xsg0k0t4xtsG9VJiikv39VpuUXtWs0vLM7c86jK6gw1Q2byOSdA/s1600/IMG_6008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-dVemHavl0ExF09hBxnEYYIBqBdYBXYtk08QOT2SzOewh6d0sb9O4gmMPQ3IdhKcrh-TWW6Od63LbbWmDBmAW3J7Xsg0k0t4xtsG9VJiikv39VpuUXtWs0vLM7c86jK6gw1Q2byOSdA/s640/IMG_6008.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PSA. Pacific Southwest Airlines. Or was it Pacific Southern Airways ? They must have stopped flying twenty five years ago. Some dimly remembered story about a disgruntled employee, a gun, and a BAe 146 jetliner. In a San Diego museum a collection of the airlines stewardess uniforms. The 70's fas<span style="font-size: large;">hions as alien </span>as ancient history. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To a dog store. The woman behind the counter talkative but uninformed. All the toys apparently wonderful. '' That one's unbreakable " she says pointing towards what appears to be a squeaky Osama bin Laden. I ask her what sort of dog she has. She doesn't. This puts her sales patter in context.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We debate whether to buy an inflatable injury collar. '' Wouldn't they bite through it ? " asks 'the font'. ' Not a problem that I've heard about ' says the talkative woman before adding ' but there again they might '.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-47792200761115908572013-04-04T19:34:00.001+02:002013-04-04T21:52:25.902+02:00Calm and intelligent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp3WXBOt49KAKFmw7oagQMnX244PHOveUEvpIVqQagnmKpV2z8YBzn2LSbjiK6NhFNUkXmFd8UQlTLO6lTpavrcvKW3QrTA9NjylfRLRjmw09khrrgoNpF__waHu3b_BHAz09kDcmPMQ/s1600/IMG_5994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp3WXBOt49KAKFmw7oagQMnX244PHOveUEvpIVqQagnmKpV2z8YBzn2LSbjiK6NhFNUkXmFd8UQlTLO6lTpavrcvKW3QrTA9NjylfRLRjmw09khrrgoNpF__waHu3b_BHAz09kDcmPMQ/s640/IMG_5994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5XJzb_KErDhdld7zBQSbCzK3lKzn_68MwAk0PVYgny0P8N0JwQ0v7auKZ1E7yrKWU49Z7JyDqbs5uqu9K8ZGD03UkmXsKmTJpEiVuOv9gKc7WWwRPHrUd6KhVU-XdwxWMpu1jZFlyn4/s1600/IMG_5978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5XJzb_KErDhdld7zBQSbCzK3lKzn_68MwAk0PVYgny0P8N0JwQ0v7auKZ1E7yrKWU49Z7JyDqbs5uqu9K8ZGD03UkmXsKmTJpEiVuOv9gKc7WWwRPHrUd6KhVU-XdwxWMpu1jZFlyn4/s640/IMG_5978.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezqUkxygXzv7DVFeAxIixolI7ssEX0aE3045c1vWJey18cNqO89YJWiztcPAC8raj-p36znva_ot08ysVy_uTxjKBky0fYPujj7asUkoYtZYX_aqV4IQXqr2DaL5C0JiRF_bpH9OokmM/s1600/4+April+2013+San+Francisco+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezqUkxygXzv7DVFeAxIixolI7ssEX0aE3045c1vWJey18cNqO89YJWiztcPAC8raj-p36znva_ot08ysVy_uTxjKBky0fYPujj7asUkoYtZYX_aqV4IQXqr2DaL5C0JiRF_bpH9OokmM/s640/4+April+2013+San+Francisco+129.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3q2OZAQn9swbJsiOtnO7r7ESkfEYDxKr1xd2V22ljDoIQGfq2v-gv4cChF3GQmEKJ1z9M_mV7NKthImRLAl3DXU9Z6Y9zlEeqTeJNEGPK0maDrHakKlCH8O3QglTyS1WLItv763TZdE/s1600/IMG_6288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3q2OZAQn9swbJsiOtnO7r7ESkfEYDxKr1xd2V22ljDoIQGfq2v-gv4cChF3GQmEKJ1z9M_mV7NKthImRLAl3DXU9Z6Y9zlEeqTeJNEGPK0maDrHakKlCH8O3QglTyS1WLItv763TZdE/s640/IMG_6288.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Out of the hotel and u</span>p the hill to the cathedral for an Easter baptism. <i>En route</i> the deep blue ceanothus in full bloom. The<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>size and colour of the trees eliciting exclamations of amazement from these two middle aged gardeners. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We get to the summit early. Not just a few minutes early but the better part of an hour early. The church just stirring into life<span style="font-size: large;"> but for now</span> quiet and peaceful in the morning sun. They've hung twenty miles - twenty miles ! - of green and blue ribbon from the ceiling. <span style="font-size: large;">The<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ribbons</span> </span></span> sway and jig and dance in the breeze, changing colour <span style="font-size: large;">with </span>the light.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Half an hour before the service and </span>the <span style="font-size: large;">nave is</span> suddenly beyond packed<span style="font-size: large;"> ;</span> thronged. Ushers trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the aisles and doorways clear. Grandmothers in salmon pink suits and black broad brimmed hats, teenage sons in sensible two sizes too big '' he's <span style="font-size: large;">rocke</span>ting up '' blazers, a Nobel prize winner from Stanford, a seven foot tall NBA player, hundreds of young , twenty something , couples of every hue and unorthodoxy - this after all is San Francisco. <span style="font-size: large;">When the organ starts up the ribbons shimmy into life.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Twenty two babies to be baptized this morning by the dean - a woman of gentle demeanour but ferocious intellect . Sanaz and <span style="font-size: large;">Ayana</span> and Cuiya joining more established Episcopal<span style="font-size: large;">ian name<span style="font-size: large;">s like <span style="font-size: large;">Nicholas and C<span style="font-size: large;">harlie</span> </span>on th<span style="font-size: large;">e order of service</span> . Then the <span style="font-size: large;">closing</span> words '' But looking up , at dawn, they sa<span style="font-size: large;">w the great stone rolled away, and </span>a light more dazzling than the day "<span style="font-size: large;"> ( strange how some baptismal sentences</span> have a natural scan and beauty ) , the organ thunders, <span style="font-size: large;">the babies</span> gur<span style="font-size: large;">r</span>gle, people l<span style="font-size: large;">augh, </span>the doors are flung open and the crowds spill out. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Angus can't help but wonder<span style="font-size: large;"> what</span> change fearing cathedrals in England would <span style="font-size: large;">do</span> to have a calm and intelligent congregation like this <span style="font-size: large;">filling the building <span style="font-size: large;">, the youthful overflow</span> eddying</span> down the steps and into the park <span style="font-size: large;">beyond</span>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-51565654683015837302013-03-18T06:53:00.004+01:002013-03-18T08:25:23.341+01:00A pause .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlFESomDhxbn_i-Ps4n0Kki642kU6yLqr72wqNBMiY2Ht9AOpK9XuGjexuXkgpyA7YQCfl2JgvVVhJ8FfwV5VpemquKQgETdJbEj_XQj3AcERKYGGPnMilumAKSYtakPEJQlJ63vNyt8/s1600/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlFESomDhxbn_i-Ps4n0Kki642kU6yLqr72wqNBMiY2Ht9AOpK9XuGjexuXkgpyA7YQCfl2JgvVVhJ8FfwV5VpemquKQgETdJbEj_XQj3AcERKYGGPnMilumAKSYtakPEJQlJ63vNyt8/s640/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+003.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZN2paFd5G-dmZB8WLJxlFD-1jjLYCUDj_Cu1-q_7NyXI0r-AN63KK9Z58-CBG85YxB0vLu5qidOfcTePlbEfV0sUGHib_tGj7Z7lAXOaLH7GDAJDosUDjfPyUtdbsIza8d2v4JabXyU/s1600/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZN2paFd5G-dmZB8WLJxlFD-1jjLYCUDj_Cu1-q_7NyXI0r-AN63KK9Z58-CBG85YxB0vLu5qidOfcTePlbEfV0sUGHib_tGj7Z7lAXOaLH7GDAJDosUDjfPyUtdbsIza8d2v4JabXyU/s640/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLfGpbeXgyUyWflh1G_f3DYLomLIm7waUzaiehEFu_4P36tziwn1911yul6tvMPDE9KqwzJmu2COWB4GRvGYKsAKCcRLcSwg6p4X-XG8xjhahyphenhyphenUPG6hMdK8r4LbxfFyJ1ngrxI26BspI/s1600/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLfGpbeXgyUyWflh1G_f3DYLomLIm7waUzaiehEFu_4P36tziwn1911yul6tvMPDE9KqwzJmu2COWB4GRvGYKsAKCcRLcSwg6p4X-XG8xjhahyphenhyphenUPG6hMdK8r4LbxfFyJ1ngrxI26BspI/s640/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihznIyTnm0a8WTMu4P6uDUxc1hAJjVTWtzqwpivoSXS08oZWhfMtHfqD-KHLskr3T0X_Yy6nCg9pPAmPRC0PQYq6dopudLBRLIZvK0X47txv67yZq1v5_G81zuTXTbtqv7TQEqKZxx6lo/s1600/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihznIyTnm0a8WTMu4P6uDUxc1hAJjVTWtzqwpivoSXS08oZWhfMtHfqD-KHLskr3T0X_Yy6nCg9pPAmPRC0PQYq6dopudLBRLIZvK0X47txv67yZq1v5_G81zuTXTbtqv7TQEqKZxx6lo/s640/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2yTJXzFVQ4zKD_oIjZf-C2XV8CwCkmcoTTEkgfGsj-0f8LZ5_2BuB5AJV0gVZzJ-lTpNAp3tv-dR4MgRBOggZsdQTrLOLwv6Ya7n4L498bhxkUjnT2FU3LLv2_a8bLAR3J-uAl_e3A8/s1600/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2yTJXzFVQ4zKD_oIjZf-C2XV8CwCkmcoTTEkgfGsj-0f8LZ5_2BuB5AJV0gVZzJ-lTpNAp3tv-dR4MgRBOggZsdQTrLOLwv6Ya7n4L498bhxkUjnT2FU3LLv2_a8bLAR3J-uAl_e3A8/s640/BOB+ET+SOPHIE+16+MARS+2013+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The breeder sends through some photos of Bob and Sophie. They've discovered snow , which they like ; and rain which they don't. They've been been examined by the vet and chipped. Both Bob and Sophie are well and thriving. They're at that inquisitive ' Tell me , what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life ? " stage.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now</span> we'll say 'au revoir' until we're back from our Easter trip to California. Then there will be a new blog - <a href="http://www.bobnsophie.blogspot.com/">www.bobnsophie.blogspot.com</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Easter to one and all.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-44363518988381897442013-03-17T08:01:00.000+01:002013-03-17T15:56:17.193+01:00" Aux armes ! "<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqThmScn-DFaGw5oh6XUNTjy9zSreJ_IKQFaiTpRh322143gcXE2a2ZKzlfXLCCDd4DahNUFIpqpABxMhE09-Z4hamNxZFpsr0UPDvdwuD7RXaMsjU-NSbJOZ5nIcMixuZ-NT6z9Km5U/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqThmScn-DFaGw5oh6XUNTjy9zSreJ_IKQFaiTpRh322143gcXE2a2ZKzlfXLCCDd4DahNUFIpqpABxMhE09-Z4hamNxZFpsr0UPDvdwuD7RXaMsjU-NSbJOZ5nIcMixuZ-NT6z9Km5U/s640/IMG_5885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq3DanUHfiAjIDqDUCejm5bp2i-UP7a2IQxGQ3d_CTBN-xDbiJOo0JczknGmhfahixZuaSbozD1BI4LnB1d3UdQOwqBXVU1HsiqG88QG2b_pcL4etm7EKnuqjz7ujoADrFCxKN_UhifI/s1600/IMG_5918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHq3DanUHfiAjIDqDUCejm5bp2i-UP7a2IQxGQ3d_CTBN-xDbiJOo0JczknGmhfahixZuaSbozD1BI4LnB1d3UdQOwqBXVU1HsiqG88QG2b_pcL4etm7EKnuqjz7ujoADrFCxKN_UhifI/s640/IMG_5918.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9IZagt3bp1R-bg1wJFr-uG8wEfLOWRUzIvYHiEQMEeLlGipCNOEEFGDj3jgCqZJ0WaeX1fsUcv7j39rG-d4W1FFDUOgWYsvMRzS9X3FVumVY8dlH3HHEAQGN7SoMZaGAWfi-O0fLuPY/s1600/IMG_5786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9IZagt3bp1R-bg1wJFr-uG8wEfLOWRUzIvYHiEQMEeLlGipCNOEEFGDj3jgCqZJ0WaeX1fsUcv7j39rG-d4W1FFDUOgWYsvMRzS9X3FVumVY8dlH3HHEAQGN7SoMZaGAWfi-O0fLuPY/s640/IMG_5786.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The first of the years local grown white asparagus and gariguette strawberries brought to our door by the young farmer who lives in the modern house by the windmill. As unexpected as it is kind . The asparagus wonderful. The strawberries acid. Not surprising considering the snow and rain of recent weeks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nine o'<span style="font-size: large;">clock </span>on Saturday <span style="font-size: large;">night</span>. Scotland playing France in the Six Nations Rugby tournament. The salle de fetes alive with farmers, little farmers, famers wives and dogs. Jeans, blue rugby shirts and red / white/ or blue acrylic wigs the evenings dress code. The French teachers Golden Retrievers joining the Jack Russells and shaggy sheepdogs on their never ending circuit <span style="font-size: large;">around the</span> village green. When we arrive the mayor and a group of 'technicians' are setting up the widescreen television on the stage. The mayor has forgotten the extension lead so has to go back home to get it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To one side a tressle table. The old farmer dispensing something potent from a stainless steel tea urn into plastic tumblers. The very old farmer bad temperedly ignoring the mayor. The battle over the misplaced bottled water rumbling on. Madame Bay in red checkered headscarve, white frilly blouse and voluminous long blue skirt dispensing vol au vents. '' Blue cheese and anchovy " says our <span style="font-size: large;">republican </span>Gypsy Rose Lee lookalike. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">National anthem time. The Marseillaise not so much sung as hammered out. Four year olds as passionate in the rendering of 'aux armes citoyens' as their parents. Scotland lose. In fact they lose badly. '' There's always next year " says the mayors wife consolingly.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we walk back to the house the sound of Kool and the Gang singing that old French country classic "We gonna have a party tonite " echoes through the trees. The villagers are having a celebration. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today the chicken wire goes up on the bannisters.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-30936315771957259402013-03-16T07:54:00.003+01:002013-03-16T10:52:32.258+01:00Mats, Lars , Bo ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPwqXFZcbbOiQK16zqWLl32iRtXKV2DA7xOB5Gye2DrUhrwBFL5QtcHQ2bKEJebxmtOa0kG32kJx8D9TXmBAXIZIbsJOB7qDI_YCMI2XeIoajSu83oRpfKHqmzpA6baC__OasKnBwbpk/s1600/IMG_5910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPwqXFZcbbOiQK16zqWLl32iRtXKV2DA7xOB5Gye2DrUhrwBFL5QtcHQ2bKEJebxmtOa0kG32kJx8D9TXmBAXIZIbsJOB7qDI_YCMI2XeIoajSu83oRpfKHqmzpA6baC__OasKnBwbpk/s640/IMG_5910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JIGV1EUSVeOUTAFRY3xx8sjZOrhPbAYC4gIw1DfFecYKOQabLUYxXMiPIYmRkpWjPNPGP9pv5Ntt48i3UiTzzQQr_RZGOiea8D8NMtyQ3nqpOid8HuVn7aJmTgSGnXvVJRSjJEEzJnM/s1600/IMG_5911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JIGV1EUSVeOUTAFRY3xx8sjZOrhPbAYC4gIw1DfFecYKOQabLUYxXMiPIYmRkpWjPNPGP9pv5Ntt48i3UiTzzQQr_RZGOiea8D8NMtyQ3nqpOid8HuVn7aJmTgSGnXvVJRSjJEEzJnM/s640/IMG_5911.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0iWH_A5hRt9_KtgVPzVeuI1iOTfKrSkOX36UjMYJ-IT1h-pk2ulTJDX3R9lGi8zuGJ_trNgHmyHO0iNVqtIlYtZhja6W5D5javEo2oL7tshuXL0veTV9ucD1XqGQkdK51uiRpxhuxl8/s1600/IMG_5909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0iWH_A5hRt9_KtgVPzVeuI1iOTfKrSkOX36UjMYJ-IT1h-pk2ulTJDX3R9lGi8zuGJ_trNgHmyHO0iNVqtIlYtZhja6W5D5javEo2oL7tshuXL0veTV9ucD1XqGQkdK51uiRpxhuxl8/s640/IMG_5909.JPG" width="470" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg9-LM_kWSNaOTIHf-yxuiA_vU1cvPAg7tX0bhgOIVY6zgn-KXypPcz0G8ybF0xR1jyZu3v3hQNXJ-i1R-lAAg0JZuGEGplZXUFbamKtuQ7op-LdR9zmSputEzvqH6Z-KxY9Jztqu30U/s1600/IMG_5649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg9-LM_kWSNaOTIHf-yxuiA_vU1cvPAg7tX0bhgOIVY6zgn-KXypPcz0G8ybF0xR1jyZu3v3hQNXJ-i1R-lAAg0JZuGEGplZXUFbamKtuQ7op-LdR9zmSputEzvqH6Z-KxY9Jztqu30U/s640/IMG_5649.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A morning spent in the fancy builders office . ' The font ' has decided that the bathrooms in the Rickety Old Farmhouse need to be modernized. No more formica counters or 1960's avocado green fittings. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The fancy builders office is not just an office it's an ' atelier '. We know this because there is a big sign above the front door saying '' Welcome to our atelier. Furniture, kitchens, windows made to your specifications ". Atelier is clearly an upmarket <span style="font-size: large;">French </span>version of workshop and justifies adding 25% to the price. Angus can't help but notice the fancy builders very shiny, very large, very new Mercedes parked outside. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Surprisingly, the 'atelier' is full of bean bags. <span style="font-size: large;">In the </span>centre of the workshop a very large orange teddy bear bean bag lying on its back on a hammock. This is unusual, even for France. It seems the builder is a distributor of these bizarre products.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>For the next hour Angus daydreams while ' the font ' and the fancy builder discuss taps and tiles. <span style="font-size: large;">Questions </span>about colours or textures<span style="font-size: large;"> are</span> replie<span style="font-size: large;">d to</span> with what <span style="font-size: large;">Angus</span> hopes are suitably enthusiastic noises. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The builder asks for a deposit. <span style="font-size: large;">The</span> 'team' will start on May 15th. Angus asks if this is a firm or an indicative date . '' It is absolutely fixed Monsieur " says the builder without even a hint of a smile. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To the engravers for dog tags for Sophie and Bob. 'The font' asks if Bob is a suitable name for a dog. '' Wouldn't a good Swedish name be better ? ". Mats, Lars, Bo, Folke<span style="font-size: large;">, Sven ?</span> No way. This boy is undoubtedly Bob the Dog.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-39806453657622520322013-03-15T07:58:00.000+01:002013-03-15T08:58:26.053+01:00The joys of shopping.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZupdea9TkFCxDgsF63AEodrOVun_wVdIVQilOMMXCeq2OGnxqdOdQStwSKXqYc187z8KauDmfHThJoGhkqRsjJZ_TxQ-SUE4n3b7LrcdKbNOkLABMu15f-Wp3CgHmX58CibJN84v7Bg/s1600/IMG_5873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZupdea9TkFCxDgsF63AEodrOVun_wVdIVQilOMMXCeq2OGnxqdOdQStwSKXqYc187z8KauDmfHThJoGhkqRsjJZ_TxQ-SUE4n3b7LrcdKbNOkLABMu15f-Wp3CgHmX58CibJN84v7Bg/s640/IMG_5873.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWQTFU-Ommk3xZswRl6hQw5gzoAuUA8sZB5KQdXt3ssOKh84MWKg6asGVNZHcMlnQ6R1HVW7Kxigr5hao9wSVC-gzMT1POwHzO1Fqu6T1Z4C85vrR_B-Dma3BIDUQPhYdCgJ3FnE8oQA/s1600/14+March+2013+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWQTFU-Ommk3xZswRl6hQw5gzoAuUA8sZB5KQdXt3ssOKh84MWKg6asGVNZHcMlnQ6R1HVW7Kxigr5hao9wSVC-gzMT1POwHzO1Fqu6T1Z4C85vrR_B-Dma3BIDUQPhYdCgJ3FnE8oQA/s640/14+March+2013+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oPE9SXcUbQuFMomJWq1fT__O-sECaujkiKnw5z4tpZsR55e8QTWyvypbvKIOY84KGiZj3UjOn4Qiy4JcAev0rxZF6c9Bb29J9ybnmLCy6bPUD1AHHcLBxq65W4X5t3FlNoHmhasZcx8/s1600/IMG_5758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oPE9SXcUbQuFMomJWq1fT__O-sECaujkiKnw5z4tpZsR55e8QTWyvypbvKIOY84KGiZj3UjOn4Qiy4JcAev0rxZF6c9Bb29J9ybnmLCy6bPUD1AHHcLBxq65W4X5t3FlNoHmhasZcx8/s640/IMG_5758.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTbcUQuai4i2PeA8BPIEmcDLlpUOF8S1UPhiGzPmGddhX2ykLscKytFR98X8jQq58B5ek_sj52NEstTRL2GLeq8B0rt6kXYVE09VTggOzULfkACVN1dxlKzY63W1nH-VlzwzTdXHXtoo/s1600/IMG_5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTbcUQuai4i2PeA8BPIEmcDLlpUOF8S1UPhiGzPmGddhX2ykLscKytFR98X8jQq58B5ek_sj52NEstTRL2GLeq8B0rt6kXYVE09VTggOzULfkACVN1dxlKzY63W1nH-VlzwzTdXHXtoo/s640/IMG_5764.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNgn1LjPH5W4UtjYK6Y39pmeTZL5_nWor7dpJBJNTDL92EQDRZuaUh_ortK5siUp80KTZ_qSrYadm0LAlbgcz1XF7wW19FZq6ZKZZ6tJX3XPUqZfBO2t2lMw0rx49NwsmxxiMA7VBx9s/s1600/14+March+2013+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNgn1LjPH5W4UtjYK6Y39pmeTZL5_nWor7dpJBJNTDL92EQDRZuaUh_ortK5siUp80KTZ_qSrYadm0LAlbgcz1XF7wW19FZq6ZKZZ6tJX3XPUqZfBO2t2lMw0rx49NwsmxxiMA7VBx9s/s640/14+March+2013+030.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All the snow gone. A bright start to the day. Back from the bakers to find the heating fuel delivery man <span style="font-size: large;">on his hands and knees on the lawn</span> filling up the tank under the rose garden. '' Bonjour M'Ongoose. I reckon you'll only need 2,000 litres . Should see you through the summer ". He then climbs into the cab, taps something into the computer, hands me a printout and then , with a wave and a whistle , heads off down the drive. The heating fuel man is one of those people who seems to be permanently happy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy is not a word you would use to descri<span style="font-size: large;">be</span></span> the staff at <i>'Mr<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> Do It Yourself<span style="font-size: large;"> '</span></i>, the large nationwide hardware chain. '<i>Mr. Do It Yourselfs</i><span style="font-size: large;"> '</span> employees clearly believe in letting the customer do it all themselves. I ask a shaven headed young man in a maroon boiler suit where the fencing section might . He looks up briefly , then points ; '' It's the third aisle down there on the left if you'd bother to look ". </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seventeen people in the check out queue. Angus naively suggests to the three young ladies behind the welcome desk that it might be a good idea to open a second till. Amid much pouting he is very firmly told that it's none of his business. <span style="font-size: large;">He then h<span style="font-size: large;">as to stand in line all the while receiving angry gla<span style="font-size: large;">n</span>ces from the three irra<span style="font-size: large;">te </span>young <span style="font-size: large;">women</span>. The occasional snippet of '' <span style="font-size: large;">Who does he think he is <span style="font-size: large;">? </span>"<span style="font-size: large;"> or </span></span> '' Some people ar<span style="font-size: large;">e</span> just so rude "<span style="font-size: large;">. <span style="font-size: large;">Could have been worse. They might have said '<span style="font-size: large;"> What els<span style="font-size: large;">e</span> can you expect<span style="font-size: large;"> from a foreigner <span style="font-size: large;">?</span> '<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span> Being on the welcome desk must be several pay grades above being on the check out t<span style="font-size: large;">ill. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite the best efforts of <span style="font-size: large;">the wonderful people at '<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><i>Mr. Do It Yourself</i> '<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>w</span>e now have enough chicken wire to stop Bob from throwing himself off the terrrace and Sophie from spiraling over the bannisters. Sophie also has a new bed in a rather startling pink.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-84806995113917629832013-03-14T07:56:00.003+01:002013-03-14T08:41:14.622+01:00Dickensian splendour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCQ3eOIIFaJm7SaSzUBzGKfZGvDDcDGoYgGk1THu5AA_3glJhnNjEIv-JyquyGL-1t3VkCucwWPjqdaJFt7tEyypGKzrwbT4vBFAu0kXzjcAP2kOq8tBqBtAzRfkeG2ymBWtUmHXOYJ4/s1600/IMG_5884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCQ3eOIIFaJm7SaSzUBzGKfZGvDDcDGoYgGk1THu5AA_3glJhnNjEIv-JyquyGL-1t3VkCucwWPjqdaJFt7tEyypGKzrwbT4vBFAu0kXzjcAP2kOq8tBqBtAzRfkeG2ymBWtUmHXOYJ4/s640/IMG_5884.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRmKsA2ZWazlNof2oCwkhq7V2BDDyk2HEnMWeOAscZyEQnVwfWhXyzd3OBZfmV1OIfT_1VbxJ3eHnQMh7nPEcQ4bh23SHcRaYPMQUtq5eIy-L3hGjQ1r_KN-2AS8FTC8K96GaGZiCrA0/s1600/IMG_5892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRmKsA2ZWazlNof2oCwkhq7V2BDDyk2HEnMWeOAscZyEQnVwfWhXyzd3OBZfmV1OIfT_1VbxJ3eHnQMh7nPEcQ4bh23SHcRaYPMQUtq5eIy-L3hGjQ1r_KN-2AS8FTC8K96GaGZiCrA0/s640/IMG_5892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEieDo4Mo1ubyem5VPlumdBCuoOX1Tn2rbQePPWBK35G0SoHG1Jr8KP3CWVb1szgf6PQBu_38pNnianmJ30ND-EZ7jiE_VWwhyphenhyphenr3aKvCpJoQ6-Q6diqztlI0ZCbSfP0yHSc1ypf_XZJKc/s1600/IMG_5816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEieDo4Mo1ubyem5VPlumdBCuoOX1Tn2rbQePPWBK35G0SoHG1Jr8KP3CWVb1szgf6PQBu_38pNnianmJ30ND-EZ7jiE_VWwhyphenhyphenr3aKvCpJoQ6-Q6diqztlI0ZCbSfP0yHSc1ypf_XZJKc/s640/IMG_5816.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y6wBTKV4TPj9CM-ZEAz-B4RP2qUxQ848qbF12uTtlMTEAmWXPpONiX5Xzba_Xx4rDhfgU498oFBq2seQepDg5E-_GfiC1i3Vu5DxEn-ZgrR2uo5L9GRYACVtcn1uFqfPXF39fGSM-Lg/s1600/IMG_5829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-y6wBTKV4TPj9CM-ZEAz-B4RP2qUxQ848qbF12uTtlMTEAmWXPpONiX5Xzba_Xx4rDhfgU498oFBq2seQepDg5E-_GfiC1i3Vu5DxEn-ZgrR2uo5L9GRYACVtcn1uFqfPXF39fGSM-Lg/s640/IMG_5829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm3QueuUKG1N9zL90kbOybBqfosQF0JGoacIWeDP_TnRW7f176cQG72kX7J6u3Wm0cl7MQVeVb4582oDantbUyFu5bXAq8PeuaWBGmc3KFCvuAYxvINTWMa_hK3VKL5Fr8JI4EU48kek/s1600/IMG_5822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm3QueuUKG1N9zL90kbOybBqfosQF0JGoacIWeDP_TnRW7f176cQG72kX7J6u3Wm0cl7MQVeVb4582oDantbUyFu5bXAq8PeuaWBGmc3KFCvuAYxvINTWMa_hK3VKL5Fr8JI4EU48kek/s640/IMG_5822.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Up early to find that it's snowing . From the bedroom window a view of Dickensian splendour. Church, well, war memorial all shrouded in white. That strange silence only heavy snowfall brings. Nature muffled.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nine o'clock. The elusive builders arrive to remove an old septic tank that they'd stored in the barn. It's been there for fourteen months. What has spurred them into action on this cold snowy morning a mystery. Angus expresses both delight and surprise at their arrival . They look back at him blankly . That international '' what's he going on about ? " look that tradesmen reserve for welcoming clients. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The gate repair man shows up in his white van at ten. He's brought his wife and six year old son with him. They sit in the cab, engine running, while he examines the broken panel. '' Too cold to fix it this morning mate. I'll come back when it's warmer ". A cynic might wonder why he bothered coming out in the first place. A morning <span style="font-size: large;">in the countryside</span> with the family ?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today is the day for a trip into Toulouse to buy a puppy pen and netting to block off the gaps between the bannisters.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-20247101135092347232013-03-13T07:43:00.003+01:002013-03-13T08:09:49.682+01:00Clouds,snow and gratuitous puppy pictures.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgwzmBfgjJaKVAtWONu7JyJ3ffouy5CuokcUVZFjqjf_4fgyUw2MYxszWmdFcnMOb5qIzfwr2VvPNEH-V8wt1uPKarEWbnOJ-GG4ARrICdDQXGUyE8QyHjSkxaVFdVAHrbbXD6vaFTBg/s1600/IMG_5856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgwzmBfgjJaKVAtWONu7JyJ3ffouy5CuokcUVZFjqjf_4fgyUw2MYxszWmdFcnMOb5qIzfwr2VvPNEH-V8wt1uPKarEWbnOJ-GG4ARrICdDQXGUyE8QyHjSkxaVFdVAHrbbXD6vaFTBg/s640/IMG_5856.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlfICW_yRkrTSaQAyS5rJhVkHZVw-swc7AJ9fEmsogC-ocZzNYyxqPWP2upLLK98z7Nz5kgHmQuDN_n9ysSJoul8dn9Y_enVTY9HCNgfdOaERlKWrjaPHkCFJ7WeySkgQP4HE3WU99Zs/s1600/IMG_5859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlfICW_yRkrTSaQAyS5rJhVkHZVw-swc7AJ9fEmsogC-ocZzNYyxqPWP2upLLK98z7Nz5kgHmQuDN_n9ysSJoul8dn9Y_enVTY9HCNgfdOaERlKWrjaPHkCFJ7WeySkgQP4HE3WU99Zs/s640/IMG_5859.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aMO0f83bHPNzrDUEBaxZSGNx2GIsLcqqtlGXtNIevR1o27aE759UtGKvNdV87yxVjIUOtISqCkRrdny29XRYVWLRJhjYluAk2c4Yl46V-93N-WMUjkIqpRYZbPyNjF8m7Wg4naDq4mQ/s1600/IMG_5832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aMO0f83bHPNzrDUEBaxZSGNx2GIsLcqqtlGXtNIevR1o27aE759UtGKvNdV87yxVjIUOtISqCkRrdny29XRYVWLRJhjYluAk2c4Yl46V-93N-WMUjkIqpRYZbPyNjF8m7Wg4naDq4mQ/s640/IMG_5832.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0cbX6nXFUm7I9XYgmZN2kmgGQE8AD2L8jMOWEr6WC1UOVw_2goGmj6oDyU4gWp0fFluIYDZcCjRfKG0Ngn99akdNy4vvlgvck2SnBkY15OlfCL5ZtVXnaOuUQyq1L-IyorOoPEVpOs8/s1600/IMG_5802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0cbX6nXFUm7I9XYgmZN2kmgGQE8AD2L8jMOWEr6WC1UOVw_2goGmj6oDyU4gWp0fFluIYDZcCjRfKG0Ngn99akdNy4vvlgvck2SnBkY15OlfCL5ZtVXnaOuUQyq1L-IyorOoPEVpOs8/s640/IMG_5802.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Vxyw4jEaCeJZzF8uFTcoz7i5u2B-MnGxasQY8pPv4XnPN-LtF4s45qmGJeFmj1gu3o-L81f7UYgq0kXrVPlYgdaljdf8wX7P-TvGjNyfkD_jF9G6P9XXVhaivgjLRs91g1uQzRWLm4/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Vxyw4jEaCeJZzF8uFTcoz7i5u2B-MnGxasQY8pPv4XnPN-LtF4s45qmGJeFmj1gu3o-L81f7UYgq0kXrVPlYgdaljdf8wX7P-TvGjNyfkD_jF9G6P9XXVhaivgjLRs91g1uQzRWLm4/s640/IMG_5772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQBvJQAz-tzDLvhPNsYkNFSyzrKkTn1ory9Cu7ZeIm0gIsrz3KGai2sxRsh4HodiI1h7X9Kh-v-dG3CtcDGY2UYtQ6EcEJXQms4ZbH5JIZX1stTGMR4THWKOvGg8ZyWfGum6lfdlA3is/s1600/IMG_5835.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D03a5ae7ff03215bf%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365747177%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D233304D85E267AB01D3261EDD4A2C783D723C545.37AE53C43CAD0CABC602118CEE61E578776C75F4%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D03a5ae7ff03215bf%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365747177%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D233304D85E267AB01D3261EDD4A2C783D723C545.37AE53C43CAD0CABC602118CEE61E578776C75F4%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ9E5WsHuZ4WyJm0iBzDYyhYhCtIwjrOIuz8gsr7KpXbjpQQIg80Vm-Q_S8mn1TPwJmiJ-_LEtbS7yXUk00iy4wwEkTtHwYLqdLfwwoGiYi927-NLIjoHhfnqEnpk5uQ1T2_XejA34I0/s1600/IMG_5841.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3De47bcba74e1b0dd6%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365747189%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D913CE7C57DA97F50B9B3018BE9CD602BA5D5B3C5.B4D54AC743B2678E67672289551E3C7C230B9D3%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3De47bcba74e1b0dd6%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365747189%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D913CE7C57DA97F50B9B3018BE9CD602BA5D5B3C5.B4D54AC743B2678E67672289551E3C7C230B9D3%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Out for an early morning saunter along the ridge. The fields a <span style="font-size: large;">rich</span> emerald green after all the recent rain . In the far distance a wall of clouds building up over the Pyrenees. A sign that cold air coming from the north is running headlong into the warm air from Africa. The weather forecast says we'll get an inch of snow later today.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For good measure some entirely gratuitous photos ( and 2 videos ) of Bob and Sophie. Why not ? <span style="font-size: large;">In the second video e</span>agle eyed viewers will see that Sophie is quite brave when she thinks there is no one else around.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-38583273326257669412013-03-12T08:03:00.002+01:002013-03-12T14:15:13.387+01:00A microwaved sandwich and a muddy nose.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyg_-bdXoxISTp33cOSECk5trJbV5u7VTjqV-ykcvtWJuGvuwMa229zhRx0Z2Bj-6p-48itWsEe3uaKnxF2QlDVH2ylwOWNh_FsAXwosEkZjDBkGngQlvbNsb5Bv1l9qAtNcLb5o99-s/s1600/IMG_5752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyg_-bdXoxISTp33cOSECk5trJbV5u7VTjqV-ykcvtWJuGvuwMa229zhRx0Z2Bj-6p-48itWsEe3uaKnxF2QlDVH2ylwOWNh_FsAXwosEkZjDBkGngQlvbNsb5Bv1l9qAtNcLb5o99-s/s640/IMG_5752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7HoKpuQr-qtkS6y0exN2RCa59K_KInICUtapUyUbJX4yvZ2J4GmV_sXThp-_IG3pTHqn1Tz8DmN8PfwYNy_XuZdPD08dsn50SHyEnqYncbg-iqEkMl9vL26LvzrRs5FmOCI9bDvcE2A/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7HoKpuQr-qtkS6y0exN2RCa59K_KInICUtapUyUbJX4yvZ2J4GmV_sXThp-_IG3pTHqn1Tz8DmN8PfwYNy_XuZdPD08dsn50SHyEnqYncbg-iqEkMl9vL26LvzrRs5FmOCI9bDvcE2A/s640/IMG_5755.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yFFET1qt7a9VDeaFNtgC-CM5MUpzxfJ92-XwvdfHsRkzF-uzFaCgfxpSrd4R5Uy27EBsj_5evrPCZP0IUDEMI9ZD79xmIw6xkupU36tyyIPZF8xXIRpWWV27b7dga9M5Cn5AZqONvak/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yFFET1qt7a9VDeaFNtgC-CM5MUpzxfJ92-XwvdfHsRkzF-uzFaCgfxpSrd4R5Uy27EBsj_5evrPCZP0IUDEMI9ZD79xmIw6xkupU36tyyIPZF8xXIRpWWV27b7dga9M5Cn5AZqONvak/s640/IMG_5761.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMvHHuaPULfg93vKo9luAbJGHJCJm7H-yf6PoMlVpLjfwIfDzJJePnppPni3hSHNZUe9DeICdwPp5rOodOZHzdq-x0qxzR097PSE1vlb-_Lzp5FNAhbi_WvRQGIWvTV9kPTfG3uwH3Yw/s1600/IMG_5779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMvHHuaPULfg93vKo9luAbJGHJCJm7H-yf6PoMlVpLjfwIfDzJJePnppPni3hSHNZUe9DeICdwPp5rOodOZHzdq-x0qxzR097PSE1vlb-_Lzp5FNAhbi_WvRQGIWvTV9kPTfG3uwH3Yw/s640/IMG_5779.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg3nET46Uc7ZCfMIrprNKj01MfD7kNStBTOr0QXYG09VlLY0pAyC-RAuP9QyRwekXYgDo2fBiKsyO2T9MC7YTU6Aoo2Kbr3C1_-61n13_yGIbUN9dHHaYlVrmpAXlE2zfmYWjMtacO3w/s1600/IMG_5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg3nET46Uc7ZCfMIrprNKj01MfD7kNStBTOr0QXYG09VlLY0pAyC-RAuP9QyRwekXYgDo2fBiKsyO2T9MC7YTU6Aoo2Kbr3C1_-61n13_yGIbUN9dHHaYlVrmpAXlE2zfmYWjMtacO3w/s640/IMG_5795.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmb4c40TIpW8FoIn_aAqO08vG16YMkMLvMop9tDdRUQGYZ6u8Ib_PpkjpTF-3QAUMA3bLqjpbipzzwiIvdxwbhMM38rFyj1W6peMT0JXz4Vyqv8P3JGst_JTJI8LJDN1Qx44xrplqxLc/s1600/IMG_5813.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Df0ee6a784234206a%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365662149%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D11754EC3ACE098E597CA21100A8F9B551FF9D60A.BA0F2C16A5322AF978A16B1E1E52D288501F4E04%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Df0ee6a784234206a%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365662149%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D11754EC3ACE098E597CA21100A8F9B551FF9D60A.BA0F2C16A5322AF978A16B1E1E52D288501F4E04%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Everything in the French countryside is closed on a Monday. Shops, hotels, restaurants. Stomachs empty we stop and have a microwaved sandwich and a cup of instant coffee at a service station in a tiny village. In addition to the service station the village has a perfectly preserved 14th century row of houses ( more like a film set than any film set could ever be ) , a church <span style="font-size: large;">housing</span> a particularly stern<span style="font-size: large;">faced</span> statue of Jean of Arc , the remaining tower of a long demolished castle and a bandstand. Mysteriously there is not a soul to be seen .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bob has spent his morning trying to dig his way out from the pen. His nose and muzzle are coated in mud. Nothing shy about this boy. He lollops across to see us tail wagging. That ungainly gait of a puppy who's coming to terms with the difficult task of getting four paws to move in <span style="font-size: large;">unison</span>. His sister Sophie <span style="font-size: large;">is</span> curl<span style="font-size: large;">ed</span> up against the fence hoping that if she keeps her eyes closed she'll be invisible. Bob walks back and puts a proprietorial paw on her shoulders. When I pick<span style="font-size: large;"> Sophie</span> up he lets out a '' what do you think you're doing " yelp. Who could believe that there could be two such different characters from the same litter<span style="font-size: large;"> ?</span> Sophie <span style="font-size: large;">is going to be a charmer</span>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While Angus chats to Sophie ' the font ' deals with the paperwork. The breeder has invited over the owner of the pups father. The father is five and the mother is eight. The father works on <span style="font-size: large;">a</span> farm where he shar<span style="font-size: large;">es</span> the herding with a Catalan sheepdog called Jose. The mother was a showgirl and didn't have her first litter until she was six. This is her third and last. No need for us to worry that she's tired out.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-42655716800772729462013-03-11T17:39:00.003+01:002013-03-11T19:10:33.013+01:00Bob and Sophie.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLX-TWrFLE4pC8cUWTjUkWt1Ly_IqDmsnodZEjGZUNfE7iZeOJW7V_N2auLb4gFLKivlubMhdjJMvSGvozwAhCqFgx0WL5tstr1rF_cSTO2nSa61JMGJqda-UvApp7OkZ1bCueD2DukGs/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLX-TWrFLE4pC8cUWTjUkWt1Ly_IqDmsnodZEjGZUNfE7iZeOJW7V_N2auLb4gFLKivlubMhdjJMvSGvozwAhCqFgx0WL5tstr1rF_cSTO2nSa61JMGJqda-UvApp7OkZ1bCueD2DukGs/s640/IMG_5839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgZYK_EBAoZFtkHXN20zd7TgMnErF_jut4GqEMvGAQsXizesvgjzT9MhASqGslp_72G24mHezJFNx0ZxBsx4oAj8Im1D1TMX7HnfeFrc-jbq1k8PIrwBCs-VWhE92C3eDv_yhFci2P7w/s1600/IMG_5811.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Db665c41d96cc6f75%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365611291%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D7443A25C3E1CE551DE62EF7F5615BFDBEFF23738.1391EF9726207F24A666D536293586A22F0CB7CA%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Db665c41d96cc6f75%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365611291%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D7443A25C3E1CE551DE62EF7F5615BFDBEFF23738.1391EF9726207F24A666D536293586A22F0CB7CA%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bob and Sophie are well. Eight weeks old today. Bob is quite a lad, inquisitve and playful. Sophie by contrast is rather retiring. In fact that's an understatement. She's so shy she burrow<span style="font-size: large;">s</span> under her brother <span style="font-size: large;">when we <span style="font-size: large;">walk</span> into the courty<span style="font-size: large;">ar</span>d</span> . </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The breeder picks Sophie up and points out that she's<span style="font-size: large;"> becoming</span> black, white and taupe like her father. Bob however is quite simply black and white. As we drive away Bob <span style="font-size: large;">turns his head and </span>follows the car with his eyes. A look that says '<span style="font-size: large;"> I is your boy '<span style="font-size: large;"> . </span></span>Sophie <span style="font-size: large;">, oblivious to our departure and glad to be left alone, </span>is <span style="font-size: large;">wa<span style="font-size: large;">tching</span></span> a farmyard chicken strut by.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will post more tomorrow but snows coming and it's a long journey back. </span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-78803189554234478022013-03-11T08:17:00.003+01:002013-03-11T09:21:51.463+01:00Monday morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC1v7_N3-0Jq-xRySNWoebbjB9YnPJO2f7dVPV4W4QcRdhgS6_UruBMKITQsmaEwlxRvvLEMGy1FNLaQMiI727xh-43vM_1lGDBOm9HtANTJ-9tqmnQR6Wa-XGoRZYWFuzkHrnLGrcNw/s1600/IMG_5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC1v7_N3-0Jq-xRySNWoebbjB9YnPJO2f7dVPV4W4QcRdhgS6_UruBMKITQsmaEwlxRvvLEMGy1FNLaQMiI727xh-43vM_1lGDBOm9HtANTJ-9tqmnQR6Wa-XGoRZYWFuzkHrnLGrcNw/s640/IMG_5719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W-QLHL_fKjK6kEifbIrIhDjA70Q-A9HcYeAtL2pcYzbvfNhg-wC37i1bwX7KLBVJxdvad2w0rEf3jsWE0hrfVRSWBFNKcYATCfA3JYXdUOZ4jLedA2i5_9fJzIFVvL_XR5o0iti57mE/s1600/IMG_5737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W-QLHL_fKjK6kEifbIrIhDjA70Q-A9HcYeAtL2pcYzbvfNhg-wC37i1bwX7KLBVJxdvad2w0rEf3jsWE0hrfVRSWBFNKcYATCfA3JYXdUOZ4jLedA2i5_9fJzIFVvL_XR5o0iti57mE/s640/IMG_5737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfFpvPywuX0y5vJPprhyphenhyphen-X8Hf7JiEjZlV-UzCoUZCwFt9zNXw3C_Yt1060R-Q8FjNK_ZLdr0-OWZgkp9nmsuewfGkh7aWdieT3eEe5M8xpg6zi-ujCl3STSJS9ZNBpojMxgbKG7-97z0/s1600/IMG_5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfFpvPywuX0y5vJPprhyphenhyphen-X8Hf7JiEjZlV-UzCoUZCwFt9zNXw3C_Yt1060R-Q8FjNK_ZLdr0-OWZgkp9nmsuewfGkh7aWdieT3eEe5M8xpg6zi-ujCl3STSJS9ZNBpojMxgbKG7-97z0/s640/IMG_5743.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIr5PkCPsfAOFD2VFl-1lWbxFO_mdfyVbb0CXP-V_EkWedRuUAv9yobzchN_MJenJ_tOIY6tZm5fqkW3Unv_BOtsGB-OmR79tdkbek6vMAqv0hFWijjV9hulDFqUAX1RAUHPEDqHIgrE/s1600/IMG_5721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIr5PkCPsfAOFD2VFl-1lWbxFO_mdfyVbb0CXP-V_EkWedRuUAv9yobzchN_MJenJ_tOIY6tZm5fqkW3Unv_BOtsGB-OmR79tdkbek6vMAqv0hFWijjV9hulDFqUAX1RAUHPEDqHIgrE/s640/IMG_5721.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy cows in the field across the lane. Half a dozen wagtails busily picking nits and fleas from their backs. Outside the chateau a fleet of five black Mercedes vans with darkened windows. The advance party getting things ready for the Easter arrival of the German billionaires .</span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The local restaurant has set out tables in the town square. The fact that they haven't put the umbrellas out yet a sign that no one is quite sure whether or not another bout of bad weather is on <span style="font-size: large;">the</span> way. The old kitchenware store has got a new lease of life as a shop selling dressing gowns. The window display says the<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: large;">new owners</span></span> haven't quite got their marketing skills down pat.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the evening a demonstration outside the Prefecture in the local market town against breeding Beagles for vivisection. The silent demonstrators ? A dozen Brits, eight Dutch and four Americans. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later today the long drive up to the breeders to<span style="font-size: large;"> make the final arrangements to pick up</span> Bob and Sophie when we get back from California. </span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-72313299182085442352013-03-10T08:16:00.004+01:002013-03-10T12:39:03.438+01:00A slightly disreputable air. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5mFA6phjJjf2Fz04uxw6uvmx0ZVw859cm08bvJS2A8upN6d46XoSC_0_DmOpDXC1NOCA6a_WT7-CyZ1pIACVh3QxHuyA8Hfh-vnxjUIMDY2SfEMnDcBEKcWUWkdiGLuqLkErBZbSst0/s1600/IMG_5705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5mFA6phjJjf2Fz04uxw6uvmx0ZVw859cm08bvJS2A8upN6d46XoSC_0_DmOpDXC1NOCA6a_WT7-CyZ1pIACVh3QxHuyA8Hfh-vnxjUIMDY2SfEMnDcBEKcWUWkdiGLuqLkErBZbSst0/s640/IMG_5705.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85CNEHx4EiRen2yEdGF7cD57rjx_QMu33V2pGlulXEK7vuZEJUN65LjRg4QXWo2wrK1aThUvWvKmTX2NnJPYOa1SJrvO-T7w900UG3OviD0f6sYEVZHDmmtrCezDc0kFnySiio-dySoU/s1600/IMG_5631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85CNEHx4EiRen2yEdGF7cD57rjx_QMu33V2pGlulXEK7vuZEJUN65LjRg4QXWo2wrK1aThUvWvKmTX2NnJPYOa1SJrvO-T7w900UG3OviD0f6sYEVZHDmmtrCezDc0kFnySiio-dySoU/s640/IMG_5631.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMvYPvl2mVcWlx-bpN44RppkySB64m8l3HXxOjESQE569wDPUkXFV2RqYCCRW6QgUjA5e4Nrg0xgritvF5ia3ShsHtwHmVoNPLhL5S4fsEjFOuvZWEAfOVpk_qZZgPZEnWBVprcTcTWo/s1600/IMG_5704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMvYPvl2mVcWlx-bpN44RppkySB64m8l3HXxOjESQE569wDPUkXFV2RqYCCRW6QgUjA5e4Nrg0xgritvF5ia3ShsHtwHmVoNPLhL5S4fsEjFOuvZWEAfOVpk_qZZgPZEnWBVprcTcTWo/s640/IMG_5704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFFDsWaTQuZq3k5ahVthjOqFDG_aiXiQyVkrGOlx9g3QO8SiXpq_pOfa_STLQFF0k3H1zBrDGwYGlvfy_hW6l8Bat6XMLVZdO53Vk-pjQWWmHEFz79mgBrNFmPM6IM2c4hKWkKWzYEoc/s1600/IMG_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFFDsWaTQuZq3k5ahVthjOqFDG_aiXiQyVkrGOlx9g3QO8SiXpq_pOfa_STLQFF0k3H1zBrDGwYGlvfy_hW6l8Bat6XMLVZdO53Vk-pjQWWmHEFz79mgBrNFmPM6IM2c4hKWkKWzYEoc/s640/IMG_5707.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>unday morning market just setting up when we arrive. For some reason we're early. An uncharacteristically quiet beer and absinthe crowd still clustering inside the cafe waiting for the barman to pour them their first libation of the day. Today the lady in the blue quilted dressing gown and red pom pom slippers is wearing an orange hairnet over her curlers. They manage a half hearted '' Bonjour M'Ongoose " before turning back towards the beer pump. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The flower stall , always a good indication of the changing seasons , a mass of anemones and ranunculus. '' How were the daffodils last week ? " asks the flowerman. ' Wonderful ' I reply not altogether truthfully. Having been <span style="font-size: large;">sol</span>d them at half price it would be churlish to point out that they had withered by Wednesday. The ' antique ' dealer with his black leather jacket and slightly disreputable air is unloading a collection of painted zinc garden planters onto the pavement. I look at the price. <span style="font-size: large;">From the <span style="font-size: large;">pr</span>ice tag h<span style="font-size: large;">e</span></span>'s clearly hoping that a busload of rich Parisians will be dropping by.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-63215075006300649942013-03-09T07:54:00.001+01:002013-03-09T08:14:00.916+01:00Life meets theatre.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oNRmGZvoKd0HoKnvIuEfKWLfTJacvwj8HleUxdIQXMHS1jRVIuvgSpVS_BjndwB1Ngoc5V6rLamESBrGrT_RN8W4MS8Z-_5jKKy3HCGlnxD2zz8XfVe59nl5JjQb3JqvafKSJO1XmGc/s1600/IMG_5694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oNRmGZvoKd0HoKnvIuEfKWLfTJacvwj8HleUxdIQXMHS1jRVIuvgSpVS_BjndwB1Ngoc5V6rLamESBrGrT_RN8W4MS8Z-_5jKKy3HCGlnxD2zz8XfVe59nl5JjQb3JqvafKSJO1XmGc/s640/IMG_5694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDe9dmvi-PpAtFNnBWnjqMXm2pg1EATcTsWGhzWQBLx7Z7hBBhwBPTF368oFc6aipm1IJ1io42CYmlJqSRlgpWtzb69WBz2joyTQWrh1-6ZqXMXfgCurUOwZG9dVSD_68ruDTSARHGbg/s1600/IMG_5692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDe9dmvi-PpAtFNnBWnjqMXm2pg1EATcTsWGhzWQBLx7Z7hBBhwBPTF368oFc6aipm1IJ1io42CYmlJqSRlgpWtzb69WBz2joyTQWrh1-6ZqXMXfgCurUOwZG9dVSD_68ruDTSARHGbg/s640/IMG_5692.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The two cow girls in the field across the lane look up as we return home. They seem absolutely fine . The old farmers early morning supply of hay has done the trick. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While we've been away it's been windy . Fallen branches littering the lawn . A panel on the driveway gates blown down. Madame Bay clasps her hands to her chest as if praying and tells us , with only a hint of exaggeration, the gusts were at least a hundred and fifty kilometres an hour. '' We feared for our lives M'Ongoose. We feared for our lives " . <span style="font-size: large;">Then, t</span>o make sure we<span style="font-size: large;">'ve</span> underst<span style="font-size: large;">ood</span> the full enormity of what has happened<span style="font-size: large;">, s</span>he makes a whistling noise and waves her arms from side to side. Life meets theatre - France profonde style.<span style="font-size: large;"> "<span style="font-size: large;"> My goodness<span style="font-size: large;">.</span> How frightening for you "<span style="font-size: large;"> says '<span style="font-size: large;"> the font '<span style="font-size: large;"> . Ma<span style="font-size: large;">da</span>me Bay nods silently.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-27281764275783377462013-03-08T07:34:00.001+01:002013-03-08T18:44:25.652+01:00A gravitational pull.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-wwj98SRrkfDqKndzryOtLaBwiyP-vb_2eYzXUugEo3YARmQwVW6TDi5_7oKii0wrXwA0GGda1KEZymhbW_mzFBV_XE6SqdlT-nQfITjDKRdqxus1EttTGmKyWGNh65qz8Hvz7aq1dw/s1600/IMG_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-wwj98SRrkfDqKndzryOtLaBwiyP-vb_2eYzXUugEo3YARmQwVW6TDi5_7oKii0wrXwA0GGda1KEZymhbW_mzFBV_XE6SqdlT-nQfITjDKRdqxus1EttTGmKyWGNh65qz8Hvz7aq1dw/s640/IMG_5679.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEiJ9S0t1lbB80FZNMfmc251ev3ESyh0Z5NU49wCpnPizNvRg_G41iR5aKGxkbwOkgJZpXKqJIyrho-0A9fQ171kjksfCGB88H06noynbq_BZnU7sFQzGJszR5ZjSL7kH5yyK3NEYySo/s1600/IMG_5683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuEiJ9S0t1lbB80FZNMfmc251ev3ESyh0Z5NU49wCpnPizNvRg_G41iR5aKGxkbwOkgJZpXKqJIyrho-0A9fQ171kjksfCGB88H06noynbq_BZnU7sFQzGJszR5ZjSL7kH5yyK3NEYySo/s640/IMG_5683.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNibO8i0SqbhGRBxtEJ_mTek_nHxKgMDs93vMCE153BwsL4IYSNifEKfghdysMbVZ9AV3yA9B8F3Ouxp2j7ICRbrKLKrRuHoKU0_V7FFgRG1jB27NJQZjnDTxC4Xzv2mD-sPQgGbSePM/s1600/IMG_5671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNibO8i0SqbhGRBxtEJ_mTek_nHxKgMDs93vMCE153BwsL4IYSNifEKfghdysMbVZ9AV3yA9B8F3Ouxp2j7ICRbrKLKrRuHoKU0_V7FFgRG1jB27NJQZjnDTxC4Xzv2mD-sPQgGbSePM/s640/IMG_5671.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUX1aI3HSBUcwLkqPVRWxkWwUskd_NRtDIYQ004kqIftWs6uoIZoTNPJweaxRzNV7C5MLoGFixkrYllOk27OhHxp1HDRs57Hdn-y8HAwna6ZUb374ycD83hU69Yjs3JNXPCeoX7FXiRY/s1600/IMG_5672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUX1aI3HSBUcwLkqPVRWxkWwUskd_NRtDIYQ004kqIftWs6uoIZoTNPJweaxRzNV7C5MLoGFixkrYllOk27OhHxp1HDRs57Hdn-y8HAwna6ZUb374ycD83hU69Yjs3JNXPCeoX7FXiRY/s640/IMG_5672.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS9OhlDPP0SKye_2mdjuCptwQVrboMX5VYP-N_mZ3pg_EZyREoNaiC3mvj_IV599uBjLiL4YdN6-vS02y9pMNR6_qh4q3Ezlz5H0qF_1OiYkn7wkQutd-_wH4ZAv1me9o0qmRyTBy6PE/s1600/IMG_5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS9OhlDPP0SKye_2mdjuCptwQVrboMX5VYP-N_mZ3pg_EZyREoNaiC3mvj_IV599uBjLiL4YdN6-vS02y9pMNR6_qh4q3Ezlz5H0qF_1OiYkn7wkQutd-_wH4ZAv1me9o0qmRyTBy6PE/s640/IMG_5674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mid morning in London . Angus orders a coffee. ' The font ' studies the menu and orders a Cucumber, Elderflower and Was<span style="font-size: large;">a</span>bi Smoothie. This is made by a young man with a shaved head wearing what appears to be a pair of black pyjamas. '' Delicious '' says ' the font '. Angus sticks with coffee. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To the Harrods pet store. Sophie and Bob already beginning to exert a gravitational pull on our shopping patterns. While we're there the breeder phones. She wants to know the names we've given the two pups so that she can start using them . With a French accent Sophie and Bob come out <span style="font-size: large;">sound<span style="font-size: large;">ing </span></span> altogether <span style="font-size: large;">m</span>ore exotic <span style="font-size: large;">- </span>So<span style="font-size: large;">f</span>eee and Bubb. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A late lunch in a county town. No Cucumber, Elderflower and Was<span style="font-size: large;">a</span>bi Smoothies on the menu here.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-40447871782261282662013-03-07T15:37:00.000+01:002013-03-07T16:02:00.327+01:00Back tomorrow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bUsCmMY85bJD0cxnAKTK0q_8cqqFZ552W-39ceb68W737BijHONeoyy9859touu_qeySYRnsNbQePc0vgLfpqLdysqIZqoBJxNN4xfCgfzyS6Y3rd_Fg7acyCbb-3ZLLqabNyon9YV8/s1600/IMG_5670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5bUsCmMY85bJD0cxnAKTK0q_8cqqFZ552W-39ceb68W737BijHONeoyy9859touu_qeySYRnsNbQePc0vgLfpqLdysqIZqoBJxNN4xfCgfzyS6Y3rd_Fg7acyCbb-3ZLLqabNyon9YV8/s640/IMG_5670.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap4y085ZteYFCP_YwMYyu9sXoisIyvXTcmpiq-o-BoSPU6iK8l-WXKGbgKQunHHARXHWIX-CbpBl7-EJhN-F0rW4ISr_jikvZs2Q_oeO5tdVsD3K1QeAIVfJWruCReCBuXRd0emcdM4U/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgap4y085ZteYFCP_YwMYyu9sXoisIyvXTcmpiq-o-BoSPU6iK8l-WXKGbgKQunHHARXHWIX-CbpBl7-EJhN-F0rW4ISr_jikvZs2Q_oeO5tdVsD3K1QeAIVfJWruCReCBuXRd0emcdM4U/s640/IMG_5681.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'' We're nearly in London says ' the font ' . This said when we're in northern France . Angus thinks of stating the obvious but decides against it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Central London in a French registered car with the steering wheel on the wrong side. A young man in a drophead BMW shouts out " Bloody Frog " when I fail to make <span style="font-size: large;">the</span> right turn outside Fortnum and Masons before the traffic lights turn to red. I lower the window and let him know that I am most certainly not French. He says something even less polite before speeding off.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A sign in the washrooms of a British motorway service station . Am I alone in thinking <span style="font-size: large;">the sign</span> odd ? Should I use the hot taps or the ones that are ' fine to use ? ' How hot can the water in the offending taps be ? If the<span style="font-size: large;"> water is dangerously hot why not <span style="font-size: large;">turn</span> them off at the mains ? What event caused the sign to be put up in the first place ? Is this bemusement over a washroom sign another <span style="font-size: large;">indication</span> that I'm getting older ?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Harvey Nichols food hall. Cans of sun dried Emperor Moth larvae. '' Salted and ready to eat ! ". </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next week we'll be back at the breeders to pay for the pups. She's sent us <span style="font-size: large;">th</span>rough the certificates from the vets examinations - hip and eye scores v.good. <span style="font-size: large;">(</span> <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>he'd happily take a cheque but this is a perf<span style="font-size: large;">ec</span>t exc<span style="font-size: large;">us</span>e to see Sophie and Bob again ). <span style="font-size: large;">The breeder wi<span style="font-size: large;">l</span></span>l look after the the two of them until April 7th when we get back from California. Next week will be spent <span style="font-size: large;">puppy proofing the house and buying all those things that need to be bought. </span> </span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-9994528352950226402013-03-05T07:20:00.000+01:002013-03-07T15:47:21.466+01:00Bob and Sophie ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z3LQMLKXM8wmDI2G1gpI2LKMIEKuz7EojdKB6K2H_6KJXyfKD11NsmetMvn564OVRUxwJZdO1b22ubyqPQ2NMA7XYNmCK-2Sw_H6V_T_EQTOHrpY9Iwl8KQ8X-dS1d3tFsqrBsvos3Y/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z3LQMLKXM8wmDI2G1gpI2LKMIEKuz7EojdKB6K2H_6KJXyfKD11NsmetMvn564OVRUxwJZdO1b22ubyqPQ2NMA7XYNmCK-2Sw_H6V_T_EQTOHrpY9Iwl8KQ8X-dS1d3tFsqrBsvos3Y/s640/IMG_5663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4eIvYdnH3t5Zu1uGnG7yEu3o_Rz_lVI11WSisA2LoStCuwwESfvaQOsNN-gwiKHoNqkZJNUwfz-RPjKmHpazfW2sSsrdNflK_lgg0NcqY4o3WrBmkPJFTG5UHFXL30Lq6JX3f7ZbDwI/s1600/IMG_5664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4eIvYdnH3t5Zu1uGnG7yEu3o_Rz_lVI11WSisA2LoStCuwwESfvaQOsNN-gwiKHoNqkZJNUwfz-RPjKmHpazfW2sSsrdNflK_lgg0NcqY4o3WrBmkPJFTG5UHFXL30Lq6JX3f7ZbDwI/s640/IMG_5664.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWJDKlPpre2-4FiPjvEUgXJxv5u4H2APoQSEAFzZolsBN-kmXrPV835VzbvEamk_zhL2SvD4M8Gp0-yoSd1mVmYQGapcsHjmOLn03UrZaCE3LegznZEIkCs6JeSnV7YjPCCC-8zkLhZs/s1600/IMG_5665.MOV" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D43c1e41634fb9a68%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365054931%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D742C0843FB23499D4C82FC994F85C9A84E17FE66.23B3395D3AF462D163BB5C4437378FAD26345E43%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D43c1e41634fb9a68%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1365054931%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D742C0843FB23499D4C82FC994F85C9A84E17FE66.23B3395D3AF462D163BB5C4437378FAD26345E43%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dinner in a hotel restaurant in a little market town in deepest deepest France profonde. At one table 15 firemen celebrating the retirement of a colleague. At another table 11 unsmiling gendarmes. By the window a dozen ever so slightly tipsy farmers in jeans and T-shirts. From time to time they all join in one gigantic cross <span style="font-size: large;">restaurant</span> conversation . </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We are seated in splendid isolation by the reception desk. ' The font ' orders Vichysoisse. The waitress appears with the soup and then pipes a pyramid of aerated cream on top. '' Voila ! " she says with evident satisfaction. Both of us are rendered speechless. We are still admiring the ' blob ' of artificial cream when the waitress returns and scatters a teaspoon of dried fruit over the <span style="font-size: large;">soup</span>. ' The font ' comments on the unique way of preparing Vichysoisse. The waitress takes this as a compliment.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Long chat with the vet. He thinks getting puppies at 12 weeks is just fine . In fact he thinks that 12 weeks is the perfect date for the mother. We'll carry on driving north and make up our minds later today. ' The font ' has reassured Angus that Sophie will be more than happy to accompany him and ' Bob ' to the rugby on Sunday afternoon.</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The fact the pups already have names probably tells you all you need to know.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-41663469378446509502013-03-04T18:00:00.002+01:002013-03-04T22:03:41.399+01:00A teaser .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFBrdPNVx-aQIpUfE3b2W_YqBJ9c-uSlRglWDwxGDC10SnFgwUQkE-22iz1vpj-fcCcczFdbxr4JD1Xd6pC0FWt3Gfvg-rkBU9PGyzn_gaxKobx0kQAl3zpLuDFLXwLYoeNnOknZ0APY/s1600/IMG_5655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFBrdPNVx-aQIpUfE3b2W_YqBJ9c-uSlRglWDwxGDC10SnFgwUQkE-22iz1vpj-fcCcczFdbxr4JD1Xd6pC0FWt3Gfvg-rkBU9PGyzn_gaxKobx0kQAl3zpLuDFLXwLYoeNnOknZ0APY/s640/IMG_5655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI_W51leg9h-wVU4otQCWDRoG9iLk1ZHPkIv3tEkRsORNiI95SZqTqJhkfWRIgkX5cse3zGZNpPmpkwhJTM08ilYcpjG2LZ5UGGckF5Lm1gKJO_bAsk0vMrrcNdMdtxaTPiOqDHlIQs8/s1600/IMG_5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI_W51leg9h-wVU4otQCWDRoG9iLk1ZHPkIv3tEkRsORNiI95SZqTqJhkfWRIgkX5cse3zGZNpPmpkwhJTM08ilYcpjG2LZ5UGGckF5Lm1gKJO_bAsk0vMrrcNdMdtxaTPiOqDHlIQs8/s640/IMG_5647.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti3FqM7B1_AOVbOwjVLfdPfcyOWi1HUlbPdLK4Z8QQErz3KPWSUpZggmxuSWzz5bl0t_TkTWwoQNrxxUDe_OKcMsP4wVF_-cQt5hSO6fxRCY5S05RBk4tzSTgoIVRACgg6n9CNj6qWwE/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhti3FqM7B1_AOVbOwjVLfdPfcyOWi1HUlbPdLK4Z8QQErz3KPWSUpZggmxuSWzz5bl0t_TkTWwoQNrxxUDe_OKcMsP4wVF_-cQt5hSO6fxRCY5S05RBk4tzSTgoIVRACgg6n9CNj6qWwE/s640/IMG_5660.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHFd_vMrXJpkg6tMqlHviuUt6xqguw6-p2TukgaFg0tP2i77CVG7bbYZqmRvJSqyDccA6i8KPbR8mc7xbQGoWUC43U9kweeXs7NHpV1YU2p6u8iQf-1kA6jtrWRMSR8pARydg-GTPsMg/s1600/IMG_5653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHFd_vMrXJpkg6tMqlHviuUt6xqguw6-p2TukgaFg0tP2i77CVG7bbYZqmRvJSqyDccA6i8KPbR8mc7xbQGoWUC43U9kweeXs7NHpV1YU2p6u8iQf-1kA6jtrWRMSR8pARydg-GTPsMg/s640/IMG_5653.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oS_0R2xYBcpLHAGFRN8HL8ksY8j2q4eeW8OOArbCwviU3X5X6kN_7C4uymdvRiz9EaoFNH6mIAuFZapx2WLGErDYnnyHz5g4TgRBgwJHZqnUQi05X5bVpCe33GzaK0-u9GxxR8tVH6g/s1600/IMG_5658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oS_0R2xYBcpLHAGFRN8HL8ksY8j2q4eeW8OOArbCwviU3X5X6kN_7C4uymdvRiz9EaoFNH6mIAuFZapx2WLGErDYnnyHz5g4TgRBgwJHZqnUQi05X5bVpCe33GzaK0-u9GxxR8tVH6g/s640/IMG_5658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A full days drive backwards and forwards across France. The kennels down a dirt track road. No missing it. There amid combine harvesters and tractors three dog runs. The breeder a forty something lady in a track suit. She's hanging out her husbands boxer shorts on the clothes line when we arrive.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the two four week old brothers has already been bought. That puts paid to our idea of bringing home two nine week olds on our return from Califonia. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The eight week old brother and sister asleep on the front lawn. When we appear the girl tries to hide under her brother. He's a bundle of fun but settles down as soon as I pick him up. An ear lick on first meeting. He looks me right in the eye. A dead ringer for Wilf.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She by contrast is quite timid. May just be shy. Seems to cling to her sibling. Beautiful silky coat, bright eyes. Quite happy to let us pick her up. Settles down just as quickly in our hands. Good hip scores.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mother eight years old. Too old ? ' The font ' thinks not. Certainly her last litter. Perhaps that's why there's only two puppies.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The mother an absolute sweetheart. Doesn't grumble as I quickly check her gums and eyes. <span style="font-size: large;">Clearly healthy</span>. Coat is in a dreadful, heavily matted condition. Life on the farm or neglect ? ' The font ' points out that my coat would be matted if I'd just raised two boisterous pups.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Things to discuss over dinner.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can we take one without the other ? No. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Could we take both and the unreserved <span style="font-size: large;">4 week old </span> ? No. Bringing up two is quite difficult enough.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is the mothers age a problem ? We'll call the vet tonight.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Certainly more of a working farm than a kennels. A farm<span style="font-size: large;"> but not a puppy farm. </span>Will need to check with the vet to see if he thinks that's a problem. <span style="font-size: large;">Cows leaning over the <span style="font-size: large;">courtyard </span>hedge, chickens and geese in the <span style="font-size: large;">barn</span>, a stray goat tethered to a tractor. Vaccinations a must.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The females shyness ? Cou<span style="font-size: large;">ld</span> this be a problem ? Is 12 weeks too late to socialize them after the complete isolation of the farm ?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We'll make up our minds tonight and decide whether<span style="font-size: large;"> or not</span> to collect them on our r<span style="font-size: large;">et</span>urn from California at the beginning of April.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-52006002967039381152013-03-04T07:51:00.001+01:002013-03-04T08:17:56.933+01:00Squiff and Squee.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs8vZ8QmhfwQC-CMO-rByMt8i-gvM1pn-0GzJ6ejn-4K8fpNySFaEd9Xn-bPiHKsIXRYmohVDnVpsAsK38bOc8QrzDTzL8oDiLxjCJD9cnlZgVAAzafBpx6kTJ5McEs2b07JVgx_-J40/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs8vZ8QmhfwQC-CMO-rByMt8i-gvM1pn-0GzJ6ejn-4K8fpNySFaEd9Xn-bPiHKsIXRYmohVDnVpsAsK38bOc8QrzDTzL8oDiLxjCJD9cnlZgVAAzafBpx6kTJ5McEs2b07JVgx_-J40/s640/IMG_5594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH8DzrBiMDb-PZcEylO74HEYxUnHOnzq7bPqQrGl7JrkDVRtg_-w1thgNrmaVO7wi3ienzB-w4RYpgoXpDT_pLBZKuwS_dM5AQrc9M3DWgplOm8fLHtzf2UkcE7X7S1al-renDjoOM0Y/s1600/IMG_5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH8DzrBiMDb-PZcEylO74HEYxUnHOnzq7bPqQrGl7JrkDVRtg_-w1thgNrmaVO7wi3ienzB-w4RYpgoXpDT_pLBZKuwS_dM5AQrc9M3DWgplOm8fLHtzf2UkcE7X7S1al-renDjoOM0Y/s640/IMG_5604.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdw2leN1aTZfybC7eUafzQpjh7QzdziwDheJNQxYF8M9XUjE_WYXCO8flkZGYT042szFTErYkPLZCm0AdKDuVrS4MtjfPVwnJN9W7gq1z5gJmzuMXRV0-yOhYJY2GnBl61cSeWoYGevU/s1600/IMG_5613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdw2leN1aTZfybC7eUafzQpjh7QzdziwDheJNQxYF8M9XUjE_WYXCO8flkZGYT042szFTErYkPLZCm0AdKDuVrS4MtjfPVwnJN9W7gq1z5gJmzuMXRV0-yOhYJY2GnBl61cSeWoYGevU/s640/IMG_5613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6P3hJQUlBh-tSS2pxgsSSDg9-gPjG6-mRMSECLhygYtnlPmotfkYDNzb8Mv7gdnzV3F4H129kiYocKP1asKW5gRnmrqQCf7KhVDbDjiZ3YCu8Mi5nrb2NC3GzwBoNysWkEHGtODmd20/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6P3hJQUlBh-tSS2pxgsSSDg9-gPjG6-mRMSECLhygYtnlPmotfkYDNzb8Mv7gdnzV3F4H129kiYocKP1asKW5gRnmrqQCf7KhVDbDjiZ3YCu8Mi5nrb2NC3GzwBoNysWkEHGtODmd20/s640/IMG_5584.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lunch in Toulouse. The river banks lined with sunbathers enjoying the mild weather. For some reason the restaurant we choose is full of Westies. A kind of Westie convention. Most are quiet and well behaved but one lets out a howl of disappointment when a waiter hurries by carrying a plate of Toulouse sausage .The whole restaurant, at least two hundred people, laugh out loud. A small white f<span style="font-size: large;">eisty</span> face peers out from under a table cloth wondering what all the commotion is about. France is a very civilized place wh<span style="font-size: large;">en</span> it come<span style="font-size: large;">s</span> to dining with dogs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Being France the underground car park is perfumed to obscure any indelicate odours. A sign telling us that the perfume used is named after the company that manages the car park. Eau de Vinci. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The two cows across the lane enjoying the balmy sunshine. Today we are heading off on a long drive to visit a kennels and two four week old Polish Lowland puppies . Some <span style="font-size: large;">doubts</span> about the breed<span style="font-size: large;">er<span style="font-size: large;"> although the website looks <span style="font-size: large;">ok</span>. </span></span>For the moment we'll refer to the two brothers as Squiff and Squee. They'll be ready to leave their mother in a month or five weeks. Ideal timing for when we get back from California.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">More on Squiff and Squee tomorrow. </span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-6692347431229208242013-03-03T07:59:00.000+01:002013-03-03T08:24:48.976+01:00French efficiency<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYzS7QBP2fq6pKrHbtRYVqyiKrQbog0HwtT1HFLwBh0ucwsutyNNSrxFobfb1-fb_eepE-ypsxNNHIb6Hh4Tol5IoLpiDTfTgaje8V-5PtSG3RYp1FQTe73Bny4lyNV4Y75nVPSVo8s4/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYzS7QBP2fq6pKrHbtRYVqyiKrQbog0HwtT1HFLwBh0ucwsutyNNSrxFobfb1-fb_eepE-ypsxNNHIb6Hh4Tol5IoLpiDTfTgaje8V-5PtSG3RYp1FQTe73Bny4lyNV4Y75nVPSVo8s4/s640/IMG_5535.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16UN0lio6O2gck6n4R2luvHUqbW4xoyKmycuXIzyj_gdIlptugC9-wIWW6Eir28oSPkoNKpohaz8G0UOTI3sTe6xjm1RI-af2Jw3IovsfuT1OIBlkz1h3zXr11MlVNMuc0hUygvhHZt0/s1600/IMG_5542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16UN0lio6O2gck6n4R2luvHUqbW4xoyKmycuXIzyj_gdIlptugC9-wIWW6Eir28oSPkoNKpohaz8G0UOTI3sTe6xjm1RI-af2Jw3IovsfuT1OIBlkz1h3zXr11MlVNMuc0hUygvhHZt0/s640/IMG_5542.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TJ36zc83mh8F0yl0RDQ4Oo8nrekr9fQuZq3s77xaiYPXCIw1W9Udjkd-dV90aLEfSQ5rpc13fgfQm9ZV-jRHVTHBSKrMPPRgKgiPfs_geH3Lt2ETM6YyVLS1cdAAyp8p8yQEN2mxinA/s1600/IMG_5573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TJ36zc83mh8F0yl0RDQ4Oo8nrekr9fQuZq3s77xaiYPXCIw1W9Udjkd-dV90aLEfSQ5rpc13fgfQm9ZV-jRHVTHBSKrMPPRgKgiPfs_geH3Lt2ETM6YyVLS1cdAAyp8p8yQEN2mxinA/s640/IMG_5573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAlK2BhSSyYSd82J1C2sHD_zAnrR6iWO6Dd7WL8ait_uMmunInxZSrJpPJi-czFIPd5TngQNID-etpL_rBbZBT7g4eYC-IWkwYfPJMNDm_r7PgV-B_MxR52ROc7S5NnsUNNFNZhlLOgU/s1600/IMG_5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAlK2BhSSyYSd82J1C2sHD_zAnrR6iWO6Dd7WL8ait_uMmunInxZSrJpPJi-czFIPd5TngQNID-etpL_rBbZBT7g4eYC-IWkwYfPJMNDm_r7PgV-B_MxR52ROc7S5NnsUNNFNZhlLOgU/s640/IMG_5568.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnNfiLl_tWNZ5oQN299RgDSA7NPWGULCSBwco6j29l9uQqNbdVqI9ww4MmWlmLMD8zXtVCurV3eRzP21fsNxgI1BZgTDwc1Iy1-PVNEvZbomqGdH7yZMTj5X-JsZ70_HZEWzbwXTM-Ss/s1600/IMG_5566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnNfiLl_tWNZ5oQN299RgDSA7NPWGULCSBwco6j29l9uQqNbdVqI9ww4MmWlmLMD8zXtVCurV3eRzP21fsNxgI1BZgTDwc1Iy1-PVNEvZbomqGdH7yZMTj5X-JsZ70_HZEWzbwXTM-Ss/s640/IMG_5566.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sunday morning. It's getting warmer now. A spring like 8 degrees by the time I venture out for the breakfast croissants. The two cows in the field across the lane <span style="font-size: large;">turn</span> expectantly as <span style="font-size: large;">the car <span style="font-size: large;">drives</span> out of the gate</span>. The<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">y're happily</span></span> grazing on some of the old farmers ' first light ' straw delivery. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A parking spot right in front of the cafe under the arcades. Oranges from the greengrocer and daffodils from the flower stall. Daffodils €5 for 50. <span style="font-size: large;">Today t</span>wo bunches for the price of one. '' <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">They'll last all week "<span style="font-size: large;"> says the flower seller.</span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The man with the motability scooter waves and shouts out " M'Ongoose. I think you've got a puncture in your front tyre " . He's right. Thankfully, it's a slow puncture. Just enough time to get it to the tractor workshop by the roundabout before it deflates. '' Don't see many of these " says a man in green overalls who<span style="font-size: large;"> emerges from underneath</span> an enormous John Deere. Half an hour later the tyre has been taken off, repaired and put back on. €24. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">French efficiency. Try getting a tyre repaired in Scotland before nine on a Sunday morning.</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-72276577765433043232013-03-02T08:11:00.000+01:002013-03-02T08:19:57.878+01:00Saturday morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBk6F9ATceSy3vVjhxUnxzOeuSGb8mFlTgJNUXWo-JTevGz-OMhsyCQGNYhhgX7gS2YNVxTF3n1VsDeaNoeAMREBGcTNhuvvs2IXRWbNgcj2c4O4mL-c7-FkcljW-OYENW20XOLTt_Vo/s1600/IMG_5530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBk6F9ATceSy3vVjhxUnxzOeuSGb8mFlTgJNUXWo-JTevGz-OMhsyCQGNYhhgX7gS2YNVxTF3n1VsDeaNoeAMREBGcTNhuvvs2IXRWbNgcj2c4O4mL-c7-FkcljW-OYENW20XOLTt_Vo/s640/IMG_5530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFcxjX2JpBWG0qF4HauI1dQbMrLoC9nH8veaK7zmU1lU27t6p-k13sLTIhUJWkeOvkpUIQjLic6P1RGqTQ1qQKzvldCOhTauePRKCN5R5TOVmJk-sC3_BZqRYeHY40SImsZYsOdfxAOQ/s1600/IMG_5531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFcxjX2JpBWG0qF4HauI1dQbMrLoC9nH8veaK7zmU1lU27t6p-k13sLTIhUJWkeOvkpUIQjLic6P1RGqTQ1qQKzvldCOhTauePRKCN5R5TOVmJk-sC3_BZqRYeHY40SImsZYsOdfxAOQ/s640/IMG_5531.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3riPj_uUJahsSHoDMc9V2_vuvI07LPhVrsZrRLq1v2sWxYdWID0GoKeMkRcL1OdcYywE6xfhrCiUfGMyFUMyJJrilAA6urlHI9t-yUSwpJn64_K2sRsTga1ShgYQSpbLtEonRWGR4bx4/s1600/IMG_5534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3riPj_uUJahsSHoDMc9V2_vuvI07LPhVrsZrRLq1v2sWxYdWID0GoKeMkRcL1OdcYywE6xfhrCiUfGMyFUMyJJrilAA6urlHI9t-yUSwpJn64_K2sRsTga1ShgYQSpbLtEonRWGR4bx4/s640/IMG_5534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Market day . The baker only just starting to set out the cakes in the display case. We must be early. He hasn't switched all the lights on yet. The eclairs and mendiants lit by the harsh glow of a solitary neon light. '' Bonjour . Try one of the nut tarts. They're a speciality ". We've been here three years and this is the first time <span style="font-size: large;">he's mentioned</span> his nut tarts. Must be a new speciality. We buy two. They're heavy for their size. Very heavy . </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's the school holidays. Madame Bay arrives with two granddaughters. How she got them in the back of the gold metallic 'Wild Child ' voiturette a mystery. Madame Bay pushes the hoover along the upper hallway. The two three year olds walk behind her mimicking every movement . Identical but seventy years apart. <span style="font-size: large;">Soon the three of them are </span>dancing , hands above their heads, to disco hits of the 70's on Radio Nostalgie.<span style="font-size: large;"> Gladys Knight has a new generation of fans<span style="font-size: large;"> in the making.</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-87828424168228462692013-03-01T07:56:00.003+01:002013-03-01T18:26:57.918+01:00Browning his cabbages.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOu6h8kH-ZsIzCqjDYMB46JlI2V8IUZi7mu1k5bBfiao6QsF7ADW3vm5YNO9G6tIlDbHJyUhJkifttMpTGrG9z2og005megRgCvhkRgftQXw2T_ME77_kDwiXYqASEDa4mhkqID6mfdM/s1600/IMG_5521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOu6h8kH-ZsIzCqjDYMB46JlI2V8IUZi7mu1k5bBfiao6QsF7ADW3vm5YNO9G6tIlDbHJyUhJkifttMpTGrG9z2og005megRgCvhkRgftQXw2T_ME77_kDwiXYqASEDa4mhkqID6mfdM/s640/IMG_5521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2QX3ZvWhSmmXRL_S3LYz7xljadHw6x9Y8CLUK4YseU7qEiK0NduudUVcJFDXl9rGWs1ocVVgFPtyxng2bQW-QQr8GGlme8ZbWUqmdP4-9t3BwDCWXcFlrYC-Ewf9hD8PyRkvnINlFmc/s1600/IMG_5522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2QX3ZvWhSmmXRL_S3LYz7xljadHw6x9Y8CLUK4YseU7qEiK0NduudUVcJFDXl9rGWs1ocVVgFPtyxng2bQW-QQr8GGlme8ZbWUqmdP4-9t3BwDCWXcFlrYC-Ewf9hD8PyRkvnINlFmc/s640/IMG_5522.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT8RL3tkUwo7m31vNFV41UQEGwDCsCn6S_UCqQQeONcueVqWWfbv61ThZNwxSeoLTHMmwJwfghMRqc6qfH5k9LQlhxYEM2XcHa3PbffthSon12Au-yU_Lr5N4sxmjJQ5QXq71GzoymIc/s1600/IMG_5524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT8RL3tkUwo7m31vNFV41UQEGwDCsCn6S_UCqQQeONcueVqWWfbv61ThZNwxSeoLTHMmwJwfghMRqc6qfH5k9LQlhxYEM2XcHa3PbffthSon12Au-yU_Lr5N4sxmjJQ5QXq71GzoymIc/s640/IMG_5524.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AKVy6oRr5mL9KJXZWUDRiHAntsIA_tbhnJNR1zSTzhE1Pwg9ktE3Us-j1c3slMftrBNMqSvb9TfX5zdQ2CTsVfVoPTbRzRYaUe1mjRi8ogUB4dZjxmF-LJtn2G9qVDXQNZFI3gHG7cA/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AKVy6oRr5mL9KJXZWUDRiHAntsIA_tbhnJNR1zSTzhE1Pwg9ktE3Us-j1c3slMftrBNMqSvb9TfX5zdQ2CTsVfVoPTbRzRYaUe1mjRi8ogUB4dZjxmF-LJtn2G9qVDXQNZFI3gHG7cA/s640/IMG_5525.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To the supermarket for oranges. It's early but the man who sells choucroute is already busy browning his cabbages.Thankfully he's positioned right under an airconditioning vent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The following conversation at the check out :</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'' We've got inspectors today ". The cashier points to a man in a mud coloured suit. He is followed by a serious looking woman who is also in a mud coloured suit. The woman is carrying a clipboard.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'' Have you seen the strawberry plants ? €11.50 for 24. That's good value ". The cashier turns to her colleague at the next till. '' I'm just saying those strawberry plants are good value ". Her colleague looks up just long enough to agree.'' That'll be t<span style="font-size: large;">welve</span> euros forty". The ca<span style="font-size: large;">sh</span>ier is still talking, to no <span style="font-size: large;">one in particular, when I leave.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Outside a man is buying milk from the automatic milk dispensing chalet . He <span style="font-size: large;">has great difficulty</span> siphon<span style="font-size: large;">ing the milk</span> into his reusable bottle.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">L</span>ife in deepest France profonde. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7828307270320034323.post-78047564502824926872013-02-28T07:53:00.002+01:002013-02-28T07:57:07.654+01:00Squeeeee ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7Rl8kVA_oGjgyYPHAmLHG0ve47GJfyBbdPURI8DhDLQtET-l9jmeAhApMS67JegeEGrR9xVePvfdp6VK8Y54lmduF0dZtIQ_c_9PZ84gTIAQsUIfsLjdcI5jL406B3APVfAb164_GzU/s1600/PON+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7Rl8kVA_oGjgyYPHAmLHG0ve47GJfyBbdPURI8DhDLQtET-l9jmeAhApMS67JegeEGrR9xVePvfdp6VK8Y54lmduF0dZtIQ_c_9PZ84gTIAQsUIfsLjdcI5jL406B3APVfAb164_GzU/s640/PON+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC8U19Z55yHbkc4FCwQ7-yQdGQcJAGnbbdnjqGYejQJLeHOZdrwkXH8292CaH_2T_TncLeli1Kqr2rjR86AMRUMK-7khceRqtwnOwMTuJaV-O-mTJ21PDujME_2u7xPy9T_-sBFDeaQc/s1600/chiots+BR+NIZ+RT+13+fev+2013+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC8U19Z55yHbkc4FCwQ7-yQdGQcJAGnbbdnjqGYejQJLeHOZdrwkXH8292CaH_2T_TncLeli1Kqr2rjR86AMRUMK-7khceRqtwnOwMTuJaV-O-mTJ21PDujME_2u7xPy9T_-sBFDeaQc/s640/chiots+BR+NIZ+RT+13+fev+2013+058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_BqRdn3s6g8HN50o1sUzE8vBoYgWGe0V7ExYnRqbXCC6ZhTQZDl0mFE0mWTp6KVY9ykkB0PRasK4ISR1pu3gjjpzpmRVqqOercS3qqXIShS1JXk3Nv2YrcgmIwb-r_IvhuvTMIGhEGo/s1600/PON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_BqRdn3s6g8HN50o1sUzE8vBoYgWGe0V7ExYnRqbXCC6ZhTQZDl0mFE0mWTp6KVY9ykkB0PRasK4ISR1pu3gjjpzpmRVqqOercS3qqXIShS1JXk3Nv2YrcgmIwb-r_IvhuvTMIGhEGo/s640/PON.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A day spent on the phone to breeders. It seems there are a lot of PON's out there who are taking a long time to get round to doing ' what comes naturally '. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A brother and sister born on January 9th and two brothers born on February 2nd. The first pair ready for a home now. The two brothers looking for a home in early April. The only problem is that both pairs are being offered by the same breeder. Could this mean it's a puppy farm ? The woman is happy for us to come and see them at the end of next week. She's showing in Paris this weekend. That's got to be a good sign. Right ?</span></span>Angushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905037014736070475noreply@blogger.com33