Holiday Pets and Other Animals

I really miss the cats when I am away, so it is lovely to find a substitute pet for the holiday. This little white dog was that pet. He ran to greet us as we arrived, and saw us off every time we went out. He loved to be made a fuss of, and would rest his chin on your arm so you could tickle him under it! Such a sweetie. He was not the only dog in the local area. There were some big, scary and locked up doberman/rottweiler crosses, a big black dog who I think was a Barbet, who was very old and just stood in his garage, and a little Papillon dog, who got braver as the week went on, and who was the little friend of our dog. I wish I knew his name, but we didn't meet his people, and he would only run into his house next door at the sound of clanging bowls. He had a territory of a square of four roads, and would appear from any direction within this area.

 An admiring glance from the little friend Papillon, as both dogs rush towards me. Patting the little dog was not allowed, and caused  growly cross noises, and running in front of my hand to prevent the move! I didn't try after that as I didn't want to cause a fight. It reminded me of Tiger's jealousy when we are playing or making a fuss of either of the other cats, especially Cassie. She always rushes over and muscles in.

 Little friend appeared on his own one day-so brave! This time he got a pat.

 This is Chardy, the restaurant cat. My first name for him was Stumpy Joe, but on the third and last night that we ate there, the little girl,  Atilia, told us his name. 

 He was very friendly. We didn't find out what happened to his tail. According to Atilia he had always been like that.
Now onto the other animals...

 The dog with the human eyes. He was being ignored by his people, and gave me this appealing look.

 The upended beatle. My friend was horrified that I had touched it, but I couldn't leave it there to struggle. Who knows-it may have been Gregor. Sad to see his outer wing was damaged.

Back to our friend. Saying goodbye. I was quite sad and so was Clare, my friend who loves dogs. If you look carefully you can just see him running after the cab.

Doors of Dinan

Dinan is a medieval walled town with beautiful buildings everywhere you look. We visited it three times, and on one of the visits walked down a steep cobbled street, the Rue du Jerzual,  to the river. All of these doors are on that street.

Back tomorrow with animals of the holiday!

Brittany Part 1: Held Together by Cobwebs and Plants

I took so many pictures in France-no surprise there really!  We had such a relaxing week, and managed to visit quite a few places too. I have picked photos of buildings in various locations and states of decay for today. The first one is across the road from the house we stayed in. I love it!

A door in Plelan Le Petit, the village we were staying in.

An enamel sign in Dinan, crazed, rusted, graffitied, and a lovely shade of green. Could it be any better?!

It looks as if someone has tried their best to steal this sign, but unsuccessfully.

Part of a garage in St Malo. Possibly in the process of being repaired, but possibly not.

Back tomorrow with doors of Dinan.

Caterpillar Devastation!

I have been on holiday! I have been coached in the ways of common sense by Andy so did not loudly advertise the fact here before we went-though I really wanted to. We went to Brittany in Northern France, and it was lovely! While I was away, the promising nasturtiums became a tower block for cabbage white caterpillars. I saw a few fluttering around before we went and did wonder if they were laying eggs. I am glad it happened while we were away though, as now it would be pointless to do anything about them as the plant is destroyed! So instead I became wildlife photographer and film maker. I am certain you can hear the caterpillar chewing-on the ribs of the leaves. It is a very efficient eater, methodically moving its mouth from top to bottom.

 Can you guess I have many photos of France?! I will be back at the end of the week with some of them to share, as I am off again tomorrow, down to Devon with a friend.  We could not get the cats back from the cattery today as it is not allowed on a Sunday, and we were too late last night. I can't wait to get them back in the morning as I have missed them. I am going at 8.30, so as to have a couple of hours quality cat time before I go to get the train. Though the cats may have other ideas and wish to sulk!
I hope you have had a good week, I have missed all of you and will be visiting via my phone whilst away! x

Crochet News

I have been branching out in my crochet recently, and am excited to have learned some new things. My friend Clare taught me how to do Granny Squares, so I have been doing lots of them. Different sizes and yarns, and beginning to find out how to do different types. I have made a blanket for a doll-for the daughter of someone at work, which is what you can see in my header. I have made them out of delicate sock yarn, and more chunky stuff too, such as this cheap and cheerful acrylic which came free with a magazine. For acrylic it is very soft and quite nice to work with.

 My next new discovery is filet crochet. It is squares forming a mesh and is very easy to work. You can leave the squares empty, or fill them up, forming patterns or pictures. This is my first go, so I have just made some blocks but I can't wait to try more. This is a very fine alpaca, and so is taking quite a while (it is going to be a scarf). I would like to try it with a thicker yarn next.

 The next stitch I have learned is fishnet stitch. So easy! Basically just chains joined together by single crochet stitches at regular intervals.

 A James Bond villain is trying to muscle in on my crochet time, but I won't let him!

 This is the way the end of our sofa looks at the moment, as a result of all the crochet experimenting. Oh dear!

Playing With Dolls

I have been playing with dolls again.

Treasure hunting, lion taming travellers to be precise.

Kim Klassen's 'epihany' texture helped me play with the pictures.

Creatures

Sadie is the girl who just got the chocolate milk! Or what remained of it, that she could reach, in the small glass she has just finished sticking her nose into!

 A moth spotted on a window the other day. I loved the effect of the light on the patterned glass, and the golds, greys, browns and blues in the tiny scene.

 A little butterfly spotted in my garden today. I found it in my book-it is a Holly Blue. It lays eggs on holly in its first breeding season, then on ivy later in the year. There is still plenty of ivy here, despite my cull last year.

This was a bit of a lucky capture as it was very busy on the verbena!

Right, back to the Olympics!