Thursday, November 28, 2013

What's done cannot be undone.






Out early with Bob. The ground coated hard with frost. Overhead the frigid air from the Atlantic battling it out with the warm air from North Africa. Something matchless about this winter daybreak. The sky as stratified as any rock formation - pink and ochre and grey and blue. The sort of morning you want to breath deep.  

The sub zero temperatures have brought the deer out in search of food. Ten or so standing at the crossroads. More in the beech copse by the stream. Bob is on high alert, straining at the leash. He sees the movement of the deer long before I do. The occasional excited whimper  - " I could catch them ". ' In your dreams ' I find myself saying out loud. 

The mayor is also up early. He's removing the Armistice Day wreaths from the war memorial. We chat about driving licenses. He can't issue them but the town hall in the little market town probably can. Half a dozen deer suddenly leap over the churchyard wall and gallop, a moving thicket of legs, across the village green and down the lane. Such a simple sight but such a privilege to watch.


16 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Bob, you could totally have caught those deer. Of course you could.
Toodle pip!
Bertie (deer hunter extraordinaire, at least in his own mind).

booahboo said...

Glad to know i am not the only one who answers to my dogs whimpers and barks.. LOL!
He could have caught them u know...

Anonymous said...

I very much look forward to my return.
I imagine Bob at full stretch, which would be a joy to see, although I am very glad he didn't have the opportunity to scare them away.
Have a great day.
x

VirginiaC said...

I am sure that Bob would have been able to catch one of the deer....just to say hello, and to give you the look of "See I told you I could do it!!"

Fat Dormouse said...

And as our cats snicker and mew we too speak to them "No you can't have some chicken...oh, go on, then! You look so sweet!"

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

What a great start to the day--except, the temps.

XXXOOODaisy, Bella & roxy

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

The Goldens would never be able to catch a deer, Todd on the other hand.... But what a lovely start to your day, I hope that your day doesn't take that proverbial left turn when you go to the town hall in the little market town.

Unknown said...

Re driving licences: We found we had to go to the Prefecture in Toulouse. There is a French government website where you can download the relevant forms in advance. You need to have a medical if you are over a certain age (I think its 65) If you are taking any medication for heart or diabetes you need to have a report from your own doctor and then have that validated by a doctor appointed by the Prefecture. This needs to be taken with you to the doctor's appointment for the driving licence medical. They told us initially we needed to get a translation of our driving licence by an authorised translator but when we got to the Prefecture they said it wasn't necessary. Whole process took about two months. If your UK licence runs out before this don't worry, once you have started the process you are ok. Have fun.

MLou said...

One of my favourite posts. It captures the feeling I often have when I am out with my dog.

Julie said...

What a lovely image you have created this morning.

I'm sure taking the PONs out on a crisp winter's morn is going to be much more fun than trying to sort you driving licence out !

tammy j said...

i could even breathe the air! that's how wonderful your description.
do you know what a gift your blog is? just a few paragraphs and pictures . . . and it transforms my world. or my idea of it! and better for it!
thanks!
major snoopy hugs to those two puppies. and you ongoose! xoxo

Homer said...

Angus, I don't know why but this post reminds me of my time in the African wilderness!

Whispering Walls said...

Magnifique (surtout le soleil!)

Anonymous said...

lovely pics this morning

houndstooth said...

What an idyllic morning! The pictures are just beautiful. I love that dogs get us out on those early mornings to see the things we'd miss otherwise.

Angus said...

Of course some dogs get us out very early !