Saturday, January 3, 2015

Happiness is a wine of the rarest vintage, and seems insipid to a vulgar taste.


A thick hoar frost on the grass and trees. The PON's love it. Sophie is so happy she throws her head back and lets out a shriek of delight as we turn out of the gate. 


The angelic duo head off down the hill towards the stream. When they get there they find a thick layer of ice coating the small waterfall. Inadvertently they discover they can ice skate. Or, to be more precise they discover that ice is extremely slippery . Four legs moving in different directions. Sophie quickly seeks the safety of the bank. Bob tarries a little longer. He doesn't get the hang of it. The old horse gets given a carrot.


As we pass the chateau two sleek red sports cars turn out of the drive. The supermarket billionaires have bought their sons expensive Italian Christmas presents. Angus is not amused. Buying college boys fast, costly cars is just plain wrong. How will they ever understand the value of money ? What sort of friends will they make ? What will happen to their grades ? How wise is it to give testosterone primed boys something that can accelerate to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds ?  I guess once a Calvinist always a Calvinist. The teenage sons almost certainly have a different view.


A leisurely walk home through the village and back into the garden. After breakfast Sophie gets groomed. She doesn't look like this for long.


Here's an interesting dog article : http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/dog-spies/2014/12/31/its-not-you-its-me-if-a-dog-wont-play-with-you-it-could-be-your-fault/?print=true

6 comments:

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

The frost is beautiful...

Agree with you about the teenage boys....

Short legged dogs don't really play bow.

Anonymous said...

Lovely, lovely pictures.
I am also in agreement that teenagers (especially lads) and fast cars are a dangerous combination. And on those roads...frightening.
I adore Merlin's sense of play. Undiminished after almost 9 years and long may it continue.
x

VirginiaC said...

Brownie loves to play and I think we both know each others play signals.
Let's hope the fast cars stay far away from the roads around the ROF....I remember one little bow wow losing his life in the village from a vehicle.

Duke and Petite-Chose at 2G said...

Beautiful pictures - frost is something we don't get here in our part of sunny Spain, so your photos are especially welcome. Agree that fast cars and young are lads are a very dangerous combination, surely their parents have more sense. I too remember one family pet (Oliver?) losing his life to a speeding vehicle. Lovely to see Sophie looking so svelte, but where's the gorgeous Bob? Maybe an extra carrot and nose rub for the old horse?

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Lovely photos as our day begins.

Add me to the list of those who agree with you about the cars. Unfortunately, at least where I live, there are many young men and women their age that don't want to work hard for anything and feel "entitled" to have those cars and all that go with it. Thankfully they are the exception and not so much the rule.

Kari said...

Hopefully the cars will exit to the family's full time residence. Can you imagine the lack of driving experience, typical teens aged arrogance combined with twisting village roads? No one willbe safe!
The boys have every right to take themselves to an early grave but do not have the right to take anyone else with them, dogs, cats, horses included. These disgustingly extravagant and inappropriate ( and unsafe) gifts seem often to be given at a time when the family is in crisis- divorce, guilt from flagrant parental infidelity or neglect. Unfortunately,teenagers are usually for sale.