Wednesday, January 5, 2022

The thrill of change.


Wednesday morning. We set off from the far gate and head counterclockwise round the village. Sophie loves the thrill of this change in routine. The rising sun lights up the gap between the gates metal bars and casts a rather 'art nouveau' shadow on the gravel. Friends from Moscow call as we walk off along the lane . It's the Russian Orthodox New Year on Friday and they are heading off to Dubai to celebrate. Although nothing is said I sense they may be keen to be leaving Moscow.

The strong winds overnight have covered the water in the  zinc bath with leaves. Sophie pushes them aside with her nose and enjoys a lengthy slurp . Is it my imagination or is the water turning green ?  Sophie is drawn to it as Angus would be to a bottle of Cheval Blanc.


On our return 'The Font' announces that Sophie needs grooming.


She is badly in need of it. The festive season has done nothing for the state of her  fur ( although it remains , in parts, healthily soft and fluffy ). Turns out Sophie is not in a mood for being groomed. After ten minutes of dealing with a squirming diva 'The Font' decides that a a partial grooming is better than none at all. Sophie heads off in pursuit of a C-A-T that has been watching the grooming process from atop a pile of logs in the barn.


 

This was great reading :https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/an-ancient-greek-astronomical-calculation-machine-reveals-new-secrets/

This is where the Muscovites are staying in their quest for guaranteed sun. It looks very 'modern'  : https://www.addresshotels.com/en/resorts/address-beach-resort



8 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Bertie is now alarmed that I might be tempted by the "thrill of change" this morning and try to take him clockwise round the park. This would ruin his whole day.
Moscow in winter or Dubai? Neither would be my choice.
Cheers! Gail.

Virginia said...

I did enjoy the article on the astronomical machine - a little museum in Katakolo celebrating the inventions of Archimedes opened my eyes to how great the Greeks were, and how much the Romans owed to them. It was a highlight of our trip in 2019 - Oh, wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do another!

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I too enjoyed that read... and our daily pictorial dose of Mlle Sophie, half-groomed. Unlike the Moskavite, and very like Angus, I am disinclined to thoughts of any travel at this time, no matter how alluring. YAM xx

Coppa's girl said...

Your strong winds have reached us here this morning as a ferocious gale! No walk until it dies down. Inca's comfort break was speedy - she was disinclined to linger over new scents blown into the garden. Even the feral cats are keeping a low profile.
Poor Sophie, the horrors of a grooming. Inca is due for another session at the local grooming parlour. They did such a good job last time (she came up three shades lighter!) and worth the 25€ for me not to have to struggle with her, and then wash the pile of towels it took to dry her and the bathroom.
Dubai? No, I don't think so either, even if I could travel.

Linda said...

The Greek astronomical device is astounding, as is the work by academics to understand it. It would be good if we valued universities and all education a bit more in the UK. UK universities are certainly suffering as a result of Brexit. I would rather eat my feet than visit Dubai, at any time of year.

Angus said...

With heavy snow, dark skies and sub zero temperatures in Moscow Dubai must appear alluring.

WFT Nobby said...

Well I won't pretend yesterday's drive across blizzard hit northern Scotland was much fun.
Bertie is relieved that we circumnavigated Duthie Park in an ani-clockwise direction, as per usual, this morning.

Travel said...

Sophie is clearly saying "Walk this way!" such a sweet girl