It's still dark when we head out of the front gate. Angus follows Sophie into the fields on her pre-dawn comfort break . I'm wearing the coal miners lamp that wraps around my head to light the way. What this must look like to any early rising villagers is a question best left unexplored. I'd like to think people will think it's a combination of the stylish and practical but it could just as easily be viewed as 'Silence of the lambs' terrifying.
It's rained overnight. Sophie charts her course straight through the middle of every puddle. The PONettes zeitgeist is 'Why go around water when you can go straight through it ?'
The scudding clouds turn into something resembling weak sunshine.
Today is Raisin Monday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMYTCGvxl1E . A university tradition for first year students that seemingly dates back to medieval days . Angus is always wary of such claims. Medieval often means concocted for the tourists in the fifties or in this case whenever shaving foam was invented. In the video it looks rather like the 1980's Malaga club scene transported to colder climes.
The town is already busy with visitors here to 'make a day of it ' and watch the student high jinks. The wee cafe that makes good coffee and which produces something an unfussy Frenchman might recognize as a croissant is already busy . Sophie has to share an outside table with a couple from Calgary and two students - she Scots, he German. They seem to be 'enjoying ' each others company. The couple from Calgary talk to Sophie. The two students are too busy to be aware of anything but each other. Sophie comes to the conclusion that there's no hope of Jaffa cakes there.
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15 comments:
Lisa in Tokyo here - recently, my comments are showing as posted by "Unknown" and I haven't figured out how to fix it yet, so this will probably be the same. Excellent puddles today, it's interesting how Sophie carefully evaluates various bodies of water - the ocean, the stream back in France - before deciding whether to plunge in, but puddles always seem to strike the right balance. I remember hearing about raisin day when we did the tour at St. Andrews - it sounded kind of icky (and kind of looks so as well). The article about extending the life of dogs was fascinating. It's reminded me of what's happened with parrots over the time we've had ours, mostly due to the scientists learning more about bird nutrition - when we acquired our Pionus parrot back in California in 1990, the outside expected lifespan was 20 years. She's now past 30 and getting ready for the move to France next year. I suppose that with dogs, just improving nutrition won't work, however.
The miner's lamp will be much in use these coming dark months. I hope it has rechargeable batteries!
Another good start to the day for Sophie - hope the croissant lived up to something approaching a mediocre French version!
The article about extending a dog's life is of special interest to me. Inca is 13 years old today, but sadly she's ailing. With the help of the vet and various medication we've kept her going for a few months, since she banged her head on the corner of the coffee table. The vet assures me she's in no pain, but the quality of life is missing now, and I fear I'll have to make that awful decision soon. Sadly, her eyesight is failing, her balance is uncertain, and there's a distressing hint of doggy dementia. She is, however eating well and still able to give visitors a warm welcome, and with slow progress manage at least one daily walk. It's a while since she's been on an outing and I'm hoping I can get her into the car shortly to take her down to the beach for a walk along the promenade and perhaps one last look at the sea. One of our favourite pastimes out of the tourist season.
Coppa G - The heart of every dog owner that visits this blog will go out to you. The days before an old friend heads off on a journey are beautiful and tearful in equal measure. A time to revisit old pleasures, laugh at past mischief and look out over the sea to adventures to come. Stay strong.
Our house sits beside a farm track used by many of the village dog walkers. We know we're in autumn when the early rising (and late walking) brigade are visible only as a head lamp on the path.
Ah Raisin Monday. I'm happy that my daughter survived it and had fun. The university Instagram page has posted recently about how to pace yourself if you're a "child" and how to look after your "children" if you're a "parent" in an academic family. Much advice about offering alcohol-free alternatives, planning in downtime, not harming property, fuelling up with carbs from the SU. Also taking warm clothes and then going for a hot drink if making the "children" go into the sea. Personally I wouldn't choose Raisin Monday for spectating in St Andrews, but maybe the Calgary folk are made of stern stuff.
Would Sophie enjoy a romp in the foam? Followed by a good rinse.
Hari OM
I echo Angus' response to you, CG... 11 years ago this week my Jade left me, but one never forgets those extra special final weeks. 🧡 YAM xx
It was 27 in Toulouse yesterday. People in summer clothes everywhere.
A Very Happy Birthday to Inca! I agree with Angus these final weeks are special and also hard. We've had 4 labs bless our lives, each one a gift. I hope you and Inca enjoy a wonderful day together at the beach.
Abby & Mom from Ohio
We took a trip to Scotland in 2016 and I just looked through the book we used to see we ate at Fritto and then had a coffee tower at Fisher and Donaldson. I remember the food as really good and in particular the pastries. Have I missed you having gone there?
So true. We ache for every dog as though they were ours. Doggy dementia especially heart breaking. That's what my Just Harry, my second Barkalot Boy, suffered from at 16. Gentle hugs to Inca.
Oh yes, Happy Birthday to Inca. May you girls get to celebrate Inca’s special day with a beach walk and a long look at the sea. My thoughts are with both of you.
We are loving where you are now! this is something that Sophie might like.
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/16/1129328505/eclipse-seattle-bus-riding-dog-park-dead
not the "dead" part - the "ride the bus to the dog park" part!
Kippy is still quite bouncy at age 10 though I do notice she trips more when doing zoomies and naps more often. Every day with her is treasured. Coopa’s girl, I hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating Incs’s birthday and she has many more days of happiness.
Happy Birthday, Miss Inca! The beach is my favorite place and I can't really ride that far in the car any more, but I take short walks and I love my food!
-Otto
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