JINGLE BELLS..........

Picked Bob up Friday, after watching the weather, Airport and RyanAir websites praying the snow wouldn't make an appearance, he arrived on time as we got in the car it was starting to snow quite hard but soon turned to rain Thank goodness.

We have had a lovely, quite, relaxing Christmas so far..... two days of chocolate and not much else, it has been bitter cold so after a morning of blowing moles up we slob out in the afternoon playing with our Xmas presents and thank goodness for Skype its great being able to chat to South Africa and the UK on Christmas day and Boxing day

Sister is on her way and I hope she has packed enough warm clothes and replaced her open toe sandels with wellies, they are in for a big shock when they land in the UK.

Off to Ikea tomorrow for a new wardrobe well that's the plan god knows what we will come back with......packet of candles no doubt!!

FIRST........

Christmas Dinner, which was excellent really enjoyed it, especially because I risked my life to get it. The Horse Groups Xmas bash had been on/off because snow was forcast so when they said yes its on I set off to Di's in a flurry of snow which was settling on the roads and decided I would stay over.....off we went and by the time we had stuffed our face it had turned into rain and felt considerably warmer......or so I thought!!!!! I decided to go home, the road from la coquille to Jumilhac was quite bad and there is a steep and twisting climb and it was covered in snow I just put my foot down and stayed in the middle of the road.....round the bend 1 car in the ditch 1 hanging over the edge and 2 cars stopped, but a gap in the middle which I headed for and kept going, after that it's mostly down hill but it took me ages to do that stretch and was happy to have made it home!

Bob arrived home on friday and he has had three lovely days...Blue skies a big yellow sun but quite nippy. We went for a long walk with Molly on Saturday to our favorite place and we all piled into the pickup to give it a run out Happy Days!!

I dont know why but moles send me into a rage and we seem to have a million of the bloody things, my garden is going to disappear into one big hole followed by the house. I use all the spoil for my veggie plot and new beds but it's a never ending mess and the more I clear them away the more pop up........SO we bought the bomb gizzmo that blows the blooooody things up, its gone off once and hey presto nothing for a day, its set up with a bucket over so molly and the chooks don't touch it......I have a horrible feeling they are going to get me back!

Thank goodness all the reality programmes have finished I feel I have been a slave to the television, most of it has been crap, the only excellent viewing has been Coronation Streets 50 years celebration and live episode which was FAN...TAS...TIC I have grown up with this programme and cannot believe its age.....Oooops do I mean my age!

ZERO......

Big fat one.............Not done a thing all week the weather has been SHITE......Snow, cold and misarable, missed 2 pilates sessions, Hair being cut and coloured, its looking long scraggy and a big brown stripe down the centre and a meal out!!

SNOW..........

What did I say in my last post...."hope it dosn't snow" well it has! remind me to keep my big gob shut. It started last night and this morning we had a good deep covering. Molly absolutely loved it and went like a mental thing all around the house she could not find ickle ball because it was lost in the snow so out came big ball and off she went.  I was suitable rugged up complete with bobble hat when big ball landed at my feet....big intake of air...... KICK....... down I went flat out on my back in the snow, I lay there laughing so much.

If you come near my ball I will av yer

Big mistake chook

Naughty Molly

WHOOSH..........

And the week has gone........Picked Bob up on Friday and like a child I was jumping up and down for him to get the new freesat box set up which was a priority......all done and what a difference! I could not care less about picture quality as long as I can make out the figures and hear what they are saying  BUT it is very clear and sharp even without me glasses.

An extra surprise was the new Take That CD.....First listen not sure too much Mark Owen for me......Second listen Yeh like this one and that one......Really quite like it now.

All flights for Christmas and the January crew are booked, I hope it does not snow and I cannot get to the airport!!!

GIANT...... great tit in field

Tits on the feeder

NEWS WEEK.........

Some good NEWS this week sister and brother in law from SA will be coming over to the UK this Christmas and will try and fit in a visit to France in January..........When its cold and will most probable be snowing, I did inform her of this fact but she said "thats what we are hoping for" All very well when its 38 degrees and you have just had a skinny dipping session in the pool.

NEWS from Wales regarding Nookie...........He went to a dressage competition  at the weekend and came 2nd in one class with 63% and 2nd again with 66% Bless his little cotton socks, it's been 10 weeks since he left France and I really did not expect him to be strutting his stuff so quick.  It was held at the local EC and appart from making the big mistake of taken 2 horses who sound as if they have bonded like glue, Rita was thrilled!!!

Best NEWS of all......... Bob home on Friday with hopefully a new sky box/freestat box any bloody box that lets me watch more channels than just ITV1 I really am a tele fan and I don't think I could manage NO tele especially at night....Thank goodness it stuck on ITV!!!

RAIN...........

It has not stopped raining for at least a week.....It seems like forever but it's only been a week. The pond has stayed at a constant level, thank goodness it has not turned into a lake, the surrounding area is another matter it looks like a bog. Poor Molly has been wet and then blow dried every day!!

Today has been beautiful, sunshine with warmth to it and dry, so lots of washing on the line and the windows opened.  Then it was into the garden filling the beds with horse poo, I have no horses and I am still shovelling shit.

The front drive gate was fitted this morning and very nice it looks......another project finished! "NEXT"

pond with overflow pipe

CATCH UP...........

Di called round on Friday, for one reason or another we have not had lunch for quite a while so after a survey of the pond and lots of none stop catch up we had a nice...NO bloody good!! Thai chicken curry all cooked by my own fair hand ;-) and some yummy Hagan Daz ice cream.

It does not matter what beautiful part of the world you live in......... when its cold grey and pouring with rain its just gawd dam ugly....Thank goodness for Strictly come Dancing......X Factor....Downton Abbey and Spooks, Invite for birthday nibbles and bubbles and  a wedding celebration meal next week......ROLL ON CHRISTMAS.

DON'T LIKE IT...........

The mess caused by digging a ditch.....the pipe has been laid and a pond shape has been dug out. We now have to wait to see where the water level is, the topsoil is being scraped off and some dips being filled in, then in spring it will be levelled, power harrowed and re-seeded......sounds very impressive but it just looks like a black muddy mess to me!!

Finished putting log rolls round my veggie plot and its been cleaned up for winter, I have dug a border in front of the wall and will fill it with bulbs.

pond......filling up

ditch and pipe

boys & their toys

AUTUMN.........

Playing...... "Find the ball"

Liquid Amber

A lovely autumn day very windy leaves blowing everywhere.

IT'S A HARD LIFE.........

But someone has to do it..........Sue one of the ladies from fit club asked if I fancied a trip to Thivers market and lunch out on Saturday, it took all of 2 seconds to think about it!! I have never been to the market there so off we went, we had a good look round but purchased nothing. Went for a coffee  then found the language school that I have been thinking of going to so now I know where it is, then it was decisions...decisions where to go for lunch we ended up in Brantome and had a smashing very french chomping session at a place I have never been, we had 5 courses and a coffee for 12 euros!!! It really is a hard life.

Rain.... lots of rain today the grass is soooo green should be able to start planting some bulbs with the ground getting softer.

DISAPPOINTMENT............

After visiting the Horse fair on Sunday I had a good idea of what I wanted but with winter approaching I am in no hurry to burden myself, when lo and behold an advert appeared......two ponies looking for new home they looked perfect a Shetland and  a bigger pony......two phone calls two e-mails and a promise they would get back to me NOTHING  It's not meant to be.

Mr Frosty knickers appeared this morning everywhere white and crisp but it ended up being a lovely day which spurred me on to tidy the garden.

French class started this month and I am deciding whether I should try elsewhere, we may have to move up a class because there is lack of beginners. This weeks lesson I was on my own and although it was full on and I didn't get chance to draw breath it was quite enjoyable with no pounding head at the end of it. It doesn't matter where I go if your thick..... your thick!!!!

PONIES.........

Had a trip to St Yreiex horse fair yesterday with Val, it was very chilly and we had a quick look round. Not very busy at all, there was the usual....Shetlands, donkeys, riding types a couple of real big heavy workers and tied up a few stalls away from everything else a grey stallion that was soooo pretty and looked in really good nick,

In fact apart from some longish feet and a Shetland that looked as though it had ringworm there was no horror stories.  We ambled to the back and watched some poor things being ridden and then we watched the funniest thing.....A couple with child in buggy, man leading a miniature Shetland went to the car (hatcback) popped child and buggy in the back moved some shopping around popped Shetland in off they went........Hope they didn't have far to go. My thoughts were I could get two of those in my car !!

LAZY DAYS........

Had a really lazy week.....Heaven!!!! The late summer sun is slowly saying goodbye and its getting cooler, we are in for some rain and I need to plant some bulbs but the ground is hard and dry.

The herons have been flying back over, they are the bearers of winter and the announcers of spring...............I dread to think what sort of winter we are going to have.

LAST OF THE SUMMER CIDER.........

We have had a busy old week...... Bob has officially reached his bus pass age which he reckons he is claiming as soon as!! Julie and Christian arrived so it was just a small family gathering, we had planned to go out for a meal Saturday night but in the afternoon we called on some friends with windfall apples for cider making and of course we had to sample last years vintage so when it suddenly became dusk and rather worse for wear we ended up having fish and chips and went out for Sunday Lunch instead.

The weather has been perfect and for once we didn't have anything pressing to get on with......not for long!!! We had a trip out to the nursery and bought some more trees and shrubs, Bob spied a weeping willow which he thinks would look great in our boggy bit at the front, but I am worried about the roots so we left it behind and bought 3 cypress totems, placed them down the drive and very nice they look.......back to the boggy bit, we are now having a ditch dug out down the middle to the bottom and a pond established so he can have his weeping willow.  Ivan called and cut all the rough grass and Bob cut back all the brambles and trees there is a natural bowl shape there and some banking on one side will need doing....Where did a pond come from!!!!

Molly soooo loves men

Everyone left late Sunday so I had two lots of goodbyes at the airport and the day felt like a mid winter day grey and wet

AIR BAGS........

Another super boot camp on Tuesday and Thursday, we have a really nice group going and although it can be very hard work we do have a good giggle as well. We all have names.....Debs idea!!! she came up with most of them as she has a tremendous sense of humour
Private Entry......Marti
Private Parts......Debs
that's the sort of mind she has, feeling very left out she said she would think of something for me.

the girls suggested this......who needs friends!

In Tuesdays class we were introduced to some new moves and the "diving swan" I was quite good at, in fact I was the only one who got it, much to the hilarity of the others and the only reason I succeeded was because of my bust!!!!........ they acted as AIR BAGS and Private Air Bags joined the ranks.

FIRE!!!!..........

First one lit.........Which means it must be cold.....Cold means winter.  Me and Molls went for a really nice walk today, I had a fleece on and when we returned an hour later it was decidedly chilly, the fire was all made up so I lit it, the first smell of logs burning is gorgeous and we have snuggled down to watch Spooks.

STORM...........

We had a humdinger of a storm last night, I was happily browsing the web when a flash of lightening and a clap of thunder saw me leaping in the air to unplug all the appliances, as I was reaching for the telephone plug I was sure we had been hit, thankfully not Pheeeew. The thunder shook the house and Molly was under the pillows very unusual for her, then the rain came....we did need it.


Fit club this morning followed by hair cut and colour and an offer to go riding on a fjord in a western saddle which I had a little sit on......very comfy. The offer I have accepted and look forward to a hack out......Yee Haw.

BOOT CAMP.........

cheers!!

ATTENTION........!!!!

All the girls from boot camp went for nibbles and bubbles to say goodbye to Simone, she is moving back to the UK at the end of the month, her 7 horses have arrived safe and sound and are now residing on a hillside in Wales. We had a good night and I arrived home very late a bit worse for wear from drinking bubbles all night.

PAINTING..........

Bob left me to paint the small,longish wall at the front of the house.....No problem!!! What a mission and a faff cleaning brushes and rollers. It has taken me two days and I know now Bob will give it another coat. My wrist hurts my back hurts and I am splattered with paint, I think that's the end of painting for me!

My fields are looking better a small amount of grass is coming through but.....they look bare and need some equines. I will bide my time till the right ones turn up.

We are having some idyllic weather, blue Sky's warm sun and no wind it is a lot cooler at night, walking molls out at midnight the stars are fabulous and the only sound is the stags bellowing.

FIT CLUB..........

Is a group of Silly Billys doing pilates and cardio vascular exercises in a small house in France twice a week, its good fun and I am enjoying the crack, my only concern is my overwhelming desire to stuff my face when I get home under the delusion that I have just burned loads of calories and need to replace them.

Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine it is quite difficult, especially when you get the muscle burn and I cannot get my legs into some of the positions.....This I blame on my mother, inflicting us with short sturdy legs I am sure they will come in useful for something but at the moment they are a hindrance!!

NOOKIE UPDATE......

Nookie hacking out on the main road to Cardiff Airport.

He Has been on two lessons, been naughty about going in the trailer, quick phone call with instructions on how to load him.....Sorted!

This week Rita is on holiday so she is taking him here, there and everywhere before the nights draw in as riding will be weekends only in winter. She seems to be really getting to grips and enjoying him which is all I could ask for.

LINDA'S VISIT.............

I seemed to be playing catch up on my blog I have been to busy to put fingers on keys and the whole point of a blog for me is to record our new life in France.

I had a surprise visit from Linda last week......I did know she was coming it was arranged very quick. What a lovely time we had. It has been 6yrs since I worked for Linda in a small grotty shop in the centre of Rochdale this is the same Rochdale that tops the lists for the most unemployed....drug takers....benefit cheats...and immigrants living there, it's better features are a magnificent Hotel de ville....Gracie Fields....Cyril Smith........I am sure there must be more!!

We had our own brand of customer service and if she had installed a web cam she would of been a millionaire. I had the best five years of employment even though it didn't seem like it at the time.

We have talked and reminisced, visited all the usual places, been swimming, walking, car boots, pretty villages, eating out, and a little agricultural show.

Rural France is the other side of the coin to Thailand were Linda spends three months of the year....We have sat to the early hours with tales of the den of inequity that is Walking street. I hope she enjoyed her time here and the fact that she couldn't get to grips with "were is everybody" didn't freak her out to much LOL.

END OF SUMMER...........

The weather has been lovely for the last couple of weeks but there is a definite chill in the air at night, the nights are drawing in and the leaves are tumbling from the trees, today is grey and the first rain in ages is falling......all over my uncovered logs, Bob home tomorrow but could it wait one more day NO!!!

Sunday was spent at the pool, the last of the visitors went on Saturday, so we had a nice morning cleaning up then into the pool, Molly loves it she had a good 3 hours running around and swimming we got home and I watched Burghley HT on the tele, Molly slept till tea time HEAVEN!

LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE..........

That's how I would describe our newly painted house it sure does stand out! Bob has worked so hard on his vacances and the weather seemed to be against him it either rained or was so hot! the paint was sliding off. I do love lemon drizzle cake!

I made him take a few days off and we ventured out to Sarlat and Domme again. I was the tourist guide as we had a 2hr wait for the petit train so decided against it.

He has returned with the car this trip and has a long list of stuff to bring back so as I waved him off he looked quite eager to get back to work....... Bless!!

PROVENCE..........3

The reason for our visit to Provence was to visit the factory of L'Occitane en Provence (French pronunciation: [lɔksiˈtan ɑ̃ pʁɔvɑ̃s]) is an international retailer of body, face, and home products based in Manosque. The company was founded in 1976 by Olivier Baussan with the purpose to create a company that celebrates and preserves the traditions of his native Provence. L’Occitane means “the woman from Occitania”

Inspired by his childhood in Provence, the 23-year-old Olivier Baussan decided to recreate the traditions of his region. After purchasing a steam distiller, a relic from the past, Olivier harvested wild rosemary and produced pure Rosemary essential oil. He sold this essential oil at local markets, this all-natural product was quickly embraced by villagers and L'OCCITANE was born. I think I could do your training for you H

We had a fabulous and informative tour of the factory which was very modern we tested some of the lotions and potions and spent the rest of the day in the staff shop buying lots of goodies....my favorites have been the hand cream, the almond and pomme facial scrub and the verbena shampoo Mmmmmm they all smell yummy and I now have a L'Occitaine pamper day every week.

I THINK HE IS SETTLED......

Latest pictures of Nookie how happy he looks. I am so pleased that Rita is getting on with it! She is going to have a lot of fun with him.

RANDOMS.......

some random photos taken on a day out to Domme and my harvest so far I have grown some delicious melons don't quite know how I have managed it.

Its been a mad 10days painting poor Bob is still at it.... if its moved he has painted it!!

Having a couple of really hot days not much done in the afternoon...we have had two bbq's and they have been really good we took on board the SA lessons from last year.

KNIGHTRIDER...........

Yee Haw Look at ME!!!!

First pic of Nookie having a ball in wales

HAPPY HOLIDAYS........

Bob home on Tuesday and it was straight round to castarama for paint which we had tinted a very different colour to our salmon house........PRIMROSE!! chosen by Bob because he wanted a change so I just went with the flow, he has already finished the back of the house and we keep standing back to admire his brave choice.....it really does look nice and fresh.

Had our lunch at Flunch today, we had a quick trip to leroy Merlin and Brico dept because it looked like rain so no painting.

Update on Nookie....He was shod for the first time in 2yrs on Tuesday and although the abscess's had made a mess of his hoof the farrier said he has good feet and it sounds like he has done a bit of cosmetic work on it, sometime this week he will be lunged to see how he copes and hopefully some pictures.

NO..........

telephone line or computer all bloody weekend.....I have been fraught with worry trying to keep track of Nookie's whereabouts, sister-in-law had to top up my English mobile for me which I have not used for ages and only keep it for the telephone numbers stored on it, next purchase shall be a good old fashioned telephone book!!!!

Nookie travelled well and arrived in Wales safe and sound, he has been turned out with two others and after a little pecking order discussion he has settled down well, he has towed SIL twice down to the field much to my surprise!! tee hee, she is not fazed by it and will sort him out I think its just excitement! he will be shod and started in work as soon as abscess foot allows.

Its so good to hear the excitement in her voice lets hope it doesn't turn to despair or he will be back on the bus to France.

I read a book over the weekend....Denis Welch's Pulling myself together. The story of her life and living with depression I find it hard to read a book but she is very current and full of gossip so I managed to get past the first page and finish it

Bob home tomorrow for two weeks thank goodness. He has his head set on painting house, windows, doors WHY!! I am going to try and get him to take me away for a few days for my birthday......pigs might fly!

SAD DAY.......

Feeling very sad today.....looking across an empty field. Have lots to do but not now it can all wait.

The transport company picked Nookie up from mine about 4ish and went over to Debs to rest them for the night, his first trip was very short indeed. I went over with passports, saddle and a goodie box for Rita. On the wagon were 4 beautiful thoroughbreds, unhandle, bad mannered, very frightened pets 2 mares 2 geldings, Nookie was a star and lead them off and back on the wagon, they left for the UK at 5.30 this morning and I will be glad when I get the call to say he has arrived safe and sound.

BYE BYE NOOKIE................

A lovely horse is always an experience….. It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

MESSING ABOUT.........

With my new camera, no time to read instructions life's to short!!

PROVENCE.....PART 2

It's hard to do justice to the unique splendour of Roussillon.

You can say that there are 17 shades of ochre daubed across the houses of the village, drawn from the palette of the old ochre quarry next door.

But that doesn't do justice to the flamboyant, technicolor glory of Roussillon, the reds, yellows, oranges and pinks that merge one into the other as you wander around the spiralling streets. Or the stunning contrast of the green of the pine trees or the blue sky against the red cliffs.

Why ochre?

The official story...
The ochre of Roussillon is there because of a complicated story to do with the fact that many millions of years ago the Luberon was at the bottom of the sea, and now it isn't.

The colour is caused by the mineral goethite (named after the German writer Goethe, who was a keen mineralogist), but just why it causes so many different shades is unknown.

Roussillon was our base and we stayed at a lovely hotel.

Bonnieux is one of the most impressive Luberon villages, probably the largest, with plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from, artisan shops, lodging options, and even a bank!

The view from Bonnieux is wonderful, out across the valley floor with its patchwork of orchards and vineyards, towards the equally picturesque perched village of Lacoste across the Vaucluse plateau.

Goult is perhaps the least known and visited of the villages in the Petit Luberon. Perhaps because it isn't really visible from afar, like its more photogenic cousins, but certainly not because it isn't worth visiting. It's a little jewel of a village, with a very pleasant atmosphere, a good café on the main square, and a 'hidden' and beautifully preserved old neighbourhood.

If the Luberon were a country, Gordes would be its capital. This is the Parthenon of Provence, an imposing edifice born of stone that has always attracted its share of attention because it is just so good-looking.
Inevitably, Gordes is officially one of The Most Beautiful Villages in France.

The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque is a lovely medieval Cistercian abbey that is one of the best places to see Provence's famed lavender fields. Founded in 1148 and once again populated by Cistercian monks, the peaceful abbey welcomes visitors and provides overnight retreats.

WEDDING............

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

R&L back from visiting their daughter in the south of France only to find French air traffic control on strike so they had an extra day and on Wednesday went to FR for a meal.

Picked Bob up Friday and bless him he had bought me a new camera for missing our anniversary.......the tickets for the cruise he had hidden well!!

The wedding we enjoyed very much we had a drink before the service in Jumilhac church which lasted about 30mins not too bad, then it was outside for more drinks and a buffet, apparently it was a two day affair!! The bride spoke very good English as did the photographer so we had a good chat and felt more at ease.

Bob back to UK Tuesday and will be back in two weeks for his annually holidays which he has already earmarked for painting......I wonder when we are going cruising??

No photos still struggling with how to upload them.....maybe its a good thing as I have taken so many crap pictures of everything and anything.......SORTED

NEW GATES.........

New gates are all finished and we are having one at the bottom of the drive to replace the metal one so at least they are all matching.

Got a new camera and I dont seem to be able to upload my photo's in the words of my sister WHAT A MISSION

OUR DAYS IN PROVENCE...........

19th JUNE

We set off early Saturday morning with our mapped out route that Bob had gone through with us the night before............ Michael Bubbles CD on singing merrily along when about an hour into the trip we seemed to have gone wrong LOL. No problem we will go and visit Rocamadour. I had been here about 3o years ago so was pleased to be making a return visit.

Rocamadour is on the eastern edge of the area, across the border from the Dordogne into the Lot department. Rocamadour, in the Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy, Rocamadour, though small, is amazing for its location, it is built on the edge of a cliff, with the river Alzou below at the bottom of the gorge. Many of the buildings are cut into the rock.

Off again on our new route......we do like an adventure.... we went over a new suspension bridge which we had been told about but we don't know were it was !!

Found it.....This bridge is the world's highest road bridge. Opened in January 2005, it spans the valley of the River Tarn, a 2.5 km wide gorge dividing two plateaux in France's rugged Massif Central. Part of the motorway from Paris to Barcelona, it enables motorists to drive through the sky, often above the clouds.

The Millau bridge crosses the Tarn valley at its lowest point, linking the causse du Larzac to the causse rouge. The bridge is within the perimeter of the Grands Causses regional natural park.



We sort of went Rodez, Arles, Avignon, we did a nice sight seeing trip in Avignon and got slightly lost again but that's the fun.

We arrived in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse It is a medieval village tucked in a "closed valley" at the southwestern corner of the mountainous Plateau de Vaucluse, 25 km east of Avignon. It is ancient, it's interesting, and it's worth a visit. A key feature of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is the truly amazing and unique sight of a river gushing up out of the ground.

A much needed supper was had sat by a waterwheel, realising the time we had to try and find accommodation something we should of done earlier and maybe a ditch would never have featured....... tee hee!!

FIREWORKS........

To celebrate Bastille Day......went down to jumilhac to watch the display and very good it was too had a couple of drinks then walked back

BBQ'S.........

Been to two in as many nights......... had a lovely impromptu supper on Monday, then on Tuesday went to R & L after a dip in the pool.

Nookie seems OK and I am still tubbing his foot morning and evening. I have been giving him a small net of the new hay whilst he is confined to the far field.......The chucks go straight over to him as soon as I let them out and stay most of the afternoon over there........ 4th egg this morning quite big!

25 YEARS.........

Happy Anniversary Darling Bob.

We cannot really claim 25 years together.........but it seems like it LOL.

We both always forget this day for some reasons, not this year but we did have to make a decision that we wanted to go to the French wedding in two weeks and he could't be home for both.

BIG PRESENT ARRIVING SOON !!!!!!

200 BALES OF HAY.........

collected today...........it was sooooo hot we started at 11.00 and I finally crawled into the house at 8.30 KNACKERED had a long shower then sat down for supper about 10ish we managed to get 100 bales into one stable and another 50 in one of the garages and the rest is stored at viale. I was throwing the last bales in just as the havens opened.

Well that's a big job done, it's such a good feeling having hay for another year!!!

QUICK TRIP.......

Bob home for a few days which was nice we needed a tyre for the car to replace the spare which was used on a puncture I had last week, I had to do a damsel in distress act whilst Uncle Frank did his part and between us we got a very nice french man to change the tyre for us we were immobile for about 45mins not bad to say we were on the outskirts of a village and it was 12.30....... the sort of adventures you can do without.

Nookies abscess has returned with a vengeance Dr Venetz came out yesterday, he had cut a lot of hoof away when he decided it was too deep, he had a swelling on his coronet band so he lanced that and it released it somewhat, he then had a tetanus jab and I am tubbing his foot morning and evening it is actually very clean and by tonight he was walking so much better.

200 small bales of hay ordered................nowhere to put it, I think Bob will object to it going in the spare bedroom!!!

DRESSAGE AT POMPADOUR..........

Had a lovely day today at the dressage cheering on the Brits, overcast in the morning so ideal weather to watch the tests then it got hot in the afternoon so went and watched the working in whilst eating fritz with mayo, chocolate crepe and a freshly squeezed orange juice in the shade. No pictures forgot my camera Poo!

Judy Harvey whom I used to watch give lessons in Carlise to a very talented Ruth Edge came 5th on Fitzcerraldo the class was won by Jade De MV ridden beautifully by Castilla Ruiz Claudio from Spain whom I saw later in the schooling area bareback with halter and rope just chilling how refreshing to see! Ellen Bodenkemp on Donner Hit also rode beautiful. The Germans working in was a joy to watch unfortunately cannot say the same for the Dutch!!!!

I used to love schooling, not one for hacking out never liked it never will, just a means to an end but schooling has a real sense of achievement, I think i got it wrong for 95% of the time but I did experience some magical moments and if I'd been in a competition I would have won LOL.

I am glad I can go and enjoy watching without the feeling of wanting to DO IT I think my riding days are well and truly OVER!!

MEMORIES........

Hautefort: Chateau will return here to visit the gardens
Sarlat: Restaurants galore, beautiful old buildings you can shop till you drop
Domme: Fabulous views, so many chateau's, steep hill, another petit train ride, typical tourists

Bob arrived home to look after the animals and he stained the pergola!!!

Next stop PROVENCE