le chateau St Julia de Bec

Superb dinner chez Rushton - apart from the selections from
the Sound of Music, South Pacific, whatever - good nosh, good
booze, good mates.

family lunch

Cousin Martin and family, Clare, Domenic and Johnie came to
lunch and we celebrated Martins birthday - albeit a little late -
and in the absence of a proper cake, with several small ones.



Smashing to see them; and we wandered by the river
where they used all those exercise posts that no-one
has ever used before, to my knowledge anyway.

what we did on our hols...

Yup, you got it - nothing.
It was great.

Below is the view from our hotel room.
That was great too.















A silver fish, a mackerel I think, swam under me.
Thats all that happened.
It was great.

exhibition virgins

Ian and Ashley were exhibiting
their photographs for the first time last night at a fine show at Espace d'Art in Rennes-les-Bains.

They both enjoyed the experience - Ian especially, after Mavis asked him to paint her one too.

cutest kid in the world

Theophilé and Margo
came overnight; Leo
joined us for dinner.


All we did was adore
Theo...

Cranes ahoy

The cranes arrived today... a darkening of the sky and an eerie
silence as they flew overhead. I reckon about 140 though I cant
count very well. Far more than when last spotted in 2004 though
less than in 2003, I think.
Marvelous to see them.

I had been afraid that they were all dead, its been such a long
time.

They returned to their usual spots, though the big chimney has
gone to make the new home for Alzhiemer suffers.


Tilling at twilight was covered in delighted tourists and residents
snapping away at the bemused birds.

If previous records are anything to go by, they take off tomorrow
morning rather late - about 10.00 am - having preened and farted
around a bit first. Off to Africa? I dunno, but downriver towards
the sea. Perhaps a holiday trip to the Med.

Anyway get up early to see them if you can - they're so BIG

new guardian

this redstart has taken over the guardian; slightly louche,
charmingly curious, very entertaining.
Anyone think of a name for him/her?