Balcony furniture in La Mongie

We are so happy with the bench Janet bought us, that we have bought pretty much the same for the balcony at La Mongie. Loving it!

We celebrated the new furniture with a meal out

The flies were bothering her so I put my hoody over her to protect her. Awww.

 ... and finally on to the new furniture. Here is a lifestyle shot of it (with Eclair)

Lovely

Awning!

We needed something to stop the sun broiling in on us as we sit on the sofa. It arrived just at the end of the heatwave so is here to serve us well through the rest of the summer. It is brilliant!

Katsu YUM (curry)

Found the Katsu scotch eggs in the depth of the freezer. Obvious thing to make was Katsu curry as nothing else matches up!

Yummy, yummy, YUMMY

Duck egg. YUM. Oh and bacon and waffle.

Okra

I think I was a little late planting them, but still hoping they will come to something before winter. As they apparently grow quickly there is a chance!

Short horse ride

Quick ride in the woods above our house. We haven't been out this year yet due to too many things to do and the horses having their normally dodgy feet.

Mmmm Tapas

Celebrating our Wedding Anniversary with tapas.
We have been married 11 years and together 24. Long time! But still, we have to celebrate somehow.

All really yum!

Tour de France

This gave me a different view on to the Tour de France. Lots of people spending so long away from home that they need a washer dryer on their giant lorry. It made me visualise the number of people travelling round the country for so long - even through for us it is just a couple of days as it passed through Bangneres and then close to La Mongie

Rob and kangaroo

All kinds of weird vehicles in the caravan. This also made me think as these people have driven the whole distance the cyclists go. In some ways easier of course as they have an engine, but some of them wave and throw gifts the whole way which must be pretty darn hard work too.

We met this really cute little girl who through that Poppy should be a rabbit with ears from this foam hand. Poppy didn't see to mind. On the whole she doesn't think much of children, I think she thinks they are a bit freakish, but this one she liked.

Visit to Scotland

It is hard to get away from the animals for long, so neither of us have been 'home' to Scotland for 10 years. It was super super super exciting to make a flying visit. 

It took 4 people to look after all the animals and land while we were gone for 5 days!

Leaving France (which is now our home, we hope to be naturalised sometime soon)

Doug's mum's house in Dollar. Not the house he grew up in, as it as his grans house then.

 Janet's garden

Also Janet's garden in a way. This is Cowden Garden near Dollar. Well worth a visit.

We ate a LOT while in Scotland as there are various local delicacies we miss. This is fish and chips at the Inn in Muckhart. Yum!

Then on to St.Andrews

The West Sands

The Castle

This was one of my favorite shops when young

... but this was my very very favorite (Fisher and Donaldson). These frogs are good

 ... but not as good as fudge donuts!!!!

... or as petticoat tails

We checked out the flat. This is the view from the front window. Complex as I lived here with my mum when young and my dad bought it off her and we visited it many times once I had left home.

Nice stairs up to the flats above

View from out the front of the flat

Sea gulls! In some ways I love their noise as it reminds me of my childhood, but in others I hate them as they are so noisy so early in the morning.

The flat doesn't look much from the outside, bit tardis really. It is just two little windows in this pic

I had never realised these are fibreglass!

Go Ian!

Still real fishing going on from the harbour

Flats overlooking the harbour still ugly but enviable

View from the end of the pier pretty impressive

Walk carefully on the harbour wall

This is the 'green shed' where I renovated several sailing dinghys.

The sailing club

View of the cathedral

Dave and Ian in the cafe where allegedly Kate and Wills met.

 The Castle Sands

Dave and Ian

On the West Sands

With Ian and Dave on the West Sands

View from the Old Course

Computer Science department where Michael worked. So many memories

The Vic. Called The Victoria Cafe when I was young. Where I had my first pub served alcoholic drink (orange juice and vodka).

Crispy duck

MMMMMmmmmm

The Whey Pat where I had my first pint of Guinness.