So here we are again its now the 2nd September 2013, and the picture above reflects some of the people, places, events and animals who have made my life here so much better over the last 3 years.  There will be more be warned.

We are now into I think the seventh week, if not more of no good amount of rain.  There are no complaints from me however as the land is being maintained to a small extent by the sheep.

I will post later on the pictures I have taken of them together with the new castrated ram Jo who is rather wonderful.

I really must press on with the housework and gardening as Caleb is due back this evening to recommence school tomorrow - he has a been away from here for 3 days (helping his mum house sit for a friend).  Ah well it has taken a time for me to get back on but there you go.

I will write some more this evening when Caleb is in bed - perhaps.

Friday 10 September 2010

1. All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same

rights to existence.

2. All animals are entitled to respect. Humanity as an animal species

shall not arrogate to itself the right to exterminate or exploit

other species. It is humanity's duty to use its knowledge for the

welfare of animals. All animals have the right to the attention,

care, and protection of humanity.

3. No animals shall be ill-treated or be subject to cruel acts.

4. All wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural

environment, whether land, air, or water, and should be allowed to

procreate. Deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is

an infringement of this right.

5. Animals of species living traditionally in a human environment

have the right to live and grow at the rhythm and under the

conditions of life and freedom peculiar to their species. Any

interference by humanity with this rhythm or these conditions for

purposes of gain is an infringement of this right.

6. All companion animals have the right to complete their natural

life span. Abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.

7. Animal experimentation involving physical or psychological

suffering is incompatible with the rights of animals, whether it be

for scientific, medical, commercial, or any other form of research.

Replacement methods must be used and developed.

8. No animal shall be exploited for the amusement of humanity.

Exhibitions and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with

their dignity.

9. Any act involving the wanton killing of the animals is biocide,

that is, a crime against life.

10. Any act involving the mass killing of wild animals is genocide,

that is, a crime against the species. Pollution or destruction of the

natural environment leads to genocide.

Author Unknown

I saw this on another blog today and had to put it here - reasons are:

Dear Miss Millie had her eye removed 10 days ago after we took a second opinion from a good vet. The original accident was our fault but the treatment meated out to MM was inadequate if not down right negligent. The fact of the matter is that if I had not had the intelligence to contact the Blind Dogs Association on Yahoo I would not have known what to do - thank God for the internet. They have been a tremendous support mechanism as has my daughter and husband and some friends - other friends just seemed to see it as a chance to sort out my life for me - strange way of helping I thought.

Anyway enough of that Miss Millie is doing so well no that she is out of danger - her sense of humour and stubborness have come back and she took Jessica down to the lakes yesterday and brought her back up to the house. She is currently mapping her way around the property and becoming a real handful again.

Caleb went back to school and is horrified that he has to do homework (I am only 5 and a half nana I am not prepared). Here you inspect their books each evening and correct their mistakes and he had to sign a contract of rules regarding behaviour (as each child does in France) and this was countersigned by his mother.

Jess is still on the look for a horse and may very well have found one - hooray. She is off this afternoon for a riding lesson bless her and the lovely Mike (yes I do mean that) has taken her.

Mike is fighting wasps nests, hornets nests and barn roofs for a pastime at the moment and I am getting ready for another exhibition which was sneakily sprung on me damn it.

We are all looking forward to seeing Phil and Gemma next week and I must press on as I now have to vacuum.

Miss Millie

Well its the 25th of August and unfortunately Miss Millie has had another two incidents with her eye and after consultation with the vet it looks as though she may very well loose the sight of her remaining good eye.

I am now looking into retraining for her and us so that she has a good life without sight. Everyone is really upset but we will manage and there are so many good websites with very useful information and as long as she can be alive and happy without sight then this is what will be. Day by day again as is normal for living here I'm afraid.

Another day another surprise

Here we all are together just 5 weeks ago lets hope we get to take another happy picture soon.

Well Millie decided to role over this morning and take a layer of skin off her damaged eye. Vets in the afternoon.

I went to the dentist and came out in a state of shock 1,416.80 euros for two crowns - no bloody way. Its just 600 euros for each crown - in the UK £300 fitted. Here they want to saw off my teeth remove nerve and root canal and then insert metal (not gold I might add) posts at the cost of 202 euros per tooth - oh and they have to do both even though one is not loose. After much rooting around on the internet I found out why they need to do the two and saw off the teeth - if they try to remove the tooth where the crown is set so well it will snap the tooth off.

Everything I have read is contradictory to what they want to do so I will be holding off until I get further advice.

Millie came to the vets with me and Caleb and now has to increase treatment to 8 times a day with eye washes in between - here is hoping that its successful. Of course I had to burst into tears in the vets (who was rather shirty with me) and blubber "monsieur j'adore la chien". He rubbed my arm rather embarrassed and said she has been lucky so far I am sure she will be okay. Its so sad to see her - but hey her appetite is back and today the lovely Danny (ginger cat) came to see her and she greeted him in her usual manner - no you do not want to know - lhasa's can be confused.

Jess is making a late supper, Caleb is starving and Mike will not eat this late oh dear here we go again.

August where has it gone

This is a picture taken by Michael of Kerghennec a local chateaux (contemporary art exhibitions are held here).

So its the 22 August (a Sunday). Well after a hectic painting spree at the end of July the young French visitor arrived to stay for 2 weeks for practice in English conversation. Nice young man - difficult circumstances for him as his parents and siblings could speak very good English but were unable to hold conversations with him in said language - least said soonest mended. We took him on beach trips and local chateaux trips and to the zoo and he enjoyed his time with us and Caleb improved his French.

Now I have my oldest friend's daughter and her boyfriend staying for a short holiday which is much more enjoyable - just 4 days - but of course they brought English weather with them. Any way Caleb is enjoying the company. On the day they arrived my front cap (on my teeth) finally gave up the ghost and collapsed and I now have to find out how much it will cost to replace here.

Jess has been on a horse hunt and may hopefully have found a lovely mare who is a Percheron/Spanish cross of 6 years of age (I think) and is just what she is looking for. We were all very sad to see Zeus return to his winter home in Moreac but hope to have him back in the Spring as a companion for the new arrival. Mike had a whisky, I had a good blubber and Jess was very good. Riley the donkey is now with a dear friend of ours and having the life of - yes - Riley. He has a goat for company and only sings 2 or 3 times a day.

Jess has been helped in her horse hunt by a very good friend of ours who gave up valuable time and very sensible suggestions - Claire and her daughter Heidi have been a really great help indeed.

Yesterday evening my dear lhasa apso decided to leap excitedly at Poppies face as they were going out to have a pee (Poppy is one of the other dogs). Poppy hates this and bit Milly - unfortunately catching her only seeing eye - Jess took her straight to the vet and if we are extremely lucky she will be okay but its very sad - Jess is applying eye drops religiously and we can only hope for the best.

Well its time for bed lots to do tomorrow.

Sunday 31 July 2010 23.07

Well we managed, Mike and I, to decorate the hall, the entrance foyer and doors and jambs and the place looks rather good. Necessary to next decorate the front room.

The donkey is going to move to a new home as soon as possible and is all in all just a sad little chap who needs constant company - donkeys are not meant to be alone.

Our French guest arrived today with his parents - what extremely nice people and Antoine is absolutely sweet and we are really taken with him as his attitude is so lovely and we hope to be able to build his confidence in speaking English over the next 2 weeks. Caleb has been great with him - wonderful new person to play games with - and so has Jess and Mike. Thankfully our good friends Claire and her daughter Heidi were able to come over and help with any necessary translation.

Well I am absolutely knackered and am going to bed. Have made a decision after seeing a very good exposition of quilts in Rostrenen with dear friend Nicola that I will make for my close friends and family from now on as I am finding it rather defeating at the moment to make and not sell items. We are hoping to join the association of quilters as there is a lot of really good work being done and it will be lovely to be able to use some of my hoard of materials.

Is this not the best way to spend an afternoon and early evening - yes. I did paint the 2nd coat on two of the doors before I left for the beach with the family and just have the other side to do tomorrow.

Really must press on with the work though and can only hope that I get it finished in time. I just love watching the children on the beach - one young family with the grandmother were having the best of times and the little toddler (a boy) just could not be kept out of the water no matter how many times he fell in. I love the way the people say bon appetite just as you are about to stuff your face silly and a man held a crab for Caleb to pick up and told him how to hold it - such patience for an unknown child. Caleb deposited it rather quickly into the water on its back as he said thats where its hardest and it would not hurt him.

We came home and did the usual chores of washing wetsuits and so on and now I must go to bed - I went down and had a cuddle with Zeus (Jessie's horse). Ah well off to bed loads more to do tomorrow.