The Easter Holidays

I can't remember the last time it was this cold here in Brittany, certainly not at Christmas!

We have been fortunate to have a couple of clear days hours, with some sunshine, though little warmth.

I managed a sunny beach walk, and am delighted that I actually had my camera with me.  As you can see the beaches were empty, and you can almost imagine a warm temperature with the startling blue sky.  What the photographs do not portray is the stunningly cold wind that accompanied the sunshine.  I was muffled under a coat, hat, scarf and sheepskin gloves while I took the photographs.   Luckily the dog was unconcerned with the cold and had a wonderful time running across the sand.

Golden frozen sands

Empty

Perfect

No-one around

Clambering?

"Now which way shall I run?"

An early spring walk

I had such a busy week last week, teaching at my daughter's school, that I found I had no time to post these photographs.

Today the sun is shining, but over the winter, we have had, day after day of leaden skies.  However with a new, young dog and a six and a half year old daughter there is no excuse not to be out and exploring.

Do you remember the joy of puddles? My daughter loves them, particularly if there is a thin layer of ice to break!  And we're delighted that the dog is gaining confidence, he is now walking off the lead, it's wonderful to watch him blossom!

Testing the ice

Squelchy footprints

An air bubble under the ice

Creak!

Crack!

Look at me...

No lead!

Gaining confidence!

First buds...

I love these early signs of spring

A nest being built...

And a feather waving in the breeze!

Walking the (new) dog

We have a wonderful new addition to our family.

He's been with us for five weeks now, and he  is gradually settling in.  These photos were taken a few weeks ago when he was still very new and nervous.

He is a rescued ex-racing Greyhound.  Although very large, he is very gentle.

I am just starting to let him off the lead when I have him out for a walk on my own.  This morning he suddenly shot off, and I had to resist the temptation to follow him, I would never have caught up, he really does run like the wind.

Instead I stood still, calling him his name, I was very anxious when he disappeared out of view for well over a minute, so you can imagine my relief when he whizzed back for a piece of Cheddar cheese!  (I am a great believer in bribery when it comes to gaining the confidence of a new dog.)

If you or anyone you know is looking for a new dog, then I can recommend greyhounds.  My last two dogs were also rescued greyhounds.  They are gentle, loving and wonderful to watch when they run (and you know they'll come back).  They are also fabulous with children. And if you have a busy life, they are quite content with two twenty minute walks a day, just make sure they have somewhere comfortable to lie at home and maybe a few toys to play with.

My daughter adores this handsome new fellow, and he has been fine when she has had friends visiting too.



We got him from Hersham Hounds, you can find their website here.  However,  if Hersham is  too far for you,  there are plenty of other specialist greyhound kennels, look at the Retired Greyhound Trust, here, you'll find a kennel local to you.  Please do go and have a look, there will be a dog there who is just right for you.

We have his Pet Passport and are really looking forward to taking him to France at Easter.

I'll be taking many more photographs of him over the next few years, I'm sure you'll get to know him well.

May Blossom and Elderflowers

Yesterday it was sunny enough for me to take my camera out, while I walked the dog.

I have a very basic camera, so the photos are not great,  but I  still wanted to share the beautiful May with you, and take the opportunity to show Elderflowers to my readers who may not know them!

You can find my recipe for Elderflower cordial here, and the recipe for Elderflower cakes here.

Elderflowers, I need about 30 of these to make
a batch of Elderflower Cordial

The May blossom is stunning

So many of the trees look beautiful
I can imagine Anne (of Green Gables) just adoring them!

The blossom is  everywhere

On both  trees and bushes

The buttercups were pleased to see the sunshine

The elderflowers were far  more difficult to see

Nestled up high in the branches

I'm going to need something, or someone, to help me
gather the elderberries when I go foraging!

They are so very pretty and delicate

If you can't find local elderflowers, then I suggest
you buy some cordial, the taste and smell will take
you straight to an English summer meadow,
and you will still be able to bake Elderflower cakes.

A simple table

When we first bought our Breton  house I was delighted!  The window frames were blue, the floor was  tiled with super large white tiles and best of all the downstairs was open-plan!  The scrapbook I had at home full of blue and white cuttings and ideas, (which I called My French Dream House) was about to come true!

I spent a year or so finding things for the house, none of them were expensive, but  I think all of them are lovely.

As a result I love entertaining here.  The table always looks inviting when it's set for a meal.

I prefer white crockery, this set has a simple sea motif

The chairs are shades of blue and aqua-green

A fish shaped dish, blue runner and Breton napkins

A Simple Morning Walk

Gosh!  I see what you mean Penny!  I have been so busy cooking that this poor little blog has been rather deserted.  I think initially I'll try to post once a week, to get some momemtum going.

So here are a few photographs from my morning dog walk here in Brittany.  I find it heavenly.  Firstly, I'm not in a rush, back in London I have to very quickly take the dog out, before my husband leaves for work, or I have to take my little girl with me.  I don't like to as she leaves for school so early, I think she needs her breakfast unhurried.

Here, we are able to take a lovely, long, meandering walk over the dunes.  (No dogs on the beach in July and August!) Although it's been overcast, there is such a joy in the fresh, clean air.  It really does blow away those proverbial cobwebs.

We're up reasonably early, but the young people at the sailing club are ahead of us.  Preparing their boats, and generally having a great time.  Occasionally, we meet another dog.  My little girl was delighted that a neighbouring dog, who always barks very fiercely at our old boy, had arrived this morning.

I love looking at the wild flora, but also the lovely things I see in other gardens.

Which way shall we go?

First we walk past the children's playground

Through the pine path

With lots of fallen pine cones 

To the dunes, this is our view!

Preparing the safety boats
for a day of sailing and wind surfing

Looking down there is some Sea Holly

So beautiful

Lavender in a garden we pass

A very fierce dog (or so he thinks!)

Hortensia in my own garden,
the only bush that has survived the drought!

As I hope you can see the morning walk is not a chore here in Brittany.  It's a pure, simple delight!