Meanwhile, back at the farm...

Whilst Neil was away, he was updated on Lucius's rapidly changing style with daily fashion shoot emails. Lula (John's 'D') stayed for the week to ensure things didn't get out of hand. See the results below

Fashion shoot #1: Autumnal Navaho Lady Comfies

Fashion shoot #2: Librarian Rainy Day Tea Party

Fashion shoot #3: 60's Edie Sedgewick / Raegen Pirate

Fashion shoot #4: Grandpa Urban

Jim-Jam shoot #1: Zonked Out with Hippo

Fashion shoot #5: Cream Tea Tiered Confection

Jim-Jam shoot #2: Eat The Dots

Canine shoot #1: Lula throwing shapes on shapes

Fashion shoot #6: Nautical Cowboy Nanna

Jim-Jam shoot #3: Tired & Wild

3 Valleys, 2010

Last week I (Neil) joined 6 of my oldest English friends in Les Trois Vallées for our annual snow time

Lee, Neil, John

Lee works his way down a fresh slope

Bluebird sky was our backdrop for the entire week, with the slow season ensuring fresh snow could be found regardless (go go recession)

John and Tony in the kiddie's lift

Tony slides down a buttery soft piste

The oldest boarder in town. Apparently he's pretty good too

Some running repairs, using John's bed as a workshop. Remember, safety first kids

Only in Courchevel could you have Dali sculptures dotted around the mountain

Craig and Danae, our chalet hosts, played guides for the day, taking us to Marioland; an off piste area littered with bumps and rock drops

Danae, John and Lee, ready for the off

John and Lee pick their way through Marioland

Thanks for the bonzer week chaps

Special thanks to Leigh for putting the trip together... again

Why didn't you know?

There's no such thing as a Gruffalo

Snowed in

We had a fair bit of snow over the weekend. Enough to keep us from being able to drive anywhere still by Monday afternoon. Seems to be the wrong week to have the Landy out of action (getting new tires and such). The rental balks at the mere site of our icy driveway

There's parsnips under there somewhere. Thankfully the garlic, purple sprouting and broad beans have since emerged alive and well

The road out

When all else failed, the Zoomer allowed Neil to drive to the nearest 'convenience' store for supplies. It was 10 hilly kilometers of snow and sketchy ice, but we returned with the bounty unscathed, and met some curious and friendly neighbors too

The mountains have had a good dusting, albeit out of reach

So... best to make the most of it and build a little ramp in the garden

An afternoon's fun for the price of a moment's shoveling

Kohl

We wanted a fitting memory of Kohl, and we fondly remember his lazy days laying in the sun in the jardin here

We redrew him extra large, cut him out of matting

And now he can guard the entrance again, in his favorite pose

New Years Day

New Years Day at Neil's is often spent walking along the beach. It was a gorgeous day and especially nice to air out after a tres fun, late New Year's Eve: friends and family for dinner, more BT, and some spirited dancing.
Nanna Baker and Aunty Melanie take turns pushing Lucius along the promenade

All wrapped up as it was tres chilly.
(A big thanks to Alex & Ale for the cozy Pendleton blanket and Nanna Baker for the new handknit scarf)

Shoreline beacon as sea becomes sky

As well as walking, we also saw a few brave souls taking their traditional New Year's swim.

Basking in the chilly sunlight

Dorset: December

We then spent Xmas down in Dorset with Neil's family and friends

Lucius surprised us all by sitting up on her own after her morning nap, 22/12/09

She also surprised us by revealing her secret membership to the Ant Hill Mob, following a blueberry dessert incident
Snowy Cranbourne in north Dorset

Beautiful, but shortly after this picture was taken the conditions worsened enough to turn back. Thankfully Percy did us proud and wheel-spun to safety, thanks for the loan Melanie

A cosy pub complete with English cheese platter, root veg soup and ale

Loveliness in Chettle village

Lucius's first Xmas present of the day, lovely (if a little oversized for now) snow-suit from Uncle Leigh

On best behavior during xmas dinner with her cracker and crown. A huge thanks again to Mel and Phil for the lovely fare and day

Neil's Boxing day 10k. Good work Simon and Andy

In the Bermuda Triangle for a post-run pint. Maybe the best pub ever?

We met Thom and Cheryl, over from Amsterdam with their lovely son Elias. A true character already. Everything was going fine until we told the kids of their future arranged marriage. Lucius does a doubletake