Western Whip Snake

With the weather here hotting up, the wildlife is everywhere: butterflies, bees, lizards, crickets and snakes. Spectacular patterns, up to 1.5 m. long, completely harmless, and thankfully quite shy.

Could I kindly get in the compost to give it a good stir...

...on second thought, we'll just leave you be
(Caleb, this post is for you)

Easter

On a mysterious, misty Spring morning we went out to see if 'the brown bunny' had left us some treats...

Tucked away here and there we found eggs galore

and had them for breakfast with toast and Marmite (using her sweet new egg cup, thanks Dave and Wendy)

The Brown Bunny also left us some chocolate. This delicate little nibble is Lucius's first encounter with the stuff

(Next day) This is the second

Pau Article

Here's a link to a pretty amazing article about our local 'city'...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/apr/30/pau-france-race-circuit

Bonnes Vagues

The post paddle cuppa tea overlooking Cote Des Basques

Apart from the usual 2 earfuls of sea water, Neil also bought home a new addition to the family today



She's 6'8, and in fine form, courtesy of Wallako, the finest independent surf shop in France (in our opinion)

Sweet Peas

Our sweet peas kept growing all winter, and have now burst into incredibly fragrant blooms either side of our front door, climbing our home-made obelisks from last year

Right

Left

2nd Birthday gift

Lucius' first set of wheels finally arrived, for her 2nd Birthday from Mama et Papa, so we raced to get it put together for her first run

Definitely a 2 person job

Remember, always check you have all the parts and read the instructions carefully!

Lucius begins her steep learning curve

And then finds the best bit... the bell

Rock 'n roll

Dartmoor adventure

For my 40th birthday, I spent a few days beforehand at Bovey Castle, in wild + gorgeous Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. This is the setting for the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; a childhood favorite of suspense, logic + setting. Neil + Lucius then joined me for the actual birthday celebrations (Lucius is 2!) and further adventures

A gorgeous, frosty morn seen from my window

The Cathedral Room. Indeed. Ideal for a fireside Caol Ila

The Adam Room aka Lady Room

Ideal for late afternoon teas + re-reading THOTBaskervilles on a overstuffed sofa in front of a roaring fire on a stormy evening

Falconry display on the lawn with Artemis. The eagle

Daily wildlife sitings chalked up in the entrance.
Including 2 stroppy teenagers

The hunt: but only the pomp + circumstance

A hike was had every morning, from ancient Roman bridle paths through the woods...

to the eerie mystery of the stunted oaks in Wistman's Wood...

to the daffodil stream paths of quaint North Bovey + The Ring of Bells 13thc. pub...

and a birthday hike to historic Postbridge, through the moors, and up to the desolate and stunning Stannon Tor. Lucius was a true adventure pup + too excited for anything but a brief nap on Papa's shoulder: Sheep! Big stones! Puddles! Windy! Go!

And then a cozy return to the Castle for fireside champagne + Lucius's first fruit juice cocktail