Meanwhile, spring is happening

Went for a walk like so many others on Saturday. We’re not in full lockdown yet, so it feels like we have to strike while the iron is hot, and get out as much as we can - while we can. Spring has sprung, and whilst we withdraw, nature is opening up. This pretty tree stands outside a house on our street, and I’ve never noticed it before. Beautiful, isn’t it?

We’re extremely lucky to live near some woods, which gets incredibly muddy in places in winter. It looks like it’s slowly drying up though.

Oomoo and R, messing about. We walked with friends, as it feels like the only way to hang out right now, but I think this weekend might have been the last time we see anyone for a while.

I feel so humbled by nature carrying on as if nothing’s happening. We must respect the planet more than we do. Shame on us.

We now know that we’re supposed to be walking 2 metres apart - we didn't on Saturday.

There are a few makeshift swings hanging off trees in the woods, and this guy was showing us his technique for doing it if you were larger than child-sized. We all felt too old (wise) to try it.

Some of the cherry trees have started donning their party outfits. I hope we get to stay out for a bit longer so we can watch them like wallflowers at a dance.

Spring goes on.

Buddy picture of the week VI

Hey peeps, hope you’re all doing well considering. It’s been quite a week (or few weeks/months depending on where you are), and as of this weekend the schools have finally closed here in the UK. So far the social distancing requirements have been a bit vague, but then I wouldn't expect anything else from our government in charge at these difficult times. I mean, we have BORIS JOHNSON as our prime minister during our biggest crisis in 80 years for G’s sake! Insert forehead slap emoji here. You have to laugh. Which is what I do every time I find Buddy in our bathroom sink; you’ll only see him there as you go for your morning toilet, as he’ll sometimes jump up and bed down there during the night. He’s a big dude, so it’s quite a squeeze and I admire his perseverance. And no, he doesn’t go there to drink from the tap, I think he just like the tight cool space… Hope you have a good weekend, finding joy in the little things, if you can. xx

Dans les jardins

Apart from hanging out in the house we also went on excursions a bit further afield, and one of them was to the Marqueyssac gardens, which as you can see in this pic was a-mazing. I’ve never seen hedges like it!

The house in the grounds used to be someone’s fancy abode in the late 18th century.

Which we got to see a bit of on our way to the loo. Like you do.

A place ain’t fancy unless it has peacocks strutting around the grounds. Gosh, we humans are so boring looking compared to these guys. I mean, you couldn’t make it up. Those long back feathers, with their green and blue eyes on them, that then opens up into that display, and those little head feathers looking just so.

We went along a path in the boiling heat that took you through the gardens, and there was lots to look at along the way.

Like the Dordogne, flowing past way down below.

And here we all are, taking in the views.

I totally recognised this man’s hunched up camera posture, as I do it too when I take pictures. I would so love it if there’s a picture of me, hunched up exactly the same way, with my straw hat on, taking this picture, like one of those infinite mirrors :)

Away from the here and now

This seems as good a time as any to start catching up on 2019, as I stopped blogging on the old blog when I realised how awful pictures looked on it (ooh boohoo, blurry pictures on my blog - talk about pre-coronavirus problems!), and therefore creating a backlog. Back in July we went with friends to my mother-in-law’s house in France for a couple of weeks.

My friend A and her family came from Stockholm, and from the off we imposed a screen ban, which was was a breeze for the kids as they’re bonafide bookworms. Ha! You can’t actually see their books here, but they are reading :)

The parents did pretty well too.

Of course the pool helped. There were epic water fights and general keeping cool in the heat. We also learned that you can make your own very effective wave machines with a couple of lilos.

There I go again with my love of windows.

No screens meant other ways to have fun.

And sometimes you’d try something new, like cutting hair.

One day A went for a walk in the garden and came back with enough flowers to make a huge bouquet. I begged her to reconsider her career choice in life, and to become a flower arranger. There’s still time.

Taco night! A & D are excellent cooks, and we enjoyed A’s salmon tacos with fresh mango. Such a tasty combination. Must remember to make some myself.

D and little C after dinner in the garden one evening. Extension leads rule.

Looked out the window one day to find the boys taking shelter in the shade, chatting away. Sweeeeeet. More France pics to come.

How are you guys holding up out there? It’s so surreal isn’t it? I read this interview on Dezeen with Li Edelkoort over the weekend, and if you like me and many others feel that this crisis might be Mother Nature’s way of correcting our irresponsible behaviours, Li’s words brings us hope for a better future. <3