Cat lumps and pain in the neck

I woke with a terribly stiff neck and painful shoulder, which was not helped by receiving a second motoring fine for the second day that Mas had to cross the bus lane, to drive into the garage for the MOT test.

Salty also seems to have a lump on his rib cage, and although he does not seem to be in pain we resolved to take him to the vets on Monday. I am worried he may have broken a rib, and Mas feels it might be something worse.

Chris sent some advice about removing oil from fur, suggesting flour or warm bran sprinkled in the fur and then rubbed out. Luckily Salty looks clean now. Chris also sent these charming cartoons.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtJDNA4xz4Q

Florence phoned to say that although she could use her phone to make calls, the bell on her phone no longer rings.

I heard from Betty who had some really good news, and finished her email saying this:
"Must trot off for now - I will be in touch later. I have to get menu choices sorted for a quiz night we are having for Hearing Dogs (I bet you didn't know that dogs did quizzes - marvellous animals!!)"

I also heard from Diane and Toby who sounded cheerful. By this time my neck and shoulder were feeling almost completely better.

Son of Paleface and the dark intruder

Yesterday both of us were still under the weather, but Mas took the car down to the garage for a further checking over. In the afternoon we watched an old movie, Bob Hope in Son of Paleface. It was nice to see him again, but I seem to remember that it was much funnier than I thought it now. Of course Paleface was the funniest one.
We went to bed at a reasonable hour as the insulation people are expected at 8.00am tomorrow.

Today we got up and managed to have our coffee and breakfast before they arrived. Once with us they efficiently and thoroughly did their work, but accidentally broke one of the large panels in the conservatory roof. This will be dealt with by the company in due course. It was a noisy business having all the drilling done, and took about three hours. Salty was showing the whites of his eyes.

Later I found I had a nice email from Betty, and we watched a new Midsomer Murders with John Nettles, then tottered off to bed feeling exhausted. At this time I think I could cough for the Olympics.
Lying awake between bouts of coughing I heard the cat come up the stairs, then I thought it strange as it was not making the usual meeping noises. I jumped out of bed and saw a dark cat on the landing, both of us jumped, then the cat shot off downstairs and left the house, all I could see were white paws moving at speed. I have seen Salty hanging around with a tabby with a white nose and wondered if it was the same cat.

Last day of holiday

As It was my last day we walked down to Moulin Huet valley, looking in the pottery shop on the way, there were lots of interesting things to look at. We walked about on the beach looking in the rock pools and sea. It was lovely to be there again!

On the way back we saw some small wrens.

We met up with Betty in the evening, and had another night at the Captains

before taking her home and so back to the hotel.

The Captain's

Walking before Sunday lunch with Betty

Today Pete and I walked to Forest; at the airport changing direction to walk down towards Petit Bôt.

We walked down lanes that we had never seen before and it was very peaceful. We came upon a field that had unusual sheep in it with white lambs with black patches around their shoulders, we found out later that they were Jacob's sheep and further on another field containing sheep, rabbits and a lama.





















We had been invited to lunch by Betty, so we went round to their house and had a nice meal with her and Mavis with time to catch up on all their news and conversations, a relaxing time. Betty gave me a book to read which she had enjoyed, called 'Labyrinth' by Kate Mosse, which looks very interesting.

Moulin Huet to Jerbourg before dinner with Betty

Dining room

After breakfast Pete and I walked to Saints Bay and then along the cliff paths to Jerbourg. We sat overlooking the Pea Stacks and Pete did a quick painting, and I a quick sketch. Wild flowers were everywhere including lots of daffodils, white and red Campions and wild garlic know locally as Stinking Onions.

Fermain Bay.

When we reached Jerboug we had a drink at a kiosk there, and walked back to the Old Mill past some friendly looking horses, and then I took the bus to town where I bought a Tshirt after walking up past Elizabeth College and Cambridge Park, then I bussed back to St. Martin's where I had a look at my favourite cottage. Many years ago when this house was for sale I looked inside, and it had no floor boards, just hardened earth. Now of course it has been completely modernised.

Later I went round to Betty's, talked to Mavis while she got ready, and played with the dogs. We walked to the Captain's which was busy, and Betty, Pete and I had a nice dinner together, and lots of chat.

After we walked home with Betty, we looked at the stars which were very clear, and at Pete's computer which showed a star map, and we could identify some of them!

Walking and talking and chats with the cat

After breakfast Pete and I went to town where we got a little shopping, then walked through streets that we usually do not just for a change.

We walked down Burnt Lane and went into the church, Notre Dame du Rosiare, which was filled with the sounds of children playing from the school next door. This is a lovely church with rather modern stained glass windows, a granite altar, and a vaulted ceiling shaped like an upturned ship in warm coloured wood.We had some bean jar for lunch at Les Poids de la Reine before catching the bus back to St. Martins.

We then went for a cliff walk as the weather was so beautiful, and Pete pointed out a bench overlooking the sea that had been placed there in memory of my aunt.

Back at La Barbarie Hotel I was called to the small Reception to answer the phone; it was Mas on the line, and he wanted me to speak to the cat, who I could hear meowing in the background. I did speak to the cat, despite the startled and wary looks from other guests who were passing.

Later Pete and I collected Betty, who I had visited earlier, and we went off to the Captain's for chats and a drink.