Aren't ticks the most horrible things ever?
In the UK I had never seen one. Here I have seen more than my fair share of them on our cats. The 3 adults are really good a sitting still waiting for us to get the little hook and remove them. Not Misty though. She growls and hisses and wriggles like a growly, hissy, wriggly thing, and that is just when they are on her neck. So, you can imagine what she was like when we discovered she had one right on her bum-hole!!! Her tail become clamped to her arse like glue. She clenched her little bum so tight the bloody tick disappeared, she growled, hissed and wriggled and OH and I just collapsed laughing.
Two adults trying to prise up a tiny cats tail to get access to her bum must have looked hilarious. We tried waiting til she was asleep - no luck. We tried wrapping her in a towel - no luck. Someone had told us that if you dab the tick with nail polish remover it helped. So I dabbed a cotton bud in the liquid and applied it to the tick, waited til Misty was asleep and wonder of wonders it came of really easily.
Friday, 11 July 2008
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Sorry!
Sorry for my absence everyone. I have been flying solo around the world and only just got back. I was the skipper on a round the world yacht where all the crew looked like Aragorn (from Lord of the Rings) - tough job but someone's got to do it! No really, I have just finished my astronaut training and am waiting for a date for the next shuttle mission. Actually you'll be surprised to hear that I haven't done any of those, but they sound much more interesting that day to day life in Us-in-Franceland.
We have been enjoying the good weather lately and had the chance to lie by the pool on our new 'treat to us' sunloungers. Gertie Goose loves them too, and sits with us whenever we are lying there. She likes to nibble the cushions, our toes, fingers, books, my ponytail - the list goes on. She is a real 'people' goose.
The two little goslings are growing fast. For a while they were called Gertie and the Shit-ettes as they produced mountains of poo on the patio. OH has now built a nice little gate and fence to keep them of the patio. They now poo everywhere else! They are actually called Merry and Pip after the hobbits in Lord of the Rings. They are really cute still, growing really fast and absolutely HATE being picked up. Gertie on the other hand loves it and will happily sit on my lap.
On the whole things are going great in Us-in-Franceland. We are both working, my hairdressing business is getting busier each month, the garden is looking good, the tomato plants have actually got fruit on them, as have the chilis. I may dig up some spuds this weekend as we have some friends coming over on Monday evening. I planted some new potatoes a few weeks ago - a little late I hear you say. Well, yes, you are right. Alain had given me some chitted La Rattes and some red skinned ones ages ago. I put them in the cellar to stay nice and cool, and there they stayed - yep, I forgot all about them, until one day something caught my eye down there and the shoots were a foot tall!! Hence the late planting.
Gertie, Misty and Primrose were all very helpful on planting day. There I was on my hands and knees digging around with a trowel clearing weeds and making little trenches. Misty was jumping all over my hands thinking it was all a game, Primrose the chicken was inspecting every bit of turned earth for worms and grubs, and Gertie was taking all the weeds and grass OUT of the bucket, and when she got bored with that she would pull at my bootlaces. All in all it was like being in a carry on film!
We have been enjoying the good weather lately and had the chance to lie by the pool on our new 'treat to us' sunloungers. Gertie Goose loves them too, and sits with us whenever we are lying there. She likes to nibble the cushions, our toes, fingers, books, my ponytail - the list goes on. She is a real 'people' goose.
The two little goslings are growing fast. For a while they were called Gertie and the Shit-ettes as they produced mountains of poo on the patio. OH has now built a nice little gate and fence to keep them of the patio. They now poo everywhere else! They are actually called Merry and Pip after the hobbits in Lord of the Rings. They are really cute still, growing really fast and absolutely HATE being picked up. Gertie on the other hand loves it and will happily sit on my lap.
On the whole things are going great in Us-in-Franceland. We are both working, my hairdressing business is getting busier each month, the garden is looking good, the tomato plants have actually got fruit on them, as have the chilis. I may dig up some spuds this weekend as we have some friends coming over on Monday evening. I planted some new potatoes a few weeks ago - a little late I hear you say. Well, yes, you are right. Alain had given me some chitted La Rattes and some red skinned ones ages ago. I put them in the cellar to stay nice and cool, and there they stayed - yep, I forgot all about them, until one day something caught my eye down there and the shoots were a foot tall!! Hence the late planting.
Gertie, Misty and Primrose were all very helpful on planting day. There I was on my hands and knees digging around with a trowel clearing weeds and making little trenches. Misty was jumping all over my hands thinking it was all a game, Primrose the chicken was inspecting every bit of turned earth for worms and grubs, and Gertie was taking all the weeds and grass OUT of the bucket, and when she got bored with that she would pull at my bootlaces. All in all it was like being in a carry on film!
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Gertie and the Goslings
No, it's not a 60's pop group, although it sounds like one. We went to the market today with some friends and we bought two 4 week old goslings. The are really cute and Gertie has taken to them straight away.
We had been undecided whether to get another goose, but yesterday Gertie seemed very lonely. She followed me around the garden whenever I was outside, even when I was mowing the grass. She sat on the kitchen door mat for a couple of hours late afternoon and definately wanted our company.
We decided to get two as if anything happened to one of them, she wouldn't be alone again. She followed me down to the chicken coup where I took the new girls out of the box. The little ones huddled together and Gertie immediately went over and started sniffing and preening them. She now has them following her around the garden! It is lovely to see and although I loved her following me around and coming for attention, this is better for her.
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Poor Goosey Lucy
I had an awful afternoon last Friday. I came home from work to find Goosey Lucy dead in the garden. There wasn't a mark on her and all the other chickens and Gertie Goose were all fine. She looked like she had been sitting down and just keeled over.
I contacted the Wildfowl Trust in the UK who thought she may have had a congenital heart problem, as it it didn't look like another animal had 'got' her.
OH had thought something was odd that morning when only Gertie had appeared at the kitchen door to tap on it, yet when I looked down the garden a few minutes later they were both sitting together by one of the water stations. They were always inseperable waddling around the garden.
Gertie has been quite affectionate since her sister went. She has beenin the kitchen to have a nose around and i have given her lots of cuddles. I don't know if she likes them but I do! It's amazing how much she has grown in the month since we got her. She has proper wings now and beautiful feathers, whereas at first she just had stumpy little wings and was covered in soft fluff.
Luckily the market at Les Herolles is on again tomorrow (29th of the month) so we would like to go and get another one. We have been told that they like company and she does look lonely sitting in the garden on her own. She doesn't socialise with the chickens much.
I contacted the Wildfowl Trust in the UK who thought she may have had a congenital heart problem, as it it didn't look like another animal had 'got' her.
OH had thought something was odd that morning when only Gertie had appeared at the kitchen door to tap on it, yet when I looked down the garden a few minutes later they were both sitting together by one of the water stations. They were always inseperable waddling around the garden.
Gertie has been quite affectionate since her sister went. She has beenin the kitchen to have a nose around and i have given her lots of cuddles. I don't know if she likes them but I do! It's amazing how much she has grown in the month since we got her. She has proper wings now and beautiful feathers, whereas at first she just had stumpy little wings and was covered in soft fluff.
Luckily the market at Les Herolles is on again tomorrow (29th of the month) so we would like to go and get another one. We have been told that they like company and she does look lonely sitting in the garden on her own. She doesn't socialise with the chickens much.
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Animal diaries
John, my father-in-law sent me this. I thought it was hilarious and very true. Hope you like it.
Excerpts from a Dogs Diary...
8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Diary...
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Excerpts from a Dogs Diary...
8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!
Excerpts from a Cat's Diary...
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
I'm back
Hi y'all, I'm home!
I have been to the UK for four days and returned yesterday afternoon. It's funny because when I was booking the trip, although I really wanted to see our family, I didn't want to leave Misty, geese, new chooks and OH. Then when I got to the UK I realised I hadn't really booked a long enough trip.
I stayed with my parents in-law who are brilliant. My mother in law Eileen is great fun and we had a good time mooching around a sunday market, and going for a walk along the river She has just come back from a holiday in China and it was good to hear all about it. My father in law is lovely too and we spent a good time chatting and putting the world right. We have 2 neices in the same village who are just gorgeous (17 and 11), they are really great company, and their parents (OH's sister and husband) who are bril as well. I got to see my dad. I hadn't seen him for ages, as he won't come over here. Since he lost my mum he doesn't want to be away from the house for long. He loves his garden, and it was immaculate.
Although it was good to be with them all, and I got upset when I left, it was lovely to be home here. My geese have really grown and are starting to get proper feathers on their wings and tails. I must take some more photos of them quickly. They still have little squeaky voices which is so cute. Just a quick post as I've been working today and have got to get dinner started.
I have been to the UK for four days and returned yesterday afternoon. It's funny because when I was booking the trip, although I really wanted to see our family, I didn't want to leave Misty, geese, new chooks and OH. Then when I got to the UK I realised I hadn't really booked a long enough trip.
I stayed with my parents in-law who are brilliant. My mother in law Eileen is great fun and we had a good time mooching around a sunday market, and going for a walk along the river She has just come back from a holiday in China and it was good to hear all about it. My father in law is lovely too and we spent a good time chatting and putting the world right. We have 2 neices in the same village who are just gorgeous (17 and 11), they are really great company, and their parents (OH's sister and husband) who are bril as well. I got to see my dad. I hadn't seen him for ages, as he won't come over here. Since he lost my mum he doesn't want to be away from the house for long. He loves his garden, and it was immaculate.
Although it was good to be with them all, and I got upset when I left, it was lovely to be home here. My geese have really grown and are starting to get proper feathers on their wings and tails. I must take some more photos of them quickly. They still have little squeaky voices which is so cute. Just a quick post as I've been working today and have got to get dinner started.
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