Le Journal Français

Cat Sitting at Gruissan

2011-05-26T14:17:00.018+02:00

Birthday meal at 'La Brasserie' at the port of Gruissan

Mike's second course of Salmon.

Mike's 'signature' dish!

One of my favourite starter dishes.

A favourite main course :-) - Moules Mariniere et frites - delicious!

View of the ruined Chateau from the Etang.

View from Linda's chalet...idyllic!

Marvelous Monty...now 16yrs old :-).

Bonjour Monty!

Charming Chloe...bonjour aussi!

View from the sunbed, which I used a lot!

Mike reading and researching his next novel.

Silhouette through the sunshade. Lovely image....I can see it as a printed scarf!

Royal Wedding videos

2011-05-16T14:50:00.002+02:00

The Royal Wedding - April 29th 2011

2011-05-16T13:58:00.018+02:00

Wishing Will & Kate every happiness and a long and happy marriage.

The Kiss...well one of two actually!!

The Royal wave.

A memorable two days in London with family for the Royal Wedding.

My two gorgeous niece's and a 'Pearly Queen' outside the Abbey the evening before the Wedding.

Protesters against the Afghanistan war.

London looked amazing...only we can do these celebrations so well:-)

TV studios getting ready to broadcast the Wedding the following day.

Overnight campers! Linda & I had a cosy bed in a cosy hotel!!

The wonderful sights of London.

Pelicans in the Park!

One of the many street sellers.

Only those with money or friends in the know got this ringside view outside The Abbey!. I was not one of them!!

In the Pink!

The arrival of the Royal Red Carpet!!

Waiting expectantly...little did they know they had sneaked out the back door ages ago!! :-))

27 metres long!!

A right Royal tea party!

Buck house in bloom.

Royals (Duchess of Kent in the pink) arriving back for the champers in their royal mini bus!! :-)) Cheers!

Preparing the Balcony for 'The Kiss'.

We were kept very entertained all morning with parades of Guards, Horse guards, Bands & the Police.

'Now listen to me you 'orrible lot of commoners'!!

'Wanna hear a joke while we wait?'

It's...errr! Somebody royal? Well, let's wave anyway!

Taking the 'Mascot' for walkies! Or is it the other way around!!

Did your Mother never tell you it is rude to point...especially at a Duchess. Charles & Camilla arriving at Clarence House after the wedding lunch.

Immaculate!

Spring In Montlaur

2011-05-16T13:51:00.004+02:00

The spring garden was a delight. Most of the 500 bulbs we planted last September came through..whoo hoo!

Cat sitting in the Laurgais

2011-05-16T13:26:00.006+02:00

Wonderful time looking after 4 cats - two girl house cats, Mizzi & Wallis and two boy ferral cats. Cato & Puck. Fabulous house in the countryside..........and its for sale!

Mizzi

Wonderful garden and we were there just at the right time to see most of the spring flowers. So pretty.

Wallis

Wallis on lookout

Mizzi basking in the sun

Told you it was right in the countryside!

Heart of the country!

Mizzi keeping an eye on Puck

Carcassonne Carnivale

2011-03-08T18:33:00.015+01:00

Carcassonne's first Carnivale for ten years!

Mon Dieu!! So rude!! :-O

Clown & the devil but they look so cute!

Napoleon lives! In Carcassonne? :-) complete with horse!!

This one has escaped from the Limoux carnivale.

Blood everywhere but your hands, accompanied by your lovely assistant!

Lotto Man

These ones have escaped from Venice!

Mr & Mrs Grump

Must be on the 'Grand Tour'!

What a cutie!

Even a mask didn't stop us recognising this gentleman. A regular at Chez Felix ;-).

Pretty Butterfly with ...

...her equally pretty flower person

Great music.

Weird masks.

Yes, we can see you blowing your own trumpet:-)

This was one of my favourite characters...great chapeau.

Great reflection!

Obviously two masks for the price of one.

He looks happier now Mrs Grump has gone!

Loved these costumes too.

Brilliant and very brave.

Glass of chardonnay? Mmm...I don't think so.

Confetti everywhere and I mean everywhere. Still finding it in the house.

Lovely darling...hope the bride didn't mind!

Puuurrfect pair!

Napoleon off to Chez Felix for a quick Brandy...Napoleon of course :-)).

Legless!

Large photos of the Carnival ten years ago.

Lazy Sunny Days

2011-03-08T18:28:00.002+01:00

An abandoned building in Carcassonne taken over by numerous cats. The ledges obviously great for sunbathing. Happy cat-napping!

Spring Has Sprung:-)

2011-03-08T18:25:00.001+01:00

Promise of warmer days heading our way!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-09T18:13:00.007+01:00

A piece of work I made a few years ago using hand & machine embroidery and a technique called 'Trapunto'.

The term "trapunto" means "to embroider" in Italian, and "to prick with a needle" in Latin. When speaking of this quilting technique, both meanings apply. Trapunto is a technique which may be done by hand or machine that creates a noticeably raised design. In trapunto, also known as "stuffed work" by American and English quilters, extra padding is slipped behind the quilt top to create the puffed effect. Sometimes, stippling is used in the areas surrounding a trapunto motif to further accentuate the effect.

Trapunto has a long history. It first appeared in Italy around the early 16th century, and in America around the late 1700s. Trapunto was extremely popular up until the Civil War era a century later. Historically, it was done by cutting a small slit in the back through which padding or extra batting was placed. Today, there are a few more options for creating trapunto that can be less labor intensive.

Detail of work below.

Hand and machine embroidery with beading.

White silk, scrunch dyed, cut into strips and re-stitched with gold thread. Hand & machine embroidered with beading.

Shiboried silk and then using origami to shape into heart.

New Valentine's project by Ross

2011-02-08T12:07:00.005+01:00

This is Ross's new project with the company he is now working for - 'Mulberry'...click on the link and send your loved one a unique work of art for Valentine's day.

http://www.mulberry.com/loveblossoms

Kirsten & Keith's Wedding Day

2011-02-08T11:58:00.002+01:00

The newly-weds, Mr & Mrs Kirsten & Keith Dunne. Mike's Niece. Have a wonderful life together. You both looks fabulous.

A small handmade gift for the Bride's trousseau.

Bobbin Lace

2011-02-03T10:34:00.007+01:00

I learnt to do bobbin lace about 23yrs ago! I am now trying to re-learn. Teaching myself through a number of books I have and some new ones which I have pictured below. I will keep you updated on my progress. Lacemaking takes time & patience. It is a slow craft but very addictive with some beautiful results...hopefully!!

A mixture of lovely bobbins with beautiful spangles (beads) some I bought and some were gifts. A mixture of wood (which I prefer), plastic and I have one ebony!

'King tut' - a french cat that visits every day for cuddles and does everything he can to stop me doing my lace!

This one I had from twenty yrs ago.

Looking forward to trying some of the projects in here but I need to be a bit more advanced than I am at the moment. Getting there but slowly!!

This is a great book for beginners. A bit of history and a clear teaching method. Thanks Doris.

A piece of work I made 20 + yrs ago!

Before you start making the lace you have to prick out the patterns and wind your bobbins with your chosen colour. Patterns can take from as little as 6 pairs of bobbins and upwards. depending on the complexity of the piece. It is a lot of winding!

A bookmark I made last week.

An edging to go around a piece of cotton or linen.

A pink coaster

Numerous bookmarks I have made. They make great presents.

Limoux Carnivale 2011

2011-02-03T10:22:00.013+01:00

Can't believe it's the Limoux Carnivale again. Every weekend for the next twelve weeks. It is always ' the Millers' that start the carnivale off.

Here are a few of the amazingly bizarre & funny masks!

Dancing with the locals.

Hmm!!

Friend Gill covered in confetti!

Scary stuff!!

Time for a face-lift!

Oops!! Too late for this guy!

Went a bit mad with the face paints I would say!

Confettied!!

'Jake the Peg' - diddle dum- diddle dum!

Elvis lives! In limoux! :-))

Millers clogs - nice.

The most elegant of all the masks. Obviously 'the Baker's daughter'!

The Baker's daughter's 'royal Wave'.

Same band as last year and same tune...they only have the one! Very catchy tho.

Aaah cute!

Very expressive arms.

Well and truly confettied Gill :-)...well you will stand in the front.

Les Gets - French Alps

2011-01-24T11:12:00.072+01:00

We spent a lovely week in Les gets, in the French alps with Mike's sister, husband & niece. This is a close up view of one of the mountains we could see from our chalet window. One of the few mornings I was up before Mike - wonderful sunrise.

Mark & I enjoying one of our favourite foods - oysters - yum!

I made another pear amaretto cheesecake as the one I made at Christmas went down a treat. So did this one as you can see! Let me know if you want the recipe - really easy.

A favourite pastime of mine & Liz. We spent an enjoyable time constructing the jigsaw after an afternoon skiing or in my case- walking! The last time I went skiing, which was 40 yrs ago! ended up with torn ligaments. Never skied since!

An enormous cat which sat watching our chalet from across the way.

A view of our little Twingo from the chalet - ice blue:-)

A view of our chalet from our little Twingo :-)

This was a good day for the skiers and snowboarders in our party. The big dump of snow ensured good skiing for the rest of the week.

Lots of lovely chalets of varying sizes and designs. This one is calle 'Le Miche' :-))

Kiki's chalet. Not enough room to swing a cat but very cute & pretty.

Very kitsch but I like it!

The town of Les Get. Lots of lovely shops, restaurants & cafés. It has an outdoor ice rink and a nightclub.

Le Petit Train - every town should have one :-).

Litttle cutie in pink.

Wow! You definitely won't miss this guy on the piste!

A well earned vin chaud and yes Liz you may leave the room :-).

'The Elliots' preparing for an afternoon ski & snowboard session with a very large gnome looking on!

Au revoir- bon ski.

A bracing walk down into the town. It took about 30 mins.

Liz & I at Les Chavannes.

In the gondola going up to Mt Chery which has wonderful panoramic views of the mountains including Mont Blanc.

There's that gnome again:-)

You seem to have lost your skis Mike?

Hot choc this time. Mike with sister Liz.

..and more vin chaud...well it was cold!

Still no skis!

'Le Mitch'

Oh dear, she seems to have lost her skis as well!

Fabulous backdrop.

A misty afternoon

Looks like a cotton wool canopy.

From Les Chavannes looking toward Mt Chery.

Kindy off to ski on the nursery slope.

...and there they are.

'The Elliot's' heading off to the chair lift.

Au revoir encore! Enjoy.

These are the 'Gondolas' that Mike & I took up to Mt Chery.

View of Les Gets.

Fabulous panoramic views from here.

Clever girl - she can now write her name! ;-))

I love these pink shutter:-)

Mucky snow!

The magic of photoshop:-)

Amazing patterns in the sky! Makes you wonder what the planes were up to!!

Kyla watching the sunsetting.

Towards Mont Blanc through the garage door:-)

Wonderful backdrop for the weekly market.

View of Mont Blanc.

I think this look may catch on!

Elliot's & Healey's

See! I told you it would catch on!

Sun going down on Les Chavannes and the helmets & gloves!

Sun setting over Les Get.

Watching the sun go down from the chalet balcony.

New Year's Eve with Friends

2011-01-01T18:48:00.006+01:00

Table set for New Year's Eve dinner with Friends.

Bonne Année a tous!

Santé

OOps!! Eric you seem to be half cut! And the night is yet young!!

A very small portion left (all gone now!) of the Pear Amaretto Cheesecake I made. It was quite delicious, even tho I say so myself:-). Will definitely make it again.

The lights of Carcasonne.

2011-01-01T18:46:00.001+01:00

Megan

2010-12-30T15:58:00.005+01:00

We looked after the lovely Megan for our friends who live in the Montagne Noir whilst they went on holiday for 10 days. She was a delight to look after.

So cute!

Intellectual Megan!

Megan contemplating her first parachute jump!

She loved to snuggle in and watch a bit of telly!

Trip to NZ

2010-12-30T13:55:00.028+01:00

In February & March of this year, Mike and I visited my relatives in NZ. We attended two family weddings and saw as much of the North island as possible. Still lots to see and the South Island on our list for another visit someday! We had a fabulous time. Weather was terrific and the scenery breathtaking. I took hundreds of photos and too time consuming to sort out properly so I have just put a selection of the two weddings and some of the wonderful places we visited. The picture above is of my lovely Aunt Iris who emigrated in 1963 - she and Uncle Jack were the ones who started it all off. Beside her is daughter Julie, my gorgeous cousin . She got married to Keith on March 6th. See pics below.

You've been framed!

It was quite scary! Even tho it was plastic!

Coramandel green lipped mussels - delicious!

And we have lift off!!

A map of the walk around Mount Maunganui. We did it and right to the top!!

Mount Maunganui

Bay of Islands looking for Dolphinss.

Trying to go though the hole in the rock but it was too dangerous. So we just had to take pictures instead.

The grave of Hannah King Letheridge, said to be the first white woman to be born in NZ in January 1816 -died April 1907, aged 91!

Caught on camera as we speeded past. It was a metal sculpture of a Ram. Looked amazing against the setting sun. Even more amazing I got the image and more or less in focus. My cousin's husband was impressed!!

Yes! These sheep are a real!! dyed very deep shade of Pink...I know they look red but they were pink!

The proverbial 'Cat on the mat'...or to be exact 'the red carpet'...waiting for the Bride & Groom to arrive. The first family wedding we attended on February 6th. My cousin Judith and husband Stewart's Son Christopher married fiancee Claire.

Hannah- one of the pretty bridesmaids.

An idyllic setting for the wedding.

One of the many flower arrangements by my very talented cousin Judith. Mother of the Groom.

A quiet moment!

Liked it so much I put it in twice- my excuse anyway!

Uncle Eric with Gypsy.

Table decorations were also made by Judith.

Happy Families.

The next best thing when you don't have a hankerchief handy!!

More green lipped mussels...Yum!!

The cake...also made & decorated by Judith.

Julie, Keith & Mike.

NZ Family.

The first family get together for 5 yrs!

Barry Bricknell's amazing train journey.

Yes, you have to eat it with those sticks, Mike!

'Hot Water beach'...amazing. You dig a hole and up comes lovely hot water to sit in!

We didn't have a spade!

The oldest Kauri tree...enormous!

To big to get it all in...that's the top!! As if I need to tell you that!

Just loved the colours.

Sun setting in Maunganui.

Julie & Keith's wedding day, March 6th. Our second family wedding in NZ.

Pretending it's ours! Fat chance!

Happy couple.

Keith's parents garden. Beautifully looked after.

With my two gorgeous cousins - Julie & Judith.

Cheese!

A dog with style. He took his jacket off because it was too hot!!

A cool dude! Keith's Grandson.

The wedding cake...also decorated by Judith.

Keith changing a light bulb with sunglasses on! As you do! Good job 'The elf & safety man wasn't there!

Yes! We did see Dolphins in the Bay of Islands..a fabulous sight

It's that hole in the rock again!

Christmas in the Montagne Noir

2010-12-28T12:45:00.004+01:00

The road to Labastide Esparbairenque

Martine & Ty's 'Pink House' where we stayed on Christmas day.

Getting cosy...

...Log fire on and a glass of vin!

Mike watching 'Narnia'.

Rosie & Ken's where we had our very tasty Christmas meal.

Relaxing and eating too many chocs!

Whilst Rosie was in the kitchen cooking!

Cheers Rosie! You did us proud and the least I could do was wash up! See you 'chez nous' on New Year's Eve.

Gorgeous Grandson Elliot

2010-12-27T16:43:00.009+01:00

Elliot on his favourite playmat with some of his favourite toys.

Elliot with Mum, Dominique.

Elliot with Dad, my son Ross. Wonder who he gets those big eyes from!! :-))

Visit to London

2010-12-27T16:16:00.004+01:00

A quick visit into London when visiting Son, Daughter in law and Grandson.

Love Selfridges window...very quirky!

Winter wonderland in Hyde Park - Enormous & very festive!

Went to see 'Diaghilev', 'Chinese robes' & photographic exhibitions at the V&A before seeing Matthew Bourne's 'Cinderella' at 'Saddlers Wells'. Fabulous!!

Would have preferred the picture without the cranes in the background but without risking life & limb and the wrath of drivers, standing in the middle of the road was definitely NOT an option!

Winter Wonderland UK

2010-12-27T15:01:00.008+01:00

Yes, I know it's a bird bath but couldn't resist decorating it like a cake. A 'Berry Nice' bird Christmas cake!

Spent a few days with family nr. York before heading up to Dad's when trains started to run again!"

A chilly table for two!

The Hermiatge nr Dad's house. Very scenic.

Yes! This is a drainpipe!! A very 'iced' one! Never seen one like it before, quite a work of art!!

Thought you might appreciate a close up!

Visitors!!

Top of the drainpipe.

Another close-up!

2010-12-27T14:42:00.005+01:00

A house in Chester-Le-Street with every, Gnome, Fairy, Toadstool and garden ornament you can think of - including Bill & Ben on top of the doorway during the rest of the year + Santas and Reindeers for Christmas.

Da -dahhhhh! The big Christmas switch on. I wonder who switched them on?

Eldon Square Bear

2010-12-27T14:39:00.001+01:00

One of the many wonderful decorations in Eldon square.

A night out with the Boys & Girl

2010-12-27T14:19:00.007+01:00

A lovely night out with Greg, Claire & Liam at Azzuri's on the quayside in Newcastle just before Christmas and just before the UK shut down!

Christmas crackers..cheap ones!!