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Layla

Dogs lifestyle thoughts and dreams

Summer Tails

June 22, 2018

You know its rare that I say this but sometimes it really is nice not to travel. At least, not during the summer when you have a huge garden and patio and the roads are crowded and the airports stuffy. Of course, there’s the weather to consider. It might never get as hot as the continent, or as bone-dry as Southern Europe, but as we like to say, rain and stuff just tend to ‘blow over’ and not linger too long. Hence, a summer at home. Which also makes sense since this is likely our last summer in Norfolk.  Continue Reading

lifestyle

Redwings and I

June 14, 2018

There are not many places I can say I keep returning to, but Redwings is one of them. We have been going to see the horsies for at least 10 years now. Prune has celebrated her birthday there, Suzi just paid her first visit. And I’m sure, this summer, we will be back. Continue Reading

Scotland thoughts and dreams

May days

May 30, 2018

The evening sun cast long shadows over the moors and glens, sheep chased after the farmer’s tractor for dinner, mother cows called their infants back. The road was long and winding, the light hypnotic. Two hours out of Aberdeen, at least seven to go. Miles of British countryside between us and home, places I’d vaguely heard of but knew almost nothing about. Still just places, passed by but not through. The final journey, an adventure, after a year that was both. Continue Reading

Scotland

Springtime Scotland

May 8, 2018

I was going to turn back. In fact, I had. I was waiting to pass some people on the narrow clifftop path when they asked me if I’d seen puffins. No, I’d replied slightly disappointed that I hadn’t. But they had just seen some flying past. That was all I needed to hear, I turned and hurried back to where I’d been waiting and watching for the little birds with the orange beaks. Continue Reading

Dogs lifestyle thoughts and dreams

The Dogs

April 20, 2018

Those two monkeys never fail to make me laugh. I think I appreciate them even more when I’ve been away, and all their funny little quirks. This Easter we did a lot together- Holland, with Suzi lying on my lap and Prune resting her head on her in the car. Exploring the dykes, watching boats at the marina. Redwings, Suzi’s first time meeting the horses. Enjoying the garden and the new patio- sunny spring days meant the three of us could be outside often. And of course, drives in the Mini- those two love leaping in for an adventure. Continue Reading

destinations Dogs Holland

Zeeland, Holland-Spring tides

April 14, 2018

The seal spat out the fish for the third time. Patiently and resignedly, the lady netted it out of the water, reinserted a tablet into another fish and tried again to feed her difficult patient. He had half his back scrapped clean off, perhaps from a run in with a boat’s propellor. Lucky he was here, I thought and could one day be returned to the wild. We were in Aseal, a sanctuary for our flippered friends who need rescuing. And visitors can see how the staff are looking after these creatures and preparing them to be released as soon as possible. I wasn’t expecting to find such a place here, in Holland. But then, I had a lot of surprises during our week in Zeeland. Continue Reading

Dogs thoughts and dreams

Home-coming

March 31, 2018

I had been waiting for this for ages. Three months is a long time when its your first year away from home. We were heading up the driveway, lined with daffodils, my favorite flowers. The trees were still bare-leaved and glistened with raindrops, legacy of a cold, wet March. I headed straight for the kitchen and was soon being smothered by two bundles of wagging tails and jet-black fur. Continue Reading

lifestyle

Origami Spring flowers

March 26, 2018

Spring has sprung supposedly, although I’m not so sure this part of the world has gotten the memo. Even if there are no blooms yet where you are, you can add a bit of flower power to your room with paper. Its time for an origami masterclass- introducing the Spring bouquet.

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Scotland

February in Scotland

February 25, 2018

Perhaps not where someone who adores walking barefoot and bronzing in the sun should be this time of year. Truth be told, in the last two years I have found myself in Thailand or Miami in February. But this year, Aberdeen. Up in the frozen North. I remember mum told me before I moved here that Aberdeen is inline with Russia. It is a cheery thought that is hard to forget. But being here has shown me that the Scots are made of stronger stuff, and during the last couple of weeks in between school placements and with a bit more free time, I’ve learned a lot from them and their hardy spirits. Continue Reading

lifestyle

Origami animals

February 12, 2018

Since the kids had Japan as their topic in school, origami was obviously on the menu. You all know what an arts and crafts nerd I am so I wanted to practice before showing my class how to do the folding. Needless to say, I got addicted to this seemingly simple art form, which I found is very relaxing. I thought I’d share some of my favorite things to make in a few of my posts, starting with some animals. Here they are, from the easiest to most challenging. If my P7s could do it, anyone can. Trust me. Continue Reading