Arriving in the UK mid August and the weather was still delightful. First stop .... family in Bury St Edmunds. We had fun babysitting the great nephews, Axel and Kai.
We also had the privilege of attending an art exhibition of one of James' old rugby team mates who he hadn't seen in thirty odd years! It's always a bonus when you actually like their art.
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| Dan Emery, Artist |
Next stop was Papworth St Agnes. This is the fourth time we have been to stay with this adorable family of lurchers.
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| From back L to R: Hettie, Finn, Max Front: Jake |
The first time we sat for them the pups (we still call them that!), Finn and Jake, were 16mths. They are now seven. We totally feel like part of their pack.
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| The guy with the treat bag is always 'The leader of the pack' |
We have never done this sit in autumn before. We are usually here in spring so it was quite different walking the doglets in the bare fields this time. Normally the fields are full of crops much taller than the dogs.
The weather was super dry and poor Hettie had quite some trouble trying to find her usual swimming holes.
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| Spot the dog |
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| Resorting to sitting water in the tractor tracks |
We did quite a bit of gardening when it was cool enough to be outside.
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| Fresh pigeon breast with field mushrooms picked during doggy walk |
The lurchers love chicken and when we roast one, we have a couple of meals and the rest goes into a stock pot in the aga where the bones break down and they enjoy it poured over their dried food.
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Clare had dehydrated and packed some of her sourdough starter to reactivate when we arrived. It turned into a bit more of a process than anticipated, but it finally came good. |
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| Sourdough burger buns |
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| Double chocolate sourdough loaf |
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| Not the best loaf but the good thing about sourdough is that it always tastes fantastic! |
When we're not out walking the fields or playing in the yard ...
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| Father and son |
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| No class going on here! |
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| There is always a knee to be found |
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| Awww, Finn |
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| No room for a human in the bed, let alone two!! |
We love these guys so much.
