Pass by Pooches and Miaowski

Quite often, when we are out and about, Andy and I spot cute dogs.  If we can we take a photo or two or even better, ask if it's okay if we can have a quick cuddle, that is just great.  And so you see me here with a very sweet Jack Russell puppy.

Ooooh I would have been happy to take this one home

This next one passed by and I didn't notice it till Andy pointed it out.  And even then I nearly missed it as it was so beautifully disguised as a handbag accessory

What does Miaowski think of all this pooch photography?

She doesn't mind, as long as she has her own photo opportunity in her furry minooooo

2 Terriers, 1 human

Andy volunteers for the Cinnamon Trust which is a national charity providing elderly people with help for their pets.  Here he is with 'Molly', a sweet Jack Russell who he takes for walks a couple of times a week.

She loves her biscuit after she has caught her ball and bought it back to Andy.  Or rather, she won't give up the ball until Andy gives her a biscuit - she ain't silly!  I tried taking photos of her tearing across the field after her ball but I never caught a good picture.

As you can see, she is a little on the chubby side so she needs her exercise.  Her owner has partial sight and is unable to take her out for walks.  So she's gained weight.

Okay a lot of these pictures are similar.... I just love that little dog waiting so patiently for her treat

And I wanted to get a good picture of her jumping up to get it

Waiting patiently .....

You might think with all that leaping about she'd lose the weight.  Her owner probably can't resist her sweet winning ways

She's a great little poser.  Ahh they make a great team :)

Now here is Andy taking my Mum's West Highland Terrier, Millie for a walk .....

Note she is well in front, eager for her walk in the park

Uh ohhhhh, Millie has suddenly dug her little paws into the concrete.  She's approaching Gwynne Lane - a little lane she doesn't want to walk through.

No she definitely does not like this lane.

She literally needs to be pulled through

She's through, but lagging well behind

Well behind ....  what's in that lane Millie?   Snakes?

Ooooooh relief, she is now in the park wiggling about on her back with joy.....

I love dogs they are soooo cute!

Jack Russell Heaven

Who can resist a puppy?  Well I know I can't, and especially if it's a Jack Russell, but unfortunately I have to resist.  My friend Bonnie and her husband came over with their litter of pups and oh how it melted my heart - not that it takes much to do that, when it comes to cute pups.

This one's nickname is 'Feisty' which I would keep if I could have him.   He's so soft and warm on my lap.

And he fits so well :)

Bonnie with another sweetheart

Sweet as anything

Another one held by Adrian

What beautiful markings he has.  I love that expression.

I would love to have one but as I have Miaowski I can't, just don't think she'd approve.  I'm trying to persuade Andy to have one but he is away a lot so maybe now isn't the time.  But one day .... who knows?

Taunton Carnival 2011

Every year, here in the South West, we have carnivals that take place around October/November.  They are a great spectacle and a lot of work goes into making them.  Before I'd moved down from London I'd never seen them or knew they occurred.

The carnival floats are designed and built by dedicated carnival clubs around the West Country.  These clubs work relentlessly to achieve the spectacular carnival entries.  The illuminated floats can be up to 100ft in length, and can have up to 30,000 light bulbs.   They attract large crowds and a lot of money is raised for charities where you can put money into collecting boxes or throw it into the passing trucks.

Taunton had it's Carnival on Saturday night.  I'm lucky to live in town where the Carnival passes so didn't have far to leave to see it.  Andy took a few photos of the highlights.

You need to really click on each photo to enlarge them to get to see the pictures better as these small thumbnails don't really do them justice.  This float featured the country with lots of singing and dancing, I can't remember the name of the song they sang but they were very enthusiastic

That is the back of my head in the foreground.  There were so many people there on the pavements it was hard to get a good spot.  Luckily we sneaked forward and manage to squeeze in near the front.

This float had a cute dragon theme

This one had a french theme

Not sure what this one was about but it was  good to look at

 We liked these the best, great costumes

We had a great weekend altogether and I will be writing up my blog posts soon as we've been busy taking pictures of Taunton town including the historic buildings outside the newly revamped Taunton Museum.

Thanks for stopping by .....

Miaowski's Vacation at 5 Star Hotel

Well I was worried Miaowski might be stressed at being away from me.   But having seen the above 'cat by the fire' scene I now know she is not going to want to come home ever again!

For all of her six years, she's never encountered stairs before.   But she's now become a pro stair walker.  Andy says she likes to run up and down them.  And pose prettily for the camera ...

With her long body and small head, she reminds me of a cheetah.  Here she is on Andy's bed

I'm hoping Andy gets to take more photos of my sweet feline on her vacation.  I love seeing her.  I miss her lots but as long as she's looking happy, I'm happy

Day at Hestercombe

 Ok today's post is full of photos of my and Andy's walk from Taunton to Hestercombe in Somerset.  We did this mid September before we had the lovely heatwave.  As you can see the skies were grey and it was a bit nippy.   We had a nice snack of fresh blackberries on the way.

This was the view over the fields from Pitcher's Hill, Cheddon Fitzpaine.

We saw some nice wildflowers ... Common Toadflax

And some nice buildings

With beautiful Hollyhocks outside

As well as free apples for the taking

Check out the Hollyhock taller than Andy!

Sitting in Hestercombe's 'Stable' coffee shop.  It is converted stables and we are in one of the stalls

Beautiful Cyclamen in Hestercombe shop

The man is looking away as I enter my pin number

A beautiful Autumnal display, would love this in my garden

I love this cute building which is the 'Bat house' - there are bats inside but we didn't see any because the monitor showing them was broken

On our way through the grounds

This is usually a waterfall but I think someone had turned the tap off!!

Andy on the Chinese bridge

I loved this tree, maybe a few fairies living inside?

We bought some swan food but the swan didn't appreciate it

A nice feature.  There are loads of lovely features at Hestercombe

And some lovely grapes, a bit sour though

 Beautiful flowers

I love this daisy like flower which seemed to grow everywhere and here they are growing out of stone steps.

Snapdragons (easier for me to spell than the latin name)

I love these Michaelmass daisies with bees and butterflies.  Click on the picture for a beautiful enlarged version...

You can see the butterflies easier if you click on the picture

Hestercombe House

Guess who?

Love this interesting entrance

In the outdoor coffee shop, beautiful Cyclamen on the tables

Love the tree growing in the pot, shame the picture doesn't do it justice

An interesting hole in the wall, taken by Andy ... actually the next 7 pictures were taken by Andy

Me taking photos of the bees

The Orangery

A nice house on our journey back home

And an even nicer dog we stroked as we passed by.  Her name was Belle

I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  We had a lovely long day there.  I recommend it totally