Entertainment Inc.

I love seeing old friends and, let's face it, most of my friends are old. Last week this scenario was somewhat complicated by old friends bringing a further two generations with them as well as Ruth whom they mysteriously picked up on the way. This bunch is Lindsay, Nige, Amir, Ami, Lily and Cameron...

Needless to say, these guys needed entertaining, but how do you keep all three generations happy? Well, how about visiting some magical castles, built in the 12th and 13th centuries to withstand the Albegenesian crusade?

Take for instance, this boy...

Bruniquel, standing majestically over the Aveyron.

Climbing steeply up towards the castle...

...passing medieval streets

...to confront the magnificent towers and their views

Or maybe Penne, otherwise dubbed 'The Inpregnable'.

Towering giddily over the Aveyron, this crazy edifice saw off all would-be crusaders intent on rape, pillage and genocide. God bless the Catholics...

From the town square:

A steep climb over rocks that our Health & Safety Police would froth over, leads to stunning views

Where the local villains were held in custody:

Leaving their offspring in dire straits

Although a hug is never far away...

No? Then how about some water?

Whether in cold river or warm pool...

No? Then how about meals out on the Veranda or on the Aveyron beach

With Ruth at hand with bottle in hand...

No? Er... how about a walk with the dogs?

Maybe just a quiet read whilst the adults slave over a hot snooker table?

No? Then what about a smack around the head with a phone?

That'll teach you to enjoy yourselves!

The Rose and the Thorns

It's good to be home after five full days of intense tourism. 

Venice is undoubtably an amazing place, but from a photographic point of view, it has its problems.

The first is that more photos of Venice have been taken than of any other place on the planet. Well, I just made that up, but that's how it feels. So how can you take a photo without it feeling like a cliché?

You can't.

Wherever you look, there's a photo that's already been taken a million times.

The second difficulty is avoiding the desecration. Graffiti and cobbled together electric cables are everywhere and no one cares. Their only effort is to distract with underwear...

And the endless hoards of tourists, to which we added our number..

And then there are the ubiquitous cafes and restaurants distracting the hapless photographer from his goal...

And of course, the myriad shops. So many shops that they spill over into the canals.

There are beggars on every street corner. Poverty amongst the most preposterous richess. Every church houses a fabulous fresco, testament to their hypocrisy.

Finally, amongst all these roses and thorns, there are the traps that we willingly fall into. The gondolas...

It's good to be home.

My Family and Other Animals

For those that don't know this Gerald Durrell masterpiece, take a look at the TV series 'The Durrells'. You may just learn why I became a vet...

Anyway, back to family. Amongst the endless stream of welcome guests this spring was Lisa and her daughter Sienna. Sophie's daughter Lyzea is obsessed with Sienna, so their reunion was a tear-jerker. Here's some photos...

Amongst the other animals that have visited so far this year are these specimens...

Nuff said.

Paris in the Springtime

Catch-up time with the blogs, three in quick succession...

First a quick visit to the top end of France back in the Spring. We spent a day at the Chateau in Chantilly:

The guy who lived here had waaaay too much money. These are his stables:

And a couple of other views...

Inside is one of the best art exhibitions in France. Too much money...

Then a days trip into Paris itself, doing the usual tourist stuff:

Notre Dame

The Louvre:

Sacré Coeur

As well as untold other stunning architecture. Well worth a wonder.

Then a trip to the Compiegne to see the once center of power (a bit OTT)

Then onto the Chateau at Pierrefonds

A great week thanks to Jaqueline & jean-Blaise.

Next, daughters reunite...