Blackberry time.

Blackberries seem a bit scarce here this year..
The harvest hasn't been as plentiful as other years.

Although it might be the case, blackberries are always better on the other side of the hedge.

Is Freya any good at spotting rabbits when she is out in the woods helping to pick blackberries... ?

No good at all, rabbits walk straight past her and she doesn't notice them, but she is especially good at spotting a dog eared, slobbered on tennis ball at the back of the fire place... phew, I thought it was something Frank had dragged in through the cat flap.

Looking innocent isn't enough, looking innocent doesn't mean to say he is.... This time, it really was a tennis ball.
Freya is over at Catflap Cavalier looking cool as usual. Luckily without blackberry juice on her paws.

Denim Dog.

This little guy is off and away before the week is out... Recycled denim ...
safety joints and the usual cotter pins can be used. but, there are somethings that look better with button joints... on denim, button joints work better.. believe me...

Wood turned lamp number two, using drift wood.

Someone has been working hard turning odd wood into something usable in their shed again.

Everyone has seen this one.

Now there is a slimmer version, looking just as good. The new lamp is made of cedar, pine, ash wood, some salvaged from the beach that Freya normally walks then left to dry out before being turned on a wood lathe. The lamp has yet to have a matching shade like the first, I couldn't wait to have it up and working. Both very one off lamps and I love them.
So do our kids, orders are being taken. I think Freya has to scout around for more drift wood on the beach and the Soggibottom Carpenter is going to be in his shed a little longer than he intended during the coming weeks.

There are so many good things in bloggers gardens that I see on blog posts. These are from our apple tree this year. I believe they have been counted and there is a joke with our next door neighbour, just how long her reach is.

Caroline from Uniqart and Soggibottom still have an ongoing tomato competition.
I have yet to tell everyone Caroline beat me fair and square this year. This is Caroline's first tomato, quite a while ago, well before Soggibottom's  were ready to pick.

There is always another chance to win next year.

The day after I mentioned Dolores and gave a link to True Blue Canadian, a surprise parcel from Dolores came through the post. A new book to read and my very own Moose.

Dolores also knows how much time we spend in our garden during the Summer.

Soap, book and a moose button from British Columbia. Thank you Dolores.

The next day, the postman delivered another parcel. A beautiful candle that perfumes the whole cottage. Thank you Sue. You can find Sue and her Portuguese water dogs Here  Sue always keeps me in hysterics with her blog and pack of tweeters and woofers.
Thanks guys for all your kind thoughts.

As usual, Freya Rose Blossom is over at the Catflap Cavalier. Her first yearly visit to the vet for her jabs and she is in perfect health. Just as well because she has some wood collecting to do on the beach over the next few weeks. 

Never take a dog and a bear to the beach at the same time.

This little bear was made to blend in with the beach.

A piece of wet look mohair (hedgehog stuff) that hung in the cupboard for a very long time at the cottage waiting for the right moment or the right inspiration to be made into something apart from a hedgehog.. With our wet weather at the beginning of the Summer what else could be done, but make the mohair into a wet look, beach bear.

The bear had a hidden journey to the beach, as one of us, didn't want to be seen carrying the bear free style along one part of the beach where all the tourist gather. It must be a male thing.

.
The bear did have his head sticking out, now would I be that mean as to completely hide him away ?
Dolores will probably recognise the bag, as she sent it to me ages ago.
Here it's known as my Hermione bag, if you have ever seen the Harry Potter films or read the books, you will know Hermione has a particular bag that she could carry all her needs... Like wise...this bear is in a bag that, if needed could carry a kitchen sink. Thanks Dolores.

As the bear is a beach little guy it seemed only right to go to the beach at least once while he is with us.
Photographing the bear should have been easy, click and that's it. Not so easy when the bear had company.
I'll leave you with all the ruined photo's because someone else had to be in nearly every shot... Wonder who that can be ?

Never take a bear and Freya Rose Blossom to the beach at the same time.

As always our digging beach Queen can be found over at the Catflap Cavalier. We think she has dug away her sulks from the weekend when Jake went home.

This time last year.

This time last year...... Jake and Freya.
Freya's first day at Soggibottom Cottage.

Jake and Freya Rose Blossom beside the banks of the river Dart two weeks ago.How can a year have passed so quickly ?
Forgive our absence, over the last two weeks. We have been out and about nearly every day.

There have been lots of beach walks.

Tent sharing.

Castle visiting at Totnes. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a short lead.

The shop at the bottom of the castle is dog friendly which is a bonus.

The shop also sells great ice cream.

Freya didn't go all the way up to the top of the castle but she never let Jake out of her sight if she could help it..

There are benches all around the castle grounds, Freya sat on one as it gave her a slight height advantage to keep an eye on Jake.

We have been to a fun fair.

Cliff walks in Cornwall.

Loads of digging.

Even the sun shone.

Two great weeks of fun.

Jake went home this morning, we have one very sad little dog who keeps looking out of the cottage window for him to return.
Never mind Freya, it's the village Fete tomorrow and your also in the blog Olympics on Catflap Cavalier. Entered in "Digging" obviously.