Soggibottom

Soggibottom's Valentine Giveaway results 2012

2012-02-14T20:58:00.000+01:00

It's true, the donkey we brought back from the donkey sanctuary is going away.

Someone is going to be smiling.

It takes a lot to make Frank smile.

Even the tulips were smiling.

The bear in the cottage window was ready and waiting.

The numbers went into a crystal vase.

With the official adjudicator watching and working the camera.

Number two comment, from Mary Ann.
If Mary Ann would like to send me her snail mail address, donkey will be heading on over our bridge to you.

I didn't get around to thanking everyone before for entering Freya's giveaway donkey. There are new blogs yet to visit, thanks to everyone who clicked to follow Soggibottom and entered the giveaway.
I hate to disapoint anyone, so you are all quite welcome to share some roses.

Or you can head on over to Freya and The Cat Flap Cavalier to see what Freya is looking for.
Have a very happy Valentine's day..........

Donkey Managment for pups

2012-02-08T20:42:00.000+01:00

We promised Freya Rose Blossom she could have an intensive donkey management course.

This is only part of the course

There is always so much to see at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary.

You can see for yourself inside the barn there is a live webcam HERE

Freya had a great afternoon with the donkey's.

We thought we would bring this little fellow home with us for a February giveaway.
Followers only please, although your welcome to join Soggibottom. I think this little guy will travel well, there is no limit to where in the world he can be sent. It would also be a good thought if you would tell everyone else and give a link back here so they have a chance to hug him too.

You can find Freya Rose Blossom's account of her day at Catflap Cavalier HERE
The closing date for the giveaway will be on

Tuesday. 14th February, 2012. 8.00 p.m.. G.M.T.

Until then we promise donkey will be in good hands.

Cute little critters

2012-02-08T02:27:00.000+01:00

They are cute little critter's aren't they ?

Their mum and dad were found beside a road in Crete. They sat there waiting for their owners to return and their owners, (GOOD GUYS)... notice my English sarcasm here, never returned!
They sat there all day, Judith and her husband passed them on their way to work, when they noticed that they were in the same spot on their return journey home, they stopped and picked both up from the road.They saved them from being run over. I won't mention flea's ............

Gissie (adoptive name) gave birth to pups just before Christmas...the obvious reason why both dogs were left on the side of the road.
Although watching our late night tv news. Greece has has a melt down with the Euro. I try and wonder who one earth would want to abandoned such beautiful little dogs, even though times are tough.............
I have stolen Judith's photo's from her blog.. I hope she will forgive me. SORRY ............. Judith forgive me....
Judith is desperate to find beautiful ALWAYS homes for the pups and their mum and dad.
Judith already has one adoptive dog that has had a hard time coping with with a normal loving life because of her previous owner. Lucky is one of my favorite dogs on blogger............Only a few will understand why.

Judith's photo's again........

Most Soggibottom dog sweater's have the same reaction.

One pup has a promised home in The Netherlands. Just waiting for a plane............
Judith and Ian haven't asked for help, but we feel that we would like to offer any that we can.
If you know someone or some organisation, or you might be that special person who can give a home to one of the pups or their parents, then the link to JUDITH is HERE , Judith has email and will email you back if you can help. Although I am sure any advice or encouragement will be equally welcome. Just knowing your there helps, when your up to your armpits in pups.......................

On this occasion Frank is totally innocent.

For those that follow Frankie de tabby on his face book page.

Would Frankie de tabby fib !
He is really soft pussycat at heart................

LIFE TIME HOMES FOR PUPS.
Nothing but an honest LIFETIME home will do...........
A pup, that NEEDS special love and care. These are really SPECIAL DOGS....Special PUPS............. But for Ian and Judith, they wouldn't be here...........
I know that there are so many out there that need a home, so many that say, never again to four paws, after their beloved companions go to the place we can't yet follow. I am sure that is worded properly... Please don't mention a bridge here because we have a bridge that is the only way over the stream to our cottage.

This side of the bridge is the best place EVER... but there are other places, you don't need a bridge,

Photo's from Judith's blog.

You can help, you might not have room, but you never know, your friends just might know a special home.
By giving a link to Judith's blog, you might find a home for the pups. DO IT. Links and links, well, you never know.............
It's not always what you know but who you know, or who your friends know. Worth a try........

Freya Rose Blossom is on her Donkey Management course in the morning, she doesn't know it yet..........We are sure she will pass it with flying colours just as Amie Soto Blossom did......
For all my friendly bloggers out there, I am now calling in a favour. Not for something I am giving for free, for all the times I hoped I have made you smile and there is a happy ending..... give Judith a link .............
No freebie at the end, I know Soggibottom followers all have hearts that are worth their weight in gold........... You TOO :-) I know who you are, just post and link............
Lots of love as always............. Freya, Rose Blossom and Frankie de tabby.......they are getting more comments than me..... love ;em :-)
Guys do your best................. This post doesn't require comments............ ! Although I will be watching :-) Just give Judith a link, the pups will thank you for it.............................. XXXXXXXXXXX luvs X

High Tide and The Girl Rona.

2012-02-05T22:16:00.004+01:00

Our normal Sunday morning routine walking along Teignmouth sea front.

Our favourite fishing boat The Girl Rona from Teignmouth was still on her side.

The weather was calm this morning, they were waiting for high tide to upright her.

Anxious onlookers from the shore line looked on.

By now The girl Rona is upright and if not quite back home she soon will be.

A photo of Jake when he was here last Summer, Jake was very taken with the Teignmouth Life Boat. Well done last week with the rescue of The Girl Rona's crew guys. The life boat was slightly damaged, but I would imagine as soon as the life boat was ready, she was rearing to go out again if needed.

This is the working deck of another small coastal fishing boat, this is one that has Looe in Cornwall as it's home port. I wouldn't want to work in all weather's on the sea in such a space.

Anyone who works on water has our utmost admiration .

Freya, apart from watching the fishing boat rescue had a great 2 hour walk this morning.
The only trace that the boat was off shore was one dead fish, not sure how the seagulls missed that, but I know someone who found it.

She had a great time meeting new faces.

A 16 week old German Shepherd. He still has to learn how to behave.

Nose to nose with other beach loving dogs.

Home and watching Penguins on T.V. on a Sunday afternoon, not a bad life.

Your definitely not The Girl Rona's new mascot Frank.

We think someone else might fit the bill.

Good luck with your boat guys............. X X X

Girl Rona in Teignmouth and Dartmoor -3 deg c.

2012-02-02T23:21:00.002+01:00

This is the over turned fishing boat Girl Rona, She was going into Teignmouth Harbour at the beginning of the week, when a freak wave hit and over turned the boat onto a sandbank.

Luckily all her crew of five were rescued by the Teignmouth Life Boat. Our present Government are cutting back on Coast guard stations. Shortsighted people !

The seagulls are still feasting on Girl Rona's fish catch.

She also has diesel on board that might be leaking, so we took Freya further down the coast for her beach walk.
Thursday, and the fishing boat is still there, although recovery should be soon. We see this little fishing boat so often coming in and out of the Teign estuary, it's such a shame to see her so helpless.The main thing, the crew are all safe.

The sea gulls are probably still feeding, the boat had a full catch.

Freya had her beach walk

and daily dig.

It was so cold on the beach we decided to take Freya through the nature reserve on the other side of the beach wall. At least it was out of the wind.

All the years we have been walking there, we have never seen a pony, Although there are signs everywhere, about keeping your dog on a lead because of the ponies. We joke about the pony myth of Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve.

It's true, a pony or two keeping down the grass. Maybe they are only there in the Winter.

Freya loved them.......... dogs and ponies don't go together in nature, so we thought it would be a good idea for Freya to get used to ponies properly.

Minus 3 deg c. this morning on Dartmoor at 11.a.m., tonight it is going to be minus 10 deg c. Not so bad really when other parts of Europe have lower temperatures tonight. We are balmy and warm by comparison.

Dartmoor has such stunning beauty, we found a haven down by the old quarry at Haytor. Wind free, but still -3 deg c.

Frozen water.

Even on the side of the quarry.

Part one of Dartmoor views......

It might be cold up there tonight, but it's warm inside Soggibottom Cottage. The best place to view Dartmoor when it's cold is from this very spot, by the warmth of a fire looking at photo's. besides, it has taken us all evening to warm up. Tomorrow is going to be a quiet WARM day.

We still have Widecome in the moor photo's yet............
Freya can be found over at Catflap Cavalier, pony whispering ?
Freya can dream on...........
Although we have some amazing views of Dartmoor

They will keep.........

Mainly dry

2012-01-31T22:20:00.001+01:00

No snow here at Soggibottom cottage.

Although there is snow on Dartmoor tonight.

Here, we are all in hibernation.

Some are, some aren't !

Last few days

2012-01-31T00:03:00.003+01:00

My friend Mary at Emmary Bears is closing her on line bear supply ordering site. Better get in there quick to pick up some great bargains. There are other bargains, not all about teddy bears. But for all those budding bear makers out there, I know Mary has some great Ted patterns.

The Cottage Ted who always sits in the window was made from mohair from Emmary Bears.
Mary and I have known each other for over ten years, doesn't time fly ?

The Ted in the cottage window accompanying Alice's Wedding Bear, also made from Emmary Bear supplies.
Just like to say to my dear friend Mary, I for one will miss you terribly.

Mary asked if she could borrow this photo of Harlyn Bay for the EMMARY BEAR NEWSLETTER.
I had such a sweet thank you at the start of the newsletter, Mary, your very welcome.
Good luck in your new venture.

There really are some great bargains to be had over at Emmary Bears, if you click the Soggibottom Bear's photo on the side bar you can go straight to them.

As always you can see Freya on her blog Catflap Cavalier, she is still messing around in rock pools on Harlyn Bay, but if the weather holds, tomorrow she is out and about.

Seals in Harlyn Bay - January - 2012

2012-01-28T21:16:00.000+01:00

212 photo's taken on Thursday, this is the best photo from the day.

Or maybe this one ? Waves crashing onto the beach in the next bay.

It was taken from this spot, looking towards the next village along the coast. There must be a knack to taking long shots with our new camera. Keeping the camera still would probably help. But from this distance I could hardly see the next bay unless I looked through the camera lens anyway. It was a case of hit or miss photography on Thursday.

A slight detour from our usual beach walking route, found us on the Atlantic side of Cornwall.
Cornish lanes in August are busy but wonderfully empty in January.

An almost empty beach too. The sun was shining, Freya danced around in circles on the sand, it could have been the height of Summer. In reality is was a chilling 2 deg c.

It looks calm enough from here.

If you could find shelter from the wind it wasn't that bad. Freya managed to find another rock pool she misjudged and had to swim through.
. Catflap Cavalier

Surfers weren't ' the only ones to enjoy themselves.

Seals were playing among the waves. (Photo of seals along the British Coast)
Try as I might, the seals eluded me. 212 camera clicks and no seals photo's of my own to show you.

Tried hard, failed miserably. As they say, you can't win them all.

We had a great day out,

but, it was good to get home and dry off properly.

Cold weather and the possibility of snow heading our way, we might have to put beach walks on hold for a few days Freya.
As always you are very welcome to visit Freya and her rock pooling adventures over at The Catflap Cavalier,

Lots of love to "Ploy", our post crossing friend :-) x x x

Charmouth beach in January 2012

2012-01-24T22:43:00.002+01:00

Just because it's a dull day, doesn't mean it's an excuse not to get some exercise outside.

The last time we went to Charmouth beach was way back in the Summer last year, a week before we had Freya. We had taken Jake fossil hunting, one of our favourite pastimes. Where better to take our eight year old grandson. Sand, sea and what ever history he could find under his feet. He loves dinosaurs
The Jurassic Coast line stretches as far as your eye can see from this point on the beach.

It's surprising what has been found along the coastline. Mary Anning was 12 years old when she found an Ichthyosaur with her older brother in 1811.

It's said that she braved storms and landslides for her life time love of fossil hunting.

I'm sure she also stood and viewed Lyme Bay from here. Mary Anning was thought to have inspired the tongue Twister, she sells sea shells by the sea shore.

It's also a great dog walking spot, or in Freya's case swimming spot when she daintily went through what she thought was a paddling pool, turned out to be a mini swimming pool. Never think your dog can't swim !

On this beach you don't have to hunt for fossils, they are right under your feet.

This might look like a very uninteresting object to you and me.

But to this guy, (Mary Anning of our day), it looks promising.

As he worked he talked, and believe me, we kept him talking. He knew exactly what he was looking for.

Although I think he was getting impatient trying to prise out what ever it was that MIGHT be there.

Fools gold. Iron Pyrites.

Heavier utensils were brought from the bag.

Positioned.

Then given a hard whack with a sledge hammer. Not sure if Mary Anning would have done quite the same thing.

Not to disappoint you. Beach art.The interesting find held nothing that was very interesting to show you..

Art ?
Or maybe someone was getting bored waiting for their other half to whack hard mud. I'm sure there is a word for the layer that the fossils are found in.. I haven't a clue what it is.

Another interesting piece that someone had already broken to look inside.

I post about this beach so many times.
Although we aren't dedicated fossil hunters, we enjoy the scenery. Every time we visit this beach, the cliff face looks different. Eroding tides wash it away, bringing the past of the Jurassic Period of history open to everyone. Especially Jake. Last year part of the cliff had fallen down, at high tide, the beach was blocked. Now the blocked beach has been washed away by the sea. With it, who knows what fossils from our past.
I'm sure there are so many fossil hunters out there.

We can't all have great finds.

For those that never know what to look for this is the shop right on the beach. Filled with history.

Or you can head for home.

With your finds.
Many thanks to our Mary Anning of 2012 for our fools gold.

If you don't find anything along Charmouth Beach, you will just have to keep digging.

Freya is, as always on her own blog. Catflap Cavalier.

Dog coat, Dog and Cat bed - Dog and Cat toy box

2012-01-15T21:31:00.000+01:00

Christmas might have been a few weeks ago, but Freya had a new coat this week.
NOT ANOTHER COAT, I can hear you all from here.

Freya is still growing and trying to find a dog coat in the shops that will actually fit her has been a nightmare. Apart from the fact I seem to pick the day when at least five other dogs and their owners are clustered around by the dog coats stall, all trying them on, all getting flustered. Dogs sniffing around trying to pull you towards the dog treat bar. Why on earth do they put chewy bones by the dog coats in pet supermarkets ?

Apart from the hassle, the coats are either too small, too big or a colour that is really dull. I don't want to put our pup in a blue coat, she is female, or a bright pink one, although if I could have found a bright pink one that fitted, she just might have now been the proud owner of it. Cute as they look, I didn't want her to wear one with bone patterns all over it either.

.I just wanted one that was a little quirky. Does the job keeping her dry and warm. One that I can at least alter when she starts to fill out.One that says, "FREYA ROSE BLOSSOM, Soggibottom pup". After all, we all want the best for our dog. Part of the "see and be seen" culture in the park and on the beach. With this coat we can see exactly where Freya is, not that she ever goes far from us, but with this on she sticks out in the crowd.

If you have a dog who needs a coat you need to visit this link.... Dog Clothes Patterns. by Mimi.
Free downloads for various costumes and dog coats, Mimi even tells you the proper way to measure your dog. Small dogs, medium dogs and large and EXTRA large dogs.

Freya is now the proud owner of her very own ladybird spotty coat. I've lined her coat with fleece, and then quilted the inside. Velcro strips hold it in place around her belly and her chest. No squirming or rolling around in the mud will shift this one. It won't fall off as she runs either.
The best thing is, I can let out the fastening if I need to and it's quick and easy to put on. One thing I put on that is extra to Mimi's pattern was a button hole at the top. As Freya wears a harness the harness goes under her coat and the clip can poke out from the coat and still be easily clipped on and off.

Just like to add, Frankie de tabby didn't have a new coat.

You could argue, Freya is a young dog and she doesn't really need a coat.
At least her new coat will protect her slightly from the rain. She goes out in all weathers, it's so much easier to take off her coat and only have her paws to dry. No hood on this one, as she tends to try to reach around and chew them.

We all know I'm not the greatest artist in the world.

Panic sets in at the sight of a paint brush.

I try my best.

Frank and Freya's old toy box was looking worse for wear, chewed corners of the old toy box when Freya was cutting her teeth. So lucky little guys, have a new one, made by Tony in his Soggibottom Shed from odd bits of wood.
Looking at the prices for dog and cat toy boxes, I'm amazed how expensive they are. This really is just an oblong shaped box, held together with screws and lots of felt on the bottom to help it slide and glide across the floor. Open with no lid so they can help themselves to their toys.
Same thing with decoration, I didn't want a picture of bones all over it. I didn't want one that was painted or varnished either. I might not be the best artist in the world, but I know who the subjects on the box are.

Freya and Frank know exactly where all their toys are and really do help themselves. The catnip mice are down the bottom, Frank finds them without any help.

Same with dog beds, why are they so expensive ? Am I looking in the wrong places again ?

Is it that hard to make a dog bed ?

A square (or round) piece of material for the bottom, a covered piece of foam for a base..

Four oblong shaped cushions.

Attach the cushion sides one at a time to the material base. Then when all the cushions are in place, sew the corners together.

Place the covered foam square in the bottom to stabilise the bed, tucking it into the corners. Then top it all with another cushion....... NOT HARD........ no bone pattern in sight either.

I'm going to make extra covers, maybe bright pink material. At the moment gold chintz will have to do. This will all wash.

Frank loves it.
Then Frank normally helps himself to anything.

I haven't got a thing about bone pattern material, incase you ask. There are enough bone toys around here after a while tripping daintily over them is a bone of contention. You'll have to go and visit Freya at CATFLAP CAVAL:IER to see why.
In the meantime, it's getting colder and colder here, coats on for the beach definatly.

January 11th - Back to Bigbury Bay.

2012-01-11T23:12:00.000+01:00

The sun was shining, the birds singing, the start of a clear blue sky January day, too good to stay inside.

There has been a full moon over the last few nights, which meant today the tide was out further than we normally see it around Bigbury Bay.

More sand and space for Freya to dig and run around on.
Making sure she digs around in the seaweed first of course.

Look for crabs in rock pools.

We're still not sure how we spent 6 hours on the beach, especially in January, but we had a good time.
Who says January is dull ?

It's Karina's birthday tomorrow, the 12th January. Have a very Happy Birthday babes........
Karina like Frank has matured a little since this photo was taken, but it's one of my favourite photo's of both of them. I think I might live to regret putting matured....... she wouldn't thank me for telling everyone she is 35 years old tomorrow.

We left Frank to guard the cottage this morning, washing his paws as we went out of the door.........

Franks a mouse magnet, not quite a beach and sand between his toes kind of guy anyway.

If you never got to the beach today, don't worry, I promise, it is still there.

As usual you can find Freya Rose Blossom at Catflap Cavalier....if you want to toddle on over for a visit.

Wet Start to a New Year.

2012-01-03T23:14:00.001+01:00

After the New Year storms lots of water surrounds the cottage today.

There might be water around, but at least the stream beside the cottage although flowing fast is lower than we have seen it before when there has been a heavy storm. . No defences needed to keep the cottage dry against flooding at the moment.

Freya's park walk was wetter than usual today.

Instead of her usual romp around without her lead Freya was kept safe and under control. Your never too sure where the river ends and the park begins when the water from surrounding hills heads down into the valley onto the flood plain.

I had so many other photo's to put on here, mud and water weren't on the list.

A photo of Big Ben one minute past midnight at the start of the New Year.

London's sky line lite by fireworks.

The third of January, the New Year seems ages ago.

There is still some colour around, we've eaten all the nuts but there are still a few apples and tangerines.

Even a rainbow.

At least one of us loves all the water.

Where ever you are in the U.K, keep safe and dry.
What a start to a New Year !

Enlightening New Year

2011-12-31T21:44:00.000+01:00

We normally open the cottage back door to let the old year out and open the front door to let in the New Year.
I'm never sure if it's just the blast of cold air that wakes me up, or the New Year really does come in and clears out old cobwebs I might have missed.
The church bells in the village go like the clappers every year at one minute past 12.00. Any remaining cobwebs get blown out by their beautiful tone..

It's been a joy to meet so many new friends this year, and treasure every single one that I have known for so long.
There is never one comment that you leave that is left unread. I'm not the best blogger in the world at replying, but your comments really do mean so much.

Especially in June, and then eight weeks later when Mew decided to join Amie Soto Blossom.

New Years are for looking forward.
Here is to 2012. Open that back door and open the front.

May we all have health, wealth, be postive and wize during the coming year. Not to mention creative and a hundred and one other things..

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS....

Lots of love Tony, Midge, Frank and Freya Rose Blossom XXX

A very Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T23:30:00.000+01:00

A very Merry Christmas from Soggibottom Cottage xxxx

Winter Solstice 21st December 2011

2011-12-21T22:06:00.000+01:00

It's the Winter Solstice today. Soon be Spring ...........

Daffodil December 20th in devon ENGLAND.

2011-12-21T00:06:00.004+01:00

Daffodils in December ?

It is December isn't it ?

I know I should be showing Christmassy scene's, but this is a Christmas scene. It's December 20th 2011 and we have no leaves on the tree's. We do however have a daffodil in the garden.

Also a rose (planted near our apple tree.).

Two Californian poppy blooms,

and beautiful rose hips that snake their way along one side of our garden fence. Who ever said gardens in December could be dull ?

The bad weather unfortunately keeps me away from our garden,
It's too slippery and wet and cold.
Normally at this time of year I am curled up reading.
This is the latest read. A book I should have read a few years ago after we visited Benjamin's zoo. The Zoo is only a few miles away from here, we keep meaning to go back, once we have a dog sitter in place we will.

We tell all our visitors that come to the cottage, the place to visit is Dartmoor Zoological Gardens. Benjamin's Zoo. After reading Benjamin's book. (I rephrase that, his mum and dad's Zoo) A beautifully written book straight from the heart.
The Book has been made into a film which I believe had it's premier a few weeks ago. I'm not into giving away secrets, you have to read the book or see the film. Here is just a glimpse of the photo's we took the day we visited. Amie had a dog sitter that day.Although she was such a kind soul that nothing ever worried her, she would have happily wandered among the tigers and not bat an eye lid.. Not sure about the wolves....

I have already blogged this beautiful bear. To read her story you have to read the book.

The otters.

These guys....

This photo was taken with our old camera, WOW.. so close to a tiger. You need to read the book....

Oscar, another of my favourites for reason's of my own.

Let alone the peacocks.
IF you read the book and IF you see the film. You will have a great read... I have yet to see the film.
Benjamin, your Zoo is brilliant... loved it and loved your book. Why didn't I read it before ?

We want to visit again, can you please look after Freya Rose Blossom while we wander around ?.
Everyone should have a copy of the book at the entrance of the zoo. Or at least in their Christmas stocking.

Which takes me back to Christmas...
There are so many great little links ref Christmas going around..... Thanks Lynda.... ( pic only no link).

Freya in the meantime has been enjoying herself !
If anyone has any insight to the virus I have that has held me prisoner for about four and a half weeks now... Great ..... please let me know ...

Amie Soto's Blossom's last Christmas gift

2011-12-13T22:29:00.002+01:00

Thanks to everyone who entered our Soggibottom giveaway last week. I know I haven't got around to thanking everyone individually for their thoughtful and loving comments for Allie the winner.

This little bird was made by my friend Caroline and came on my birthday last week.
How on earth Caroline has the patience to make anything so intricate is beyond me, he is beautiful. Even down to his sharp little claws. Caroline also knits lacy shawls, things that would fox me, or I would lose patience on after a few inches. HERE is the link to Caroline's blog. You can see for yourself.

I've just nipped over there and like me she seems to be having some blips blogging this week.
Tell her the tomato lady sent you, she will know exactly who gave you her link. Obviously, the tomato reference has nothing to do with our tomato competition during the year.

Lots of baking and bread making. Christmas cake decorating to come later this week.

A very reluctant pup taken out walking in the rain, you can tell how much Freya has grown, her coat fitted her a few weeks ago. Freya will be seven months old on the 20th of this month. Time for a new coat.

Freya has seen her first Christmas Tree.

Our tree came inside this week after all. It's smaller than normal, but the tree is safe from Freya's inquisitive nose and Freya is safe from itchy Christmas Tree needles and anything electrical. The first time we have been at the cottage and a tree doesn't grace the window seat, there is always next Christmas.

We came across this little guy when hunting for tree decorations in the attic this week.
Sitting among the box of decorations a little dog toy Santa that Amie Soto Blossom had last year.
Amie Soto Blossom never had many teeth left and only had eye's for cookie's and ice cream as many of you know. This little guy is as new as the day he was accidentally put into the Christmas decorations and in the attic.

Amie has passed so much onto Freya, was this little Santa ment to have spent the year in the attic ?
Amie's parting gift to Freya. Maybe that's just my thinking.

You can see more of Freya and Santa on Freya's blog the Cat Flap Cavalier......

December 7th 2011 Soggibottom's giveaway results.

2011-12-07T22:05:00.000+01:00

December the 7th already......

Thank you for all my great birthday wishes and cards. If I haven't managed to get around to everyone A BIG THANK YOU to all who posted Soggibottom's giveaway on their blog. I know I never got around to everyone to check. But you were all entered anyway. We have our HI Tec random generator to pull out the winning number, which will correspond with the comment number on the giveaway.

This year the hi tec number holder, is Ted's, Santa's Little Helper hat.

Another of Santa's Little Helpers pulled out the winning number.

Which is...................

Number 32............ Hi Allie. Bear will hopefully arrive before Christmas. Congratulations.

Before everyone clicks off......... last year I had three giveaways on December 7th. I hate to disappoint anyone. Next year there will another giveaway maybe at Easter, maybe before.... January is a very long month after Christmas. It needs brightening up, don't you think ?
Thank you everyone who entered this year, so many new faces and blogs I have yet to explore. Loads of old faces that I love to see. Thanks for all the birthday wishes guys and all the get well wishes.. Hopefully, normal service at Soggibottom blog will be resumed soon......... as Freya and Frank would say, lots of luvs X X X
Freya is as always, over at her blog CAT FLAP CAVALIER
Searching for Santa Paws..........
Congratulations Allie................ X X X

The right time to bring a Christmas Tree inside for Christmas

2011-11-23T22:51:00.003+01:00

We normally go into Christmas mode after December 7th, but this year we're slightly earlier here at the cottage. The bear has an elf suit. A small green felted and lined jacket that is older than the bear by about 40 years. Slightly too tight for him around his middle, (too many cookies bear) but it's warm in here so don't think he is going to get cold even in the snow. He also has some new elf boots..

A cute and easy little pattern, the pattern has endless idea's. Mary Ann suggested that candles would look great in them. I thought candles, why candles ? I never actually had my glasses on... CANDIES.......... not candles..........Mary Ann has some great links to other inspiring makes on her blog, you can find them JUST HERE......... Thanks Mary Ann.... make sure you make a note and leave a comment for mousie or he will never forgive you. Mousie is the little guy who works hard, plays hard, you will see him.

I'm coming to the bit about Christmas Tree's....... This little tree has been planted in our garden for about four years. It lives quite happily surrounded by mint in the Summer. It's been left to get on with growing, without any feeding, shaping or digging up again for yet another Christmas. It looked a bit sad last year but has suddenly picked up. It's a shame to dig it up when he looks happy enough. He's not left entirely alone though, as he is decorated with birdie food during hard Winters.

This potted guy has been fed all year, shaped, re potted, he looks good enough to be placed in our window seat again. Every year since we have lived at Soggibottom we always have a real tree. Apart from one year we brought an artificial tree, it had one night on the window seat and we both decided the cottage needed something real at Christmas. We always buy a tree with roots, one to last more than just a few days... Nothing wrong with this tree, except this year we can't put a tree in the window at doggie height... for obvious reasons... much better to be safe than sorry, maybe we are being over protective, but if you love your dog, you protect the love of your life.

This little tree is such a pup attraction already...

You might like this pic of the tree better, messing around with camera setting isn't a bad thing, but then you realise some of the pics you take can't be reproduced again with clarity.
So here is our Christmas tree for this year, a table top (PUP PROOF we hope where she can't test it out) little spruce. Should smell great too. So When is the right time to bring in a Christmas Tree into your house... ?

Tradition says on Christmas Eve, what do you think Freya ?
Big yawn, she would rather be at the beach , or maybe she's getting in some choir practise for Silent Night............ Catflap Cavalier......

READ ON,.............
Here I would normally stop at a blog post so hope on this occasion you'll read on.....might be a long post :-) ... over the last few days soggibottom posts have been rather thin on the ground to say the least... trying to make it up for my lack of activity I have two more links to give you.

I hope they will make you smile at the generosity of people and at the same time sadden your heart..... to make you generous and help if you can. Here is a link to Debbie and Dixie. Debbie has a heart of gold with her campaign for Fabric for SUE .

It also gives me a very selfish chance to show you a pic from a visit to the beach this week.

The next link is to Judith.

Judith can tell you Sam and Gizzy's story.....I am sure their story has only just started... Judith can tell you so much better than I can. There is one thing that Judith doesn't say in her post. Gizzy is having pups...........

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American Friends.....

Don't forget about your Christmas Tree, if it's living and has roots, you might like to make it last a bit longer by not bringing it into a warm house too soon......... Artificial tree's are fine... but do they really smell of CHRISTMAS ?

Last but one photo, this time one taken by me with our old camera.
.

Frank's turn..... he doesn't and never will wear boots !

Soggibottom's birthday Giveaway 2011

2011-11-13T22:32:00.000+01:00

They say the older you get the quicker birthday's come along..... the year seems to have gone by so quickly !

Here is Soggibottom's birthday giveaway. A little 3 inch guy that comes with his own scarf and hat.

He is willing to travel anywhere in the world. Soggibottom's past giveaway Birthday bears are lucky little travellers and have gone far and wide. As usual, only three things qualify to enter.

A COMMENT MADE ON THIS POST

YOU HAVE TO BE A SOGGIBOTTOM FOLLOWER...although your quite welcome to follow at any time..

IT'S GOOD TO SHARE - a side bar link or post on your blog about the giveaway........... I will check..... ::-)

We moved into Soggibottom Cottage on my birthday, the cottage is 343 years old this year..... I've a way to go to catch up with her.

I like to share on December 7th. The giveaway will end at 12 noon GMT...

To all our beautiful Cottage followers, thank you for another year of making us smile, laugh and cry with all your personal, creative and fantastic blogs and comments. Every comment is read, although it's not always possible to get back to everyone via email to say thank you...... THANK YOU TO EVERYONE....Also to everyone I know who reads Soggibottom.... Hi guys.... always great to know your out there...........

Midge, Tony, Frankie de tabby and Freya Rose Blossom :-) X X X

Freya is, as always over at her own blog, Cat Flap Cavalier............

11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

2011-11-10T22:07:00.001+01:00

Freya at Catflap Cavalier is still here.

Pumpkin Tree grown at Soggibottom

2011-10-31T19:04:00.000+01:00

The pumpkin was grown at Soggibottom Cottage, art work by Karina.Where ever Karina gets her skill from it's not us.

Soggibottom Cottage isn't that great in the art of pumpkin carving. The usual face on a pumpkin is as far as our talent goes. This year, the bear is dressed and standing in the cottage window, there are certain items which have been left out. Anything with a stick is slightly too tempting for a young pup. He is however having a fair amount of admiring glances as usual when people pass the window.

The bear does have his own black cat.

End of October already,

some are still paddling in the sea.

Only the brave ones.

Some just look on.

Freya Rose Blossom can be found over at the CAT FLAP CAVALIER.

Where ever you are and what ever your doing tonight have a Happy Halloween.

Wet and Windy, when to pick up shellfish on Dawlish Beach

2011-10-25T21:24:00.003+02:00

The South West had a weekend of storms

Back to our normal wet and windy October weather.

Except this morning it was a clear, calm morning, too good not to go for a walk along the beach.

It also gave us a chance to try out our new camera.
Freya gives a whole new meaning of burying your head in the sand.

There were more things to keep her occupied than digging this morning. The storm brought in various shell fish, all littered along the tide line.

Some still alive and hanging in there waiting for the tide to turn.

Some were lucky, some not.

The gulls ate a hearty breakfast.

In fact the shell fish seemed to be disappearing at an alarming rate.

Seems there is such a thing as a free lunch after all.

At least until the tide came back in.

Word of warning about shell fish, only pick up the unopened ones, if the seagulls have got there before you, it's best to leave well alone.
Mussels are best from October to March.

But why ask me, I'm not the Soggibottom cook.

You can see Freya over on CATFLAP CAVALIER gibbering about her toys.You can also see her in her first ever video appearance. How to pick up a stone with no hands.

Or how bemused am I ...................

Port Wrinkle, horse hair and lime plaster walls.

2011-10-22T19:29:00.001+02:00

Port Wrinkle is a place name.

I'm sure it looks more inviting during the Summer months..

Even the small boats in the harbour were out of the water, tucked away for the Winter.

We have been up to other things than walking Freya along the coast this week.
The cottage is having a wall repaired.

A Cob specialist has been hard at work for weeks. Horse hair and lime plaster for the first coat, then a long wait until the second coat was applied. We are on the third coat now and have to wait at least fourteen days for it to dry before a final coat of lime wash will be applied. Living in such a beautiful old cottage has it's advantages, sometimes it's disadvantages as cob cottages have to be looked after properly, using the right tools and building materials. The dry weather isn't going to last for fourteen days, the wall will be fine even when it rains..... although we will feel happier when the final coat of lime wash goes on.

Mr weatherman forecasts rain tomorrow.

At least the wall is almost finished, this is when it was stripped back a few weeks ago.

The sound of knitting needles clicking away can be heard during the evening. A sure sign that cold weather is around again.

This little flower is an easy make to decorate a dainty cardy. I know not everyone knits, but this is beginners stuff, I can't go wrong.

A pair of gloves.

You know the kind that are half gloves.

Then turn out to be mitts after all.

We had to say bye bye to an old friend this week. Not to Freya but to our camera. It's still working, it hasn't gone to the great camera shop in the sky, It doesn't pick up views and distance very well, so we have upgraded to a higher pixel camera.All the photo's you have ever seen on Soggibottom's blog have been from a small pink 10.5 pixel camera. Happy snap stuff. Happy snap stuff is fine by us. There is a mix of old and new camera photo's on this post, wonder if you can tell which one's were taken with our old camera?....

The new camera has a quicker shutter speed, good enough to show you Freya's teeth which are rounding off nicely. She's not picking up everything she comes across as she used to.Visitors are now leaving the cottage with the same amount of fingers that they came in with.

She will however have a good chew at some things when in a playful mood...

NO ONE TOUCHES Frank's tail,

not even Freya.

Freya is now five months old. Doesn't time go fast when your having fun ?

Freya as usual can be found on her own blog CATFLAP CAVALIER
Best not to tell her the tide is coming in.....

The back of beyond.

2011-10-14T22:34:00.000+02:00

We've been travelling past my favorite set of stones this week. A slightly closer view than I normally show on here. To get closer you have to pay and walk under a road tunnel that will take you under the wire fence, no trying to duck under it either..

Loads of sheep around as usual.
At eleven in the morning parked along a farm track near the Henge it was cold and windy.
A happy 11 deg Cel.

It never looks inviting enough this time of year to get out from a warm car.

There are some that have to be coaxed.

There are some that take the plunge, no matter what time of day or night you pass, no matter what weather, it always seems as if someone is walking around.

We went to see Jake..

Mr Chops,.

Tilly May,

and Kiann.
We also made the most of our visit and called into Ferry cottage.

Freya can be decidedly pushy at times. .

It's seems a long way back home at this time of year.
Even longer when half way along the road you have to stop.....

You might not be able to see the stones in the photo, but take my word they are there.
No matter what time of night it is, there is always someone walking around !
The wind had dropped it was a balmy 15 deg C. The best time to visit Stonehenge might be at night after all.

You can find Freya Rose Blossom as usual over at CATFLAP CAVALIER
Where ever your heading this weekend, have a great time.

Apple Blossom in October 2011

2011-10-09T21:58:00.001+02:00

It's true we have apple blossom on our apple tree.

Such strange freaky weather over the last few weeks. Our trees and plants aren't sure what to do. Go to sleep for the Winter or wake up for Spring.

At least it gives the bees a last minute boost.

I've been trying to get some plants undercover for the Winter.

The only things I expected to find on our apple tree this morning were Amie and Mew's wind chimes.

I also found some roses, Autumn can't be that bad....

It was 17 deg C. at lunch time today. A bit cooler than the last few weeks, still great weather for walking on the beach.
You can find Freya at CATFLAP CAVALIER
She's starting to have an attitude, just like another Cavalier I used to know. Must be a Cavalier thing !

soggibottom

2011-10-05T01:41:00.066+02:00

Here she is. Soggibottom Cottage as you see her.

We have been asked so many times why we called our cottage "Soggibottom". It makes you smile and laugh right away doesn't it ? Well, maybe, it's an aquired taste, it make's me laugh...

Who in their right mind would call a beautiful, old cottage "Soggibottom" ?
Someone, I would hope who has a good sense of humour............

.... this dear 1668 cottage won our hearts when we first saw her. She needed so much tender loving care. More inside than out. nothing you see about Soggibottom is staged, she is as she is..

After moving in and stripping her bear (pun, not a spelling mistake) of her last inhabitants... it has taken us years of making her ours. Here, I have to say, sorry, I have been neglectful of our hanging baskets... it is October in England. we have had a strange heatwave....

When we first moved to Devon, we left so many of our friends and family behind. It seemed only right that they should know what we were up to. The reason for starting our blog.

No nipping around for tea and coffee. Our kids spend hours travelling along the A303, the road to the South West of England to spend time with us.

We spend hours travelling backwards and forwards to them. For all our friends we left behind,
HI GUYS... you know who you are.................
We also know that just because you don't leave a comment, you visit... that is what this is all about.... just being there........

This is the bridge we cross every time we need to go out into the big wide world.
The big wide world is "somewhere" on the other side, You can see it... although there are times that being an island is heaven. There aren't many people that find us down here.
If your trying to find Soggibottom, you need directions.

Some make it here, there are some who don't know how to get here. You only have to ask.
Hi guys...postcard................ ? ? ?

This little bridge was one of the first crossing places along this route. The road at one time used to be called Monk's Way. I want to tell you more, but by doing so, it gives our location away completely. It is however, one of the lowest crossing points in our village. The stream in the Summer at low tide, is fine, in Winter or at a high tide, it tends to get a bit wet. It's a tidal stream/river... it was classed as a river a few years ago... I wonder how many river's are able to just cover your toes in the Summer...We love living here.

We have shared our cottage with our beloved pets over the years, I know you all know Amie Soto Blossom.
It makes me smile to add her to this post, because Amie was always a very big part of Soggibottom. So many that didn't really like dogs, fell in love with her, ... her snoring was just apart of her beloved nature... I joke, she had her own charm.. There could only be one Amie Soto Blossom...
Just as some still ask me about out very first dog, called Lucky, Amie was intended to be our very last...

There can be only one, Frankie de tabby ... Frank is still around, he is "my lad", mum's boy.... If you ever have lunch here at the cottage, watch your legs, he is a very well renowned scrounger at Sunday lunch times... he is however a bit of a wimp when it comes to visiting the vet or any time a fox is around late at night visiting our very well stocked bird table.

There can only be one Hannah cat.....

One Sneaky and Mew.

One dear Fluffs, my blogging buddy....

I haven't forgotten Fluffs.

Soggibottom is a beautiful cottage, it tends to get wet now and again.. The last time it was flooded, a dyke was build around the stream in the park behind the cottage...
Who ever would have thought that we would spend another Winter with wet feet when a burst water main pipe came up through our kitchen floor..... .. Soggibottom always has a surprise. but, we love her.

Visiting Soggibottom .... You have to have directions ......
Just let us know....

Time moves on, we are lucky enough that we live in one of the most beautiful parts of England. Frank is still here, Freya has taken Mew's place by the fire, she has taken over Amie's toy box, Amie wouldn't mind...she has also taken Hannah and Sneaky's place, sitting on the settee. No one has yet taken Fluff's place beside me when I blog... It's open ... We smile a lot... the secret of a happy cottage.

I am sure there is a reason why you have named your blog a certain name... I have tried to explain why we call Soggibottom , Soggibottom... We love Soggibottom, but it's not just about us you know !

We can give you directions :-) you just have to ask ................. We are full for November and December :-)

Thanks Dawn, you are at star ... I won't be able to see your star, living in this part of the hemisphere, just because I can't see you, doesn't mean your not there... x x x

dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/whats-your-name.html

Freya Rose Blossom can be found as usual at The Cat Flap Cavalier

Late September in South Devon - Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island

2011-09-29T21:47:00.000+02:00

Weather breaking records in September. Winter tends to be too long and dark, make the most of the weather and head for the beach. . Seems as if the good weather is going to last into October, at least for the first few days..

The beach we headed for yesterday morning was Bigbury Bay, across the sand is Burgh Island.
When the tide is in it covers the cause way, the only way back and forth to the Island is then by a large sea tractor.

Burgh Island is famous for it's Art Deco Hotel. Visited by such people as Noel Coward, Edward and Mrs Simpson, Agatha Christie, the Beatles, Winston Churchill and Eisenhower.
It still stands as it did back in the 30's. I haven't been inside the hotel, but I know someone who has. They say that inside all the fixtures and fittings are still the original 1930 ones. The mirrors are starting to tell their age. Maybe that's only to be expected considering where the Hotel stands and surrounded by water twice a day.

Very impressive gates.

It's an easy walk across the sand when the tide is out.

If you visit the Island make sure to avoid a rather large hole on the cliff top. It's one that Freya decided to leave behind as a memento of her visit. She brought some of the earth home in her paws. Just like to warn everyone in case the rabbits get the blame for it.

In the distance is Wembury, the beach we went to last weekend.There can't be a better way to while away an afternoon than watching the world go by from this spot on a beautiful day. Plymouth is slightly further down the coast.

You never know who will pass, you might want to double click on the photo to see the dog on the surf board.

Not this one, she was too busy digging,

watching boats.

meeting new friends.

On the whole, accosting anyone who would make a fuss of her.

Mostly it was a digging

and paddling day.

Where ever you are over the next few days, make the most of the great weather.

As usual you can catch up with Freya over on THE CAT FLAP CAVALIER

The joys of no phone signal, no internet connection

2011-09-26T22:20:00.002+02:00

After looking at a map, our destination was only a few miles down the road. No phone signal, no Internet connection, deep in a Devon valley a few miles away from glorious views over Plymouth Sound. Forget the grey sky, the sun was shining when we set out.

It was there somewhere, although there was a lots of talk about falling bits of space debris on Friday.

If you really need a chill out weekend in late September, maybe this is the place..

A log cabin in a wooded area near Wembury in South Devon.

We know a certain pup that loved the whole weekend.

I'm sure she's ready to do the whole thing again.

Loads of coastal walks.

Rock pools,

to explore.

The company of Jason and Karina.

We even found a Devon Long House that has been turned into a pub.

As the pub was called The Mussel, it was only right we sampled a few.

The trouble with days when your enjoying yourself, they are over far too quickly.

If you've ever driven down our back country Devon lanes and wondered why they aren't cut back, they do cut them at the end of the season..If your really lucky, you can get stuck in your car behind one of the hedge cutters while it cuts the hedges.
Long, windy narrow roads that go on for miles without a passing point, all at the speed of walking pace. Now that really is the way to travel down Devon lanes.

Many thanks to Karina and Jason for inviting us, we had a great time.

Frank was cottage keeper for a few days, a good job of it he made too.

Many thanks for all your thoughtful comments on Soggibottom and Freya's The Cat Flap Cavalier blog.
I don't always have the chance to thank everyone, THANK YOU, we love to read every comment..

Freya has more photo's of her week over at, THE CATFLAP CAVALIER.
As soon as she's old enough, she'll be answering her own post !

Champagne Bubbles really do go up your nose.

2011-09-17T19:54:00.000+02:00

Autumn might be here, at least the start of it, we still have a few sunny days down here in the South West of England.

Visiting Dartmouth there was a distinct absence of people yesterday.. We weren't on a day trip or jaunt, we have visitors at the cottage that had never been to Dartmouth.

A return visit too. There is nothing better than enjoying the company of friends.

Playing silly devils with the camera around the shops.

This is a shop I wanted to visit. The Harbour Bookshop in Dartmouth is closing down.

It was opened in 1951 by Christopher Robin Milne. The real Christopher Robin of Winnie the Pooh fame.

The Internet has huge book stores, why bother going out to a book shop ?

I like book shops, I love to browse and read before I buy. As much as I love the Internet and how it's made the whole world a lot smaller, it's played a great part in this shops demise. I will miss book shops that are closing just like The Harbour Bookshop because of the Internet.

Thankfully, some things still stay the same, the taste of real French Champagne for one.

Good friends another.

What ever your up to this weekend, have a great time. Champagne bubbles really do go up your nose. Not that Freya would know.

Freya is out and about on her blog. You can find her at The Cat Flap Cavalier.
She has her own photo's to show you. Here is one that I thought you might like to see on Soggibottom.

Our window seat seems to be full again.

Other things to do with chillies and peppers - end of season chutney.

2011-09-06T20:02:00.000+02:00

We don't eat chillies, we grow them for their colour. There are other things to do with chillies rather than cook with them, they give instant colour to our cottage kitchen .

No good trying to peek through our kitchen window as I haven't found a place to put them yet.

There are some windows you just can't help look into.

Mark and Becca were at Soggibottom last weekend, we decided to go to Cockington Court to walk off a long lunch.

The earliest part of this Manor House is Medieval, there has been a building here since the 10th century but the exact age of the Court is unknown. Most of the early construction is concealed by subsequent changes and alterations.
A sad looking ghost is said to haunt Cockington Court, thought to be Sir Henry Cary, a staunch Royalist during the Civil War who was knighted by Charles 1st.

The war left him a ruined man. To pay fines imposed by Oliver Cromwell after the war, he was forced to sell his ancestral home.

No ghosts when we were there over the weekend, none that we could see at least. Cockington Court seems to have been taken over by a craft centre since our last visit. A very interesting craft centre I add.

The grounds around the house are a dog walkers paradise. Especially good if the dog in question is a young pup that needs constant attention.

Well, most of the time she has constant attention.

I never gave a recipe on soggibottom's last post.for the tomato chutney I had made.
Thanks Miss Kodee for reminding me.

This is a quick and easy way to use up all the unripened tomato's, use up a couple of stray onions, you can even add a few chillies or peppers. You can use red, yellow, green tomato's. In fact all that is left at the end of the season that will spoil if left sitting around.

2 lb. red or green - I mixed red, green and yellow tomato's.
8 oz dark sugar, you can use white sugar if you prefer. .
A good teaspoon of dried ginger, or freshly grated ginger
!/2 pint of Malt (dark) vinegar
I teaspoon of pickling spice
1 rounded teaspoon of mustard powder
A couple of large finely chopped onions
2 Large cooking apples peeled and cored.
8 oz sultanas
1/2 teaspoon of salt and a 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, give your pepper grinder a real treat and use it for more than just a few turns.
A couple of de seeded chillies or red peppers.I wear gloves for this job.

Put the onion and peppers into a saucepan with 2 - 3 tablespoons of vinegar and simmer gently until soft.
Add the chopped apples, sliced tomatoes, spices, salt pepper, mustard, ginger and sultanas.
Simmer gently until all the mixture is quite soft, stirring from time to time.
Add the vinegar and the sugar.
When the sugar has dissolved boil steadily until the chutney is a thick consistency.
Put the hot chutney into warmed jars and seal down.

It's always best to use aluminum saucepans when making chutney.
Don't attempt to cut down on the quantity of sugar or vinegar in a chutney recipe as this is the preservative.
Don't put in all the vinegar at once, put in about 1/4 of the vinegar, then add the rest gradually during cooking.
Cook the chutney with the lid off the pan so it thickens, stir from time to time.
Use pure malt vinegar, white vinegar can be used for light coloured chutneys.
It's not advisable to put hot chutney straight into cold glass jars. Warm your jars first.
Never put metal tops directly next to the chutney otherwise the vinegar in the chutney will spoil both taste and colour, it will also make the lid rust and be very difficult to remove. You can buy special pickling jars or instead put a round of waxed paper on to the chutney.

Store in a cool dry place, preferably in the dark to keep well.

If you never grew tomato's this year, it's never too late to get started on your vegetable patch for next year.

I know of a certain pup that is an expert at digging.

It might take a while to get her to distinguish between weeds and plants.

I'm sure she will get the hang of it eventually.

You can find more of Freya's antic's on her blog The Cat flap Cavalier

Soggibottom EATABLES, sea horses, August Bank holiday.

2011-08-28T00:14:00.000+02:00

The season is coming to an end, we have a full freezer, we are now giving vegetables away. You only have to knock at the door or ask............

There are other ways of keeping plums and tomato's....... I know I should have included a recipe or two here......

Our plum tree outdid itself this year. "One of us", lost count after a time as to how many plums the tree had.
Freya can't count, but they looked interesting. It was my fault, I had left something beside the coffee table, Freya has Cavalier climbing genes.

August Bank Holiday started with a walk along the beach at Babbacombe. It's a windy road to reach the car park, one of our favorite haunts to watch suba divers in the clear water. My suba diving days are long over, the English Channel is also too cold for me, no matter what dry suit or wet suit. I'm a kind of snorkel and flipper girl anyway. Flipper as in one. One always fell off.

Even with cloudy views along our South Devon Coastline, it's always a good place to spend an evening.

There really are sea horses down there, I promise you.

It's not so long since we were here, the land slide is a part of the ever eroding coast line. Notice the house at the top. You might have to double click to get a bigger picture.

Where ever you are during August Bank Holiday, have a great time, most of all keep safe, I know of Typhoons in Tiawan and we all know in the Northern part of the World we are all watching a certain hurricane.

Freya is growing into a beautiful little dog, you can catch up with her on her blog, THE CAT FLAP CAVALIER.

Top CAT

2011-08-26T17:32:00.000+02:00

If your wondering who Freya's new friend is, he is my version of Shaun the sheep. At one time there were lots of these Soggibottom little guys scattered around a certain South West University. There was one Shaun left that had been hiding away upstairs. This little guy seems to be shocked to be out of the cupboard, or maybe it's because Freya has given him a good chew.

We found ourselves in Cornwall last Friday, it was one of those times when wearing Black was defiantly out of place around visiting tourists.
Mew wasn't the only one we said goodbye to last week. I am still trying to catch up after our busy weekend, thank you to everyone who left beautiful endearing comments on our post about Mew. She really is, right beside her very best friend Amie.

This is my uncle Ron. Looking very young in his Navy uniform. Ron was a true Londoner, I never saw him without a smile.

When he left school he became a cobbler, unknown to me until last Friday he was always known as Ron the Boot. That made me smile straight away. We will miss Ron. Here he is at work in his own shop just before he retired. He always had so many stories to tell, he was part of history.
Ron was at Scapa Flow in Scotland, when the remaining German Fleet were scuttled at the end of the second world war.My aunt and Ron left London to retire to Cornwall a few years ago. My closest relatives down here in the South West of England.

We will still hop over to Cornwall from Devon to see my aunt.

We will still take photo's of the stunning Cornish Coast line.

We also had a visit from George and his mum and Dad last Saturday.

Unknown to Ray, Tony and I had a bet about who wouldn't put Freya down,

Love at first sight.
"Don't put your fingers in her mouth as her teeth are sharp".

Great to see you all last week guys.

Freya visitied Stonehenge last week, although she didn't see it from the same angle that everyone else sees it.

It's still there, in exactly the same place as it was last time, if it ever moves I promise to let you all know.

There is still a bit of a power struggle going on at the cottage. Frank does this on purpose. I don't think he need worry about who is top cat.

What else was Freya up to last weekend ?
You can see Freya on her blog CATFLAP CAVALIER.

Our MEW CAT

2011-08-22T15:33:00.000+02:00

We always wondered how either Mew or Amie would manage when it was time for one of them to part.
They were always inseparable, even sharing visits to the vet.

Mew was about three weeks old when she was found on a very wet June day, on her own in the middle of a sports field. No one will know if Mother cat was moving her kittens or Mew had been put there to fend for herself by some uncaring owner. How ever she managed to be there, lucky for Mew she was found by a dog walker and taken to a cat rescue run by my friend. My friend, knowing that we already had two new kittens, asked if we would hand feed her until she could find a new home when Mew was old enough. We didn't only have two new kittens, Frank and Hannah, we had a new pup at the time, Amie Soto Blossom.

Amie and Mew spent their puppy and kitten hood playing together, chasing each other up and down stairs or around the garden and house. Where ever Mew was, you could always find Amie.

Mew and Amie were always a very big part of Soggibottom Cottage..There will always be a certain spot in front of the fire Mew used to warm her paws that will always be hers. Mew was a gentle, loving and beautiful friend who now lies beside Amie again beneath our apple tree.

Colour around the cottage.

2011-08-18T23:38:00.001+02:00

This photo is especially for my friend Caroline.
I know she will forgive me eventually, I just couldn't help it...
Our tomato challenge didn't go well for Caroline.
We keep picking and giving them away because we have so many. Caroline and I live in different parts of the country, so maybe that's the reason why Caroline's tomato's decided to be shy and not crop so well this year. What ever the reason, next year I know I am going to start our tomato crop early.

I'm notorious for not labelling seedlings, these were supposed to be pumpkins.
Gourds.. I don't mind, as they always give colour around the cottage, even if they aren't eatable. Pumpkins are growing, I never mixed all my seeds up. .

Chillies. I don't eat them, but I love colour in the kitchen. Especially at this time of year. This is only a first pick, so I should have loads of colour around in a few weeks.

The first plums from our tree this year.
The tree is hanging in them, "one of us" hadn't counted properly. Or maybe they did.............. not often he gets his sums wrong.
Probably already worked out how many pots of jam there are from the plums on the tree.....

Freya has been out and about.

Frank hasn't !
He is however, starting to be more tolerant of our new cottage friend. It takes time and patience to introduce four new paws, no matter who they are or how cute they are. I have to admit, she is cute............

You can see for yourself on Freya's blog CATFLAP CAVALIER.... no one has told her how to use the catflap yet... shhhhhhhhhh.......

Crabs and rock pools around Torquay.

2011-08-16T22:54:00.002+02:00

I seem to repeat myself at this time of year when I say the year is passing very quickly.
Swallows and Swifts circle the sky. I'm not quick enough to catch them with the camera, but at least you can enjoy this evenings sky.

My view from the cottage window. To the West........

Our week has been packed with days of pup socialising.

Places to go and people and views of our countryside to see. Golden fields that have been harvested.

Most of our week has been spent around noise, people and dogs. We even found a beach that we haven't found before. To get to it we passed a few crabs.....

We have been exploring rock pools. Although you wouldn't find these guys in a rock pool around here. They are crabs that are normally found about 25 miles off shore. One of our fishy friends once brought us two crabs from a fishing trawler he had been working on. Bigger than the ones you see here. As it was a few years ago, I suppose I can now tell the truth and be honest, we let them go back into the sea. Not just because we couldn't find a pot big enough for them, but we thought they deserved a second chance. For all those that eat crab. That's fine. But you won't find me boiling anything alive.......

This guy, ah, bless. He was really funny, I just snapped him at the wrong moment.. He was trying to think of an answer. To my quip of "a nice pair of crabs"..... DO NOT COMMENT ON THAT PLEASE. I only noticed his fishy friend in the background when we got home.

As I said, we have been around the rock pools.

Not a crab to be seen. DO NOT DRINK SEA WATER comes to mind.... Freya..... she is learning and growing so very fast.

A very, very big hug and thank you to my friend Michele Beesley. The Artist behind Amie Soto Blossom's portrait. We have never had a welcome to your new pup card before. All our friends are so special. This card made us smile, it made me slightly sad too, but then..... just like the year, days go by.

Freya is learning to share the cottage window. I have never known such a nosy pup...

Frank is really pleased......

No snoring yet !

Freya, meaning NOBLE LADY..................... ho ho ho.
Not digging in that sand she isn't. You can see Freya on her blog CATFLAP CAVALIER

The little old dear from Wendy.

2011-08-13T22:12:00.000+02:00

The postman never has to wait long when our door bell rings, especially when he carries a parcel and I have spotted him by the gate. Total surprise this morning, a gift from WENDY.

A while ago, Wendy and I had a discussion about our favorite colours. Although I probably had more to say about the colour green and why we hardly ever have green around the cottage. Only in plants and always the colour green comes in at Christmas. The reason why the colour green is banned most of the year is because when we first arrived Soggibottom had been painted very darkly in green paint. Every door and wall. I love the colour green, but not in the cottage.
This beautifully hand made little old dear has been made by Wendy especially for the cottage. In my favorite giving colours. Every layer of the dolls outfit made with care, it must have taken ages.

It took a while to eventually unwrap and read the very sweet letter enclosed. Freya thinks everything is chewable at the moment. She's getting used to the words "MINE", "yours".
This is MINE, you can look.

Eventually this little old dear will have a permenant home beside the fire place, for obvious reasons she will live with the cottage bear in a puppy safe window for the time being.

She is made from a Magic Threads pattern "Secret Keeper". At the moment I haven't any secrets to tell, but when I do, she will be the first to know. I've named her Phoebe, I was out voted years ago when the family voted on a pup name for Amie. Out voted again with our new pup Freya. I will have a Phoebe after all.

All beautifully made in my favorite colours. Thank you so very much Wendy, she will always be in a very prominate place for everyone to see.
Wendy's blog.....is from the heart. It also has the added antics of Tia the cat..

As you see, Phoebe fits in well with the other new cottage feature. Freya wasn't chosen especially for her colour, she is a Ruby Cavalier, as she grows her colouring will darken, different from Tri Colour Amie Soto Blossom. I'm sure Amie would have approved. Freya is a loving and giving little dog. Her colouring will suit her.

Freya has her own blog.

You can trot along yourself and see what Freya has been up to on Catflap Cavalier
Have a great weekend, we are off to the beach again tomorrow, mixing and socializing while the good weather lasts.

First Day Out

2011-08-11T15:57:00.000+02:00

I would have loved to have given Amie Soto Blossom her own blog, before you know it, time goes by and so do the years. Somehow I don't think Ames was a blog girl anyway, she was always far too busy sleeping and snoring. She would visit other links occasionally, when she could tear herself away from her snores.

There are always far too many photo's to put on Soggibottom so Freya now has her own bloggie. I hope you enjoy the photo's that hopefully will make you smile across on Freya Rose Blossom's

CATFLAP CAVALIER

In the meantime, yesterdays first day out was a great success, we had a great time enjoying smiles.

There were lots of places to go and people to meet.

Water to gaze at.

A river bank to walk.

Ted still sits in the cottage window for the major part of the day, he hasn't been forgotten about.

There are times that are better than others for him to sit and enjoy the view..

All this out and about is enough to tire anyone out, let alone a small pup. Have a smiley day.

Meeting Mark from Sparky Brand

2011-08-09T19:52:00.001+02:00

Always good to meet new friends.

Mark and Becca made a surprise visit.

Jake had lots of quality play time.

We visited one of our local life boat stations last week. Lucky Jake had a close up inspection of the lifeboat with one of the crew. I never knew or thought to ask how far they could travel on one trip. Jake asked, in case you didn't know either, this particular life boat has a range of 75 miles.

Freya is growing at a fast rate as all pups do. She has learnt to climb the cottage stairs.

With Becca's help, has learnt to come down them again.

Coming down isn't quite as graceful as going up, especially when you have a ~~stolen~~ borrowed catnip mouse in your mouth.
.

Lots of tugging and pulling games, poor ted, is now in a smaller window for the time being.

I have yet to explain to Ted's followers that pass the cottage, why he isn't sitting in the window.

Freya and I have to get a grip and work together when the camera is around.

Something we both need to work on.

She is cheeky, chewing everything she can find or sneak away, most of all she is fun to have around.

Fun like Jake, we have loved every minute of his visit over the last two weeks.

We know a young pup who is going to miss him..

Frank is defiantly in the dog house this week. Caught red pawed smacking the pup with his paw.
"I must not smack the pup".
In Frank's mind .............."I must not get caught smacking the pup"

No harm done. It's a big day for Freya tomorrow, she's out and about. Frank's not coming !

Meeting Mew

2011-08-02T23:26:00.001+02:00

Thanks to everyone who commented on Soggibottom's last post, eventually we will catch up. Time has been precious over the last few days, I know you will all forgive me, Soggibottom seems to have been absent visiting our bloggie friends.

Freya Rose Blossom now lives at Soggibottom Cottage and is here to stay.
There have been important things going on around the cottage this week.
Jake is still on holiday with us, and has taken over the roll of pup watcher. An excellent pup watcher too.

Especially when Freya met Mew Cat for the first time nose to nose.

Freya has been doing a spot of gardening.

Jake has been to the sea side.

Eating lots of ice cream

Visiting the village fete and stroking birds of prey.

We visited the scooter park today.

Freya has been more and more active with every passing day. She's really finding her way around. Mostly at top speed by chasing Jake.

Which means they both have to sit down at some point, obviously together.

When Jake's not around, Freya has the hard time of relaxing on her own.

Busy, busy days.

See you all soon.

Happy Holidays.

The ones we love never go away, they walk right beside us.

2011-07-29T23:23:00.007+02:00

The ones we love never go away, they walk right beside us.
Jake and I found these words written on a seat a few days ago when we went on a fossil expedition to Charmouth Beach.

You don't have to look far, fossils are all around you, you only have to know what your looking for... I promise to show you in another post.

Jake has had a busy week.

His legs were a bit wobbly when he came off of this ride but, he recovered.

I was tempted here I have to admit.
It's Carnival week and the fair is in town.

Wild Mouse anyone ?

We haven't only visited fossil beach and fairs this week, we have found new friends.

Meet Freya, Jo, you know Jake.

I have a feeling we all really wanted to take Jo home. We can understand exactly why there was a collie dog's photo on the farm gate.

Jo shares her home with a few other paws. Mum, Dad...........

Two brother's.

of Freya Rose Blossom

Pedigree name........... Valley Taws Princess Freya

I know Freya Rose Blossom's namesake Freya will be a soggibottom follower from afar.

We promise, she is in good hands.

She follows in an other's paw prints, she isn't Amie Soto Blossom, but I have a feeling she will always be chauffeured not driven, just like Ames.

I forgot to add, no one told Frank !

Flying high at Dawlish Warren. Boys stuff.

2011-07-26T23:25:00.000+02:00

Karina has sent Jake down to us for the school holiday, TO KEEP US BUSY.
Thanks Mark for chauffeuring Jake to Devon. The rest I will leave to your own imagination.
I wonder if you'll realise who eventually managed to get the seagull kite to take it's first flight.

We've had the kite for over three years in the back of the car, waiting for just this very moment.

In case your wondering, Tony drives our own car with panache too.......... Boys stuff !

Schuco YES / NO bear or BING

2011-07-20T23:04:00.000+02:00

It's about time we had a bear on here. I know of two that are hanging around the cottage you haven't seen before.
The larger one is a Schoco Yes / No bear from the 1940 - 1950's .OR IS HE ?
He's a little guy, 5 inches tall, with a metal base covered with mohair.

Schuco patented yes/no bears that first appeared at a toy fair in Leipzig in Germany in 1921. The bears head could be moved left to right and up and down by moving a lever in their tail. Six sizes were made ranging from 25 to 60 cms.

After world war two the yes/no bear was re introduced as the Tricky Yes/No Bear. Made in seven sizes, and various mohair colours, blond, gold, red-brown. Their arms are distinctive as they have down turned paws and seem to be begging.

Early yes/no bears had short mohair and wore a red bow.

Tricky yes/no bears introduced in the 1950's had down turned paws, broad flat feet and their muzzles often shaved. Many mechanical bears resemble those designed by Gebruder Bing, with small facial features, a slightly upturned nose, slim body, narrow straight arms and legs..... Schuco, Tricky yes/no bear, or a Bing ?

Think I'll go with Schuco here, but if anyone knows any different please let me know and I'll amend this post.

I haven't a clue about the other little guy. Although he is so heavy, another metal bear covered with mohair. Smartening these little guys up slightly is all in hand. I won't change a thing about the bears. . LEAVE WELL ALONE.... they both have their own charachter.
Maybe give them some new clothes, which will help to keep their good looks. It's fine to restore bears, but there are some you really should leave as they are.

It's been a quiet week in the cottage, it's been raining, as they say "the great british Summer" has arrived. Wool has come out from the cupboard under the stairs and felting has started.

Frank has decided it's better to be in the dry than scouting around out in the garden.

At least our Sunflowers have returned, happy guys.
Rain or shine, hope you all have a great week.

Dartmoor Day out. Hound Tor.

2011-07-15T23:05:00.003+02:00

We could have headed for the beach on such a blissfully beautiful sunny clear July day, instead we headed back up towards Dartmoor. The last time we went to Hound Tor, it was in March, a cold and blustery day.
Not a day for rock climbing.

Dartmoor is scattered with Granite Tors. Hound Tor really is the place where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had his inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles. It was a better day to visit in July rather than March.

Dartmoor has a mixture of traditional Farmland, with drystone walls and hedgerows. Peat and moorland protected as it's a National Park.

My friend Paulette asked me what Dartmoor was like.............

A bit like being on the top of the world, where the sky meets the land when you find a high enough spot.

The granite alive with flowers and lichen.

Sign posts that tell you the way to go, you can still get lost. No matter how many times we go there, we always come home a different way.

Farm Houses.

That you find down narrow lanes.

Wild open moor land.

The foal is asleep, in case your wondering, why he's lying down.

Cars parked beside the road....

Don't take my word for it, you can see for yourself.

Dartmoor days - Medieval Clapper Bridge

2011-07-15T23:05:00.002+02:00

Driving around on Dartmoor National Park, you can completely loose yourself down small winding lanes and suddenly find yourself in a time warp. This traditional Chocolate box cottage was too hard to ignore with our camera.

The views are breathtaking.

A Toll house, the days when you would have to pay a toll to use the road. A price for every goat, pig, sheep and cow, cart and person.

Some of the bridges, are easier to cross than others. This is a Medieval Clapper bridge.

Sheep rustling is starting to be a problem on the moor, the reason why sheep owners have taken to dipping their sheep in dye. It seems to be the best deterrent known so far as the sheep can be easily recognised.

Not all the sheep are in fields, many of them roam across the moor and roads.

Not every four legged beauty is so good at crossing the road.

Prince Town high on the Moor has some new buildings since we last visited.

A new craft centre. The visitors centre is still there, but be warned they are now charging for the privilege of entering. It's Summer time and to be expected. You have been warned.......

The three wheeled reliant was built in 1948. It's probably just about the right size to squeeze itself down some of the roads on the moor we find.

This is Margaret who we met inside the craft centre. It's always great to see art and then meet the artist.
Margaret's web site isn't completed yet, but as soon as I have a link I'll put it on and you can visit Margaret's other work.

Mostly our meander on the moor always ends up stopping for tea.
This time we were lucky enough to find a tea shop that also had geese, ducks, chickens, goats, rabbits.

They were all well kept and well looked after.

They even had some for sale. Very tempted.

Although someone watching with their beady eye, it put me off.
I do however know of another blog that can tell you more about chicks than I can...
Probably about their beady eye's too.
HI REBEKAH..... you can find Rebekah HERE Feather, Beak and Claw.

Berry Head, Brixham, South Devon in July

2011-07-11T20:01:00.001+02:00

On a beautifully warm crystal clear Sunday morning I can't think of a better place to go and watch the world go by. You can find Berry Head at the southern tip of Tor Bay, made of limestone with 60 (200 feet) metre high cliffs, it is now a nature reserve.

If you missed anything in the left to right video, you can see it again right to left.

On one side the view will take you almost over to Dartmouth. Just passed the rocks that are called The Mew Stones. Nothing to do with this Mew.

At Berry Head large ditches surround the remains of a Napoleonic Fort.

A little boy's paradise, a cannon.now standing somewhat sorrowfully looking out to fields

You can find out more about Berry Head by visiting HERE

Confessions of a postcard nut.
I've always loved receiving postcards since I was a little girl.
If your a postcard nut too, try postcard crossing

This is a card from from Mark and Becca a few weeks ago.

A postcard crossing card from Tatjana in Estonia.
If you want a post card from Devon, let me know.
This weekend we didn't go far enough away to send postcards, went past you know where.......

to visit the hairy caterpillar called Chops,

smiley Cookie Buns.

and birthday boy Mark

One of us had to stay at home.

Frank had a quiet day !

Cheddar Gorge in Somerset and Glastonbury Tor.

2011-07-03T01:49:00.005+02:00

Our travels took us to Cheddar Gorge in Somerset this week.A Limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills.
Before any one comments, "ONE OF US", has spelt Cheddar wrongly... don't look at me !
,

We last went to Cheddar a couple of years ago, one week before Easter, it was quiet and lucky us, it seemed we had the whole place to ourselves. I remember it being a sunny day. Not that much sun in the photo's taken this week, but the weed behind the waterfall looks just as green with or without the sun.

Don't think the ducks minded either way.

I can't mention Cheddar Gorge without mentioning the Caves. A tourist delight.

Among the tourist shops they have added a Christmas shop. It wasn't there on our last visit, lots of twinkly lights and things that glitter.

I couldn't help but be drawn to it like a magnet or maybe like a Magpie. As everyone keeps telling me, you can never start early enough for Christmas.... It even had smells of Christmas inside the shop. Can't do smells on here yet, but I'm sure that will come in time.

We were really more interested in the gorge itself.
It's much better if you drive through it listening to something that inspires you to make it to the top.

The reason why we thought you might like to enjoy the ride up.
The car now shines like a new pin again, before anyone comments about the windscreen, so through the dirty window, hope you enjoy your ride.

We also took the long route home, through Glastonbury, past Glastonbury Tor. No ride up here, it's a walking trip. For this one your on your own, or just view from afar. For anyone who is interested they are still clearing away the festival site.

I know from my last post, you might have expected a new set of paws around the cottage.

Not this time, but we will keep looking. We all know that rescue dogs are very special and need just the right home. Some love cats and some don't. Here in the Cottage it helps if dogs and cats get along.

If you haven't heard from me this week via blog land or other means, I promise you will eventually.
So much seems to have gone on this week,I have even missed some of the tennis. Mark has updated Soggibottom for me, although I only noticed today. Aren't kids the best ?
Thanks Mark.
The garden looks just as I love it to be, a mini jungle, and it's nearly the 4th of July.
The nearest celebration to the 4th of July for us is Mark's birthday on the 10th.

Happy 30th BIRTHDAY MARK Sparky Brand

YO, Mark.

30 YEARS OLD. Aren't Mum's and Dad's great too ?

Monkeying around

2011-06-26T20:01:00.001+02:00

We've been monkeying around a bit this week.

Passing Stonehenge the day after the Summer Solstice, ah, look rain.........

It's defiantly Summer, with so much rain,. Not moaning though as it's been making everything grow in our garden.

Our veggie garden is doing really well now that we've had a good downpour

We've even picked our first tomatoes.

This is a photo I took of a goat when we were at the zoo the other day, he had that happy, smiley face that I love to see.

What has this red panda to do with the next photo ?

Similar colouring maybe.. this is the only photo we have of this little two and a half year old guy.
The only photo so far !
We know he likes squeaky toys.
We'll let you know more about him during the week.....

I'll give you a small clue where he might be heading

Teignmouth Folk Festival June 2011

2011-06-19T22:00:00.000+02:00

Nearing Mid Summer..

Mid Summer means Morris Dancing

Three kinds so you can take your pick as to which one you like best.

Everyone was having a great time, we had to join in.

Soggibottom Cottage is still here, slightly quieter than it has been. We never thought for one moment we would miss Amie's resounding snores, a dish of ice cream doesn't quite have the same appeal as it did..
Thank you so much for all cards and mail we have had over the last 17 days.
We never realised Amie Soto Blossom knew so many from every corner of the world.
She was a popular little dog around the village where we live and one of the happiest little dogs that you would ever wish to meet. Loved by everyone, most of all loved and adored by all at Soggibottom.

Frank

and Mew are still here.

We have been out and about slightly more than usual over the last few days, so have lots of happy snaps to share during the coming weeks.

This is a happy guy that waves to passing cars around Torbay. He's become quite a local celebrity, so much so, he now opens fetes. When he allows himself time off from waving at passing traffic..

We also went to our local Zoo to help some that live there from getting too bored.

I'm never to sure when going to a Zoo, who is watching who.

Nearer home, our tomatoes are starting to turn red and are nearly ready to pick.

Caroline still has a few days to catch up, so the tomato challenge isn't over yet.

Where ever you are on Mid Summer;s Day even if it's raining, have a fantastic day.
No one start counting down to Christmas just yet.

We still have places to go and people to see.

Power of the paw

2011-06-10T23:45:00.002+02:00

Amie would have thought," if your in a car, make sure your chauffeured"

Satumist Blossom - Amie Soto Blossom

2011-06-02T17:51:00.000+02:00

January 31st 1998 - June 2nd 2011

Amie Soto Blossom and the Fox

2011-05-31T23:22:00.000+02:00

When you argue with a fox outside the cottage, it's not the thing to sit in the middle of the road and make a lot of noise thinking that he'll go away Frank.

It's not the thing to call Amie to help you out either.

She might be getting on, but she saw the fox off. No noise involved, Amie's presence was enough !

She can be really threatening when she wants to be.

After all the noise, who do you think was the first back through the door ?