Bouncing back

A very big thank you for all your good wishes for Karina over the last few days.
One thing we are very sure of, our daughter is just like the tide, she comes bouncing back.

Today, she could have had a better day. The surgery on her foot is over.
She is now on the second part,waiting for everything to heal. The part that is always the hardest and longest of all.

 I promised to tell you about CMT Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. I'm not that much of an expert to tell you, best left to the experts... here is the link that explains it far better than I could ever find the words to do so.
Just have to click  here -----> CMT

One thing I do know.

A long path is always worth walking, when it's you who could be walking along it..

Back with a bang

After a two week on going problem with our Internet we now have a working connection.

What a week to have no Internet.

Venus has crossed the sun.

The bear in the window has been dressed up with no where to go.

Tilly May has a new cardy, something that would have taken me longer if our Internet had been working.

Freya has been out and about on Dartmoor

Even our car had a week to remember when such a lovely lady decided not to look into her rear view mirror when she was reversing and backed into it. It's a new rear bumper job that the car didn't really need before, it looked good just as it was. No bumps, dents, scratches......
Shame because until it's fixed, someone might think it was me who reversed into something. Why do we always think that way ?
I have never ever had to phone our car insurance, EVER, until yesterday... it wasn't even me........
At least the lady admitted it was her fault straight away and didn't drive off... as Freya and I were in the car at the time it wouldn't have been that easy to do when your in your eighties maybe !

We have some new art at the cottage this week.

Along with a visit from Karina our daughter.

We need more wall space. This is another painting by Karina in acrylic of Mark on the beach at Harlyn Bay in Cornwall when he was about eight years old.... he's grown a bit since then. There is a small face swimming in the water that you might find difficult to see on here , Karina bobbing along in the waves. Timeless holiday memories.

When Karina comes down to Devon, we take her back home again.

Lots of nose to nose contact with Freya and Tilly May.

Hugs with Jake.

Time spent wondering how on earth did Kiann grow up so quickly and we didn't notice.

More hugs and nose kissing from Freya. Jason's a lovely guy, but only Freya and Jason nose kiss.

Mark our computer whizz. He has grown a lot since he was on Harlyn Bay playing in the sand that year.

Not forgetting Mr Chops. Just because Freya has the high ground in this photo, she doesn't always get her own way, and she shouldn't have been sitting on that couch to start with..
Better go because I'm sure I'm pushing my luck via blogger with all the photo and my email list has just hit an all time high. It might take me a while to get around to every email. Thanks for all the snail mail that's come through the door this week guys.
We've missed you all too.
One more photo...... well, it was a Diamond Jubilee weekend after all.

 Where are we?

Is there a sneaky way in ?

Karina is going into hospital this week to have another operation ref her CMT... Charcot Marie Tooth Disease. Honestly it has nothing to do with teeth.
CMT is something she has asked me to blog about, I have thought very hard how I lead into it. This seems as good a time as any. But next time.
I never knew blogger could upload so quickly and everything is so fast........... Freya is over at her Catflap Cavalier as always.

Freya also has more photo's to show you, but they will be for another time.
One more thing, just like to say thanks to Tony, we have been married for SO LONG and it's our wedding anniversary on Sunday. Love yer more and more each day and thanks for putting up with me for the last 34 years... I had to ask him, because I forgot exactly how long it was,  doesn't time fly when your having fun.
:-)X X X  Just one more thing :-) Thanks kids we are so proud of you all. 

Slight problem with your internet service

We are having slight Internet problems at Soggibottom, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
See you all as soon.

Hawk Moth, Toadstools and Geese

We don't find hawk moths very often in the cottage. I only went  to move the dust around and found more than I expected. We think it's a Hawk Moth, but if anyone knows different, please let us know.

Luckily, this one wasn't hard to catch and put back outside quite unharmed and where he should have been. We think he probably sneaked in through the window during the night.

Maybe like the geese and their goslings he's come out of hiding during the beautiful weather we've had here in Devon over the last week.

The geese are normally to be found here in the wildlife reserve at Dawlish Warren, this is always such a beautiful scene that I have to show you again, I know somewhere in back post you can see the same scene.

It's not just geese that are found in the nature reserve, this is a huge toadstool.... haven't a clue what it's called but it's big and probably not to be touched.

It's hard to believe that the reserve is right beside the beach.

The beach has it's own wildlife.There are somethings you can touch and somethings you shouldn't touch, even on the beach, like this jelly fish that has been washed ashore.

We've been having trouble connecting to the Internet, the reason why Soggibottom has been very quiet this week..

Freya is never quiet, except when she is on the beach. She had a good birthday on Sunday, with a trip to the beach and ice cream. Only a couple of licks as she is watching her weight. Thanks to everyone for all her birthday wishes. How can a year have gone by so quickly ?
As always you can find Freya over at the CATFLAP CAVALIER. 

There are only so many things you can say about swans. But Freya at a year old, that's different !

Here she is, our one year old Ruby Cavalier, Freya Rose Blossom

Mean, to pin a Birthday Girl badge on her collar to take a photo. Although, when it was on she took on a whole new look.

Not sure if she really minded.

Freya has been at the cottage since she was 12 weeks old. She has her own personality. She is a fun loving, giving, dirty pawed, sand digging, beach loving, no gardener, kid lover, cat lover, ice cream queen, cat food lover if she can get at it....

She's sneaky.

She share's.

See what I mean.... ?

She doesn't follow in another's paws, she is who she is.

We love her for it...
Freya is over at her blog CATFLAP CAVALIER.... drama queen, beach babe...... X X X . No one has yet taught her how to actually use the CATFLAP !

The black swans of Dawlish and Freya Rose Blossom

We've not been up to anything fantastic this week, dawdling around Dawlish and taking a certain mutt to the beach have been the highlights.
It's been too wet and too cold. I thought it was supposed to be May.

As Freya seemed far too interested in the swans on the river Dart last week and wanted to get up close and far too personal, we thought it would be a good idea to introduce her to some that are used to people and dogs.Just like to add that Freya was on her lead at all times around the water birds.

The little town of Dawlish in South Devon has a wide water way that goes straight down the middle and divides the town,  ideal for water birds of all description. Their favourite food is lettuce and brown bread. At least that is what the sign said. Although they probably all get a good share of other things that aren't so good for them.

Dawlish is known for it's black swans. They are really native of Australia, brought over to Dawlish by John Nash a guy who was borne in Dawlish and then emigrated to New Zealand.
The swans are known as a pest in Australia, not so in Dawlish, they have been the town's emblem for over 40 years. I promise there is more than one, the rest were asleep and weren't interested in the camera.

It's always a good idea to introduce your pup to new things slowly and always make sure when you do, your pup is under control at all times.

We all know where Freya would rather be, you can see her over on her blog the catflap cavalier.
Lots of running around and even a video.

Surfboard, bucket and paws

Everywhere we look there are Union Jack Flags flying around this year.
I never made this one, but thought it looked great flapping in the wind.

There so many photo's we took when we were in Cornwall last Friday, it seems a shame not to share some of them.

One of the best things about where we live in Devon is that some of the best Cornish beaches are only a short drive away.

If your a surf lover it's a surfers paradise.

If your an artist, it's an artist's heaven, the light always seems slightly brighter on the Cornish Coast.

We go there because we love the scenery and a certain pup loves a good digging beach,  the only thing missing on her visits to Cornwall .... her own surf board...

Thanks for all the support from my last post. I'm sure given time, the vet nurse will be a credit to the surgery. (Although she won't be practising her people skills on two Soggibottom inhabitants again)..

Freya was back over on her own coastal side of the West Country yesterday. Sunday morning coffee beside the beach. You can see her as always, on Catflap Cavalier just HERE