2013 SPSH - Windmill

Item 16. A Windmill on the 2012 SPSH

Playing with Picmonkey is always fun!

Sharing these images of the great outdoors
with
A Southern Dreamer
for
Outdoor Wednesday #239

2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt (2013SPSH) - clouds

Yesterday I introduced you to the Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt (forthwith known as 2013SPSH).
I'm going to try and cross one item off the list every day with an updated list to show how I'm getting along at the end of the week.

Item 12.
A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see).

When I looked out of the bedroom window and saw this cloud formation late yesterday afternoon the first thing that popped into my mind was.........

hope these gorgeous fluffy white clouds made you smile...........

2013 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt

I've just discovered the Summertime Scavenger Hunt over on Rinda's blog Gallo Organico.
Doesn't it sound like a great way to look at the world around us a little differently this summer?

The Scavenger Hunt began in June and the deadline is the last day of summer, September 21.

We're leaving for a trip around the middle of September, so, today we turned a visit to a vide grenier in Trevieres into a Scavenger Hunt where I found several items on the list.

SCAVENGER HUNT LIST

1. Open air market
2. Theatre for performing arts (not a movie theatre)
3. City Hall, Capitol or other similar civic building
4. Airplane
5. A sunset
6. Someone or something taking a nap
7. A sign that is either intentionally, or unintentionally, funny
8. A tower
9. A photo of someone or something that is clearly out of place or doesn't belong
10. A bench that is outside
11. An animal in a zoo, aquarium, nature preserve, etc.
12. A cloud in the shape of something (please specify what you see)
13. A fence
14. A stained glass window or a mosaic
15. A fire truck or police car
16. A windmill
17. A candle or candles
18. Local pub/bar coffee house or tea shop
19. A fisherman
20. A dinosaur
21. A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply (no substitutes allowed for this one
Two substitutions are allowed to replace any of the above that might prove difficult to find and they are:
A person wearing an outfit (or item of clothing) that symbolizes your country
A sundial

This what I found today.....

water tower

bench by the children's play area

les pompiers

a great place for cafe au lait

town hall

Joining Mary @ the little red house again this week for

Mosaic Monday

If you'd like to join the

 2013 Summertime  Photography Scavenger Hunt

you'll find the complete list and a link to Rinda's blog Galio Organico

on the sidebar

Life in the slow lane

After the excitement of Bastille Day life in our corner of Normandy has been quieter this week.
During the cooler early hours of the day I took time out to appreciate the garden and sitting on the patio reading some new books on my Kindle.
At the moment I'm enjoying reading "Growing Old Outrageously: A Memoir of Travel, Food and Friendship" by Hilary Linstead and Elisabeth Davies.

(I know I said I wouldn't ever get a Kindle, but I finally succumbed and now wonder how I managed to get by for so long without an English daily newspaper).

The Senior Partner, in anticipation of his upcoming retirement, second time around, has splashed out on a new "bridge" camera.

I have inherited his cast off Panasonic point and shoot and have been test driving it around and about.

Joining Mary @ the little red house for another Mosaic Monday.

Bastille Day - petit dejeuner

Fireworks lit the dark night sky at midnight as our neighbours began to celebrate July 14th, Bastille Day.

Since we Brits are a little more sedate we celebrated the special day with a late breakfast of coffee and croissants and a little bit of Gallic red, white & blue.

blue & white hand painted Quimper plates add Breton charm

as does the 18th c Petit Breton on this HB picher,
always a useful and decorative piece.

The delicious croissants were bought fresh from the boulanger's van as he made his early morning round through our village.

the blue and white hand painted Quimper plates each have a nautical motif

the pretty white blossom on these branches has a wonderful perfume,
sadly I do not know what tree this is as it was already thriving in the garden 17 years ago when we arrived in Normandy

bon appetit

Joining the following hostesses this week

the Tablescaper and Seasonal Sunday #161

the Magical Mystical Teacher, Gemma & Rose for Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Mary @ the little red house for Mosaic Monday

Promenade de l'Erdre.

Last Thursday we shook the Normandy country dust out of our hair and headed to Nantes, capital city of the Loire Atlantique region of Brittany.

Château de la Gascherie

There were two salons being held in the centre of Nantes, "Pour l'amour du Fil" for all things textile related and "Pour l'Amour du Scrap" for those of us who like to play with paper and glue.

Le Manoir de la Régate restaurant

As we were travelling with our German Shepherd, M'selle Fleur, we chose to stay overnight outside of the city centre at the Best Western, 3 star, Hotel de la Regatta.

Located on the bank of the River Erdre and surrounded by beautiful countryside it was the perfect location, ideal for those late night and early morning "tiddle times" that a GS girl needs.

Linking this post to the Tablescaper's new party

"Oh! the places I've been"

Here Come The Girls......................

here come the girls!

It's official Spring has arrived at last. I know this because the girls are back in the field next to our home!!

Theoretically they're not really back at all.
The 2012 heifers went on to become mums and with their babies went to live somewhere else. These lovely young things have that event to look forward to. In the meantime they are settling into their new abode and delighting us with their company.

The view from my bedroom window today at 9.00 am.