Welcome Bella
We have a new member of the family. An 8 week old puppy called Bella. She is a Bichon Frise cross Poodle and is, according to Jean, as cute as a button.
Bella has spent two days settling into home and already our routine has been turned upside down.
Poppie the dog doesn’t quite know what to make of her but is certainly making sure Bella knows she’s second in line.
Rosie the cat has spent a lot of time outside – voluntarily – but I suspect their showdown will come soon. Curious Bella with all the innocence in the world versus smart Rosie with claws.
And, of course, Bella is already the most photographed dog in Wellington.
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- Bella – day one
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- Bella likes chewing stuff – my slipper with my foot still in it
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- Bella and her first toy
This is a post I’ve been dreading
Yesterday we lost our wee girl Daisy. After fifteen years and seven months her big heart finally gave out and she slipped peacefully away. We will miss her terribly but we will always remember the stubborn and determined, but intensely loyal and devoted little girl she was.
Our lovely vet Laura has, for the last year or so, referred to her as our medical miracle – which she was.
We will think of her simply as our Daisy, our little girl.
Daisy 1997 – 2012.
Daisy asleep in the cottage on our clothes – Tuscany, June 2011
In the quiet of the evening
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Last night I drove about 2 kms from the villa to a point overlooking the bay to capture some sunset photos – yes, again. I wasn’t the only one with this idea as the spot was packed with cars and fellow photographers. We were collectively treated to a stunning end of the day. I had […]
A different view of Positano
This gallery contains 3 photos.
When we were travelling back from Amalfi last weekend we passed a spot high on the hill about 2kms outside of Positano which had a fantastic view of the village. Today I drove back to that spot and took some photos. You can see some parts of Positano that don’t usually get photographed, for example […]
Positano revisited
This gallery contains 15 photos.
In July we spent 2 weeks in Positano on the Amalfi Coast taking a holiday from our holiday. During that time we were joined by Mike, Charmaine and wee James. Looking back, there were photographs taken that never made it to the blog. Here are some of them.
Not another photo?
As a keen amateur photographer trying to capture the relaxed Tuscan lifestyle I can become a bit demanding on my available talent – which consists of one long suffering wife and two small white fluffy dogs.
When the demands become too great the dogs simply get up and walk off. Jean isn’t so lucky.
Hay bails and other things agricultural
This gallery contains 3 photos.
Summer is soon to turn into Autumn in Tuscany. Already we are starting to see the leaves on the trees turn yellow and orange. All around us paddocks are being plowed for winter. The distinctive round hay bails that, to me, typify the area have been removed for storage, but before that happened I got […]
Summer continues in Tuscany
All around us the rhythm of the Tuscan countryside continues.
Fields of crops that were green and growing when we arrived have been harvested and plowed ready, waiting for next season.
The last week or so has seen hot settled weather. Temperatures have been in the low to mid 30s day after day prompting even the hardened locals to comment “troppo caldo” and roll their eyes skyward.
The countryside is dry and baked – under our Tuscan sun.
Goodbye Positano
We have had a fantastic time in Positano. The apartment was great, the weather hot (too hot on occasions) and having Charmaine, Mike & James arrive near the end of our stay a real bonus.
As always we were spoiled by the wonderful people at Eden Roc Hotel who made us feel very welcome. But all good things come to an end and on Saturday morning we headed for Tuscany.
We enjoyed the stay at Villa Greta so much we are sure we’ll be back. So it’s not so much goodbye to Positano, more “au revoir”.
Positano from Villa Greta roof terrace
A rare sight in Positano
The rarest thing you see in Positano isn’t some exotic bird or animal, it’s an empty carpark. Parking spaces on the side of a cliff are strictly limited, unlike the number of cars, scooters and motor bikes in Positano.
If a trip out is planned, locals make a judgement call about whether it’s worth taking the car and losing their park – because finding another one may mean a long wait or, worse, a long walk. Some cars have been parked in the same spot so long they are collecting dust.
The photo shows an empty park opposite the villa. It stayed empty for about 2 minutes, maximum.
Early morning in Tuscany
I would love to claim these early morning photographs of the area around our cottage as mine. But those of you who know me well know that “early mornings” and I don’t mix.
Jean took these shots. I think they are great.
Our photo album
Jean and I have taken hundreds of photographs over the last few months. We’ve put a selection of them into an album on our MobileMe site.
There are some shots we have used in the blog but a lot of new ones. Follow the link and have a look.
Summer in Tuscany
In an earlier post I bemoaned the fact that when we arrived in May, Tuscany was green – bright green – not the usual mix of faded summer colours that, for us, have always defined the area. What a difference 6 weeks makes.
Wednesday Sunset
Sunset from our cottage
Another of those no reason posts really – other than this was the sunset last night from the verandah of our cottage.
