Making footprints in the sand

Stardust and MDH, playing together at the edge of the surf in the evening, walking, running, splashing, yelling, saltywindblown, bare-legged, sandy-footed.

Shepherding 101

We went to watch a sheepdog trial at the local farm today.

It was amazing! The shepherd was kind enough to show us how she trains the sheepdog to watch the animals and listen for commands. Some of the dogs were as young as 12 weeks old and they went about their business, unperturbed by the howls from visiting children and pet dogs.

I had no idea that working sheepdogs were used to herd other more skittish (and fragile) animals like ducks, geese and chickens. Apparently, the herding instinct is such that the dogs will naturally try to gently round up any group of creatures into one place - humans included.

Stardust was very inspired by the demonstration and even had a go at it himself, trying to round up some billy goats. When he tired of running around shouting "LADA LADA" ('Lie ye down'), we sat on some picnic benches and had some Victoria Sponge cake for tea.

That'll do, eh?

It's raining but...

We're still in the garden, very busy indeed. Just digging in the mud...

...and pulling up potatoes for dinner.

Tidying

Here we are, collecting pinecones off the lawn and chucking them over the fence into the neighbour's garden.

Time in the garden

Things to do in the garden:
1. Play a little bit of footie with the neighbour's kid
2. Assist in hanging up the laundry
3. Read books in the afternoon sun
4. Have a session of rough-and-tumble

This week, I have been mostly...

...prancing around shouting "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

TSCD and Stardust playing on the swings

TSCD on the coastal path
Stardust on the coastal path

I love Accessorize

...especially when it's sale season. Whoopee!

(A nice collection of belts, hairbands, a wallet with a shiny red apple on it and a couple of pretty things as gifts for friends. I just could not resist the Union Jack pants. They were just too cute!)

Wow!

We went for a ramble after dinner today. Everytime Stardust said 'WOW', I took a photograph of what he was pointing at.
So...here is what a small boy of 17 months finds 'Wow'-worthy.

A pair of cows

A flutterby

Barley in the field

Here is what I find 'Wow'-worthy.

Stardust, exploring.

What we did today

Today, we watched the sea turn into gold.