Waiting for cherry blossom

Glorious warm sunshine, and since the cherry blossom has been evading me, I thought to find it in the forest park...but first, dropping by to see the horses and burn off the first of Claire's wild spring energy...

...alas the cherry grove is still not blooming, but we had fun meeting Patchy, a springer spaniel...

...having posed for pics in front of the canola instead of the cherry blossom, we headed off to the big slide and jungle gym on the other side of the hill...

...and enjoying the sunshine while letting the young one burn off steam on the double slide...

....that blue sky is just what we've all been waiting for...hello spring!

Chilly Cherry

Still not much to speak off in the way of cherry blossoms, and very cold to boot, so no stopping in awe or sitting for a wee drinkie under the heavy boughs...

The dogs are miffed with being asked to wait, we'd really prefer to keep walking you know...too cold to be hanging around...Nobu's face is particularly expressive: this is no fun!

Claire is still tasting the air and following scents in her mind's eye...

Time to go home for breakfast and a warm snooze on the sofa, much the better option today.

Photos by Lelantos

Toy Boy

Spring break and watching over the kids playing in the playground, Nobunaga is the centre of attention. Can we take them for a walk? Pleeeeease? And off Claire trots, with three or so kids in tow running after her, followed by Nobu with a group of three or so squealing girls....you should have seen him bounding back happily to my side after a while...and I get to sit happily drinking in the sunshine. 

The ability of these setters to be gentle and grounded with children is pretty amazing...I'm so proud of them, as the humans excitedly squeal and fuss, Nobu just rolls over on his back and offers his tummy...

Now then, next on the list is a session in the kitchen painting to make the holiday experience complete...I did want to teach some first stages of knitting, but not sure if it's going to happen this time or next time...

And the sunshine beckons, and the spring bursts out of every pore, and kids and dogs are greeting a new cycle of life with a dynamic but inclusive embrace...life is good!

Gentle Giants

Spring break and the wains are around to be played with and inspired by. I couldn't bear to part with this Licca dress made from a cotton yukata fabric scrap, so I made two others, one with white lace and a navy blue ribbon, another cotton print with small red rosebuds and pale blue ribbons as per requested....

 As both kids get older and more assertive, it's okay for me to let them take one dog each, switching according to energy levels: first Claire was dashing ahead with the gungho energy of the wee one while the ladies followed on with Nobu. When he burned out a bit, we swopped, Claire responding to the firmer female touch, and Nobu wandering along gently behind with the wee one...

 Such clever responsive dogs, such clever responsive children, what a treat for a granma to behold. Good job, Mummy!

Nobu's Seaside Dip

The sequel to the previous blog, pics of Nobunaga having a ball at the seashore...Unlike Claire who is definitely a bird dog, Nobu is into chasing cats if chasing at all, and prefers hanging out with little kids and babies, or jousting with mates in the dog run...

today, it was just Claire, so he was running and jumping all on his own in her wake...

He's not that keen on swimming unless I go in as well, preferring to paddle...

I had to sit down to have a wee rest what with Claire on the go, at least Nobunaga is easy going and doesn't want to charge around, more like traipsing along gaily behind his ladies...

Claire's Seaside Splash

Perfect weather for a splash on the beach...first really warm get out and enjoy day this year...all systems go!

Starting off with a wee run in the dog run to let off steam, or I'd be dragged off my feet in the rush to get to the water's edge, yabadabadoo! Hey Mummy, we've done both dog runs and the green belt now can we please please go to the beach?

Claire makes a beeline for the water and enjoys a wee swim for starters...

A wee dip in the ocean, weighed down by all the seaweed on the long leash...and then off along the shoreline, Mummy barely keeping up, weaving in and out, in to catch the floating terns, up the beach to chase the hawks, and back round for the seagulls...not a chance to snap photos in the mad rush to run with a setter on the go! Focus on Nobu tomorrow...