cats and dogs and gardening

Today was a complete marathon with work this morning at beautiful La Bussiere then a four kilometre brisk walk with the two dogs and the cat, Ollie, who decided to come for the outing. Our local farmers eyed me suspiciously as we all - me and my furry friends - paraded past their farm, tails raised high and proud. Ollie however lost her nerve when we reached the road and took flight in some weeds. I then had to coax her out of a hedgerow (all of this in full view of the farmers) and carry her until we were safe in the woods. I am a little worried about her as she hasn't surfaced for her evening meal - in fact since the walk she seems to have completely disappeared. I am now wondering if she has expired from heat exhaustion or is just sulking.

It was a superb day - gardening was hot hard work. I weeded and hoed and weedkilled and mowed until about 6pm when I had a swim to cool off. The water temperature was 78 so it was delicious. Tonight I used some of our rainwater store to water the vegetables and plants. We need this sun now to ripen the vegetables and fruit. It has not been hot enough recently - a factor much agreed upon by my friend in La Bussiere who said emphatically that the climate these days was 'la saloperie' which literally means 'a bitch'.

I was amused by the consternation raised by Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who said we need to set fire or strike a match to OPEC because of the rising cost of fuel and diminishing oil supplies. This was a highly inflammable remark!! But one should understand that the Aussies are nothing if not frank.