On the coast of northern France

July 24 Ruth and I were touring the northern coast of France and this was looking across the English Channel. We later took a train ride from Calais, France to Ashford, England which was about 22 minutes under the English Channel on a train called Eurostar. From Ashford we went to London and from London to Liverpool. I've never ridden on so many trains in one month in my life before.

One highlight of our trip this summer.

Ruth and I are in Stratford in front of Anne Hathaway's childhood home. We took a tour of the house and were amazed at the funiture that had survived for up to 400 years. The thatch roof, of course, has been replaced. There are still skilled craftsmen who still do this kind of roof. However, it is very expensive and to protect it from birds and squirells they cover it with a wire mesh. During Sakespeare's time the yard would not have been as nice since this was a successfull farm and chickens, cows, horses, pigs and dogs would have occupied the yard you would have had to be careful where you stepped.

Cap Fréhel, France

It was another hot day so it was quite enjoyable to walk along the beach at Cap Fréhel on the northern coast of Bretony and enjoy the cool breeze coming off the English Channel.
Saturday will be our last day at Lannion and our last day (I suspect) of our easy access to the internet. We are very greatfull to the Lanoe family for all that they have done for us. For example, Saturday they asked us if it be alright if they gave me a birthday party! Of course I felt obligated to acquiesce to their request.

La Roche-Jagu

Although Ruth's eyes are closed I still like this picture. Those are daiseys that we are standing beside and they are huge; I've noticed that in France that they have large flowers. This fortress was important in the early 1400's as the British wanted to control the river traffic when Bretony was a part of their territory. After Bretony was ceded to France this no longer was needed as a military fort. It used to have walls that extended around a courtyard also.

Picnic lunch

The Lanoe's lent us a picnic set so we had a picnic lunch in a parking lot beside the car that their daughter Mailles lent us. It is much cooler on the north coast by the sea so it is very enjoyable.
I've got lots of pictures of our adventures but will have to share them when we get back.

La cote de Granit Rose

This is Ruth on our 35 th wedding anniversary standing by a rock near Ploumanac'h. Were having a great time. The temperatures have been very hot so walking along the north coast where the cool wind off the ocean was very pleasant. We will be a Lannion until Saturday the 29th of July.

MacLeodofSaskatoon

July 24 is Ruth and my 35th wedding anniversary!

New grandaughter!

This is Brian with his new daughter Dominique Celeste Courage Baggett. He help give her her first bath and I got to take pictures. The first picture is Dominique getting her hair shampooed. The picture beside it is her resting after the bath. She has a good set of lungs and let everyone know she didn't appreciate the bath.
She was born July 11, '06 about 11:43 am and was 20 inches long and weighed 9 pounds.
For more details see Angela's blog and leave a comment on her site.

Still the centre of attention

Ivan got to cool off in a small pool in the back yard yesterday and on the way back from the store he got to ride on grandpa's back. No news on the arrival of his little sister as yet.

Off to the art gallery

As you can see Angela still looks swell. We went to the Abilene art gallery and saw a worm kissing a bug. Brian and Angela have a pecan tree and the nuts from last Nov. still had not been shelled so I helped shell them. I must have done over 5 kilograms of them. If you squish them on the ends they split open and then the shell comes off easier.