Click on this to to get "Memories of Spud "
Click on this for photos of "Our route to Montauban"
Accompanied by the photo album linked to this posting, I try to describe our deliberately slow progress throughout the "summer madness" - on our way to a winter mooring, which is waiting for us at Montauban from November 30th until March 2015. Then we take to the high road on a low loader - destination - the Canals of Brittany.
We are both stimulated by the constantly changing environment and the new people we meet.... Now Spud has died, we have acquired a black and white cat - a stray one found in the Lagruere car park and fed by a lovely waitress called Monica (Spanish pole dancer?). Teddy has been a bit non-commital about the new addition but is slowly accepting her.
A small leak has appeared on our water lubricated stern gland which means we've had to go back to see Fred, our man in Castets en Dorthe, for repairs. It is not serious and we do the 40 klms very slowly, enjoying a couple of nights wild mooring, en route.
This is Coco Chanel, who adopted us at Laguere in August. Here we estimate, she is but 5 months old and not yet neutered.
11/09/2014
Now poor Teddy has a cancer - a prostrate cancer - a lump on his anus which bleeds a little. One vet has diagnosed this problem. We had hoped this was merely a matter of gland squeezing.
Through Google, we read up about prostate cancer in dogs and find the information to be depressingly consistent with what we have observed in Teddy's behaviour - his breathing and his backside problem. Today, two days after one vet has diagnosed cancer, his breathing has been very much worse which points to the accuracy of the diagnosis. Has the cancer spread this quickly to his lungs? We have made an appointment with a different vet in Tonneins. We already have consulted him on matters to do with Coco.
Here is something much more cheerful - Lois and Harry Falshaw, (Alan and Amanda) on holiday and off to school?
Have a look at the Local birds French to English