The Toller scream

Chris decided fishing was in order and the subsequent serenity that comes when the line in cast into the blue and the fisherman can sit and ponder nothing or something.

For those who do not know the Toller screams when excited. While Smudge does not quite get into the full scream (below) she in definitely warming up.

Chris can be seen on the rocks trying to find that serenity.

Bubbles

Bubbles are a girl's best friend. Smudges prefers this way, I prefer mine bottled and French.

Either way there is fun to be had.

Somers beach

 

A mini break is what they call it, and I endorse it whole heartedly.

We travelled to Somers where we rented a one bedroom cottage that was Smudge friendly.

The smell of the sea, walks timed with the tides and wonderful tiny discoveries of flotsam and jetsam.

Delightful.

Some days

Thursday is my day off at work. I usually write, design or go out to galleries or events that assist with the creative process.

Smudge believes Thursdays are for taking her for the longest walk in history.

She can be very blunt about her prostests. A few seconds before the shot below was taken she had her head on the keyboard. I told her to get off (as in off the couch).

Her interpretation, off the keyboard.

The park = happiness

They say that children and animals teach you the simple art of happiness.

 

The patient goes on an outing

Some of you know that Dash has had an operation on a nasty abcess that was infected and burst in his anal gland (sorry if you were eating). As such he has been confined to the inside of the house while the wound heals.

After a favourable first vet check up we took them both to Healesville. An appropriate name for our destination. It was pouring with rain when we arrived which gave us an opportunity to grab a coffee and by the time the get up and go juice starting taking affect rain clouds had cleared and the sun came to stay.

Foot of Maroondah Reservoir

Rose Steps

Reservoir wall

Walking on a hot day

Tollers tend to approach tasks with less gusto when it is hot. Their usual work ethic slowly slips to indifference.

Today we walked for 3 hrs starting at 8am in the cool of the morning, along the Diamond Creek Trail to Edendale Farm at Eltham and back.

Smudge is unsually frightened of bike bells. Apparently shot guns, lightening and fireworks are fantastic exciting things that one must get as close to as dogerly possible. But bike bells...terrifying!

Hence walking any trail like this one that is shared by cyclists and walkers is reason to stick one's tail between one's leg and look about as if a full onslaught might be forthcoming from any direction. One must be vigilant.

We also came across a running club doing interval training along the trail. Very impressive long distance runners clearly preparing for an upcoming race.

We did not break any land speed records and by the time we reached the farm a rest under a Peppercorn tree was in order.

Then once home a swim and retrieving a few sticks was
acceptable. The river's banks have been eroded by the severe flooding in Feb 2011 and Christmas Day 2011 so it is quite a muddy swim, but no less satisying for the Toller two.