Moving on slowly.

Tiff's favorite place was the beach at Saint Aygulf.  He even got to play with his old friend Oscar there when Brad and James visited from the UK.  So far we have not returned to the beach because it belonged to Tiff and it would be painful.  We did however go on Friday to Pampelonne Beach, near Saint Tropez, and a cool restaurant on the beach that has an extensive menu of Moule Frite and good Rose.  On the way home we stopped at Saint Maxime and saw the new Bond movie Spectre.  Friday was a good day.  Today is Jane, my daughter's, 47th birthday.  She is still the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.  Where has the time gone?  Stupid question.  The time went and we have made the best of every moment interspersed with minor episodes of trauma.  Better things to come.

Fall in France

I was thinking about what Tiff liked most.  Of course his food, his beach and Alanea were top of the agenda however he also loved Fall weather.  He came to live with Alanea and I on Lyall Court November 8th 2002, 6 months after our Hercules left us.  Herc and Tiff were different boys.  It is fall in the Var and it is beautiful.  The vines are turning brown and they will soon be dormant.  It is unbelievable to watch their slow transformation from craggy looking stocks to full and heavy vines.  I  took Tiff to the vineyards in the fall because he looked so Regal against the colours.  His uncle Alex and I just planted an Olive tree yesterday.  Had Tiff been here he would have been so excited to have yet another tree at his disposal.

How does one follow an act like that?

I have reviewed TIFF's Blog very quickly and I am impressed.  He seems to have captured the tone and tenor from our initial confusion to our eventual confusion I think.  He seemed to had enjoyed his life in France however I sense that he would have enjoyed his life wherever Alanea was.  He followed Alanea everywhere and when she went out he would sit by the door and wait.  That sounds so nice and so loyal but it lasted only until dinner time when he could be found sitting on his mat in the kitchen waiting for dinner.  He liked going to the beach most of all, so much so that we had to pick him up to take him to the car.  He loved his garden and he really enjoyed little road trips to wherever we went.  He liked Italy the most as he knew that he would get good food and likely Dave would carry him.  I have cut and pasted the 1st post that TIFF posted on his Blog.

 "I am in France. That's me Tiff. The pic is taken in the house Dave and Alanea sold to make my dream come true. I now eat croissants every Sunday (Dimanche to you Oscaroo).

It is quite an adventure, one I am sure you will enjoy reading.

Alanea is Paris, Dave is watching CNN. Sit back and enjoy, contribute, ask questions and don"t fall off of your bike."

TIFF never went viral but that's is probably a good thing since Alanea would not have allowed him to go on the Tonight Show.  He was a fine little boy but this Blog stuff has me baffled.  How did he do it?  Are there any children out there that can help me understand how a little dog can be so smart.

To Tiff's loyal followers.

This is Dave writing.

I am very sad to tell you that Tiff passed away on Friday September 11th 2015.  He lost a courageously fought battle with cancer that lasted a very short time.  While going through his belongings, of which there were many, mostly presents from Alanea and cookie wrappers I discovered that he had started this BLOG shortly after we moved to France.  Imagine my surprise when I checked the BLOG site and found that he actually had followers.

Upon further investigation I found notes and voice files on my phone that clearly indicated that he had no intention of giving up the BLOG and every indication that he wanted me to carry on in some fashion after his departure.

I will do my best to continue in a few days but I feel like Shakespeare's dopy brother.

Let me go through the notes and I will be back soon.

He was quite a guy and now this.  A BLOG of all things.

Dave 

MY 13th BIRTHDAY

I was 13 years old yesterday and Alanea says that I am very good.  She is always washing my face with a washcloth but Dave only baths me.  I sat right on the table outside last night and had a little Champagne to celebrate my birthday.  I went to the beach this morning for a birthday walk, Alanea says that it can be my birthday for 2 weeks.  The sunrise was nice.  I cannot drink Champagne every day for 2 weeks but cookies work.

Summer time

Holy moly it is very hot here and I am not going outside very much.  Dave is getting out of bed at 06:00 and taking me for a walk before he goes off to the fitness club.  It is not too hot at 06:30 but by 10:00 it is 35 to 40 degrees and even Dave the ex paper boy from Ontario Canada says it is hot.  When an ex paper boy from the snow belt says it is hot it is hot.
Alanea said that I can get into the spa that they bought but I don't like it too much.  I am going to get a hair cut next week, maybe that will cool me down.  I have posted a photo of Dave in the spa.  He said that it is a good thing.
The vet said that I had an infection and my surgery is all healed up.  Nothing to worry about, poor Alanea worries too much.  I am very strong.
Dave went to the Tour de France finish in Paris on July 26th.  Here is a photo of Peter Sagan.
I added a photo of the sunset from my terrace.

Very strange weather, cold and rain in Paris hot here.  He was gone for 4 nights and Alanea thought that was Ok because she likes to have me all to herself.  She fusses to much but I get good food.
Dave dropped the pizza stone and broke it in half.  A new one came today.  He always says that stuff only happens to people that do things.  I guess that's why it happened to Dave.

Beach walking

Today July 20 was my 1st beach walk after my surgery.  I feel pretty good but Dave put the cone on my head again yesterday when I accidentally scruffed my face on the furniture and almost made it bleed again.  That was a dumb move but now I am OK.  It is hot here and I am very tired now.  I am not looking forward to my bath today but it will cool me down I think.  Alanea said I deserved the cone so I better be good today.

On the mend

I got the cone off of my head and the 3 stiches out.  Dave said that I was a brave boy.  It is very hot here so I am staying in the house and drinking water.

Sad sack

I am not happy today because I had a little surgery on my eye on Thursday.  I am too hot and sore to have fun but I still have my appetite.  More to come but for now must wait for biopsy.  No worries, I will be OK.

New adventure every day

Yesterday Dave and Alanea took me for a car ride because I would not let them go without me and I know that I am welcome everywhere, unlike Old Dave.  They took me to a new sales office at Chateau D'Esclans on the route to Callas.  The old sales cave was rustic and small and I have been there many times but the new one is very nice with a painting of the Chateau on the wall.  Alanea was totally thrilled because she met Sacha Lichine the owner of D'Esclans, he is a legend in the wine business and produces some of the best rose in the world.  He is a big guy and very friendly with me.  Alanea bought wine and got a wooden wine box for books.  She took photos of the Hydrangeas that line the driveway.  They have very good wine, Alanea says.  After we finished at D'Esclans we went for lunch in Callas which is always nice and then drove home the long and twisty way.  I always sit on a chair and watch people eat.  The roads here can be twisty but we always get to where we are going.
Today I went walking on the beach and Dave brushed my teeth and gave me a bath when we got home.  I am feeling tired now because it is hot here but as long as Alanea does not move around too much I don't have to follow her.  The tourists are starting to fill the roads so I won't be going too far for a few weeks.

Alanea's trip to Paris

Well Alanea had an exciting time in Paris visiting with all of her friends and getting “culture”.  She really likes that museum stuff and all those restaurants!!!  I stayed home with Dave and relaxed in the back yard.

My excitement of the week was visiting the vet yesterday and getting stabbed (blood work) which I passed with flying colours and the vet told me I was “vraiment gentil” and gave me 2 cookies. 

So here are some pictures from the Paris trip.  A special shout out to Audrey (she is in the photo with Laura, Gene and her little sister Clara.  Laura told Alanea that Audrey reads my blog and wondered how I could type…..so Audrey “hi” to  you from me and some things need to remain a secret.

The other pics are from the Jacquemart Andre museum.  She and Nan had a lovely brunch in the cafe which has a Tiepolo fresco on the ceiling…..blah, blah blah.  The lion looks scary though.

Arles

Alanea and Dave took me to Arles.  Alanea arranged to meet our friends Julie and Tom from Saskatoon in Arles.  Alanea and Julie were room mates at University of Toronto.  There is a lot to see and do and eat in Arles.  We followed a big truck with my name on it.  We stayed in a very nice old hotel on the main village square.  There were pictures on the wall of actors in their youth, Brigit Bardot and Gerard Depardeau.  I went everywhere except dinner because I can be a nuisance.  I did get some ice cream though.

Resting now

Alanea is back from Canada and her trip to Russia is completed.  She did very well in Russia she is the only person in the whole world to sign a new client in Russia for the past year.  Mr. P cannot keep Alanea down for long.  At least that's what Dave says.  I went to the beach today with Dave and Alanea before Dave unceremoniously dumped me at Margo the groomer's shop.  If Dave thinks she is so pretty maybe he should go and have a haircut there instead of leaving me.  I must admit it tickles when she trims my dickie do.  I love the beach and Alanea has to pick me up or I won't go to the car, I really run at the beach but sometimes Dave has to protect me from big dogs.  I can handle myself but it makes Dave feel good to step up from time to time.  I will post a photo tomorrow of me with my new haircut, right now I am watching NCIS with Alanea.  There's a photo of old Dave in the village and a photo of Margo's car.  I like her but I don't like getting my hair cut.  That's me shopping at Castorama (the French Home Depot).

Happy Birthday Uncle Brad

Today is Uncle Brads birthday.  David gave me a little trim and a bath today.  I usually go to the village for a haircut, Margo does it.  I don't like it either way but if it must be done I prefer Margo over old Dave.  That's picture of Dave trimming my butt.  Alanea just got home from having her hair cut too, we do everything together except go to Russia.  Alanea is going to Russia next week.  I will be stuck at home again with Dave.
There is a big Harley Davidson convention in the village for 3 days.  I might go to see it, they sure do look cool.
It is very nice today 25 degrees, sunny.

  

Alanea is home from Canada YEA

Alanea came home from Canada on Tuesday, today is Friday May 1st and it is a big holiday in France.  I can relax a little today but I still had to go to the market in St Aygulf, The Grande Bastide for local vegetables and the Spar grocery store because Alanea likes the store managers.  They only open for the summer camping season but they cater to 3000 campers.
Alanea brought me my own wash cloths from Toronto so now my face will be cleaner than old Dave's face.  Alanea also brought me some special cookies.  I am happier when everyone is here with me.
Hello Cargo, I hear that you are quite a guy.

Life, love and technology

I love my life (but not when Alanea is away). I like my cookies but would give them up for a day if Alanea were here, Dave is a dink however his new phone technology is very cool.  He now knows how to take my photo and post it to my blog even though he uses android and his computer is a MAC.  Dave is not very smart so how does he figure this shit out?

Update and apology

It has been several weeks since I updated this blog.  Dave has celebrated his 65th birthday, the sun has started to shine ever day and it is warm not.  Dave is trying to stay busy and says that some days he feels overwhelmed and others he is looking for thing to do.  I am happy except that Alanea is in Canada until April 28th.  It has been suggested that I retire my blog because I am to busy or lazy to update it regularly.  Does that mean that if the olive tree does not have fruit for a year you should dig it up and pitch it in the garage.  I think not.  We will try harder, let me know if you are interested in anything specific.  I have posted a few nice photos.
Dave has a new Samsung Galaxy smart phone and it is much smarter than he is.  The camera is broken and the BlackBerry is 8 years old.  Now that he has figured out how to take pictures with the phone and download them to a mAC from Android we should see more blogs.
The 2nd photo is Alanea's jasmine, she is missing the best blooms.
The 3d photo is me in the new growth on the vines at Domaine des Plane.
Old Dave is doing selfie in the 4th.  Actually Alanea took the photo.
PS
Now that Dave has a new phone Alanea will get an iPhone.

Sunshine, daffodils and me.

The sun is getting warmer and I really like to sit in the sun.  Dave and Alanea take me walking and I won't go inside so Dave has to keep walking.  With the warm sunshine comes the spring flowers.  Alanea has planted lots of stuff but the little daffodils are the first to sprout.  Soon I will go to the beach and run in the sand.  Alanea put a soft cushion out for me on the pink stones.  That was very nice but I can only sit while I can see or hear Alanea.  When she goes upstairs and out of sight I follow her every move.

Spring and the vines

Dave just got back from 4 days in Warsaw Poland were he met a few investment guys and helped a friend.  He took me to Domaine des Planes to buy some wine today and the vines are looking good.  Soon they will be full of new growth.  I will return and post a photo in a few weeks to show you the big difference.

Valentines Day and spring is coming

Dave is going to Poland tomorrow Feb 19 and Alanea is smiling for some reason.  She said that we will eat popcorn and watch shows on TV.  I have a few photos of Valentines Day Champagne and my new friend Lang.  Dave got the trophy at the cycling club annual general meeting for showing up.  Dave will bring some photos of Warsaw home for me to post next week

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