more simple pleasures ... hound dogs

the hound dog show (plus expert audience)

more simple pleasures ... young farmers and ferrets

the tug of war used to be part of every country show along with numerous other demonstrations of physical prowess that have been banished for health and safety reasons (along with fun and joy).

Ferrets will be next on the list, but for the time being they are still allowed to race. Tail end Charlie (bottom photo) was quite endearing.



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more simple pleasures ... riding side saddle

dressing up in costumes and riding side saddle. The lady in red is dressed as a member of the women's first aid nursing yeomanry who were nicknamed inevitably "fanys" (do I believe this? but see Wiki link)

more simple pleasures ... goose herding

today we went to the Cornwall and Devon Countryman's fair at Werrington Hall. Although it was a cloudy day we enjoyed some unusual spectacles, including goose herding



duck and children training (supervised by collies)



and finally a goose and children race

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Small copper butterfly from the side (above) and a crowd of different folk (including a small copper as more usually seen) enjoying some yarrow. Are we in danger of becoming a bug blog? Cassie (Spot's dam) has suffered a major injury to one of her hind legs and her leg has swollen up like a barrel (apparently, so our vet David Ellis says, this is something that happens to greyhound lurcher people) but she has been grounded for a few days and thus we are not going for long walks. It brings to mind that she is 11 years old now and showing some signs of age. What will we do without her?

in the teeth of a dragonfly

it is usually very difficult to get up this close to a resting dragonfly, but this golden ringed dragonfly seemed happy to pose for posterity.