Our Hosts at Ferriere Larcon

We have four hosts while sitting at this house.  Two dogs, Caline and Harvey and two cats, Mossie and Fly, who want to be fed, loved and walked.

Caline and Fly

Harvey the Beagle.

We were here for two days before we met the yellow cat, Mossie.  We returned on the second evening from our walk with the dogs, and there she was, demanding to be fed.  The homeowners had warned us not to trust her.  Since she had been spayed, she was a real monster who would take your fingers off if touched.  We fixed her food, then she went off again.

The next morning as we were getting the dogs ready for their walk, up strolled Mossie.  Out the gates we went, she went over the fence.  Down the street we walked, she followed behind, her little bell dinging.  She walked with us the entire way.  If a car came, we stepped to the side of the road; Mossie would disappear into the bushes.  When we arrived back home, we came in through the gate, and Mossie went over the fence.  We have never had a cat go for a long walk with us; although it's the normal thing here as neighbors we saw greeted us, the dogs and Mossie. 

Mossie and Bill on the covered patio.

By that evening, Mossie had claimed Bill as her own.  He is able to give her rubs and she sleeps in his lap.  No missing fingers yet.

Bienvenue a Ferriere Larcon!

Our flight from Phoenix was uneventful, but warm, as the ventilation system wasn't working properly.  We arrived early into Heathrow, only to find our flight to Paris was delayed.  We had a good lunch, figuring it would be our only meal of the day; the breakfast served on the flight being inedible.  We wandered around the airport, looking in stores and windows, not buying anything.  At last our flight was announced.  The waiting area soon filled up, but no announcement as to loading.  An employee of British Airways told us the plane had landed, was being cleaned and refueled before we could load.  Another wait, then the same woman said there were still people "stuck on the plane" waiting for wheelchair assistance to disembark.  She looked very concerned; Bill and I laughed.  Finally, we were loaded and off.  Bill slept most of the way and I looked out the window.  The captain must have had his foot to the floor, because we arrived in a much shorted time than originally posted!

Landing went smoothly, our luggage arrived, the car was rented with little waiting and the atm worked!  After a false start because the GPS wasn't quite ready, we were on our way.  I had estimated we would leave the airport by 8 pm and it was closer to 9, not bad for a 2 hour flight delay.

Wind chargers were spaced beside the highway, with corn growing underneath.

21:46 and the sun is still shining.

The sun stays up much later this far north, so most of our drive on the toll road was in a bit of light.  By the time we paid up and took off on the smaller roads, it was dark, but we only had 25k to go.  BIB, our gps, took us right to the front gates of our new home.  I jumped out, opened them and Bill drove through.

While I located the bag of dog treats, Bill unlocked the doors.  The inside is a split door, so he carefully opened the top.  Looking in, he was immediately greeted by two barking, wiggle tailed dogs.  Opening the bottom, we both walked in, calling them by name.  Harvey is a Beagle and Caline is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, crossed with a Bassett Hound.  They took the treats and a rub, then ran out the door to go pee, as well as inspect the car.  The black and white cat, Fly, showed up almost immediately.  We unloaded the car, carried our suitcases upstairs, located an opened box of wine and two glasses.  Sante!

Our home for the next two months.  Our bedroom is the dormer on the far left.

Our Bags Are Packed

After a cancelled flight due to the air controllers strike in France caused a 3 day delay, we are finally leaving on our next housesitting adventure. We are flying from Phoenix through London Heathrow, on to Paris Orly, where there will be a rental car to drive to Ferriere-Larcon in the Loire Valley.  Because of the flight changes, we will not be meeting the home owners as they will be in the air at the same time on their way to Dallas.  Maybe we can wave to each other as the planes pass in the sky.  Bon Jour!  Au Revoir!!

Bill's things are with the red suitcase, mine are with the grey.  Both suitcases are 22" carryon size, although we check them.

 

We really hope the two dogs will be friendly with the strangers arriving at their home very late in the evening.  Keep your fingers crossed that knowing their names and coming with treats will make friends with them!

The Folks You Can Find on the Internet

Mary Anne and Charles ready to leave for the airport. 

Bill first met Mary Anne on Facebook through a mutual friend.  She seemed like an interesting person with an unique take on life, so why not become a friend?  The mutual friend died, but the friendship with Mary Anne continued. 

In one of life's little twists, they soon discovered that Mary Anne's husband, Charles, and Bill, are cousins, sharing the same ancester, one Isaiah Willmon.   Charles calls him Great Great Great Grandfather, while to Bill he is Great Great Grandfather.  To bring it closer in time, Bill's Grandfather and Charles' Great Mother are siblings.

This is the second time we have stayed in their home with Toby the Wonder Spaniel, while they are off on an adventure.  We will gladly stay here again, but first we are planning to get together at our home in the desert next spring.

I have long believed that friends are your chosen family; with Charles and Mary Anne, we have both!

Bob's Hummingbirds

Our friend Bob, in Redding, has two hummingbird feeders hanging by the front walk of his house.  Every morning his fills the quart bottles of each and by nightfall they are both empty.  At any given moment, there are hummingbirds eating, whooshing by, chattering at each other and at you, if you stand still.  There is nothing quite like the feel of being dive bombed by a hummingbird!

Breakfast time!

All the seats are full and there is a waiting line.

They fill the perches as fast as they are empty.



All of these hummers are Anna's, the most common variety in Redding.

A very small, young bird.

A rare moment of stillness.

Hurry up Bob, it's time for a refill!

Granzella's

If you find yourself driving I-5 through Williams, California, be sure to stop at Granzella's.  They have everything you need for a nice break.  Lots of parking, clean restrooms, good food served either sit down or deli style and, although you may not know this is a necessity, lots and lots of olives to taste, for free!  We stop every time we pass through, which isn't nearly often enough.

What you get to look at while waiting for your food in the bar.

Everywhere you look, wild animals, except for the one hereford bull.  Who put him there?

They have had this polar bear for a long time.  He even survived a major fire several years ago.

Interstate 5 North to Redding

Driving from Sacramento to Redding on I-5 can be a pretty boring trip.  Honestly, the road is straight except for maybe 2 curves, except for driving through College City, population 290, which has an overpass and a curve!

Olive tree

Rest area built in an olive grove.

Corn field in front, coastal range in rear.

The center medians are filled with blooming oleanders.

Barn in the corn field.

But there is beauty to be found, if you just open your eyes.  It also helps you stay awake while driving.

Toby the Wonder Spaniel recommends Charity Miles

Toby and Mary on the patio in the garden.  He has the silkest hair on the very tiptop of his head.

Toby is the Wonder Spaniel, just ask anyone who knows him.  His breed is Springer Spaniel, with an added emphasis on the Spring part.  His favorite thing to do is chase the squirrels who run along the electric lines over the backyard, barking ferociously.  Since the last time we stayed with him, Toby has developed epilepsy, which requires him to be on fairly heavy doses of drugs.  These make him sleep a bit more and to be constantly hungry.  When he wants to eat, he will sit by you and put his left foot up and down, up and down, to get your attention.  He is very determined!

Toby and I walk at least 4 days a week, using my Iphone app for Charity Miles to earn money for the ASPCA, Toby's favorite organization.  You see, Toby thinks all animals should be as loved as he is!  If you walk, run or bike, have a smartphone and a sharing nature, check out Charity Miles. 

The Sacramento Garden in Early June

Close up of a poppy bloom.

The lovely green on green Bells of Ireland.

Spectacular amarylis in the front courtyard.

Hydrangia, a summer bloomer that has a delicate feel.



The ball shaped bloom of an Allium.

The pot in the back has almost disappeared under the nasturtuims.

When we arrived in Sacramento a month ago, the garden still had a "spring"feel about it.  Maybe it was the rain that added to that feeling.  Now, though, the heat has shot up, the sun is shining and everything is growing like crazy.  The lettuces have bolted, so they have gone to the compost bin the city picks up each week.  The early blooming flowers have been deadheaded and, in some cases, completely cut back, to wait for next years call to bloom.

Summer fruit is set and growing like crazy; peaches and grapes to eat, if Toby can keep the squirrels at bay.  I've heard that squirrels like peaches almost as much as I do!

No matter if it is spring or summer, this garden is still beautiful.

Stuck in Lodi Again

Lodi has really changed from the sleepy little farming town we knew many years ago, into a vibrant town with a wonderfully renovated downtown area.  The farmers used to grow wheat, now it's grapes for wine.  We visited several wineries with Anna and her in-laws, Kathy and Mike.  I do believe a fun time was had by all! 

At the second winery, we forgot to take a picture at the first, but we did remember to buy some of their wines.

By the third winery we were in a fun mood!  This is a tasting room for several wineries, set up in one of the renovated building downtown.  And, taste several wines, we did!

The last winery was Jessie's Grove where the owner, who is the great granddaughter of the founder, invited us to sit in the shade and listen to the story of her family's arrival in California. 

Flood! or One of the Things that Might go Wrong in a Housesit!

Water running around the side of the house headed for the front.

Our bedroom is upstairs here in Sacramento.  There is a lovely window seat which overlooks the backyard.  Every morning when I wake up, the first thing I do is look out the window at the garden.  This morning there was water everywhere.  At first I thought, "Oh, it's raining."  Upon closer inspection I realized there had to be a broken water pipe somewhere, as the water was running from the back yard around the house and into the front.  Rapidly!

Look! We have a water garden!

We both jumped up, grabbed our clothes and went to look.  There was a lovely spring coming from the ground in the back of the garden.  We both ran around looking for the water meter to turn the water off to the house, only to remember that Sacramento doesn't have water meters in the older parts of town.  I opened the side gates and swept the debris clear so the water would not pool and run into the basement.

A bubbling spring where the pipe once was.

 A call to the homeowners' daughter, who gave the number of a plumber.  I called him, even though it was barely 6 am.  He called back about 6:30.  I'm impressed!  With the help of the neighbor, who thought this was the main shut off leaking, the valve was closed.  We have cleaned up what we can, as far as the washed out leaves and mulch.  The hole left by the water is large and will take a bit of dirt to fill once the plumber is finished.

 

A hole left by the leaking pipe.  That's a whole lot of dirt gone!

On the bright side:
All the water we had to deal with was clean.
The neighbor was most understanding about the water pooling in the front of his garage. 
Now the garden won't need watering for a bit, it's been deep watered today!

We have also added to our "Need to know before the homeowner leaves" list: 
Where is the main water shut off valve.
 Name and number of a plumber.