Changes

Mr Jack can now climb onto the couch by himself and is occasionally - when I have enough energy and can face the task of tidying up - given the chance to feed himself yoghurt! He also enjoys passing things to us and taking them back (and if he sees us with 'his' teddy he comes trundling over to reclaim 'his property!'). He's still pointing to everything and anything and talking as much scribble as possible!

Forest Walks

I felt like staying inside on Sunday but Benoit persuaded me that it was wrong to waste such a day. I'm glad now he convinced me as we really took a walk through Autumn, rustling our feet through the leaves and collecting chestnuts to roast later on the fire.

keeping warm as the fire grows cold

Unusually, Jack's having a morning sleep - so I have a little time to finish the last blog!

Last Saturday, my neighbour Martine and I went to the local spa in Soultz-Les-Bains and - ooh lala! It was my first time in a spa but it won't be my last! Spending time in the sauna, jet bath, and in the thermal pool felt so good that, even one week later, I feel refreshed: http://www.sulzbad.com/

And, if that wasn't enough, on Sunday, Ben and I visited a little island located on the Rhine river. The weather was a little grey and rainy but, bundled up nice and warm , we still had time to take a walk around the island and to admire the various birds (egrets, ducks, swans) adorning the river: http://alsace.nature.free.fr/reserves.htm

So, yep, all in all it was a weekend well spent even though the autumn winds are beginning to chill the land and turn flaming leaves to ashes.

Winter is coming

Winter is coming... my fingers have that chill to them as I write that encourages me to stop and to rub my hands together. It's not even that cold in here - the fire's on and it's old 9am so the place is comfortably cosy - but the idea that outside it's 0* and cold and damp makes me want to feel cosier that ever! We've had a lovely week because, although Ben and I are still busy with work, coming home to Jack is such a delight. He's learned to clamber onto the couch by pulling on our clothes and loves pointing at things (plants, pictures on the wall, things he knows we'll take him to touch). He also always talking in 'scribble' (thanks Melanie and Claire), telling us about his days and belingering the passing of the days!

We've also just had a great weekend - as I went to a spa and we all visited an island.. but more of that later.. as I have to go and give Jack his breakfast!

Eleven months old

Yep, our boy is fast becoming a year old and so his baby days are being left behind. And the changes just keep coming. He has, for instance, two new toys: Buzzy Bee and Teddy. Buzzy Bee is from Uncle Graham and was bought in New Zealand; Jack drags him everywhere. Teddy is from Alena and Vince in Ireland; Jack has chosen him as his new cuddle pal. Then there's Doudou, his comforter - and this is the cool part - when we ask Jack "Where is Doudou?" he goes and gets him! Cool, huh? And when all else fails? There's his socks.. which as you can see from the picture never stay in place for long. This is turn means his feet are always dirty.. as he's on his feet as much as possible, still holding onto things but now also 'walking' by pushing chairs in the direction he wants to go. Meanwhile, Ben and I? We're there at his side, and left wondering 'just what will he get upto next?' We're also both pretty busy with work at the moment which means we're all the more appreciative of how happy Jack remains at Mme Trapp's. It also means that Saturday mornings, like today, remain precious... this morning, for example, as the autumn lay its cold, misty blanket over the valley, Ben lit the fire and we all settled down to watch a movie to start the morning in peace. So, as the days become colder and as November 6th 2007 approaches, our lives continue to change with the seasons.

Mont Sainte Odile

Last Sunday, I went for a lovely walk with a friend up at Mont Sainte Odile and more specifically along the 'Pagan Wall' - an immensely old (Iron Age?) structure, measuring 1.5 metres in width and sometimes 2 metres in height, and testifying to the mystery of life as it stretches for 10 miles along the ridges that surround this beautiful monastery and ancient ceremonial site

.

A great wee holiday

The weekend before last, Ben and I took Jack on no less that 4 plane rides as we spent 2 days in Glasgow - for my cousin Penny's wedding and to visit with Shona and Mackie, Sam and Fraser (the photo shows us all walking along the side of the Clyde) - and then 2 days in Dublin - with Melanie and Simon, Alena and Vince.

We had a fantastic time visiting with friends and family... and Jack seems to have really thrived on all those new environments.