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Autumn carpet, woods in Neuchatel, Switzerland

I really miss those beautiful woods in Neuchatel. There was something so very old about them. And you hardly ever met another soul. That's so refreshing nowadays - not that I don't enjoy the company of people - but it's just wonderful to escape to such stillness, just for a while - where nothing can penetrate the silence.

These woods were covered in an autumn carpet of leaves and the colours were all so subtly different: from red to orange to yellow to brown. I tried to capture the thickness of the carpet floor with the help of oil paints. What a joy it was to paint! All that splish-splashing around. And what a joy to walk with the dog every day, especially as woods like those always protected you from any bad weather!

Snow, icicles and ice.

Do you remember this great shot I took of Axle? Must be a year or so ago now? What a classic! In our cosy house, we hadn't realized the nights had been so cold. But it must have gone down to below 15 in Neuchatel, Switzerland: to achieve such incredible icicles. It's funny how you start romanticising bad weather, when it is continuously hot?

 Love the heat of summer though.  Even though Axle had such fun destroying lumps of ice, by kind of jumping and diving on them. Guess they make such a lovely sound, too. But I think there are few things lovelier than walking through a wood deep with fresh snow, where no other footsteps have yet made a single mark. And you get that lovely tight, squeaky sound of fresh snow underfoot. Wonderful! See, I'm doing it again.

Well; my husband has bought me a wonderful anniversary pressie! A tenor saxophone! Yes, it's true I did play years ago (sorry neighbours) so it will be very interesting to note if I can play it first time?

I remember when I first went into a music shop (many years ago) and the assistant said: "if you can get a note out of a saxophone the first time, you are doing very well." Luckily I did get a honk or two initially. My very tolerant neighbours said that they were 'willing' me to complete the song: 'Merrily We Roll Along' for quite some time! I guess I taught myself from books and by ear really.

We've bought an old sax with lots of charm - a vintage Buescher Aristocrat ( for you pros). Those were the days that things were built to last. It has a few dents and dings and lots of history no doubt. I hope it might whisper some of that to me in my left ear! It should have that lovely rich sound that older saxes had. Not the sharper sound of many modern saxes nowadays, which I so dislike. I can't wait to get my hands on it! But have prepared myself for lots of disappointing hours ahead - I think that that's the best way. Luckily we're are fairly neighbourless here, so I don't expect anyone to be banging on my door, holding lumps of their own hair in their hands!

I'll keep you posted on my honking though. Maybe, I'll take a little passport photo of it, when it arrives. Because if I travel with it, maybe I'll get it it's own passport, just so customs don't think I'm drug smuggling or something. My husband keeps saying: "bet you can't wait to have some sax!" He's right, I can't!

I bought my husband two of those lovely wedding bears. Have you ever seen them? A bride and groom? I think it's a great anniversary gift. Mind you, this bride looks a right misery-guts. Not like me! Honest!

Bearington Bears

Aaaah! Aren't they cute? Admittedly, not quite as impressive as a saxophone though!  Actually, today the groom looks rather distracted, doesn't he? Maybe he's bored and she's just bad-tempered by nature! Bit of a worry! Still, they do look like they are holding hands though, despite everything miserable in the bear world. Not sure why I put them underneath my orange tree. I think it reminded me of those honeymooners in the Seychelles, underneath the palms. Did it work? Were you fooled  ? Were you transported away to paradise momentarily?

I'm afraid that sometimes I do take my toys out for some fresh air. It's kind of like you do with houseplants.....I think. So yesterday Boo Boo went for a nice ride on Axle. Axle didn't seem to mind much. He's a very patient dog. He's patient when I stand for ages gorging on cherries, too, or just sit looking at nothing much, or having a cuddly toy riding his back.

Hello Boo Boo and Axle!

I love the way Axle is just nonchalently sniffing the grass. Aren't they lovely the same tan colour? Just like brothers!

Have a Seychelles day! www.moorethanart.com and www.boundlessgallery.com