Somehow, the dogs have figured out the concept of le weekend. I don’t know how or why but for the past few Saturday mornings, they have decided that a special treat was in order and it wasn’t me. So, when it was time for their walk, they would go to Remi and bark at him pointedly until he had no choice but to take them.
Now, usually I am grateful for the break. As I have said Kipling is a true handful, especially as our little village is home to so many cats. But last week, the sun was shining, it was warm and perfect, so at the last minute I answered Remi’s offer to join him with a yes. “But I am not responsible for them, you are.”…”Absolutely,” he agreed. I ran upstairs to grab my camera and we set off. Our version of a rambling family.
As Remi is (an exceptionally talented) professional photographer, I couldn’t ask for a more patient and helpful hiking companion. He waits when I fall too far behind – Ben does too – and gives me tips on how to shoot in manual when he thinks that I might actually listen to him for once. Soon, I was down the rabbit hole of the lens and lost in the looking. The walk was the same that we had taken several times before moving here and the landscape was a part of the package deal charm. It still sells me every time.
Once we were far enough away from the village, Remi let Kipling off the leash and let him run, something that I never do and hence his preference for walks with le maître and not la maîtress. Why my hesitation? Because there is always a moment when the hunter in Kip takes over and he bounds away like a gazelle, heedless to our calls. But he will – eventually – come back to Remi. So why did I continue to holler after our wild furry friend? Remi was in control, that was the deal. And yet…“C’est plus fort que moi!” When I worry, I can’t help myself. Eh, oui. After agreeing that this is something that I need to work on, I headed back to my task at hand, looking for autumn.
Now, I got the memo on instagram. It was the week where everyone was supposed to take a photo of their feet (sporting very cool shoes equals bonus likes) pointing towards a spread of orange, red and yellow leaves (more bonus likes for all three in one shot). But this year, the weather is just not co-operating. So far, we are in the midst of autumn dressed down in green with the temperatures that will only prolong un été indien. I kept on searching with each footfall and with the rare exception – which was immediately met with a photographic pounce – in vain. Tant pis…
…and tant mieux. It was a wonderful walk. It just goes to show, sometimes a little flexibility does a person good.
I think that it is from what I have been reading on other blogs. And you are going to give my Sister a heart attack, Edgar! All of the photos are mine, discovered and taken by me save for the last (and best) one. 🙂
Walking with Remi is like having a master class in photography.
Is autumn late everywhere?
But your photos captured the early signs.
Jeanne, I hadn't noticed that you changed your profile pic to the hat photo! Yay!!! And you know, sometimes I need to give myself the gift of shooting in program. I know you understand… 🙂
It is lovely seeing you here. Your blog has given me so much. And we don't get much of an autumn here either…but I will take whatever tiny little bit of it that I can get!
Jeanne, we tried to go yesterday, packed to the dogs into the car to have a change of scene – and it was SO crazily crowded everywhere…worse than High Season, worse than Christmastime …that we eventually turned around and walked them here!
I don't know! I stumbled upon him and the forest and then poof! He disappeared… 😉 Thank you for the kind words, beautiful Madame LA.
Thank you Sister. I think that you might be ever so sliiiiightly biased though. 🙂 But yep, that is a very important thing for me, doing both the photos and the text. And it always makes me happy that you see what I was hoping would be seen for so many of them. I love you!
Thank you Lorrie. It was a gift from Remi to me and me to you.
I am sure that you were scared to pieces. I know that twice he has escaped from us when we were far, far from home and we were so worried…
I think you have a book cover on that last photo Heather, I love it! Had to laugh about the shooting tips in manual…and that you might actually listen for once. I get that…completely! So much more fun to be down the rabbit hole of the lens and lost in the looking… 😉
Such gorgeous pictures of autumn, something we don't really get here. Just beautiful. Thank you xo
Heather, that last photo is fantastic. So much fun, carefree energy. Love it. Glad you have such beautiful places to walk and think about things. Your autumn colors may not be the orange and yellow and red of tradition, but they are still gorgeous, and what I wouldn't give for a sunny sky after days and days and days of rain (and wind, too). Hope you've all been able to enjoy another lovely walk this weekend! XOXO
I know Spring is supposed to invoke feelings of regeneration but for me, it's Autumn. Especially seen by eyes like yours. How beautiful! And who is that pixie with the dogs 😉 ?
Oh my goodness – I don't know HOW you managed to capture that last photo, but it's too wonderful! I wonder if the puppers bring out his silly side? LOVE that pic! And I love the colors of your fall! Love the white leaf, when you were looking for orange and brown. Love the heart-shaped leaf in (and everything about) the first pic. Also, I was agog to read that a commenter here thought the photos were all Remi's!!! A. That's a big compliment for you! And, B. Very glad that you set him straight!!! That's sort of the point of your whole blog, non? Both the words and the photographs together? I love them all, and your beautiful blog, and YOU!
Autumn is rather slow to show her colours here, too, although the last week has brought wind, rain and dropping temperatures. It's still warmer than normal, though. Your photos are so lovely, as always. How great to have Remi to help you out (when you want it). The last photo is the essence of joie de vivre!
once I had a German sheep dog and generously I let them off the leash. You know already what happened, ….in a blitz he sprinted away and came back to our house many hours later. What happened in the meantime? I would like to know but he was extremely exhausted and not able to move for some days. An exciting event for me as well perhaps for him.
Thank you so much! I know that you are just trying to cheer me up. 🙂 These photos weren't as good as I hoped but that is all part of the learning process – save for the photo of Remi, which he did for me on purpose as a surprise. Gros, gros bisous…
And to you Jackie! Hoping all is well in your corner of the world…
First Gallivanta and now you! This is freaking me out. Pleaseohplease don't let this blog get hacked…I put the word modifcation mode back on…
I too really like having all four seasons and agree with you – bring on winter! I am ready. 🙂
Besides, the food is so good in winter!
I do not know HOW you get as far as YOU do!These photos are SENSATIONAL!
I understand the leash bit too as we have a Boxer that wanders if off leash and every time the front door opens I worry he will get out!Not so with the PAPA of the house……he would NEVER leave his side!They know what they can do with whom I suppose!GREAT SHOT of REMI!!!These photos…….going back for another PEEK!
Happy Autumn photos and tails/tales as you so perfectly serve them up for us all! Enjoyed taking a stroll with you all today — happy weekend to you!
Hmmm, I think I left a comment on this post that is now gone….
I am enjoying this Wonderful Autumn too! In a couple of weeks everything will change but I am going to enjoy Winter anyway! I like a four seasons world because I never get bored. Welcome wind of change…
Have a nice weekend!
I swear that Kip jumped too just made this photo for me. I can tell you for sure that he had NO idea what was going on but did it anyway!!
I know you do Marsha. 🙂 I will keep trying to include them as much as possible!!
Mahalo, Bill for the very fine compliment. I was just thinking of Kristin this morning and realizing how really challenging it is to keep a blog going for so long – and that she has done so for over ten years while making it look effortless is amazing. As for Ann, I can attest that she is as lovely as a person as her writing!
One tiny little correction: I take the photos for this blog! Remi just gives me lessons but trust me – his work is so far beyond what I do.
Have a wonderful weekend in Kauai, Aloha,
H
We had two and a half days of the Mistral winds blowing that took the temps waaaay down and I was able to put on a cashmere sweater! I was so happy! But the winds are gone and the temps are back up!!!
The roseaux? Yes! You busted me on that one. 🙂
Whoa! That freaks me out to no end. Yesterday, I was in the middle of responding to comments and had just responded to yours when all of a sudden my blog started looking really odd and there was my Google+ profile link with each of my comments! I know people whose blogs have been hacked so I quickly shut down my computer and rebooted. What is especially weird is that the other comments are still there – only yours was zapped! 😮 Very worrisome…
Oh how I love the exuberance in the final photo. What is not so happy is that my comment on your previous post is not there. 🙁 Where did it go? To the land of vanished dream images?
A lovely post as always and great photos, especially the mad hatter, or should I say sticker, with his dog jumping for joy.
Like Bill, I read every word. But what I love the most are the photos of the dogs, you or Remi. Yep, those dogs!!
xx's
Heather .. there are so many "gazillions" of posts to choose from .. I'd like you to know yours is one of those I take time to enjoy. In fact, I place your post (including Remi's incredible contributions), and talents, up there with the likes of Ann Mah and Kristin Espinasse .. in my book, this is high praise "all around". Thank you for your continued "sharing".
Aloha,
Bill Facker
http://www.kauai-to-paris.com
Glad to hear we are nor the only ones still searching for autumn. The last photo madee smile. Great capture.
Just wonderful photos and I knew right from the beginning that there was something funny to come in the end…
So I scrolled down -s l o w l y- to find the last photo! (;
You might have heard my usual sighs looking at the landscape….
And isn't the blossom of the green pampas grass an indicator of autumn in your region? I was wondering…