Happiness in the air

25 April 6 miles - 49.34 min

there is a smell of happiness in the air - apple blossom coming out, warm and very quiet.

For the first time took Nala, the smaller of my two Golden Retrievers, female, and Leroy, the lanky 6 year old English Setter, who we recently adopted, together. Leroy led Nala all the way, while Strelka, the bigger Golden Retirver often lets Nala lead the pair. But she seemed to be happy about the new deal. I think she begins to get used to him being around - and even likes him.

We didn't do the circuit as fast as with Leroy-Strelka, but much faster than with Strelka-Nala.

Here we go gathering nuts

14 October
6 miles - 51.48 min

Still very warm. If it weren't for hazel nuts covering the verges, one might think it is still summer. We passed several families busily filling their baskets with nuts. Hazels are amazing here in Normandy - they shoot up to 5-7 metres (15-20 feet) in the narrow hedges.

I love nuts, both fresh and in cooked dishes. The smell and the look of them always takes me back to some of the best memories of childhood: picnics in America with my parents when a bag of peanuts was a must and foraging for hazel nuts in Russian woods with my grandparents.

Nuts could be a nuisance when running, though. They get under your soles, making you slip, trip and even twist your ankle. Dogs don't seem to like it either: I noticed they stay away from the verges where there are many nuts and acorns.