Daft dogs & a wooden anniversary

A frustrating and interesting day last Friday. Trudging round town in search (ultimately fruitful if not entirely successful) of a suitable cadeau en bois, I happened upon a minor stir as I crossed the footbridge near home. A handful of people were watching a dog which had jumped into the river only to find itself unable to get out. It was in no danger, but couldn't scramble up onto the raised embankment just under the bridge. At that moment a police launch went past and someone attracted its attention.

Thus the rescue operation was launched. A policewoman donned waders, was dropped off into the shallow water around the end of the bridge, and eventually succeeded in luring the stupid animal round the side were there were some steps. Of its owner there was no sign, though it sported a collar and lead, but a bystander apparently offered to look after it in some way. Presumably he either knew the owner or took it to a shelter or dog pound, or took it home himself...

Second dumb dog I've seen in the river in recent weeks. The previous one had jumped in chasing a stick, been carried by the current past the slipway and been unable to swim back. Its owner was in attendance, but
I didn't hang around on that occasion to watch the denouement...

The following day we drove to the Auvergne again, for a short weekend away to celebrate reaching a wooden milestone. A night and a meal in a hotel in the Mont Dore ski resort was preceded by a long drive across the middle of the Massif Central. Taking the scenic route seemed a good idea at the time, and indeed, from the point of view of scenery on offer it was, but the 6 hour journey time wasn't. However, we still got there in time for a short stroll, and the pleasant evening weather encouraged us to take the télépherique up towards the highest point in the Massif Central, the Puy de Sancy the following morning.

Unfortunately the weather in the morning wasn't quite so nice. We reached the top cable car station in billowing mist, which was being blown across the top of the mountain in intermittent, swirling clouds by a howling wind. There were however, occasional breaks, and well, we were there, so we decided to climb the wooden staircase right to the top, despite being singularly ill-prepared for such a venture - sandals & light trainers respectively, shorts and a single light cardigan between us.



The video above gives some idea of conditions, but nonetheless we got to the top, waited 10 minutes in vain for a clear patch, then trudged back down again. Ten minutes later the summit was clear, and the weather stayed sunny for the rest of the day. Sod's law. Still, enjoyed a very pleasant stroll down, and drove home along roads newly surfaced in honour of the Tour de France, via a stop in St Nectaire to visit a church and a grotto. Took the autoroute back and halved the journey time...