watson petting zoo part 04: moutons (france)
Posted by christolles | Filed under France, Petting Zoo
Two weeks ago, Tory and I had the pleasure of lunch at the Lallys’ house, a British family who moved to France a few years ago. They live in Prévessin (I think), just 10 minutes into France, and enjoy a stunningly serene backyard within walking distance of the Jura mountains. With Duncan and Heather (the parents, age unknown), Lois (11 years old), Johnathan (9), Amy (7), and Lizzy (4, we think), we went for an amazing walk after a gut-stretching meal of tartiflette, which is most simply explained as potatoes au gratin with more cheese and pork. Awesome. Also joining us for the walk were our dearest new friends Paula and Yannick, who graciously gave us a place to stay when we got scammed out of $2000 and were homeless in Geneva (more on that in a later post maybe).
Just down the block from the house is a small pasture with sheep, whom by the time I arrived were already being hand-fed grass by the younger Lallys. Though their pen was quite spacious (certainly larger than any apartment I’ve ever lived in), they had eaten the yard down to nothing over the summer, and were glad to finally get some of that wonderful long lush grass that had been taunting them from the other side of the fence. The kids say they used to be cuter.
And by glad, I mean they just about decapitated themselves trying to get to the beyond-fence grass once we stopped feeding them. How did it fit its enormous furry head through that tiny hole?!
There was also a shy, silent calf in the barn next door. That’s Lizzy, the youngest, coaxing it more successfully than the rest of us.
The whole crew (sans photographer) posed for a photo post-walk, and I assured them it would bring them quickly to disrepute on our blog - hopefully none of them are international felons whose cover I’ve just blown. Lallys on the left, then Paula (from St. Lucia) and ol’ one-eyed Yannick (from Belgium, where they ride comically small bicycles).
watson petting zoo part 03: monsieur escargot (switzerland)
Posted by torytolles | Filed under Petting Zoo, Switzerland
On one of our many walks to Geneva, Chris and I stumbled upon Monsieur Escargot, the largest snail I have ever seen.
Unfortunately, he was a bit camera shy so the photograph does not do him justice.
Monsieur Escargot had a much happier fate than the snail we found au Parc la Grange, but I will let Chris share that story.
watson petting zoo part 02: diarrheic toad (atglen, PA)
Posted by christolles | Filed under Petting Zoo, USA
Diarrheic Toad (DT) is proud to be profiled in the second edition of “Watson Petting Zoo”. While enjoying the lush farmscape of our good friends the Potters (of similarly picturesque Atglen, Pennsylvania), Tory and I happened on this wonderful creature.
Me: Take a photo while I hold him!
Tory: How do I use the camera?
Me: Here, you hold him and I’ll take the photo. (Hands DT to Tory)
Toad: ***The time has come for me to poop because I am afraid***
Me: Good thing I handed him to you before that happened.
You may also notice at the bottom of this post a convenient list of all posts in our rapidly-expanding “Watson Petting Zoo” feature. Look for it in all recurring categories - I hope it’s useful.
