Friday 8 February 2013

Wow, three years of blogging! How the time flies when you are having fun!

Three years ago today, I published my first blog!  The time has just flown, and when I first started, I expected to run out of steam in a few months!  

Thanks to blogging, I have seen so much more of not only the Charente, but everywhere we have recently visited.  Having camera in hand makes me so much more observant, and I now notice things that in the past would have gone unseen!  In reading blogs, I have also taken tours through other people's eyes to almost all the places in the world, and ones I am unlikely ever to visit in person.  Thank you everyone for this, but I must single out  three blogs for   special praise; to Gaelyn, who has given me the finest views of the Grand Canyon I could ever expect to see, and also to Joan and Graham for keeping Africa alive for me.  There are others who doubtless deserve mention, but these three have been quite exceptional for me. 

I have made friends all over the world; some I have met, and others I keep in touch with by email and hope to meet one day.  When I have not been feeling well, people I barely know have been there for me, and when I feel like taking a short break from the computer, all my followers and vitual friends are there when I return.  Thank you everyone who has made my blogging experience a great one and I hope to be at it for some time to come.

For the past month I have been posting about our trip to Casablanca, so here are a few of my favourite photos that I have taken over this period here in the Charente.

09/01/13 I saw this gorgeous specimen parked outside our bank.

11/01/13 One of very few sunsets we have seen this year. It is mostly cloudy and raining!

14/01/13 While on the highway to Angouleme, being followed (temporarily!) by a Porsche, our favourite car!

and the same day, the flooded River Touvre on the outskirts of Angouleme.

16/01/13 Friends to dinner, and at last I had unpacked the decanter that my parents had bought many years ago in Mozambique. Probably red and white wine would look better but I was drinking Rose so......

20/01/13 We had a luncheon in the local village and decided that taking the car out was too risky, so we used shank's pony instead!

Same day, looking through some trees. Wonder when this cart last had an outing?!

24/01/13 A very cross goldfinch seeing off a blue tit at the feeder.

25/01/13 The River Son, not far north of us, is normally a quiet stream, but has now burst its banks.  The rain just does not stop!

26/01/13 A macro of my flowering orchid; a birthday present a couple of years back.

27/01/13 Raindrops keep falling on my head.........

28/01/13 During a break in the rain, I was walking around the garden trying to find a subject for a photo, when this very tiny fly landed right on the moss that I was looking at. Right time, right place!

minutes later, this goldfinch posed perfectly for me.

29/01/13 I noticed that there were some signs of apple blossom looking 'spring like'.

30/01/13 The church at Suaux seen from the entrance to the Mairie.

and on the way home, we saw this Norwegian Fjord horse in a waterlogged paddock.

31/01/13 I was fascinated by this 'rose' like fungi growing on the wood in the woodpile. 

A great tit poses for me.

02/01/13 The church in La Rochefoucauld

and the supermarket,

while the sky outside suddenly turned black.

Arriving home, we appeared to be in the eye of the storm!

04/02/13  Finally, photos of two blue tits and....

a great tit, waiting patiently for his turn at the feeder!







See also - My Life Before Charente Updated 08/02/2013

and my daily photo diary at http://photodiarydps.blogspot.fr/

103 comments:

  1. Hello Diane:
    Congratulations on reaching this incredible blogging milestone!Three years is an incredible achievement.

    The community of Blogland, as you say, is so wonderfully supportive and, like you, we feel that we have made many virtual friends who are every bit as 'real' and important as those we see in reality.

    And, you too, Diane, have contributed so much. Indeed, Blogland has been richer for your presence and we look forward to many more posts to come!

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    1. Jane and Lance thank you so much for you very kind words. Blogging has been kind to us all I think. Keep well Diane

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  2. Congratulations on your three years of postings, which has made me realise that I am a year older than you, having been posting for four years! Gosh, time flies! Nice range of photos as well. I have always been impressed by your camera, but can't justify changing my own camera yet because we can't afford to! Does you camera do videos as well?

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    1. Vera thanks for the comment. I am just on my way out, and have people to dinner tonight. Will drop you a line tomorrow re camera. Keep warm Diane

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  3. Happy 3 year anniversary Diane! You have certainly done a fine job of blogging and connecting with bloggers. I love all your photos today. They are just fantastic. Have another wonderful year of blogging.

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    1. Thank you Joyful it has been an interesting 3 years. It is amazing how the world has changed since computers arrived on the scene! Take care Diane

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  4. It has been an enormous pleasure sharing your view of the world... your joy is infectious as is your curiosity. You know that you are interested in your subjects. Doing a blog has been a great pleasure for me too for all the same reasons. New things, places, food and the wonderful people.

    Here's to many more... Happy Anniversary!!!

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    1. lostpastremembered thanks so much for your kind words. I hope I will still be blogging for some time to come yet, and that I will still find enough items of interest to write about! Keep well Diane

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  5. Happy anniversary and many more. I do enjoy reading your stories and adventures. Your photography is fantastic today. Really enjoy the close ups of those beautiful birds. Thanks. Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan. I have new camera thus the photos of the birds. I ak still in learning mode and not sure what I am doing! Keep well Diane

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  6. Congrats on keeping us enthralled with great photos and great stories - Am I first this time?????

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    1. Ha Ha you will make it one day. Take care and have a good weekend

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  7. Love all these pictures and always enjiy.your shots congrats by all these years and thanks by share with us all your things.
    Anyway I love your parents decanter! And I love rose too!!
    Have a nice weekend!xo

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    1. Gloria that decanter has been around a long time now. i love it :-). Thanks for the comment. Take care Diane

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    1. Cuisine de Provence, thanks, time does really fly when you are having fun :) Diane

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  9. I am glad you enjoy blogging so much...because you give so much pleasure to those of us who read your blog.

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    1. Fly there are times when I think I might stop, but after a week I actually miss it so I am sure I will be a round for some time to come. When I stop given pleasure to you who read it, please let me know as then I will know it is time to call it a day. Hope your weekend is a good one Diane

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  10. Thank you for the wonderful posts and photos Diane! I am so thankful for my blogs and wonderful friends like you who are taking the time to write and take amazing photos of a world I will never visit. My list of blogs never stops growing and I can read the same blogs on Facebook now.
    Congratulations on 3 wonderful years of making us happy!

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    1. Nadege thank you so much what a lovely comment. Maybe you will visit one day, after all it is your country more than it is mine :-) Have a good weekend Diane

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  11. Congratulations. And I can relate to all you say, and your experiences with blogging for 3 years straight.
    We actually have much in common in this regard . . . I too have now been blogging every day for 3 years.
    It has helped me pay attention to life.

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    1. Rick I could not agree more. It makes me wonder just how much I have missed in life before a camera was my constant companion. Congrats on your three years as well. Have a good day Diane

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  12. Happy anniversary, Diane, your blog is always a joy to follow and read. It's hard to keep going for so long and you have made a great job of it. These photos are beautiful as always.
    We're hoping we might meet up with you again this year, it only seems five minutes since last time because we "talk" in blogland, but it is nearly two years !!

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    1. Thanks Jean. It would be good if we could meet up again. Gaynor has asked us to visit as well so maybe if we get the timing right..... Hope your weather is better than ours at the moment. we are waterlogged and had a snow shower again this morning. Even our Dr says he never remembers weather like this! Keep well you 3 Diane and Nigel xx

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  13. Hi Diane .. what a great range of photos ... my aunt and uncle lent me their deux chevaux on my return from SA before my car arrived back here ... coundn't ever quite get to grips with the gear and the wobble - but am sure I'd have done quite quickly given another few weeks.

    Love your shank's pony walk to lunch ... and all the photos .. the wine decanters - what fun and they've lasted so well ... beautiful country, even if it's shrouded in snow, black clouds, or flooded streams ...

    Love visiting you - and to know you're always here with those Africa connections too ... congratulations on Life in Charente recorded for 3 years ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary if I had been loaned a 2CV I think the loan may have become permanent!! Thanks for your kind comments now, and over the years, I appreciate one and all. I am hoping this rain may soon ease off and the sun will shine again one day. Take care Diane

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  14. Congratulations on three years of blogging. I enjoy seeing a part of France through your eyes that I know nothing about. I look forward to reading many more posts from you. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Michel it is the same with you I love seeing your part of France. It is amazing how one can see a whole area of a place through someone else's eyes. I often wonder what I was always so busy doing before blogging as it now takes up a lot of my life ;-) Hope your weekend is a good one as well

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  15. congratulations and please keep it up! i love your blog! wonderful photos as well!

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    1. Thanks Jaz, will try to keep it up and I am glad you like the photos, Keep wel Diane

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  16. Congratulations on your three years - time does fly!! Lovely pictures and lovely post - it's fun to "visit" France (and other countries!)through your blog!
    Mary x

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    1. Mary Mum's Kitchen, Glad you like visiting through my eyes, I only hope that I can keep up the standard I have tried to set for myself! Have a good weekend. Diane

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  17. Bravo and congratulations, Diane.

    Your posts are always interesting and so beautifully illustrated and today is no exception.
    Keep up the excellent work!

    Gaynor x

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    1. Thank you Gaynor for all your comments past and present, they are very much appreciated. Hope we get up to meet up again this year. Would also like to see Jean again so perhaps we can make a plan. Keep well Diane

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  18. Hi Diane , happy Blogaversary ...3 years is brilliant , and you have an excellent blog, with so many super photos. And if hadn't been for us blogging, finding each other and following , we would not of met !! :-) take care and keep up the brilliant work xoxo Anne

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    1. Anne I cannot believe it is 3 years since I started this blog. You realise we met in November 2010 so we have now known each other for two and a half years!! Hope we get to meet up again here very soon. Take care and keep warm. Diane oxox

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  19. I am so glad to have found you, and get close up peeks at your part of the world! I hope you continue to take us along on your journeys for many years to come.

    Oh, and I think your decanter is beautiful with the two shades of red in it. Just one friend's opinion.

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    1. Marjie I just love that decanter. It has been in a box ever since we left S.Africa as I have had no where to put it. I am now very happy to have it back and in use again.

      I love seeing where you live as well so it is good that we get to see other parts of the world through someone else's eyes. I hope to keep finding enough news to keep the blog alive. Have a great weekend, it snowed again here this morning! Diane

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  20. Merci à vous Diane! Grâce à vous j'ai visité "la Charente", une région de mon pays que je n'ai jamais vue! Et ainsi , à travers votre regard, j'y ai passé beaucoup de temps, vu les petits villages et leurs églises et monuments historiques.
    Les blogs nous ont fait voyager, regarder les uns et les autres avec beaucoup plus d'attention et nous ont enrichis .Voir toutes ces beautés, ces points de vue divers donnent confiance dans le progrès technologique!
    J'aime beaucoup vos petits oiseaux du mois de janvier et les boutons floraux du pommier, bien en avance!
    Bonne continuation pour votre blog.

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    1. Lucie vous remercier pour tous vos commentaires, passés et présents. J'apprécie tout le monde. J'aime votre blog aussi. Bon week-end. Diane

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  21. Happy Anniversary, Diane! And congratulations on a really beautiful and interesting blog. I, too, have found my blogging friends have enriched my life and broadened my horizons in ways I never imagined when I started.

    Your pictures are wonderful -- I especially like the birds and the way you've been able to capture them in such glorious detail.

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    1. The Broad thanks for the comment; I am quite amazed how blogging has changed my life. I hope come summer when it is easier to spend time outside, that I will be able to spend more time with the camera and especially with the birds. Have a good weekend Diane

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  22. Happy blog anniversary. I so enjoy reading about your adventures and look forward to your new year with great enthusiasm.
    Sam

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    1. Sam thanks for the comment and I hope that your back is improving. It is so good to hear how many people enjoy reading about the Charente, hopefully I can keep finding items of interest. Take is easy Diane

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  23. By browsing through your gorgeous photos it makes me realize just how much I really want a bird feeder.

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    1. bellini I would lead a very sad existence if I did not have my birds to look out on. :-) I feel like they actually belong to me! Thanks so much for the visit and the comment. Diane

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  24. CONGRATULATIONS!! And let's hope that there shall just as many years of blogging to come, then add a whole stack more of years to that. Oh, and that decanter looks gorgeous, as does the table you laid, from what I can see of it. Have an excellent evening Diane,
    Frip

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    1. Fripouille I am delighted to at long last to have been able to unpack the wine decanter and have it back in use. Thanks so much for the kind comment. Diane

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  25. Congratulations on your anniversary Diane. I've been away from blog land for a while and look forward to catching up with your news. Wonderful photos as ever. I enjoyed your Casablanca reports very much. How exotic and exciting!
    Craig

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    1. Thanks Craig and it is so good to have you back in blog land, missed you while you were building and gardening. I will be following you closely once more. Keep well Diane

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  26. Thanks for the photographic tour of your surroundings. Your photos are terrific especially the macro shots. The birds are so pretty but bad luck about the weather. We had a ferocious storm and some towns flooded again but it was all over in 3 days. Although some people have lost their homes and some their lives. Hope you get sunshine soon.

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    1. diane b the weather over your way always seems to be all or nothing. If it is not floods then it is fire. In between you live in a beautiful place! Still raining here as I type this!! Have a good day Diane

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  27. Whoa, cheers to your three years of wonderful blogging. I just noticed that your photography is getting better and better each time.

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    1. Rose thank you for the kind comment. I have a new camera now which could explain a lot but it is going to take me some time to work out all the settings!! Take care Diane

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  28. That's amazing. I am just starting. New follower.

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    1. Mae Amori Thanks for the visit and the comment. Have a good day, Diane

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  29. So glad you are enjoying blogging, I do enjoy reading your posts. Great selection of photos to sum up January. x

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    1. Karen I also enjoy following so I get back a lot more than I give which is wonderful. Have a good day Diane

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  30. These photos are wonderful Diane. You've captured the essence of life in Charente and I'm so glad that you share it with us. I hope your week is off to a good start. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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    1. Thanks Mary. I hope that you have a good week as well. Take care Diane

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  31. Hello, just discovered your blog and will have an extensive look through when I am less busy. You have two years advantage on me as I have only been blogging for one year. However on a very similar topic. my blog is http://poitoucharentesinphotos.wordpress.com so it is the same area as yours

    All the best

    Alan W

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    1. Alan thanks for the comment. Interesting that we have missed each other for the past 12 months! I now have you on my list so I should not miss any more of your posts. I like your diary and I will keep an eye on that as well. Keep well Diane

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  32. Congratulations on 3 years of blogging. I love all your photos, they are so lovely!!!

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    1. Words Of Deliciousness thank you and I am glad you love my photos :-) Keep well Diane

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  33. Always a wonderful time when I visit your blog..glad you started..have enjoyed taking trips with you.
    Haven't been blogging..husband has bad back problem and we are trying to find problem..since fall. The storm we had didn't help his aches..Glad all is well with you..Keep blogging, you do a wonderful job.
    xoxoCarolyn

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    1. Carolyn, I feel for your husband, I broke my back when I was 16 and I am well aware of what back ache is like! I am off to have a camera put down my lungs soon to see if they can pick up something that the x-rays and scans have missed. The cough continues!! Keep warm and take care Diane

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  34. 3 years already!
    Well done and I am happy to count amongst your friends!
    Your choice of pics is great, they are gorgeous and certainly must sum up somehow your posts through all this time!
    Cheers Diane, keep well!

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    1. Noushka thanks for being a great friend and for following. I hope we get to meet before you take off for new parts of the world. Sometime this year we will be heading down to Carcassonne to stay with friends. Not sure exactly where you are, but think you may be further West. Keep well Diane

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  35. Awesome, AWESOME photos! You have quite the eye Diane.

    Happy blogiversary.

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    1. Thank you Pam for always being around. I appreciate your visits and comments. Take care Diane

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  36. Congratulations on the third anniversary of your blog Diane. It has been a delight to follow your adventures and get to know you. I hope we get to meet one day as you have been a great virtual friend to me, especially recently and it is so much appreciated.

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    1. Linda thanks for taking the time out to comment, I know you have far more important things on your mind at present. I also hope we get to meet up one day. Take care and I hope that D is better very soon. Wishing you all the very best Diane xx

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  37. EXCELLENT PHOTO FLASHBACK my dear friend Diane!!!
    Happy birthday to your blog, to stay allways well and communicate!
    Many kisses

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    1. Thanks Magda hope that all is well with you. Take care my friend. Diane xx

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  38. Bon anniversaire à ton blog Diane. Souhaitons-lui encore de longues années.
    A bientôt

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    1. Nadji, merci. J'espère blog pour longtemps encore. Bonne journée. Diane

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  39. Happy blog anniversary! Time flies when you write and take pictures… My father had a 2CV Citroën like the one in your picture, but it was grey. I did not like it because I had to sit in the back and it made me jump all the time, not a very smooth ride! I enjoy looking at your pictures, especially of the area where you live.

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    1. Vagabonde, I can believe that they are not very comfy but they are so cute :-) Thanks for your kind comments over the past yeras. Bonne journée. Diane

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  40. Congratulations on three years. I love seeing goldfinches in the garden, but the ones round here are in a major competition with redpolls at the moment. I absolutely love that decanter, by the way.

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    1. Phil we do not have redpolls, but the Greenfinches and the Goldfinches are always fighting over the food. I just cannot get a photo of the Greenfinches though they will not come down while I am outside with the camera! Yes i also am quite fond of that decanter :-) Keep well Diane

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  41. Diane, you are several months ahead of me in blogging and I know that we are enjoying this world of new friends, ideas, photography, travel, recipes... The list goes on. A hearty congratulations, sweet friend.

    Your macro of the fly is amazing!

    Bises,
    Genie

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    1. genie thanks for the comment. It is an amazing world we have met through blogging, long may it last. Thanks for the comment on the fly. Tale care. Bises Diane.

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  42. Wow three years of blogging - that is quite a long time I have enjoyed reading and visiting your blog. I have visited parts of France that I will probably never see in real life thanks to you :))
    I have been blogging for about 1 1/2 years now - I don't really know what I did before blogging.

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    1. Ellie I would have a whole lot more time to myself without blogging. I do though so enjoy 'meeting' new people as virtual friends, and I enjoy the research into all the little French places that we find. Keep well Diane

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  43. Hello Dian, Thanks for visiting my blog and the comment. It's been so long that we connected. I don't update my blog regularly but just keep it. I just wanted to let you know that I downloaded a picture from your blog and left you a shout out at my Google+ profile https://plus.google.com/u/0/111479392071503570051/posts/er8FcjK23Ch

    Sunish

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    1. Sunish I do not do Google + so I do not know what you have sent me. I am also unable to comment on Google + from your profile so....... You are though welcome to use my photos, but please put a link and credit me. Thanks Diane

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    2. Of course... the image goes with a link back to the blog post.

      Thanks again for the comment!

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  44. MI QUERIDA AMIGA... Que FOTOS tan PRECIOSAS... Disfruta del día y del AMOR... Mil gracias
    Conxita

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    1. Te de Ternura, Gracias por el comentario. Me appreiciate. Buen día. Diane

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  45. Beautiful photos! Wishes for many more years of blogging.

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    1. Thanks Carol and Yes I hope that I have many years ahead of me still to go :-) Keep well Diane

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  46. Great set of shots, Diane! Congratulations on your blog's third anniversary.

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    1. Thanks JM, the time has just flown, it seems like only yesterday that I decided to start a blog now I have 3 of them! Diane

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  47. It is amazing how quickly time does go by. This is such a lovely selection of photographs Diane. You have been to so many interesting places. Congrats on your three years and I look forward to the next 10 at least. :)

    At the moment Gaelyn and I are touring around South Africa and enjoying every moment of it. Here, although it is supposed to be summer, it has been quite chilly some days, especially in the Cape area where we now are.

    Thanks for your kind words. I am pleased you enjoy my bugs. :)

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    1. Joan, another 10 years and I will be close on 80, I hope I still have enough upstairs to carry on :-)

      I am so envious of you touring with Gaelyn, bet though it has not been as chilly as it has been here!

      Take care and enjoy the break, all the best to you both Diane

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  48. So many nice images!


    The car at the top is what we used to call "the student Jaguar" when I studied.... many years back:)

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    1. Gunn ha ha the student's Jaguar sounds like a perfect name for it. Keep well Diane

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  49. Congratulations on your anniversary...sorry that it isn't more timely. Love all of your photos...but the fly is incredible with such detail.

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    1. backroadjournal thank you, the fly was a very lucky shot. Right time, right place and amazingly enough right setting!! Take care Diane

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  50. I am glad that I saw your blog site. You are amazing and you inspired me to go on with my blogging.
    By the way I am new in blogging that's why I said that. Just like you I am observant and want to take pictures with unique and interesting topics. I hope you can visit my blog soon.

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    1. Mary Anne, I am glad that you found my blog as well and thanks for the very kind comment. Will be off the visit your blog very soon. Have a great weekend Diane

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  51. Nature is unexpectedly beautiful, isn't it? It's your lucky day. Happy Belated Blogaversary, Diane. ((hugs)) Looking forward to more.
    Best wishes, Kristy

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    1. Kristy thanks for the good wishes, take care Diane

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