To all Pet Owners.

I would like to thank everyone who helped Paul and I with yesterdays emergency, you are so awesome in many ways. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Like every morning I went out to feed four stray cats in the lane by our house, only to find one of the cats in a lot of pain, shaking and fitting, it was terrible. At that moment I did not know what was wrong so I ran to my husband and asked him to go for help. Which he did, to Chris and Virginie’s home. When Chris came I could see by the pain on his face what he was thinking.

Chris made a few phone calls then Paul and I rushed the cat to the emergency vet who said that she had been poisoned but would live after a lot of care. At that point my crying turned to joy, I really thought that we would hear the worse. Now we are waiting for an update today from the vet.

In better times, two of the strays and our Cleo (in the middle) posing for the camera.
 

We had not been home very long when a neighbour found another of the stray cats with the same symptoms, she was also rushed to the emergency vet and will also live after treatment and care.

Chris, Virginie, Jan and Loren, thank you so much for the offer of helping Paul and I with the vet fees. However, later in the day the local Association Pirate (cat rescue) said that they would pay all fees. At that point more crying,

Also, praise for the vets at Clinique Veternaire Des Fauvettes in Gourdon for all the amazing work that they do.

We did keep our cats house bound yesterday which was very stressful for them but they have been in the courtyard and the lane this morning. Paul washed the lane yesterday, but it is still a fear due to the fact they we do not know what it was that poisoned them.

So please be aware and let me know if any more of the precious furry friends become sick. I do not want any more to suffer in this terrible way.
 
 

Praise for the French Health and Veterinary Services.

We have had a bit of everything this week but things are getting better. First my husband Paul had to have more tests at a excellent Jean Coulon hospital in Gourdon. Paul had an operation for prostate cancer a year ago, which I am pleased to say was a great success, he is now cancer free. But when more tests were needed this week due to passing a little blood, we were both worried once more. However, so pleased to report that after the tests were completed no cancer was found. Wow, de-stress was needed in the form of Yoga and a drink or two.

Secondly our little Angel was so ill last weekend that a visit to the Veterinary Clinic in Gourdon was needed first thing Monday morning. I hate going to any vets just in case it is bad news. However, the vet gave her a good checking over, Angel purred at the vets ministrations, she loves to have a massage and seems almost pleased to see him. No temperature and after two injections she was able to run back to her pet carrier. So armed with medication and a big sign of relief, we all returned home. More Yoga and more de-stress.

Angel is still not a hundred percent but she is slowly getting better each day and is now able now to go outside to relax in the sunshine.

And, unsuccessfully, hide in her box.
 

The veterinary service that we use is called Clinique Veterinaire Des Fauvettes on Route de Salviac in Gourdon. We highly recommend the service to everyone. Their help and advice is second to none.

They cover domestic and farm animals and are open everyday but Sunday. They have two consulting rooms, an ultra sound consulting room, x-ray, digital camera, surgery room for domestic and another room for farm animals, recovery rooms plus stables and paddock at the rear. There is a very handy shop in the reception area were you can buy a variety of products, for example food, dietary needs, medicine and pet toys etc.

Angel with her “I do not feel well” look on her face.

Glad to say that she is eating now and looking more like her normal self.

Bless her.
 

Events:-

Vide Grenier at Saint Cybranet, 8:00 to 18:00 on 7th October

 

Something New to Castlenaud, Knights Time with Massenie de Saint-Michel. The leisure activities and entertainments for the Lords and Ladies in the Medieval Period. 27th and 28th October.
 

Sarlat Movie Festival 17th and 18th November.
 
 

Zig-Zag Gardens of Gourdon.

The Medieval houses and the gardens of the old quarter in Gourdon date from the time of Charlemagne. In 812 a Legal Act was formed for the protection of trees, vegetables and plants that were to be cultivated. The list of plants that were to be used changed the organisation of the Medieval gardens. It also was the start of the creation of separate gardens. Some herbal, vegetables, trees and a few ornamental. The division of the gardens and the plants were all used in this period.

Porte du Majou, one of the four medieval gates were built in the 14C for protection of the city and leads onto the weavers quarter next to the Chapel of Notre Dame which was built in the 15th century.
 

Dwellings that date back to the Medieval Period.
 

Superb architecture. A little warn now but still stunning.
 

Zig-Zag Gardens literally zig-zag around the Medieval quarter. We did not have time to view them all which are eight in total so that six, seven and eight will have to wait until our next visit.

Apple trees or rather the training of apple trees above, was very popular in the Middle Ages for decorating a wall but its origins date back to ancient Egypt.
 

The Labyrinth. Five pathways of the labyrinth show the path of the pilgrims at Chartres which date back to the 13C. At the centre, the rose symbolises God. The paths represent Christians, Life: long and demanding, filled with trials on the journey towards eternal life. The oldest representation of a Labyrinth was found in Siberia and were known to many ancient civilisations, Ancient Egypt and Greece. At the end of the Middle Ages however, the labyrinth became the symbol of evil and by the 14C the clergy erased mazes drawn on the ground. Those which could not be destroyed were modified into games or hidden under carpets. In 1538 a law was passed banning these designs.
 

The Rosarium. Is a lovely tranquil garden which symbolises Venus, Bacchus and the Graces. It is the symbol of vegetation in Paradise.
 

Herb Garden which was started as a separate garden in the Middle Ages, and was very popular for medicine which were cultivated by the Monasteries.
 
 

Event of the year,
Féte de Saint-Louis, August 17th to 20th, Daglan.

 
 

Good Morning Campers.

The advertisement for the caravan could go something like this:- set on a privileged site adjacent to the main road. It has exceptional fresh air ventilation, panoramic windows and an easy access door, brilliant for indoor sunbathing and boasts an indoor pool when it rains.

The picture was taken opposite the veterinary practice near Gourdon. We were there a few days ago, we visit once a month to collect Angels diet food and each time we notice that the caravan is loosing more and of its body parts.

What will be next I wonder?

Le Paradis Camping is nothing like the above, if you are planning a holiday in a wonderful area of France take a look at the official site and see for yourself.

Camping Le Paradis, Gourdon, Lot. Official Site

or visit the Facebook site

Camping Le Paradis, Gourdon, Lot. Facebook