Tuesday, June 11, 2013

TUXY TUESDAY WITH DOMINO AND MILO: VISITING OLD HAUNTS!

Domino and Milo have travelled from Sidmouth, Devon (where Milo lives), to just beyond the Scottish border for their vacation.  They took a long leisurely drive enjoying the scenery along the way, but now they are exhausted.






Lucky thing they have a booking at Castle Comlongon in Clarenfield, Dumfries Scotland.  They're really ready for a good night's sleep.  And tomorrow they will indulge in all the luxuries that this luxury hotel affords.




Comlongon Castle, Clarenfield, Dumfries, Scotland

Comlongon Castle in Scotland is a restored 15th Century Medieval Scottish Castle which is now being used as a Wedding Venue and luxurious Baronial Hotel with 14 individually themed luxury en-suite 4-poster bedrooms and Honeymoon Lodge.  Click here to read more about the History of Comlongon Castle.

One of the most fascinating things about Comlongon Castle is it's ghost!

" It was reported on September 25 1570 that the Lady Marion Carruthers "did willfully take her own life by leaping from the lookout tower of Comlongon Castle and did break her head and bones". It's no surprise to learn that grass refused to grow on the spot where the cruelly imprisoned young woman struck the ground or that her sorrowful spirit still stalks this luxurious medieval castle on the Scottish borders. The fact that her ghost is green, smells of apples and moves jewellery around rooms is perhaps a little bit special.


Because suicide was suspected at the time poor Marion was not given a proper Christian burial and so it is believed that she haunts the castle forever looking for a proper resting place."


 
(Biggify for greatest detail)
 
Domino and Milo are enjoying the amazing view out one of the castle windows, totally unaware of what is going on just outside.  Milo says "I doan beleefs in ghosts.  It's all jus' sum story made up fur visitors."
Domino says "I smell apples!"

Little do they know that just beneath them this castle's ghost is getting a special delivery of fresh fish  -- thanks to Mr. Seagull.  Lady Marion's ghost is holding her net so that she can catch it.  She's even got a bottle of tartar sauce ready on the windowsill.  You may also note that she is wearing a necklace.  I wonder if it's really hers or did she pilfer it from some unsuspecting guest?


Speaking of pilfering, here is Lady Marion moving stuff around in one of the guest rooms.  She's very attracted to jewelry and likes to try it on herself.  If only she could see herself in a mirror!  Ah well, such is life after death.


According to the Comlongon Castle website, this is an actual picture of their ghost who made an appearance in the Great Hall.  Sightings are quite common apparently, but pictures are more rare.  Perhaps Milo should keep his camera at the ready!



The grounds of Comlongon Castle are very beautiful, and picture-PURRfect for wedding photos, or for any occasion for that matter.




(Biggify for greatest detail)

Milo and Domino had their picture taken, too, against one of the stone arches on the grounds.

Oh no!  That pesky ghost is hanging upside-down in the middle of the shot, dangling yet another stolen necklace no doubt.  That Lady Marion sure loves a photo op!

Well at least now Milo and Domino will have proof PAWSitive that she exists.



This is a photo from the back of the castle.  You can't get much better than this as a backdrop for a romantic occasion.



Domino and Milo had one last picture taken inside the castle.  Domino sighs "Maybe someday we can come back here for our own wedding, huh?"

Milo says "I think there just might be a ghost of a chance, my dear!"




"Bring your best bling.  I'll be waiting!"

Sunday, June 9, 2013

DYLAN AND HALLE IN PARIS!

Dylan and Halle went on the vacation of a lifetime!  Halle had always wanted to go to Paris, so Dylan surprised her with two first-class tickets to "La Ville Lumiere" (the City of Light).



Of course, the most famous of these 'lights' is the Eiffel Tower itself, pictured here at night.


Dylan and Halle took the tour and learned a lot about the history of the Eiffel Tower.


The Eiffel Tower was built for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889 commemorating the centenary of the French Revolution. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII of England, opened the tower. Of the 700 proposals submitted in a design competition, Gustave Eiffel's was unanimously chosen.


Circa 1889

At 300 meters (320.75 m including antenna), and 7,000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Other statistics include:

1.2.5 million rivets
2.300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it.
3.Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds.
4.Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature..
5.15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets). 40 tons of paint. 1652 steps to the top.


In 1889, Gustave Eiffel began to fit the peak of the tower as an observation station to measure the speed of wind. He also encouraged several scientific experiments including Foucault's giant pendulum, a mercury barometer and the first experiment of radio transmission.



And here is how the Eiffel Tower looks today:



After the tour, Dylan and Halle were absolutely famished, so they stopped and sat on one of the park benches nearby.


A glass of red wine each served to refresh them.  When in Paris, a little wine certainly helps one to wind down.



Then they chowed down on some awesome escargot!  Nothing like snails in a little garlic butter, n'est-ce-PAW?  I'll bet Dylan really had to SHELL it out for these guys.


Oops!  SlipPURRy little suckers ...


One of those S-CAR-GO just got up and went!


Looks like a snail's pace isn't so sluggish after all!  Maybe it's just a bad rap.

GO escargot, GO!


As a souvenir of their trip to Paris, Dylan and Halle each had their photo taken at the Eiffel Tower.










Of course there is much more to Paris than just the Eiffel Tower but we're going to leave Dylan and Halle alone to enjoy the sights and sounds on their own.  What can we say except that romance is in the air?

Au revoir mes amis -- a bientot!




Thursday, June 6, 2013

THURSDAY IN THE TREE WITH DOMINO

Domino found this TREEmendous opPURRtunity -- so she took it.

Not one to settle for mediocrity, Domino has always wanted to BRANCH OUT.



"An' now I is finely able ta doos it!", says she.



"Is reely a dreem come troo!  Why doan yoo giffs it a try?  Doan be shy!"



Tuesday, June 4, 2013

TUXY TUESDAY WITH DOMINO: AT HER PEEK!


Domino likes nothing better than to keep an eye on me when we're outside.

 "Peek-a-boo, I sees yoo, Mama!"



"If yoo wonts a kiss, den come an' get me."


Domino may have peeked, but she certainly hasn't peaked!  There's lots more where that came from.

Monday, June 3, 2013

MANCAT MONDAY WITH DANTE AND DYLAN: BOY SCOUTS

It's Monday and Dante and Dylan are in the back yard just hanging around.

Both mancats are on a scouting mission.  Dylan is scouting out the PURRimeter of the proPURRty, and Dante is scouting out ... 



 ... a good spot to go potty!



 Poor Dylan has been caught unawares!  While Dante PURRforms his post-doody duties, Dylan is looking for a way outta there, and fast!  This is a matter of survival.  Just then Dylan remembered his boy scout training which taught him to follow his nose ...


...  Sometimes the only way out is UP!

Sunday, June 2, 2013

DOMINO & DANTE: LOOKOUTS!

Domino and Dante are on the front porch looking out over their proPURRty.  And we are looking out over them looking out.


(Biggify for best effect)

What a great way to spend a Sunday, don't you think?
Relax and enjoy, efurryone!