Sammy Graham

Sammy the Golden Retriever has completely taken over our lives on this visit. I thought he would follow me everywhere but its Gaye that is his favourite, maybe because she is always giving him treats.

He is such a loving dog but a pest as well

Out on my morning walk to Gardiner Park

There are strict rules about dogs being on leads and you never see one not on the lead unless its in a special dedicated area, and there are few of them in this area.

He is always looking to play with a Tennis Ball

No shoes are safe as he will steal them and especially when visitors come and they take their shoes off at the door. Before you know it their shoes are in the yard.

The yard is totally enclosed so he can roam as he likes, but with us here he is now the centre of attention. Normally he is on his own for a while during the day except on the days Fraser is working from home.

Walking along Wildcat Creek, with no water in it.

When he misbehaves Elliot can soon sort him out.

Waiting to get his tummy rub.

Gaye gets no peace from him but secretly she is very fond of him

 

A Visit to Picchetti Winery

Fraser and Leslie decided we should visit the Picchetti winery in Cupertino this afternoon so we headed out there via Fraser's new office near Apple Park. This is our first taste of wine with another 4 tastes to go. Gaye is drinking tea as wine is not her thing.

The main building is one of the oldest brick buildings in California and inside you can still see the effect of the big earthquake 116 years ago. Since then no one is allowed to build brick buildings in California.

There were loads of families enjoying the picnic area in the winery

We took a short walk into the hills and noticed these Deer under a tree.

Everything is so dry and it is a long time since the grass was green.

Family photo with Tommy missing as he was at a friends Birthday Party

We did not reach the Vines as they were higher up a steep hill.

You can see some of the Vines on the opposite side of the valley

My doggy pal Sammy on our morning walk. We always stop for a rest in Gardiner Park which is the halfway point of our walk.

Riverdale Court Bake Off and Bingo

With the kids so keen on The Great British Bake Off they decided Granny should make a Fruit Loaf and then they could judge it.

It was voted a perfect Fruit Loaf and it was soon all eaten up.

Thomas decided Granny was worthy of a Handshake 

We finished the evening at Elliot's School for a few games of Bingo in aid of charity.

We managed to win a few prizes

Out and About in Saratoga

We took a trip into Downtown Saratoga today as Leslie had a hairdressers appointment. We had coffee and Muffins in a nice pavement cafe.

Gaye with Leslie after her haircut 

Frasers House from Riverdale Court

This house on my morning walk has a Termite problem so the treatment is rather drastic and expensive. I walk past the house daily on my morning walk with Sammy.

To treat the problem it is covered with a marquee and then fumigated for a couple of days and this kills everything.

Sammy was pleased to see us on our return

Coffe and Muffins. I shouldn't be eating them but was unable to resist. Wont have another one as they were very expensive.

Saratoga main street

 

A Busy Weekend Relaxing and Getting over Jetlag

The weekend was spent getting acclimatised to Pacific Time Zone and for the family it all centred round a Soccer Tournament involving Thomas. He was playing in a big tournament about 20 minutes drive away from Saratoga with hundreds of kids playing several games over the weekend. He played a one hour game on Saturday morning and another one late Saturday afternoon. On Sunday it was the same format with his afternoon game the playoff for the Bronze Medal. They won 3 out of the 4 games and he scored 2 goals. It was a well organised tournament for both boys and girls with various competitions in different age groups. He was very pleased with his medal. His mum spent most of the weekend travelling to and from the sports ground and watching Soccer.

On Sunday evening we had the first BBQ in the new house with Fraser and his friend Stephen preparing a great BBQ on the brand new outdoor Grill.

Stephen prepared huge Chicken pieces at home and then finished them off on the Grill.

Dining outside is certainly the way to entertain in Saratoga. This new table was only installed a few weeks ago and this was it being used for the first time. It is being replaced this week as it has developed some cracks so a brand new one will replace it by the company it was bought from.

After our meal Fraser lit the Fire Pit with wood from some of the trees chopped down 2 years ago to create this lovely garden that previously was completely overgrown with trees and bushes.

A nice way of ending the weekend as it got darker and with a few Beers in the company of family and friends.

Gaye enjoying her iced lolly as it was still a nice warm evening.

Monday morning and I headed off with Sammy for our regular morning walk along Wildcat Creek. It may be a Creek but most of the year there is no water in it.

It is very popular with dog walkers and all of them must be kept on a lead.

Our first day in Saratoga

I was up very early this morning as my body clock is still on UK time so at 7.00am was in the cool of the morning in the garden with Sammy who has a desire to pinch shoes.

This young chicken is kept separate from Frasers 2 Hens so tomorrow we are going to buy 2 additional ones as companions for him. 

The new front door on Frasers house. The transformation since we were last here in 2019 has been fantastic with the house almost rebuilt and the garden totally landscaped.

Gaye decided to get measured alongside our 3 grandchildren. Tommy is 11 and almost as tall as Gaye

Eleanor is as tall as she has nothing on her feet while Gaye has sandals on

Elliot has a bit to go yet.

The outside Kitchen at Frasers house. Apologies for so many photos with Sammy in them but he loves to have his photo taken.

The outside dining area

The sitting area which will be in shade all afternoon

My new best friend Sammy who follows me everywhere and joined me on my morning walk.