End of an era, the Ark retires old Leopard computer.

  The old Apple desktop computer has become somewhat erratic so I reluctantly decided to replace it. Failing to find an Apple model I decided to use a Toshiba laptop, provided by our computer expert, Nick Westrell. The old Leopard was supplied by Adrian Brown, who rehomed unloved Apples. It has given sterling service for many years but is now obsolete and erratic. I am a little reluctant to use a Windows machine but no doubt will learn to love it in the end....and I still have my i-Pad of course, which operates on Apple, best of both worlds really!
  Bye for now, coffee calls, after feeding all the animals.

The Ark visits the town of the mermaid Melusine

   Last Saturday, we decided to go out in the afternoon. We had felt a bit stale and Kim was complaining that we didn't go out exploring as before. I suggested we went to revisit the town of Lusignan, the town of the mermaid. We had previously been there years ago, and explored the picturesque old town centre prior to climbing down to the banks of the river, below the castle ruins, where I entered a gloomy passage leading  to a ruined spiral staircase ascending to the castle above. I wrote a blog about it at the time.
  This time, my state of health limited our walk and I certainly couldn't climb down to the river valley.  However, we were able to see the old town and the gardens which have taken the place of the castle bailey. We really enjoyed our visit and may well go again when my walking distance has extended.
  Bye for now, we're awaiting the arrival of Patrick and Cecile, our friends from Lille.