9...Squirting cucumbers and some new ideas

Gravel pits at St Germain

I've just come back from a weekend in Brighton. Much as I love living over here in rural Normandie, it only works for me because I can get back to Brighton frequently for a dose of city culture and to catch up with friends (and Strictly!). This weekend we dipped into the White Night festivities and enjoyed the bloodfest of vampires and zombies that was the city centre on saturday night.
On the way to the ferry I cycled down to the Avenue Vert, a great cycle track which will eventually link Paris to London. On the way there I went past this series of beautiful lakes which when I first came here were just gravel pits. Now they are filled with fish and during the season there are fishermen dotted all around patiently waiting for the Trout to bite.

Charolais cows

This white bull and his harem are on my route too. These are the cows that you will normally see around Normandie, you can tell by the lovely whiteness of them that you just have to give them a little squeeze for the creme fraiche to come right out!

Squirting cucumbers

I'm always keeping my eyes open for inspiration, and I found these curious specimens in the lovely Mrs Moles flower emporium. On looking them up I found them to be squirting cucumbers which build up pressure on the plant until they pop themselves off their stalk. They look spiky but are soft to handle.

A few ideas

Back in the studio I have been sketching out a few ideas, now I need to play around and decide on size and colour.