It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

Bob comes with me for a walk along the top of the ridge while  Sophie heads off with 'the font' for a power walk round the lake. Not a car to be seen. For some reason the cuckoos this year are everywhere. We stop to have a long chat with the Old Farmer. The granite gravestone he had made for his father now securely in place. A little touch of France in a far away place. The Belarussian villagers referred to as his '' new family ". We turn down the kind offer of a pre-breakfast glass of Rasputin Vodka.

The slightly grumpy baker is serving ''front of house " . He talks very quickly, but I think he tells me his wife is expecting. Or, it might be she's in labour. To mark the occasion he's introduced a new chocolate covered ' rice krispie ' addition to his range. We talk about this at length. Or, to be more precise, he talks to me about it at length. He has three day stubble and a peculiar intensity in his eyes. The signs of male pre-natal sleep deprivation.

The special needs centre in the neighbouring village has booked the Salle des Fetes for the day. Bob and Sophie watch in amazement as a festive spirit descends on the village green. There's dancing , karaoke, and races. Any negatives one might feel about France are dispelled by the fact that they know how to look after all their citizens. One staff member for each resident. Everyone's happy  including two Polish Lowland Sheepdogs who quickly become the centre of attention. 

This morning a trip to the vets . 

PS. A quick thank you from both of us for all the responses to yesterdays question about the kennel cough vaccine. The speed with which the answers came and the depths of the insights , testimony to the kindness of bloggers.