First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

It's windy. Very windy. The snow storms that blanketed Boston last week now drifting feebly across the Atlantic into the Bay of Biscay. The gales don't do anything for Bob and Sophie's appearance. Come warmer weather and a thorough hair cut is on the cards.  ' Shaggy dogs ' indeed .

The helibores turning from white to red. A sure sign of Spring. In the flower bed by the well some miniature irises have appeared. Testament to what surprises lie in store when you clear fifty years of overgrowth from a garden. In the afternoon an unusual downpour mixing rain and hail in equal measure. Bob comes inside to keep dry. Sophie sits in the middle of the orchard watching the downpour. Angus has to go out and bring her in. She's quite oblivious to the storm.

Sophie's predilection for recycling any and everything continues to confound our attempts to keep her svelte. An hourglass figure it ain't.