La signora Inglese.

For humans it's 6:45 am. For Bob it's time for a game of 'Throw the Furry Fox'.

He plonks Furry Fox at my feet. Then he pokes me with his nose to make sure the penny's dropped.

Workmen are putting up a new electricity pylon in the pasture beyond the crossroads. We go and say hello to them. Sophie leads the way.

The Grande Dame of the theatre arrives for a brief visit. '' I'm filming in Rome and you're on my way home ". The Rome to Toulouse flight is with Easy Jet. Angus isn't sure if the GD understands that a low cost carrier doesn't do first class.

We find her in the arrivals hall talking animatedly to a gentleman. ' Oh ! You're here ' she says as if she's been waiting for hours. ' This adorable young man volunteered to help me with my bags '. We turn to look at her companion. He's 55ish, clearly enjoys his pasta and is wearing jeans and a maroon tee shirt with the name of a hardware store in Pisa written across the front in large yellow letters. 'Adorable', 'young' and 'volunteered' are all words that are subjective . He has the harried look of someone who has just been co-opted into carrying luggage for a signora inglese.

Bob and Sophie have only met the GD once. Bob gives her his 'Blimey!' look. Sophie recognizes a kindred spirit. Wilf and Digby were always enthusiastic about her visits. This may have something to do with the fact that the GD is a keen believer in feeding dogs from the table.

The bees are back. They seem to be nesting underneath the PONs wooden garden table. A call to the bee man is made.