Equilibrium.

From the ramparts the mountains along the border with Spain visible as a long smudge on the horizon. Snow can still be seen on the high peaks. While Angus enjoys the view Bob and Sophie chase each other round and through the bandstand. Bob chases in silence. Sophie screams.

On the walk back to the car Sophie bravely explores the courtyard of an old house by the church. Discovering she's been left alone the family diva lets out a yelp of irritation mixed with annoyance and hurtles after us. She is not all pleased with the hired help.

Bob is in a happy place. Illicit 5:30 am trip into the bedroom to stick a cold nose in Angus's ear, long walk to the waterfall, into the car for a trip to the bakers , another long walk through the sunflowers before the heat builds, breakfast, naps, dinner and more naps. Prior to going to bed half an hour of sister savaging. The silkiness of his coat tells you this is a happy boy.

This morning at the bakers we buy a Pina Colada slice for Angus ...

..... and a red sponge that the bakers wife thinks may, or may not, be Cassis flavoured .

For the PONs it's back home to sleep, parallel parked, in the increasingly parched garden.

The Old Farmer has been keeping himself to himself this week. A proud man coming to terms with the fact that his broken femur and phlebitis have taken a toll on his health. He tells me he won't be driving off this summer to visit the tomb of his father at the site of the prisoner of war camp in Belarus. Not depression more resignation. I drop the papers off after we've read them every morning but he's in no mood for small talk. Perhaps the better weather after a week of wind and rain will restore his equilibrium ?

Photo of the week : https://www.wired.com/story/photo-of-the-week-a-dizzying-view-of-a-bicycle-graveyard-in-china