Mandarins.

Loic has made a remarkable recovery. He unexpectedly shows up at the gate in the late afternoon to start work in the garden. The first time we've seen him in nearly two months. He's having four insulin injections a day ( he does explain why but his impenetrable accent prevents me from getting the full gist of what he's saying ). He's due to go back into hospital next week for more tests. 

I fill the power blower with fuel and he heads off into the garden followed by two energetic PONs. Loic seems oblivious to the fact that his carefully constructed leaf piles are being rolled in by the canine followers. After an hour he's looking tired. I tell him to go into the kitchen and eat two mandarin oranges and then go home and rest, which he does. He'll be back next week.

Another of lifes little victories although his mother remains in hospital.

The blog produced on the Microsoft tablet this morning. The Apple phone and the Dell desk top still not talking to each other despite eight hours of downloads.

We thought we'd avoided jet lag this time round. At seven this morning a shrill bark wakes us from a deep deep sleep. Sophie is informing the world that we're running an hour behind schedule and there will be 'consequences'. An unmistakable sound. Angus is up, dressed and out in the garden with her in 36 seconds.

If you want to understand the world this chart says it all: https://twitter.com/galka_max/status/920749814006059008