Rustic ?

The clocks change. Nobody thinks to tell Bob. Instead of getting a cold wet nose in his ear at six Angus gets a cold wet nose in his ear at five.

After it gets light we head off into town for a baguette and croissants. It's All Saints Day so all the shops are selling chrysanthemums. They spill out of the arcades and onto the road.

The PONs and their master go into the bar on the square. The old farmers , who make up the clientele, treat the arrival of two shaggy mutts as if it's the most normal thing in the world. It doesn't take long before a senior gentleman in a beret wanders over and asks " What sort of dogs are those ? ". Others pluck up courage and come over to find out what the answer is. You can never be alone when you travel with dogs. Bob and Sophie get biscuits which may qualify today as the best day ever.

Back at home the PONs embark on a bout of howling at the wind. The PON howl is quite something. Where Bob leads Sophie follows.

Years ago we bought a Christmas creche and a collection of 18th century wooden saints from a shop in what was then the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The creche has been used every year but the saints have stayed in their box. 'The Font' finds five nails in the wall of the recently decorated back bedroom. The saints are brought out of storage and displayed. Angus thinks the stern Slovak saints are spooky. 'The Font' thinks they look rustic. They may not stay.

Sophie is in a very happy place ...

.... as is the Old Farmer who spends the day on his lawn tractor cutting and re-cutting his grass.

This is a good summary of dog ownership . ' For 21 years I've been doing this and I'd do it for 100 more ' , You'll need to turn on the sound : https://twitter.com/NATO/status/923842356989788160