Winter has arrived.

Winter has arrived. Our morning walk conducted under grey skies and in 'fresh' temperatures. The PONs don't notice grey skies. All they're interested in is starting a day of high adventure. We now enter a damp muddy season of the year when Sophie's paws become a different colour to the rest of her coat.

This mornings croissant scores 8.5 /10.  Tails wave wildly under the cafe table. It seems there is nothing in a canine life as enthusiasm generating as the curvy end of a croissant although their first taste of mashed potato, lamb and gravy with last nights kibbles came close.

The baker has a chocolaty creamy thing, a lemon meringue pie and a Kiwi and Mandarin tart on display. None appeal.

On our way back to the car we pass a sign for the burger outlet. It is serving Zombie Burgers for Halloween. This being France black squid ink buns are a defining feature. 

Back in the village the clouds have lifted and the sky has returned to its trademark blue. The workmen have excavated four holes on each side of the war memorial. They have filled these with concrete. The workmen have disappeared until such time as the concrete sets.

The Old Farmer has returned. He's been depressed because it's All Souls. He drove through the night to visit his wife's grave. After a good long chat he's returned in an altogether more positive state of mind.

In the afternoon the farmer comes to cut the sunflowers in the field next door. He has a large cutting deck mounted on the front of his combine harvester. All seems to be going well until the lad who is driving it gets the harvesters cutting deck wedged between the Plane trees on the lane. There is much activity. Little white Peugeot vans arrive. Conversations are had. Phone calls made. '' It's too wide to get through " says the farmer to no one in particular. I could have told him that.

Finally, amid a wild revving of its engine, the combine is put into reverse gear and extricated from the trees. It's driven into the field on the other side of the road. A team remove the cutting deck and load it onto a trailer. Thus shorne of accoutrements the combine harvester can make its way towards its destination.  Bob and Sophie watch enthralled. They maintain a loud and constant commentary on what's happening. They are 'encouraged' indoors.

Can life be any more exciting ?

How up to date is your vocabulary ? Aquafaba passed me by . In DC when asked if the train was going on time an Amtrak employee replied '' negatory " which is presumably somewhere in the dictionary :  https://www.merriam-webster.com/time-traveler/2015


This off the wall article on the archaeology of K-Marts was somehow riveting : https://thebaffler.com/latest/the-archivists-of-extinction-wagner