A satisfied look.

I'm out early with Sophie. Bob is in the kitchen watching 'The Font' make porridge. He is of the culinary school that believes porridge is best served with dollops of honey rather than seasonal berries. He also believes that he should sit and closely monitor each stage of the porridge making process.

Sophie is out in the garden watching Angus check the irrigation system. Sophie is there in the vague hope that Angus will suddenly uncover a cornucopia of fully filled yogurt pots. She's been disappointed so far but you never know. An onion seller comes to the gate. Sophie becomes a thing possessed. She doesn't like the man.The family princess throws herself at the gate snarling like a demon. The onion seller mutters something incredibly impolite and departs.

I tell Sophie that this was most unlady like behaviour. She gives me a satisfied look that says '' He won't come back again. Never trust a stranger bearing onions ". Dogs, it must be said, tend to be excellent judges of character.

The Fonts October holidaying has now moved on to Greece.  'Who goes to Greece in October ? ' asks Angus. ' It will be idyllically quiet ' comes the reply.


So starts a new day in a small village in deepest, deepest France profonde with two lively sheepdogs. There's a temptation to call it just another day but in fact it's going to be the best day ever ... by far.