Two canine companions.

The cheerful surgeon is there at the break of day to check me out of hospital. He thinks that a glass or two of Burgundy with food is a much more practical pain relief strategy than Codeine. ' I'd have a Romanee-Conti or a Richebourg with  dinner to help things along'.  In this regard both he and Angus are in complete agreement. The surgeon is once again wearing his sleeveless padded waistcoat despite the hospital heating being permanently set at tropical levels. Angus wonders why all hospitals are kept so warm. Does it stop patients catching chills ? All the staff are very deferential to the surgeon . A reminder that medicine and the military are hierarchical professions. The surgeon is referred to as 'Mister' , the less senior medics who wear scrubs are merely 'Doctor'.

The PONs are collected from the kennels by 'The Font'. The reunion is enthusiastic and vocal. Both Bob and Sophie rush into The Rickety Old Farmhouse. The angelic duo sniff Angus and then immediately calm down. They seem to know that a degree of reserve is needed. Bob maintains a solicitous watch on his master. Sophie doesn't. She keeps a weather eye on the kitchen in the hope that the roast chicken will somehow fall on the floor. This is an interesting insight into the psychology of our two canine companions.