Orange.

5:58 am. Sophie lets me know that it's a beautiful day outside and we shouldn't waste a minute of it. PON's are not shy dogs. The family diva has a drink in the kitchen and then joins me by the side of the pool. At this early hour her fur glows orange with the rising sun. This makes me laugh. Her coat is soft and her nose is cold and wet. She exudes good health.

While it's still cool we head off to the 'artisinal' bakers for a croissant. What a difference between a really good croissant and an indifferent one. Todays offering a 9.7/10.  The lady behind the counter comes out to our table with a bowl of water and tells Sophie that she's looking 'ravishing' . With pandemic restrictions easing the croissant is once again being served in a dish. For much of the the last year it has been served in a 'hygienic' paper bag .

The local paper has woken up to the fact that a 4th wave of Covid may be about to hit us. It has a somewhat alarming front cover. By contrast most locals are behaving as though summer and the warm weather will bring it under control. Angus still wears his mask whenever he enters a shop. This is now far from universal.

Back at The Rickety Old Farmhouse a few adventurous bees have left the lime tree on the village green and are hard at work on the alliums in the flower borders.

 Just another Saturday in deepest, deepest France profonde.