Heat

5:34 am and the morning rush hour. A small army of snails climbing over the gate and into the garden. They're in a hurry to get into the shade before the sun climbs higher and the heat builds.

Give it another four days and the sunflowers in the field opposite The Rickety Old Farmhouse will be in full bloom. They've already grown to six feet in height. Sophie finds that exploring the canyons formed by their stalks is a great  way to start her day.

This mornings croissant strives for excellence but falls short. It looks the part but the dough is 'unexceptional'. Sophie is not bothered. For her the experience of going out in the back of the car for a curly croissant end with Angus warrants an 11/10. For the family diva life is one layer of excitement piled on another. The municipal refuse  workers in day glo orange dungarees greet Sophie by name. Angus is not so honoured. 

The weather weird . Long periods of sunshine followed by suddenly grey skies and showers. Thunder grumbles away in the distance.

Sophie checks the garden for C-A-T-S, chases a squirrel and barks at the collar doves. Soon it will be time for a restorative napette. Life at The Rickety Old Farmhouse has returned to normal .... and not a moment too soon.

Shock! :https://knowablemagazine.org/article/food-environment/2022/climate-change-altering-chemistry-wine

Not sure I want to know this :https://www.science.org/content/article/modern-city-dwellers-have-lost-about-half-their-gut-microbes