Dear Debra, apart from Saturdays excitement when one of our neighbours American pit bull x Rhodesian ridge-back escaped and savaged another dog and its owner it is serene and lovely here. This poor animal had been left outside for months with no shelter and had no food or water for over a week. Strangely it was alright with me as I have had terriers, not pit bulls, since I was little. The dog had bitten a child two weeks ago and then escaped again and the Police did not mess about with it this time as it bit a Police women as well, when they attempted to capture it. Our Police do not carry guns, but in the end they did manage to lasso it with this thing on a pole. Due to the Para Olympics the Police told us it would be an hour before they could get here, but when they heard there was a little girl trapped they sent four cars, loads of vans and a Helicopter as well! Unfortunately they are now going to destroy the dog, but not the owner, which is a shame as he is in the wrong not the dog. So now all is peaceful and no barking dog, just the sound of trickling water from my water pump and the sound of the nearby river. Although we could do with some rain as we have not had any for two days and my tree ferns may need watering if we do not get any!
I love this time of year or as Keats said
"tis the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness."
The grape vines are at there best, apples and pears everywhere, and of course my beloved raspberries and blackberries!
Neil.
p.s. congratulations on working part time. You will probably be busier now on your day off than you ever were when you were working.