The Sunday morning walk.

One very happy Polish Lowland Sheepdog scampered down the lane followed by an equally happy old black labrador. The sudden arrival of cooler weather to replace the searing heat has finally enabled Wilf and Jerome to get out and about again . Every shrub, tree and flower along the grass verges was expertly sniffed, studied and marked - then vigorously sniffed,studied and marked once more. The foals and calves who wandered over to follow the contented progress of these two senior fellows were disdainfully ignored. No time for day dreaming or reflection today - after three days of thermofan weather action was their watchword and pent up energy their driving force. Every so often Wilf would stop, look back over his shoulder and give me that ' Come on . What's keeping you ?' look. A day for brusque enjoyment. Swing biffing, touch rugby and 'bee' catching are on the cards this afternoon to be followed by rug surfing and indoor rugby tonight.

In the small hours of the morning a sudden whoosh followed by the sound of breaking roof tiles and shearing timbers. Up with a torch and dressing gown to see what it could be. A quick tour of the inside of the house followed by a cursory walk around the outside. Nothing to be seen. Then this morning as Wilf and I were heading off to the car all became apparent. A huge limb from one of the old oak trees had fallen down on top of the barn roof. Broken roof tiles and cross beams everywhere. Thankfully, the two cars we park there were quite unscathed apart from a thick layering of dust. The builder will be here at seven tomorrow morning. The rickety old farmhouse never ceases to surprise.