An unshakeable philosophy .

The little medieval building on the corner of the market square is being converted into flats . For half a millenium it had been a hostel for pilgrims en route to Campostella . Then it became the town butchers . Then the butchers daughters inherited it and left it empty. Angus briefly thought of turning it into a restaurant . Now the municipality has bought it and is ripping out all the original features . The top floor has already lost its eighteenth century shutters . A row of square , uniform , double glazed windows taking their place . Not all renovations are sensitively done .

For the most part the Christmas Fair was a great success . The exception being the 'atelier lettre au pere Noel '. By eleven am the old farmer had already managed to down half a dozen drinks . By lunchtime he was positively ' flying ' . At twelve thirty part of his grotto roof collapsed much to the alarm of various three year olds and their parents . The last sighting of him was at one fifteen staggering in the general direction of home . He failed to return .

Wilf has his head washed under the shower this morning . Three large lesions have appeared overnight . How can melanomas possibly grow so quickly ? He takes this invasion of his privacy with as much good grace as he can muster . We'll keep an eye on his breathing this week . Definitely a bit rougher. The vet told us to watch out for signs that the cancer might be spreading to the other nostril . Through it all the old fellow continues to enjoy himself. That unshakeable PON philosophy " Life is full of challenges . Being happy shouldn't be one of them " .