12 : 18

I have a few more wrinkles and get told I haven't changed, but what a difference 6 years at Flaxley can make to some - Sam.

And then there were three

Welcome little Seb (Sebastian) who is holding his own with the bigger puppy Jack and 'old' Biscuit, who are all giving us so much joy (and mopping practice).

Sit still will you!

Our new addition, Damien's Kelpie puppy Jack. Doing well as you can see!

Cook(e) love

Damien has been made redundant so now he has time to live up to his name in our beautiful new kitchen...

Delicious Egg & Bacon Pie from my wonderful Stephanie Alexander cookbook 'The Cook's Companion'. And it is so much nicer with real home-made shortcrust pastry and home-grown free range eggs from our happy hens.

The eggs will be in short supply soon as today is the equinox so it is downhill from here for daylight hours and so eggs laid from our motley bunch of girls - they need at least 12 hours of daylight per day to spit one out.

Damien also needs 12 hours of light a day to get through the list of jobs around the house... painting painting painting!

Mmmm I wonder what's for dinner tomorrow night?

Beautiful boy and his toys