My Best Side

There was no slumming or cold derrière for this pooch as he sat on a special blanket on the wall outside Peter's Yard while his owner enjoyed a coffee inside. He seemed inured to my entreaties to look at the camera. He was adamant that this was his best side for a canine portrait.

With the weather being unseasonably mild for October, His Lordship and I feel very lucky that, with non functioning heating, we still have blood circulating freely in our veins. This is where a lovely open fire would have been so welcome.

What started as a slight leak in water pressure in a still working boiler one day, and the installation of the corrective part the next day, has suddenly became a non functioning boiler needing a new control panel. I can't help feeling that the boiler repair man botched the job somewhere along the line causing the latest fault.

What is making HL hyperventilate with rage is the apparent lack of concern from the repair firm about leaving us without any form of heating for the best part of a week while they order the panel and we organise another day of waiting for someone to come. Fortunately we have boiler insurance, but are not happy with the designated repair firm.

We are making a meal tonight for Poppy and Mike from Orkney. They have been warned to wrap up well , but once the oven has been on for an hour, that should warm things up a bit. Fingers crossed.