Sorted!

We have heat! The boiler is fixed and it is possible to move round the Dower House in an even temperature. What a joy to be able to relegate the hot water bottle and down coat to the cupboard.

If only architects would consider the downside of relying on just one form of heating a house. How I fantasised these past 7days, and over Christmas/New Year about looking at a log fire even it was only a pretend electric one because of a lack of flue; cold designer radiators hold no appeal at all.

While His Lordship oversaw the boiler work, I had time between hunter gathering to blip the Meadows’ crocuses which have taken on a new lease of life after their Siberian ordeal. What little stalwarts they are to stand so straight again and open up to the sun.

The squirrel on the large black bin stood his ground while I took his picture. They are very used to people in this part of the world and this one was waiting for me to pass before concluding his scavenging work.

The third blip is of a healthy looking shrub in a basement patio tub. I like the colour against the stone.