ten things we have learned today

1. it is possible to make a dirty stinky dog even dirtier and stinkier
2. trying to do work when your children (OF ANY AGE) are about is well nigh impossible
3. ducks protected by electric fences are a dog's idea of hell
4. when you arrange that someone should phone when they are finished so you can meet them, it's a good idea to take your phone with you
5. my knee is 99.9% functional again
6. if you ask how old someone is by asking for their year of birth, it's also advisable to ask for their month of birth
7. even the biggest waste of time can contain valuable lessons
8. you can make food with lentils in but no one but you will eat it
9. whinging on and on about wanting a drink when in the middle of nowhere can magically produce a vending machine selling cups of organic fruit juice at an extremely reasonable price
10. being asked to iron trousers at 5.50am sucks