A day to remember and one to forget

I had planned to spend a couple of days in the country, ostensibly to spray the grapes, but in reality, to just hang out and do my own, ant-social thing. As luck would have it, I had to postpone the trip on account of tummy problems.
S kindly offered to take me the following day, which was yesterday and kindly did the spraying himself.
So far, so good, but by so doing, I lost my excuse not to visit inlaws today.
Back to yesterday. On our return we decided to go for a swim, and on the way S decided to go to a hardware and wood dealer/carpenter out in the sticks.
While I waited outside on a bench, I spotted a big, white maremmano sheep dog approach me. This dog had recently become famous for having bitten the chief  of local mu nicipal police. He must have had a good reason, according to most people who heard the story.
Consequently, I was slightly cautious as he walked over. I told him what a good dog he was and so on. He began sniffing me, as dogs do and we became friends. I stroked his head and he came closer and closer, until, finally, he climbed up on the bench, right beside me. He sat there for quite a while, staring at me, straight in the eyes, then jumped off and walked away. 
I went into the shop and looked around while S was busy choosing some wood and spotted a display of beautiful artist's paint brushes. I chose a very fine one to replace one that I have lost.
Then followed stories of horses, told by the passionate hardware store owner. An hour later, we still had a swim but by the time we arrived at home, it was too late for me to eat.
Today was spent stuck in traffic jams and the company of inlaws.
Next time I will have a better excuse not to go. They are a nice enough family, but not my own.