1. The rain starts suddenly and is surprisingly heavy – then gets heavier and heavier still. I look out of the door and catch the eye of the guy fitting decking next door. He looks as awed by it as I am.

2. Lily waiting patiently, stood on her hind legs, waiting near the door for her pop-pops. Lily’s ears floating on the surface of the beck. Lily bouncing, properly springing, through the duck pond. Lily intrigued with the swan on the canal. I quite like that dog.

3. I’ve forgotten how nice it is to wear shorts sometimes.