1. The tip of a tail betrays the cat’s attempt to sneak into a hiding place. I stick a hand into the washing basket to feel the fur of another.

2. Blue sky overhead tells me the heavy rain shower will be short lived. When I emerge from the shed, I see the bean leaves are coated in sparkling droplets.

3. The light over the armchair illuminates the bookshelves too. I tell John that as much as I like the coolness of the house (particularly the office) in summer, this really is a house built for winter: blankets, and books, and woodstoves, oh my.

4. Heavy lemon cake.