1. The woods are humid and for the first half of the walk, I’m sticky. Then the wind starts blowing in the birch leaves far above me and the rain begins. I’m absolutely drenched – and feel totally refreshed – by the time I get home.

2. The big lilac flowers on the clematis.

2b. He meows as soon as I enter the house and drools on my jeans as soon as I give him the chance.

3. We lie across the bed, surrounding the dog, a tangle of limbs and tails. It’s at times like these that I imagine how much if it would confuse future archaeologists if a Pompeii-style volcano exploded over us.