1. A question leads to a satisfying chat.

2. Lily-dog is getting better. She jumps up at the sound of the doorbell, runs around excitedly when Strange brings in a live shrew and even manages a short walk – she wobbles and we stop at the bench for a break half way through but her tail wags the whole time.

2b. R-dog potters over to us, drops her stick then disappears into the undergrowth. Her well-trained human knows to throw the stick to her in the bushes.

2c. We anthropomorphise a gangly silver birch tree amongst the solid oaks.

3. The soil hisses as it absorbs the water.

3b. A phone call: would I like him to water the plants in the greenhouses at the allotment? Yes I would.