Mrs Downs Diary July 15 2009

"Shouldn't we ring them to let them know we are coming" I asked '“ for that is another of John's little customs, we rarely just drop in on people unless we have contacted them before. "It will be fine" he assured me. They know we are coming up this way and would be disappointed if we did not call. Curiouser and curiouser.

There is a long drive to Nick and Carolyn's house. Over a mile of bumpy track with numerous potholes to skirt. "They will be in" John assured me.

I began to suspect him of unknown extra sensory powers.

So the warmth of the greeting that met us assuaged all my fears of arriving as unwanted visitors . The ease with which coffee and sandwiches rustled up merely left me feeling what an unskilled hostess I was in comparison to the sort of refreshments that had been brought out so swiftly.

We spent our first moments reminiscing and grieving the loss of Meg, our lovely old black Labrador, for she was born on this farm. Her half sister, Wizz, wagged in to greet us.

A heart stopping, poignant moment, as she has so many of Meg's characteristics. And then in came her one of her half sisters,a yellow Labrador this time, keen for her share of affection, and, as she rolled onto her back for a tummy tickle, displaying a distended set of teats.

"Has she had puppies recently" I innocently inquired, head down at the dog's level and waiting for an answer. The silence was deafening. The faces when I looked up desperately trying to not to reveal any signs of emotion. Or answer my question.

And then as the faces all broke into broad grins, with John's grin the broadest, I realised why we had stopped off. "Where are they" I asked.

"And more importantly, which one is she?"

That was a week ago. Snug in front of our Rayburn is a fat, black, six weeks old bundle of joy. She is peerless and perfect. Did not cry or be sick on the long journey home. Has scoffed everything put in front of her (what a surprise, she is a Labrador).

Is viewed with deep suspicion by Nell and Holly who have only seen her so far from afar. Has not made a single little puddle or pile yet in the house; all her toiletting has been out in the garden. Slept through the night without a whimper, cuddled up to one of the old soft toys I have saved for the grandchildren.

Managed to get up into our bed this morning when we were having our cup of tea. Unheard of before. John must be going soft.

So there we have it. Another chapter in life. A new dog. Pipit is her name. After the meadow pipit. The fishing holiday was a disaster in terms of fish. Too hot.

No rain. But a resounding success in terms of a great time with friends and a new baby in our lives. One hiccup only and that was to do with fish. Monkfish. Bought off a trawler at the fish market and responsible for poisoning half of the party. Piscine revenge.