Dickensian splendour.

Up early to find that it's snowing . From the bedroom window a view of Dickensian splendour. Church, well, war memorial all shrouded in white. That strange silence only heavy snowfall brings. Nature muffled.

Nine o'clock. The elusive builders arrive to remove an old septic tank that they'd stored in the barn. It's  been there for fourteen months. What has spurred them into action on this cold snowy morning a mystery. Angus expresses both delight and surprise at their arrival . They look back at him blankly . That international '' what's he going on about ? " look that tradesmen reserve for welcoming clients. 

The gate repair man shows up in his white van at ten. He's brought his wife and six year old son with him. They sit in the cab,  engine running,  while he examines the broken panel. '' Too cold to fix it this morning mate. I'll come back when it's warmer ". A cynic might wonder why he bothered coming out in the first place. A morning in the countryside with the family ?

Today is the day for a trip into Toulouse to buy a puppy pen and netting to block off the gaps between the bannisters.