Tuesday 26th. February

The dog is still chewing her way through the "tanker mooring rope"....every once in a while we hear a "scrunching" noise as she bites through yet another strand....but she's a long way to go. This will without doubt be a record for Jessie.....having said all that, we're just very glad that she hasn't turned out to be a puppy that has to eat everything in sight. Certainly the ex-farmer was concerned at the outset that, after "taking years to get this kitchen right", the new dog was about to eat most of it! as I type, the dog has been given one of those "indestructible" dog bones.....it will be gone in 10 minutes tops!

Now that the new book case is "up" there's much chat about what we put on display. Mum has dug out some Limoges pottery that had been put away "for decades"...but the boys are not happy. They would prefer photos of tractors and engines (in frames, of course).....or Dan has a good idea that he would like to put out his collection of old cameras......is he normal?  In order to justify the display of the said pottery (as opposed to a display of cameras) daughter has been instructed to power up the internet so as to get a value on the vases, jugs and plates.....10 minutes later, the best we can apparently manage is a value in Australian Dollars.....so we're no further forward...I mean, how much is Aussie $ worth? ......more importantly, who cares?? ......Mother has been on about the book ends again.....and came back from a dog walk at la Coupe the other day to tell us that she had found "some nice stones" that would "be perfect for the job". A long lecture followed from the engineer about the principle of book ends.....and how they work. It was pointed out to her that the chances of finding stones on the beach that had perfect 90 degree angles was "pretty bloomin' unlikely".....the stones have gone back to the beach without the boys even agreeing to look at them. 

The builders have successfully taken the other half of the roof off the outbuildings today. It's funny how there's so much more light in the garden.....but it wasn't funny when Mum suggested that it "would be lovely to leave it like that". Given how much Father has spent on plans and engineers so far we don't think that was the most tactful thing to suggest after a "full on day in town".

Ma and Pa both went to a meeting at Macmillan this evening. They are part of a small number who are going to set up a "Gynaecological Cancers Support Group".....quite what they make of Dad we don't know....it can't be easy being a man in a "woman's world". In all seriousness though, it must be important to support everyone who is effected by this type of cancer...and that includes carers as much as sufferers. Their first official meeting will be next month.....look out for the publicity. 

We suspect that the puppy has eaten her "chew"....there is now a row going on as to where it's gone.....Mum and Bex are asking the "clever" questions.....how can she have "eaten" it?   surely she must have hidden it?   it must be around here somewhere?.....the boys are quite clear, two quick bites and it's gone!   Heaven help the person that gets to walk her in the morning.....we can see the headline in the JEP tomorrow night....."Mad woman and small dog involved in environmental disaster in St. Martin....pollution officers in attendance".