Mrs Down's Diary August 12 2009

For safety (drink driving and distance considerations) they offered us the use of their son's cottage.

He has a property on their farm but is currently working on safari camps in Tanganyika. And none to keen to return to tractor driving in the UK.

John was interested to see if anyone had started combining on the way up.

One farmer had but he was the sole operator. By the time this comes out we may well have started ourselves.

The combine is ready, has had a major overhaul and service, but that signifies nothing when the machine actually gets to work in the field. Breakdowns are then assured.

We had left Pip, our new puppy, in the charge of our neighbour Shirley.

The farm animals under Geoff's supervision. Far less complicated. Shirley has Pip's sister Fliss, and the two puppies revel in each other's company.

Pip now knows her way to her sister's cottage and is into the canine equivalent of "can she come out to play?".

I rang Shirley's several time on our trip to assure myself that Pip was not missing us. She was'nt; but I do flatter myself that she was pleased to see us when we returned home. Taking all of Pip's gear; bed, fluffy bean bag, chews, toys, meals, milk, puppy cage and spare newspaper for in case she soiled (which she didn't of course) reminded me more of baby than puppy care.

Pip is now much more confident in the company of our other dogs, and since she has had her jabs, safe from any infections.

She has been dewormed and defleaed (of which there were none but the treatment will hopefully prevent this). In short she is one pampered pet.

When I see John regarding her with a quizzical eye I know he is wondering whether she will make the transition from house dog to gun dog. "Of course she will" I assure him. Fingers crossed behind my back at the same time.

Harvest is going to be much later this year. Although last year was wet, we managed to get all the winter barley in during a dry spell at the beginning of July. Earliest yet.

This year, because the barley was not drilled until Spring (no hope of getting on the land for those particular fields in the Autumn), it will be late August/early September I imagine.

However some of the wheat is nearly there. Each morning John is scanning the weather forecasts.

It has placed an air of uncertainty over several events we have been invited to late summer. A shoot barbecue, a 50th birthday party and two civil partnerships. New events for us.

One is my cousin's, who has been with her partner for many years, and has suddenly decided to "go for it" as she said and ensure that "our affairs are tidied up and there will be no problems if anything happened to either of us", plus, to enjoy hosting a grand party for family and friends. I am especially looking forward to the fireworks.

The other is nearer home and will again definitely be all singing and dancing if his father's recent 60th birthday celebration is anything to go by.

So at least, whatever the weather holds, we have some sparkle, sequins and glamour assured for the summer. And that's just my outfit.