Much to write about. Have harvested the gourds which are now drying on an old grill pan. Will illustrate with photos shortly. A varied crop although the number of plants was seriously depleted at the start of the summer by the horrible slugs.

The day started with a trip to the vets. Andy has his post AB checkup and vet has now confirmed the toe is officially recovered, and not in danger of amputation, which is a huge relief. Booty had her annual booster and a look at her shoulder which is showing early signs of arthritis. The vet has prescribed a higher quality glucosamine to supplement her diet and we will assess progress in a few weeks.

Thence to Swansea for lunch with great aunt in belated celebration of her 89th birthday. Wafting in a classy cloud of Chanel No. 5, she has declared an ambition of making a 100 and I sincerely hope and believe she will. She is still razor sharp mentally and has a wicked sense of humour. What really cracks me up is that she sometimes refers to the "old people" she sees at the day centre in a clear belief that she is not one of them. We caught up with news of all her latest travels, friends and adventures - it sounded exhausting. Went to a pub on the Mumbles Road, near Clyne Gardens but the lunch was a bit disappointing. After, went to Mumbles and a look at a specialist wool shop as she is a keen knitter. The only sad thing is that as she is becoming older, I often find myself strongly reminded when with her of her brother, my grandfather. Not in temperament, as they are/were chalk and cheese, but in looks, and language. Andrew doesn't see this, as we got engaged just after Grampy died, and he never met him, which is one of my abiding regrets. Dropped her back home and came back home to an ecstatic welcome from the woofs. Dr Laithwaites' evening prescription was a Mearsault we've been maturing for a couple of years, very satisfactorily. As I write, Booty is emitting ladylike snores by my feet and pegleg seems to be asleep.