Picking the damsons was the easy part. I found as many as I needed along the hedge as I walked back from talking to Nathan who trims the horses’ hooves. It was Petroc’s turn. He is now three and in the same field as Jinx and Ernie. Old enough for better manners but, on the other hand, he was being goaded by his field mates from the other side of the fence.

I started by cooking the damsons yesterday evening and took out the stones this morning while listening to Melvin Bragg and In our Time on Radio 4. Today’s subject was Alexander the Great. I must reread that great book by Robin Lane Fox.     -Susan