Troika Steppes, our thoroughbred horse, has come back to Burcott for his summer holidays and will have a rest from racing until he returns to Fergal O’Brien’s yard late in the summer. Everyone and every horse was delighted to see him. Petroc, his half brother, was especially intrigued to find out who was in the next-door stable. Last year I had promised Liam, whose mother Hayley works in the yard, that I would make him nettle soup and Troika’s return seemed the right occasion to celebrate by fulfilling my promise.