We flew from Brussels to Heathrow with Elise and after farewelling her on the train, we stayed the night at the Premier Inn, before picking up our hire car for the trip to Midsomer Norton, 16 km SW of Bath. Wendy and Alison were characteristically excited to see us and saw us settled into our room for the next two nights (Wendy and Carl giving up their room for us). Fondly introduced to Ruby the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Tetris the Tortoise, we soon felt at home. Being Alicia’s birthday, she had a few friends over and Uncle Tim for a BBQ in the backyard.

In the late afternoon, we accompanied Wendy and Alicia for Ruby’s walk down Wellow Brook Walk, a sometimes rocky but pretty stream-side path, adjacent pony and cow paddocks. Ruby is such a big dog and eager to walk, it takes all of Wendy’s strength to keep her from charging away.

We then drove into Radstock, a few miles away, to have a wander down the street and before heading home and retiring for the night.