The loss of our beautiful fat cockerel and 24 hens had been a blow, but despite what you might think, not everything in our new life was a complete disaster. The wildlife pond had turned out to be one of hubby’s more successful projects. Although a good number of aquatic plants had died, the fish population had flourished and this part of the garden had become a haven for wildlife — insects, frogs, toads and snakes had all taken up residence. But it wasn’t all plain sailing. Mr Guppy, the plump fish with the beautiful tail, was the first to disappear. And then, one spring, a heron discovered the pond and cleared it of fish overnight.

If you remember, hubby and I had pitched up in Ceret on our bikes as part of a planned journey through France. This hadn’t really gone as hubby had expected as we’d only cycled as far as Perpignan. Looming mountains and an idyllic run-down old mas had got in the way.