"I can hear a cat" said the Webmaster as we walked past the neighbour's farm gate. Their dog was nowhere to be seen. It must be in the shed eating its supper.

A thin cat, mewing loudly, appears out of the gloom and squezes herself under the bottom bar of the gate.

"It's Mrs. Cat. She's got a mouse. She's going to follow us to give us the mouse."

The sunset is spectacular. A large, thin, flat layer of rippled cloud, as though made by waves on a beach, lit, apparently from below, with the red glow from the sinking sun. Orange, red and pink light reflects back down to us. The sun itself, visible below the clouds, silhouetting the the folly at the high point of the ridge and casting a red glow over the fields. But it is sinking fast and soon there are only a few red streaks of light remaining.

"Are you serious? Have you seen the weather? And it's nearly dark."

"Is it raining? Do I need a coat?"

"It isn't raining at the moment."

The Young Dog ignores us and stays curled up on the settee, where he isn't supposed to be. The Old Dog notices we are preparing to go out. The dogs didn't get their usual walk this morning because it was too wet and she wants to go now.

We step outside. The moment of no rain has clearly past.

"I might be too warm in this fleece" declared the Webmaster. "I'm going out to see what it's like." The Webmaster opens the door and steps out. Less than 20 seconds later he is back inside.

"Is it warm?"

"It's actually raining now. Heavy drizzle."

"I'll swap this fleece for my yellow running jacket."

"I'm on the way home. I definitely need to go for a walk tonight."

"Before or after we eat?"

"Before, unless you want to set of when it is already dark."

"Mm.. that will make it difficult to cook the meal, but OK."

"It's almost dark already and we are only five minutes later than yesterday."

"But is has been dull and overcast since mid afternoon. There was heavy rain; see all the puddles."

"Could be a lot of frogs in the road again."

There is still enough light for us not to need the torches as we set off, but it is decidedly gloomy and damp.

"I finished strimming in the orchard and I got the hedge trimmer started with the new spark plugs, but the brake has jammed on. It will either need replacing or bodging."

"Have we got time for a walk? There was a queue all along the M60 slip road so I'm later than I expected."

"If you don't mind eating later, it's already 19:20."

We find the torches and set off. It will definitely be dark before we get back. 

The sun has already set and the last red glow is beginning to fade. Over the valley ribbons of street lights look like distant fairy lights. A few birds are still swooping overhead. Crows. Maybe Jack, Marjorie and their mate! It is too dark to see them properly so no chance of even pretending to recognise them.

"Will you have time for a walk with me tonight?" asked the Webmaster.

It is approaching six o'clock and the Worker is just finishing for the day. On work days she only has time for an evening walk. Only the Webmaster and the dogs get to enjoy a morning walk.

"If we go now we won't need the torches."

The radio is still on as we leave. The Webmaster doesn't know how to turn it off. At least he has never been know to turn it off. He says the dogs like listening to it, but it is doubtful they appreciate the BBC six o'clock news.

"If you are willing to put trousers on we could do the long walk around the lake" said the Webmaster.

After a quick check on the weather I ignore him and dress in shorts and tee shirt. I'll take my chances with the nettles. "Do you think it will have dried out by now? When was the last time it rained?"

The usually muddy paths down to the wood and across the Head of Trent are surprisingly dry and there is little sign of damage from the torential rain and flash floods of last Tuesday. The dogs are pleased to be returning to the long walk, sniff paradise for them. The Old Dog is particularly spritely, forgets she no longer jumps stiles and bounds over several.

The dogs were waiting for their walk. We weren't later than normal, only 10:30 but we had been out to the airport and confused their routine. The Student is moving to California today for  a year studying abroad and we had driven her to Manchester for a tearful fairwell and to encourage her through the security barrier and on towards her future. 

"If we go now we should be back by the time she takes off" said the Webmaster.

Dogs on leads and out into the September morning sunshine. "Hold the dogs while I lock the door". The Webmaster extracts his old purse ("gentleman's coin holder" he corrects) from his pocket and coins pour everywhere. Its seams have split and it no longer holds coins. One