Today was beautiful. Crisp. Frosty. And sunny. I began by wandering around the village roads then walking up the D17 towards Pomport. 
The donkey, grazing with the goats, gave me a cursory glance and continued his meal. He too must have grown accustomed to my presence. 
A birdfeeder had been filled along the way. Past the leisure centre on the way up towards Pomport I have often noticed a minor road descending the slope on the left. This morning, ignoring the sign proclaiming ‘no entry except for access’, I decided to take it. At worst I would have to retrace my steps. Passing through trees on either side, after an almost right-angled bend a long, winding, calf-stretching climb past several tracks leading to houses eventually brought me to a flat plain high above the fields below. 
Up there were the inevitable vineyards and, fortunately, a junction at which a right turn led to Pomport. I exchanged greetings with a jogger on this plateau, wondering whether he too would take an undulating route. I certainly wouldn’t have fancied running down the hill I had just climbed. I always found it easier to run up a steep slope than down it.
As I entered Pomport I encountered a large group of ramblers decanting from their cars and changing their outfits. 
They had all the right gear: walking boots, sticks, and protective clothing. They reminded me of Jessica togging up for one of her beloved Lakeland walks. In those days, when I did accompany her, I dressed more like a city gent. Although now I still sport a waistcoat and suit jacket when the weather requires more than a T-shirt and shorts, I do at least wear jeans and appropriate footwear.
Walking down the twisting and turning D17 back to Sigoules I felt the same sharp wind as yesterday. Obviously it was behind me on the way up, for I hadn’t noticed it.
Upon my return I cooked a sausage casserole. As it was made with ‘Rose de Sigoules’ (that’s rose as in the flower, not pink wine} 2009, I drank the rest of the bottle. I used a glass with a yellow ball in the stem which had contained I can’t remember what produce from Carrefour. Whatever it was Jackie and I didn’t buy any more of it, so we couldn’t complete the set.
Afterwards, a foursome of Fred, Laurence, Graham, and I watched Italy beat France at Rugby.