It’s a beautiful evening, we’ve made progress this weekend (staircase now fully scraped and ready for the next stage in its restoration, under-stairs cupboard carcass now in place) so we’re all enjoying a romp in the field to celebrate.

JD is fixated on the game. He’s willing me to try to pick up the ball and as soon as I try, he’ll snatch it away then put it down again to start the process again. His game is totally different from Lola’s game. She is interested in the chase, whereas he is interested in the capture. In his world, there is nothing greater than getting to the ball more quickly than his opponent and he’ll attempt to do that at any cost, preferably without having to go to the effort of charging down the field to get to it. (As my knuckles will testify because shortly after this shot was taken, I got the ball but too late to prevent JDs teeth smashing into the back of my hand in his attempt to snatch the ball before I could get to it.)

He’s got a twinkle in his eye and winning on his mind. Check out his single-mindedness.