Dear Sharon and Alon                              (Pictures below)

I gather you are now in Nicaragua! I don’t think I’ve been there, have I? Sounds a bit short on lamp posts to me but no doubt makes up for that in other ways.

Anyway, I’m glad to see you are still friends even though your honeymoon has stretched beyond the year. You both look good posing in front of that snowy hill – Everest or something.

There isn’t a lot to tell you from here. They don’t mention the World Cup any more. There was much crying into beer at the time. Bob hasn’t bought The Hoops yet. Jean says once was enough. It’s still empty. The village’s tongue isn’t exactly hanging out as nearby pubs seem to have got closer. It’s just the problem of having to drive there, I’m told. There is still a mysterious hole in the road with a fence round it outside the Hoops. I see it’s full of water. Anybody know a decent plumber?

I have a rival in the village now in the shape of a donkey called Daisy. Although he lives across from the church, he can be heard in every corner of the village. Some bark!

We have had a burning hot July and a foul August so far. If that’s Global Warming, you can keep it. The “poor farmers” can’t finish harvesting the wheat for the rain. On the other hand, I am told the water table is low. It’s all a bit confusing. All I know is that I get regular pats, my biscuits keep appearing, and the squirrels keep me fit. All a dog needs in a troubled world.

How’s your Spanish coming on? What are your plans? Any mishaps?

All the people around me have aged a whole year since you set off from Wimpole Road on your travels. They should grumble, a human year is about seven dog years. There are stacks of kids about, though, so there’s still plenty of chasing to be done.

I hope you and yours are safe and well. Drop me a line when you “paws” long enough. (a Simba joke!).

Lots of licks,

Simba

P.S. The picture of me and the family at the pool table is to remind you of the £10 you lost challenging the Eversdens Pool Champion!