I had a dramatic start to the day, that could have turned to despair if the outcome had been different. They say that cats have nine lives. What about dogs? If so, Domino used one up today.

There was bright sunshine early this morning at the Old Rectory. The AGA man was coming for a service mid morning, so Domino and I set out for an early morning walk.

We walked our usual way through farmland at the rear of the house, but he caught sight of a squirrel, and took off at break neck speed. He is in the same family as a greyhound, although much smaller, so he can shift like lightning.

He disappeared around a corner out of sight. I was yelling at him to come back, as he was heading into someone’s drive. As if you can stop a dog when instinct has kicked in. I caught up with him and called him to come. He stubbornly sat down. I kept yelling for him to come. He normally does. In exasperation, I went to fetch him.

To my horror, when I reached him, I realised that a twelve feet cattle grid, with large gaps between steel bars, was between us. He should have broken every one of his very slim legs. He broke one as a puppy. Nursing him almost tipped me over the edge. He was unable to walk, and I had to carry him everywhere for six weeks.

I carried him over the grill and examined him. He had a few grazes on his elbows, but apart from that he was walking fine. I was incredulous. How had his legs not slipped down the gaps between the steel bars and snapped like twigs?

The vet checked him over. No serious damage, just a few scrapes. A miracle.

Yesterday, an extremely talented friend, Victoria Greenley, taught us how to cook some amazing dishes at her wonderful flat in Chelsea. It is on the top floor, and has uninterrupted views north and south, so it was flooded with light – something you relish during the winter months. The clouds were pink at sunset, which is around 4pm now.

The wow factor came at the end. Somehow she had used two bowls, one large on the outside and inside one smaller, to freeze water in the cavity, which was full of red rose petals and viburnum. And then she placed a green fruit salad in it: magical. And beautiful.

Today, I shall recover from the shock of Domino’s antics.