It’s an awkward time. The first truffle is fading into memory, the truffle harvest in the region is getting into full swing, and I’m wondering when I’ll find number two. The amazingly charming Peg is dutifully sniffing round the trees, but remains more interested in the mice than in anything else that may be under the ground. We’ve had visits from two truffle dogs, neither of whom showed a lot of interest — though with one of them we were doing the rounds after dark, so it was hard to be sure what was going on.

It would be rather ironic if we only had one truffle this year, and I found it by sheer luck rather than dogged skill. Ironic, but unlikely. I hope.