MRS DOWN'S DIARY

Last year he had enlarged a muddy old pond and although John only intends to visit it a few times, it is proving a good provider for a roast lunch.

He had spent the hour before tea out in the meal shed, stood over an old dustbin, denuding the ducks of their lovely plumage.

Now he had brought them in to draw and singe before dressing them in a snug freezer bag.

As I peeled a pan of potatoes for lunch the next day I could smell the burnt feathers as John singed the down off his ducks with our ancient Gaz stove, a veteran of many camping trips.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette November 21