quad

The mobile telephone starts to play the morning tune, get up and press the button to turn the music off. On the dumb waiter there are the three pills, one for the prostate and one and a half for the blood pressure. Take the capsule, then the full pill and use the scissors to split the other pill. Swallow the lot and wash it all down with a cup of coffee. And then get dressed.

Put on a warm down vest and go for the walk, as per resolution. It is before eight in the morning, but the resolution must be held, otherwise it will be a matter of lying down and letting the misery of the day rule again.

Take the steep path up the valley slope, and just before the Devil's bridge be overtaken by an older man, running. He is barely out of breath, and yet he looks about sixty eight. Good for him. There is jealousy, and admiration too.

At the top of the hill, watch the birds. There are two crows bathing in the duck pond, busy enjoying a good wash. And the peacock in the distance is trying to impress the peahen.

On the way down the hill meet the first walkers coming in from the town, the last one a lady with two sticks. Think of George Orwell, two legs bad four legs good. The woman gives a pleasant smile and continues clicking her way up the hill as a quadruped.