Ditcheat

We ran away today and went to a book signing at lunchtime, at the Manor Inn at Ditcheat. The signing was on behalf of racehorse trainer Paul Nicholls, who is currently training Kauto Star, Denman, and Master Minded. We were slightly overdue as a result of getting stuck behind the yard's late morning string: a dozen beautiful horses, swaying down the lane.

Nicholls always comes across as a pleasant and unpretentious man and this was borne out at the signing. I bought his book (autobiography) a...