The Marans breed deserves inclusion in this review of utility poultry, because of the superb rich brown colour of its eggs.

The whole gang does this nationwide, said Mason. That's our kopapa and we want to help, but there are a lot of us out there and not everyone's angels.

Roby was an old cyclocross champion from the ’40s, a rugged man built for traversing the bumps and ruts of off-road competition, but he had also ridden in the Tour for several years.

'Good point, Megs. May I join you in a cup of tea? Catch up a little?' / 'Of course,' she replied, regretting her brief terseness. 'But I'm Margaret now. Megs is rather... Well, let's just say it always reminds me of those old louche times, and clearly I'm not that girl anymore.'