In the mid-1970s I once realised a long-held romantic plan to spend a night sleeping under blossoming apple trees. I took an air madrass, a sleeping bag, and a blanket, and settled in the lovely, scented environment on the lawn.

It didn't take long to understand that the idea had its drawbacks. There were insects, mainly gnats... buzzing and eager. All I could do was to pull the blanket over my head. It was suffocating, I had to have fresh air... The gnats attacked again...

And my poor cat was all confused. He didn't know whether he was a fierce predator or a pet. He moved around me uncertainly, curled to sleep on my stomach, jumped off to prowl, came back, ...

Finally the sun rose, gnats disappeared, and I could sleep.