Repairs to West Kirby Marina have required the water to be drained, revealing a glutinous expanse of thick black estuary mud. The local bird population has been in raptures over this unexpected banquet.

My dogs, however, were not so readily impressed. They peered over the edge of the prom wall and seemed quite put out that not only had someone apparently stolen one of their favourite paddling pools, but that they were forbidden to perform even one roly-poly in the (somewhat pongy) mud.

Mean, aren't I.