Sunday, the weather has been miserable, but in Dorset at around 1.30pm today the sun appeared from nowhere and I had some stock to pick up from the shop. I motored down to Poole Quay with sun visor front and side down and expecting to open for no more than half an hour, took the liberty of parking in the loading bay outside Dorset Gifts. Things didn’t go entirely to plan. I collected some cowrie place mats and beautiful trocha shells but the shop door wasn’t entirely closed. And if someone sticks their head in and asks if we are open, my accountant’s advice is to always say “yes”. A charming gent enquired about the perfect seashell to hold an engagement ring and present hopefully to  his future wife on the beach at Studland. We have previously used and recommended brown cockle shells for male divers intending to propose on a coral reef ( honestly ) and for this purpose we usually need two matching halves but this enquiry was more a nice walk along the beach to the Banks Arms, suitor finds beautiful seashell not native to these parts, points hopefully at it to future wife and then proposes to her as she picks it up. We decided on a left handed whelk and not because he was left handed but because they are not overly ostentatious and a lovely shape, a little unusual and easy to keep the band of gold secure in the lip.  We hope it all goes well!!!