Two impossible (well, unlikely) things before breakfast

In the first instance, this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/12/short-legged-horse-rescue-mayflower

Yes, I know, it's a cute pony story. But all the same...

And in the second:
Since last Tuesday every day I wake up, I'm still a published novelist. It hasn't evaporated or been withdrawn or anything. Which is hard to get my head around somehow and tends to a disorienting sense of floating off into the stratosphere. (Repeats to self to keep feet on ground: it's only one book and it may well flop.)

More showing off (ahem)

Living with Ghosts is back in stock at amazon.co.uk, but with only five left. (Say what?) Amazon.com are apparently down to four. Blibble.

Eureka

I have finally identified the infamous (well, to me and the marquis, anyway) purple sprouting broccoli trees that grow in several clumps near to us. They are Narrow Leaved Ashes -- there's a picture here: http://www.clubplan.org/CMS/usr/2673/eastmarsh/NARROWLASH075.jpg
although sadly I couldn't find one in its autumn (= purple sprouting) glory.