Still the best band in the known world! The mighty Fall. New album out 3 October. I can't wait...! 

Back from Cambridge

I seem to be spending half my time in Cambridge these days - if not work, then for pleasure. This time it was work. A five day conference, if you please, starting on a Sunday. Clare College is beautiful to look at and has lovely gardens and perfect location. But as a working environment...?

Worst coffee and tea I've tasted in a long time; chilly, cheerless rooms; zero computing support, no common room or other meeting and relaxing space. And the college bar didn't open all week!

But this is not to carp or complain. We'll get a book out of it, and I met some delightful people from four continents. Cambridge University produced a press release about it all, which you can view at
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2005091201
if you have a mind to.

Anyway it's great to be back and lovely to see a post from Roy and Michelle! Look forward to seeing all the local gang for dinner tomorrow.

Andrew's visit

Andrew (Naomi's cousin) drove over from the Charente to pay us a visit and to catch up with developments re. the barns. M and I took him out for lunch at the local Relais (we'd not been there before) to thank him, in some part, for his generosity (letting us stay for so long in his 'gite'). As we expected the experience was very french and very.......french!

We were shown to our table and food just started to arrive!

Here's the bill.

Five courses + pre-dinner drinks + 1 litre of red = 2 coffees

1. Melon halves
2. Skate wings in a caper and olive oil dressing
3. Pot au feu (local beef) (not to M's taste)
4. Cheese board
5. Choice of desserts