1 Ah, the news. Not the news from Shangri-La and other such places, including the places where yaks are milked, but the news from Northamptonshire I wonder how your folks are getting on.

2 And the news from Wiltshire and from East Sussex. I've just had a long chat with Giles. All is well, all, that is, save the installation of the new Sky all-in-one package and the replacement of the MP3 player which he had recently bought and which has even more recently been damaged.

2.1 He wondered when there could be a visit from East Grinstead. They are keen to see you; they are keen that you should see young Sam. I explained that a visit on Sunday was unlikely. Indeed, it does look as if the next visit will be after Giles's deployment. Perhaps the weekend after next, allowing for the claims of Northamptonshire.

2.2 Brian Wright, too, would like to see you.

3 I've also spoken to Ashley and heard that his previous employers will offer him a post, the salary to be no less than the one he is presently receiving. An unusual sequence of events, I reckon. For my part, by the way, I regret his leaving his present employers as, by his account, they are friendly and they think highly of him.

4 Otherwise, the day is coming to a peaceful close. The sky has remained overcast. The evening is chilly. Being a man, men being what they are, I have put on a sweater (rather than turn on the heating). I am about to take to bed for an hour. (Somehow I sense that I will not read for an hour.) There might just be time for a short conversation with my sister.

4.1 I cooked potatoes and vegetables this evening. Pots, implements - that sort of thing. And the paraphenalia have been washed.

Do give my regards to Jan. I think of her. Let me know how she's getting on.

Stayathome.