Am returning to regular guitar practice. With a new sound system I can play electric guitar with confidence. That will be my badge. Must prepare some shop window ads and distribute them at the week's end.

Tango in Huddersfield was well worth the trip through the rain and sleet. Roy and Claire were great company. We have more than tango in common. Roy also has a copy of Keble Martin's 'Concise British Flora' and can cut and lay a hedge, and Claire has a Ph.D in Archaeobotany. I must learn to utilise a variety of moves both seamlessly and at short notice.

Jesus and John the Baptist rate one short paragraph each in Josephus' 'Antiquities', compared to Herod and his string of chapters. I have yet to hear Peter Lawley's reaction to my comments on his choir's Christmas programme notes. Surely he does not think it a revelation to declare that the 25 December fixture for Christmas. is a date symptomatic of Christianity's marriage of convenience with the Roman establishment.

I am tempted to visit Devon again in the spring; this time for 'Tango Mango' - an intensive tango experience at Dartington. Time now for tea and a little more of Albert Shweitzer's book on the historic Jesus.

What a short and bitty entry that was. This is not secret like Pepys; quite the contrary. Hence it may appear a little demure.