Three days, three fulfilling days and evenings have passed. 'What a joy it is to dance and sing' Thus the closing line of 'Wise Children'. I was back doing both on Friday night; choir practice at Southwell and salsa at the Comfort Hotel. As before the highlight was bachata with Anna, for all that there were many other superb dancers there that night. Much of Saturday was spent reading and preparing the two addresses for Burns Night. It was lovely to hear 'Ye Banks and Braes' and 'My Love is like a red,red, rose', but I thoroughly enjoyed introducing the diners to Burns raucous and sensual side. With three clergymen present the several references to the Bible and the Kirk were, I hope, apposite.

As I write all laundry and home chores are more or less up to date and the Lawleys as fully informed as I can manage, on the savings available to them on energy and telecoms bills. Peter has a determination to appear the canny chooser of services, and his reluctance to recognise the UWDC savings has led him first, to misreading things, and thence to serial misunderstandings and obstinacy.

It's a pride thing; the same pride which obliges him to imagine himself some sort of guru or consultant on the book trade. Still, for all that, he's a good mate of long standing. If some power, to paraphrase Burns, allowed us all to see ourselves as others see us, we may be freed from many a blunder, but, respecting the unalterable, we might also suffer more than usual embarrasment. Tango tonight; but before then I must complete all the UWDC marketing chores I have listed for the day.