Amazingly, I’ve kept up the walking and have done well over two miles almost every day – discovering some untrod parts of Thorpe St Andrew in the process. Untrod by me, that is. Feel it’s doing me good, though the loss of weight is minimal.

Have just an excellent book – Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, over 1000 pages. Written in a Victorian style, but extremely witty, about two magicians trying to restore English magic: wonderfully inventive with lots of historical references and footnotes. Quite compulsive.

I’m now on another compulsive story – Dave Gemmell’s last: Shield of Thunder. As always, superbly written. I’m due to say a few words at his memorial service at St James’s Piccadilly on the day we come back from South Africa. Ho, hum.

Oh, the picture? I was afraid you’d ask. It’s part of Dot’s family. The child may be Auntie Ethel or even Dot’s mum. Rather fine vehicle.