Work issue temporarily resolved - I rejected Bristol's six month offer and, after some sadness, got in touch with Worcester to ask when I start. They said the post has to go out to advert now, leaving me somewhat stranded (I'd have had to survive on a 0.3 theoretically indefinitely). Cap in hand I un-declined the role and I resigned my post at Worcester. Here until the end of January with no sign of what is next.

But forget all of that. I had a nice weekend in Sussex seeing my old friend Poppy, who remains as warm and beautiful as ever. More open too. We just ambled about and talked and not a moment was odd or wasted. We sat on the beach in blasting wind, which felt like a strange form of therapy.