Sorry nodded off in the chair and it's too late now. I also have a visitor and will be out tomorrow evening listening to a concert by the Cologne chamber philhamonia. No, I'm not off to Germany, they're coming here to Dorchester.

I'm off to bed, normal service will be resumed when I wake up, I hope (yawns).

Few can be unaware of the events in Russia where a trio of young women have been arrested and tried for the most specious of charges. They have acknowledged and apologised to those who were offended by their demonstration in the cathedral which upset the primate of the Russian Orthodox church so much, but I suspect not because of what they did but because they dared to do it at all.

Some authors play down the number of kudos they receive - they're not important or indicate anything.

I disagree, I enjoy everyone of them that you the readers give my efforts and just now they reached the magical figure of 77777.

Thank you to all of you who contributed.

Angharad.

When I sit down and think about it, it strikes me as completely absurd that I'm still writing a story which was intended to last a few episodes, and is now just about twenty away from 1800. Five years ago if someone had asked me if I'd be able to do another twenty episodes, I'd have been far from confident about saying I could - now, it's taken for granted I will - both by readers and I suppose myself, as well.

Sorry there was no Bike last night, I've been having internet connection problems. Hopefully this has been sorted now and normal service will be resumed tonight.

Angharad

Whether you liked his writing or his opinions, you have to agree he was a giant in the cultural and political life of America and of course the author of Myra Breckenridge.

His obituary from the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/aug/01/gore-vidal-dies-...