Terrible, terrible neglect and favouritism.

Okay, fine. That's fair. And an actual competition.

Yes! Last time I was in Copenhagen I came back by train (via Hamburg) and made a note I'd like to get out at Flensburg and nose around there.

Goodness. The interchangeable men are through. I'm sure I will learn to tell them apart. Mostly good dance off news so far, but obvs want Bethany safe. And really Graeme.

Odense is on my fantasy Denmark trip list (which lasts about 3 weeks and I don't have time or money for). It looks splendid. Roskilde most definitely. I really want to go to Hedeby, but it's not handy for where you are. Or indeed in Denmark, technically. Either way, not a December visit!

Ahh, all explained. Thanks!

What makes the Fizz Bristolian? It looks splendid!

That's very lovely!

My mother: getting extra tax because of her new widow's pension. (I mean, it's fair, she is getting loads if only it wasn't more than all going on care)

Right. I have defrosted the freezer and sorted out two (TWO) HMRC back payments. Lalalala modern life is rubbish.

Hah! That is great. At least your friend don't have to worry about the funeral not feeling like her mum, it sounds like it was her natural environment.

Shared memories are *so good*. The thing I hate most is being the only person who remembers a thing. Uni friends who stick are the best.

Mostly sitting and talking and listening tbh. Being prepared to laugh about dumb stuff without the Mourning Appropriate Face, if you have that kind of friendship. Funeral help if they've not done that before (such a weird world). The pal who turned up for Dad's despite not knowing him was a godsend.

There are lots of footpaths near me with tight passing places to slow down cyclists. It doesn't always happen but when it does the hand waggle of "no, after you, you are laden" or the thank you grin of "appreciate you not just barrelling through" buoy me up for ages. People are mostly generous.

The genesis of "Peter Grimes": in the archive at the Red House we have Britten's notes from this time, and the edition of Crabbe's poems that they stumbled on in a California secondhand book shop (Pears notes inside the cover that from this "we" - not just Britten - began work on the story).