Well, here I am. My former landlord David Marlton has now tootled off to Moscow and left me in the clutches of another random bass clarinettist. Some days you just wish you had legs, eh? I've now been in this basement office for a week, with no sign of going anywhere with a better view. Can't complain about the water supply, and it's quite warm too - but a little lacking in daylight. Ah well, early days yet!

New landlady seems prone to bouts of quiet despair. Maybe it's something to do with this 'stocktake' thing she's always mumbling about? I reckon she needs more greenery in her life: I know a few cacti I could introduce her to, possibly even a date palm...