Trying to enjoy a week away from the office, but it is such a difficult time. Work will find me, and is stubbornly fixed in head. Vying for thought space are the kids, concerts, the debtors, the creditors, the music...

My feet hurt. The soles are tender such that I have had discomfort today when walking.

The same was true yesterday, when we declared the NFTA Membership Pass and took advantage of a free visit to Longdown Activity Farm on the edge of the Forest. Shabby, and lacking any serious investment since the new owners took over in 2006, but not without a backwater kind of charm - and an amazing herd of goats.

I absolutely love goats. Every time we go to one or another of these farmsteads, I spend more tie with the goats than anywhere else. And these at Longdown are penned right next to the "jumpolines" so while the kids are enjoying themselves there I can indulge my passion for goats. Several times I had half a dozen or so climbing all over me, nibbling my sleeve and my trousers, nuzzling my face etc etc - they are just so approachable, inquisitive and utterly charming.

I am drinking so much tea...!

Tonight I really must get around to listening to the podcast I downloaded overnight Monday. The idea of pooling together a number of tracks by fans, amateur musicians and former collaborators into one radio show and a CD is genius. But I have my reservations about whether or not I will actually like the music. Half of the people involved a have sent me stuff of their own in the last twelve months or so, and only half of them have left a good impression. Others have done much more interesting work but seem not to be included??