One thing about a Virtual Party: no glasses to wash. Nevertheless I’m glad of a day of rest. Am I the only woman who needs to lie down with cucumber slices on my eyelids after a party rather than before?

 A Humble Companion is well and truly launched. Many thanks to all of you who showed up. And to those who didn’t, ‘where the heck were ya?’ Some people didn’t find their way to the Guestbook but were kind enough to leave comments on the blog so I decided to put all the names into the prize draw hat. Well, Superquinn carrier bag, actually. And the winners are… drum roll, please… Jeanne, Christopher, and Jane (not Mary Jane) with whom I’ll be in touch.

Now normal life resumes. I really need to catch up on all the work I’ve not been doing but this is not looking like an auspicious week for closeted concentration. Bloomsday events start tomorrow, with their typical Dublin mix of serious literary debate, great music and theatre, and fancy dress daftness. So it’s going to be a gentle, gradual return to the desk.

Perhaps just as well. Don’t want to strain anything.