Guys! Dear friends! Romans! Countrymen! What can I say? Little really except a huge "Thank You" for your messages, prayers and thoughts. Yes, I am still lying low, trying to throw off a persistent, rattling cough which shakes me to my core, and is relentlessly exhausting. Of little compensation, my Dr. tells me that bronchitis-related problems are rife across the UK at the moment, probably the result of the truly rotten, cool and wet summer we've endured (we've not been able to build up the natural resistances to these winter ails!). I think the anti-biotics, together with your positive vibes, are working but nowhere as quickly as I would like (can you turn up the volume a little, please?)

Unfortunately, I have little energy or enthusiasm for anything much at present. Even sitting at my PC becomes a bore after ten minutes or so and I creep back to bed. My neighbours are being fantastic and shop for all my needs, which are minimal, but I do severely miss being kilted and getting out there into the big, wide world for some fresh-air.

As I believe the Govenor of California is reputed to have said: "I'll be baa-aack." Well, I will be baa-aack too - it might just take a while longer.

Thanks again, everyone. Missin' you already!

[Note to Stan: Sorry chum, the future of the 'Kollection' was legally decided some time ago. It will eventually go, in its entirity, to Scotland to form the foundation of a permanent exhibition.]