I WOULD like to start this week by saying thank you to all the people who have taken the time to phone and email and ask after my mum. A very nice lady even stopped me in the street on Saturday to send her best wishes. We had a horrible weekend, as mum

I WOULD like to start this week by saying 'thank you' to all the people who have taken the time to phone and email and ask after my mum. A very nice lady even stopped me in the street on Saturday to send her best wishes. We had a horrible weekend, as mum was rushed to intensive care and all we could do was sit by her bedsit and will her to get better. She has improved and, as I write, is waiting to go to Papworth Hospital to have a pacemaker fitted.

As I told you last week, I was attending a funeral on Friday. The lady concerned, Rose, was the mum of Russell's (my youngest son) best friend, and also Russell's boss before he left for Australia six weeks ago. As soon as Russell heard the news, he made the decision to come home for two weeks to attend the funeral and spend some time with his friend who he knew was very close to his mum and would be devastated. He left Kunanura last Monday. He took a 10-hour bus ride to Darwin, a flight to Singapore, another flight to Amsterdam and another to London City Airport, then he had to get two tubes, a train to King's Cross and finally a taxi to St Mary's Church in Eaton Socon. He arrived just as the hearse pulled up outside the church and made the funeral with moments to spare. As he walked into the church in his crumpled clothes with a black tie, he bought at Tie Rack on the way, tied neatly round the neck of his T-shirt; I have never felt prouder of him. I will miss him dearly when he goes back to Australia in two week's time, but feel even more confident that he is able to cope with whatever life throws at him and that he will always try to do the right thing by his family and friends.

I would like to offer some apologies. In the all the turmoil of the last couple of weeks, I have missed out on some local events. I had arranged to go and see Campaign Amateur Theatre's production of The Full Monty and didn't make it. I understand it was a great success and would like to wish the group well. I was also due to attend the charity showing of the Other Boleyn Girl and didn't make that either. Again, this was also a huge success. So sorry to all concerned that I couldn't be there to share it with you.

This weekend we have Eel Day and I have agreed to be one of the judges in the town crier competition. On Saturday night, I am off to the cathedral for the May Day Concert and although I am sure Julian Bliss will be wonderful, I am really looking forward to the Ely Imps, especially after hearing them in rehearsal two weeks ago.

Eel Day should be lots of fun and if, like me, you have never tried eel, perhaps we should all agreed to at least have a taster.