I've spent another magical day in Corpus library. Thank you Joanna and Anne and Ellen for all the help you've given me, I really appreciate it.

Most of the colleges seem to be using this time before their students arrive, to do maintenance and painting etc. and Corpus is no exception. Over the past few days, I've managed to block out all distractions and enjoy the tranquility of this wonderful library; today though, the buzzing of a very large bluebottle bothered me - funny how such small sounds become acute in a fairly peaceful environment.

The other day I was talking to one of the porters who himself writes poetry. One of his colleagues said to me this morning, 'I read one of your poems and I'd never have matched the poem with you'. I don't know if that's good or bad, but I'm dying to find out which one he read - it's always good to have personal feedback.

The other thing I'm loving about Oxford generally is that so many people in coffee bars, and pubs and on benches read and write. It makes me feel less conspicuous when I get the urge in Cafe Nero! No one, absolutely no one, stares at you as if you've lost the plot.

Today I ordered (or should I say Anne ordered and I pressed the buttons!), some books from the Bodleian Bookstack, so I'm off there tomorrow to consult them at the Lower Reading Room which is, apparently at the top of the first flight of stairs.