The first day of term normally presents a left field crisis: an unexpected death, the wrong lectures written, material left at home, timetable melt down.

So it should come as no surprise that between turning the computer off and leaving the lecture theatrre I ( oh my god )

Meanwhile last night I discovered that if you want the pumpkin seeds downstairs, take them, don't toss the bag as you might with an empty cardboard box. Fortunately I have a dust pan and brush and will need to wash the seeds carefully before using. I will be finding them for years.

"Iain M. Banks's Culture is the Scottish descendent of Le Guin's Hamish novels."