My presentation and reading for the Classics Undergraduates at the University of Durham went well I think last Thursday. It was nice for me to re-visit my own poems and have to think again about what drove them initially.

The students were, lively and asked lots of interesting questions which I always find very helpful because it makes me examine my motives for writing as well as keeping me on my toes. Talking of which, in a very real sense I did not keep on my toes on Thursday - well I did whilst I was with the students, but on the way to the loo, back in the Department after lunch, I didn’t see a step in the corridor and ended up flat on the floor. I’m still hurting, though actually the shock and embarrassment were as bad as the bruises; I was just glad that nobody came along the corridor as I was gathering myself together and getting myself back onto my feet - so yes, I truly did fall for Ovid on Thursday! Would that I could have metamorphosed into water and trickled gently over the unseen step instead of falling down it with a crash.