Day 324. Notes from a small isle.

That's Bill Bryson. I was lucky enough to get tickets to hear him talk about life in general and his new book One Summer in the glorious surroundings of Ely Cathedral. My friend Jane, as usual, pulled a blinder and found us front row seats also placing us directly in front of the book signing table.

If you're a Bryson fan you can imagine he's as charming and funny when he speaks as when he writes. I'll forever remember listening to the audio book of Notes from a Small Island as I drove home to Liverpool. At the end of the M62, I pulled up at the lights just as the narrator read "I arrived in Liverpool to find they were holding a festival of litter." Glancing right there were indeed a number of crisp packets and sweet wrappers dancing in the wind. I smiled, home is home and us Scousers learn at an early age to smile and wave at the criticism.

Bill had been asked to add an extra dimension to his talk by introducing some slides but after 10 minutes of frustrated clicking he admitted defeat and did what he does best; engaged the audience.

We were first in the queue to have our books signed and I even had my photo taken (fan girl). Top night and not a piece of litter in sight.