Anyway, thanks to all who made it to the book festival to hear my bike talk – not that my bike actually talked but you know what I mean. And thanks to those who, on finding it had sold out, gamely volunteered themselves to be admitted as various members of my suddenly very expansive family. How amazing to think that I never knew I had three mothers. Nor a great aunt twice removed.

Back on home ground Molly has now completed just over 1500 miles strapped to the rear of my bike. She makes a good pillion rider – arms flailing in the breeze indicating left when I’m actually turning right, or merrily falling asleep through multiple potholes and a chilly soaking of yet another joyful burst of our tumultuous summer rains (it’s good to form a hardy child – got to get her toughened for the likes of Alaska and Patagonia you know).

That’s it for now. If anyone would like to fill a pew or, in the unlikely event that all seats are sold, be a member for the evening of my newly acquired randomly selected family (I’m looking for a great step-uncle fifteen times removed) at a bike talk and question session I’m giving at Chichester’s Minerva theatre (25th October 7.45pm details and tickets Chichester Festival Theatre 01243 781312 www.cft.org.uk email box.office@cft.org.uk) then all I can say is thank you. But don’t expect a whole lot of sense. More a muddle and murmur and pictures of here and there.