How the Mighty are Fallen.

So, Peter Hain's illustrious career seems to have come full circle. How the mighty are fallen! I remember him from many years ago as a young rebel, an earnest and honest young liberal who had no money, who championed the concerns of minority groups, and who demonstrated against the Establishment, particularly against Apartheid. (There was a photo of him being carried away from a 1969 Demo, by policemen, in the Sunday Times today). Then he became gradually more successful and joined the ranks of serious politicians. And who is not tainted by contact with Politics? He rose through the ranks, no doubt losing a little of his integrity and passion with every year. I have often remarked on his rise to power, and equally often thought "How sad." I guess there's no money in championing lost causes. Now, of course, there's the kiss of death in the statement that Mr Hain has the Prime Minister's full support. That's it then. Goodbye Mr. Hain - we remember you when you were young, committed and untainted by power and politics. Welcome back to the Real World.

The weather has closed in again today. It's grey and gloomy and the sea has been whipped up into what looks like a rolling boil. I ventured as far as Tesco's for a paper and a few supplies, but that was it. I'm settling in with a cosy fire and the Sunday Times; what could be better. My Foreign Student hasn't moved far today either; he didn't want breakfast again, surfaced at about 11.30 this morning, and has been watching the Snooker in his room since then. There's a lot to be said for this inactivity, I suppose. Especially when you hear that two poor unfortunate people who ventured out climbing in the Lake District have fallen to their deaths in the last few days. One fell 1500 feet, and the other was literally blown off the top of a high peak. It's obviously safer to stay in bed...