The most wonderful time of the year

I basically spend the rest of the year waiting for the Cheltenham Literature Festival to come round again, and here it is at last! I dashed out of work at 3.30 (literally) and dashed across town on foot making it to my first event 3 minutes before it started.

First up was Tom Holland, who was fascinating, thought provoking and funny at times, a nice start in one of the smaller tents. Then the first of many planned 'John Gordons breaks', a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so between events. Joined on this occasion by Sarah and Anne.

I had to leave them in the bar and head off to my next event - Kofi Annan. Actual Kofi Annan. What a great man, I can't believe I had the opportunity to hear him speak. While the subjects he covered ranged from Syria to Rwanda obviously none of it was cheerful stuff for a Friday night but it was so interesting. I broke my vow not to buy any books on event 2, but I now have a book signed by Kofi Annan, and I got to meet him. Starstruck.

Event 3 - Jon Ronson, that man is so funny. Now i'm eating pizza in bed and planning tomorrows events (after a lie in).