louis the duck, who has been leading a life of neglected wretchedness with me, guarding the tealeaves and occasionally permitted to crawl under the covers, has found a patron and protector in von. in fact, it might be more accurate to say that they are getting on like a maison en flambe, and von has opened his dufflebag to the ducky, dangling prospects of a nice home and mutual appreciation and a better name than louis. (he said mary beth, but i tactfully explained that louis is a boy, so he's settled for jeremiah). more to come, for we are just awake and about to go to breakfast. a bit flustered because a) bits of my glasses fell out b) von sat on bear c) can't check my email cos - well, i don't know why but half the uni can't right now. oh well. we do go.