A perfect excuse to return to our former homestead came with the IMS/Alt-I-Lab conference in Sheffield. As the week draws to a close we are both delighted to have had the opportunity to be here. The weather has been stunning, including an amazing variety of muggy British summertime, thunder, lightning, rainbows, more sun and I have finally managed to redevelop my 'bronzed' look. The downside of all this is that Jackie and I have been riddled with ridiculously constant hayfever for the entire week in some sort of I've got it worse than you contest.

We rented an apartment through Kspace in West One for the week rather than opt for the designated conference hotel. The conference itself has been useful. The apartment was a refreshing change from hotel rooms, giving us the flexibility to live quite normally ie the ability to cook if we want and not be disturbed by chambermaids. As it happens we have been woken in the early hours every morning by the sun rising as we are exposed to the full glare of the east and it is far too hot. We have had a good view down West Street but inevitably this has been noisy at times what with early morning street cleaners, late night revellers, sirens and general city comings and goings.

The loss of internet for a couple of days (someone pulled out the patch plug) and minor floods in both the kitchen and the bathroom have not been enough to dampen a thoroughly satisfying week which has reminded us just how dull Bolton really is.

The scope of Sheffield's redevelopment is huger than even when we left in August. It seems like there is construction work everywhere we have been, but it still feels like a city on the up. Park Hill, however is sadly on the way down. Our old flat is all boarded up along with a good percentage of the estate. When we had a mooch around it was eerily quiet bar a few lads kicking a football around. We wonder if it really can rise back to glory given the size of the task.