Going to Basingstoke for a series of forecasting and budget meetings, and catch-ups with a number of my colleagues. I remember once a dinner in Gaborone where the Botswanan politician next to me asked what I thought of his city. I said that it was hard to comment as I had just arrived having driven from Johannesburg. But what did you think of the architecture and in particular the ring road? Well, I said, I have to say that it reminds me of a town in England called Basingstoke. Yes, he said, precisely. We decided that Basingstoke was so excellent that we've tried to copy its layout and in particular its roundabouts. I was stunned.

Which is which?

If I get back in time from Basingstoke I'll have to don the penguin and trip off to the Guildhall for the annual Booker prize dinner ordeal. Fingers crossed for Edward St Aubyn. If every reader of this blog could wish him to win.... Essay on book prize dinners tomorrow, tenor dependent on result.