Jon Downes has left the building.. (for a couple of days)

OK, Richard, Corinna and I are driving to London in a few minutes. Richard and I are lecturing at the Grant Museum this evening, on the practicalities and ethics of mounting a cryptozoological expedition.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology/whats-on/index.html

Fresh from searching Southern Russia for the Almasty – a creature believed to be a relict descendent of Homo erectus – scientists from the Centre for Fortean Zoology return for another captivating event at the Grant Museum. The Centre’s Director Jon Downes and Zoological Director Richard Freeman, will describe this recent trip – launched at the Museum last year – and report the evidence they found for the mystery hominid and eye-witness accounts they recorded.Having travelled the world in search of “hidden creatures” including Mexican goat-suckers, the African dragon Ninki-nanka, and more familiar beasts like Nessie, Richard and Jon will give a guide to planning such voyages; how to choose a study species, get funding, what and who to take along, who to talk to when you get there and what to do when you get home.

Following the talk, join us for a free glass of wine in a private view of the Museum.

Corinna and I will be back in Woolsery on Friday Evening. Richard, however is going back to Exeter where he will be lecturing the attendees of Microcon, the Exeter University Science Fiction Society about the Russia expedition, and also - we hope - interviewing Jasper Fforde for CFZtv. For those of you not in the know, Fforde is a science fiction author who regularly uses science fiction themes in his work...

So until tomorrow evening Graham is in charge. God help you and all who sail in you...