Woken by text from IOE.  They ring me shortly afterwards. All paperwork which I had very efficiently filled in is lost and gone forever. I have to pay my own way and claim it back.  As I have so often said, for most of us, Higher Education means endless excruciating lessons in the value of self esteem.
Load up with the usual heavy breakfast then head to the Ideation room (yes, really) for my presentation. All goes off well, even though I did my slides in Widescreen (stupidly).  And from my audience of 14 there is even a laugh in the right places and a smattering of applause at the end.
Then preside over three-paper session. Then do the embarrassing paying for myself at the conference thing.
And then…lunch before more sightseeing back down in Charleston (including the lovely art gallery) which culminates in an evening with Judith E and Sarah Y and Marylin L.  Charleston has really grown on me.


We were sitting in a cafe when a couple started to assemble a series of strange musical instruments -ukeleles, penny whistles, duck callers, a friend joined them on guitar then they started to play some bluegrass, and Gershwin and the woman did tap dancing on a couple of numbers as percussion.  They are called the Amazing Mittens. Was magical.  Had a nice dinner and some red wine. Then cab to hotels ending with me dropped off here the good old embassy suites…
Typing alone in the atrium of the hotel to the horrible piped music of anywhere but enjoying a final glass of red wine. A "pinot noir" in honour of Sideways.  Can anyone drink Merlot again? 
Home tomorrow. Missing everyone very badly.