Mark remains in much the same condition. Yesterday he received additional medication to manage his pain and discomfort. This seems to have been successful, though the price to be paid is that there is no possibility of further communication with him. He is in a constant and deep sleep.

Despite the peculiarity and difficulty of this time, other aspects of life (perhaps mercifully) continue unabashed. Today, for example, was my birthday. The children celebrated with me and it brought some much needed lightness to the recent run of things. Naomi, it seems, has a firm view that to have a birthday without a cake is to breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the prohibition against inhuman and degrading treatment). A deliciously rich cake duly appeared after dinner tonight. Wishes were made while Joel blew out the candles on my behalf.

Martha, Mary and I also stole some time this afternoon to watch Naomi appear in a performance of 'Wind in the Willows' at the York Theatre Royal. She delivered a very sympathetic interpretation of a minor weasel. It was a great production and a lovely distraction. It was nice, too, to see one of Mark and Mary's pals, Kathryn, who had come all the way from Edinburgh to see the show.

Further updates in due course. Thanks again for your support and thoughts.

Simon Halliday