I'm mainly writing book reveiws today, in this attempt to get organised and clear my 'virtual' desk before the beginning of term. Two reviews of London histories in the 19th century, both of which on reflection look rather similar to titles published in the 1970s. I would like to write a history of London at some point in my life but having read several in the last few years it seems clear that I need avoid repetition. But how do you get away from outlining the facts as we know them? What angle can you take to make it fresh? I guess until I know how to write a better account of working London in the 18th century than Dorothy George's I had better save the paper and ink.

It feels autumnal today, its fairly chilly and very windy with grey skies and the threat of rain. What a peculiar year of weather I really have no idea what to expect in Skye this September. I notice that the Daily Express hack on R5 still refuses to accept that climate change has anything to do with human activity. In response to questions of how effective the airport protest has been he merely argued that flying has no effect on the environment. I'm not a scientist but it seems self evident that the burning of fossil fuels must affect the planet in some way or other. Maybe it is all a big con trick to get most of us to ease off our consumption so that supplies are preserved for the longer term or that taxes can be increased with an easy justification. I have no desire to stop people flying or driving but we should all be encouraged to use alternatives. Which brings me to trains> I am off to Kew on Wednesday (to visit the NA), it will cost about £25 to travel if I go after 9.30 but over £40 to go before. If I left home at 7.30 I could be at the archives for about 9.30 whereas waiting till 9.30 means I will be lucky to get there much before midday. I can charge the cost to Uni for the trip (which is for research) or I could drive (costing much less) - the green option is the train but it should not cost so much. If I had to go everyday I would drive, as most do. The answer is therefore very simple - government should renationalise the railways and much the cost of rail travel much more tempting to the commuter. Then we might all abandon our cars.

Rat watch: week two - they love nectarine and Albert is much easier to handle than his brother