Today�s been something of a landmark day. The most momentous thing was that I think I�ve finally got the hang of swimming. From the first time I branched out and swam the length of Omagh pool until today, basically, I always treated swimming lengths as a desperate dash to get the other end before I drowned. This morning, reminding myself to pace, I actually managed to feel myself FLOAT and realised that the swim was controllable, and � despite the fact that I had a slight flashback to the Dubai-pool forgetting-how-to-swim incident (of which no photos exist) � and the whole procedure seemed suddenly effortless; if only relatively speaking�

A bit like suddenly being aware of something that was always around you, but always ignored.

On a different note, last week�s expected boom in the bank balance was quickly reversed by someone depositing a cheque from before Christmas. My suspicions were aroused when it appeared that Dr L�s money still hadn�t cleared. However, this was not the case. Dr L�s money cleared last Friday. The same day the cheque did. So, I now have about �14 to my name, and I�ve gone from aroused suspicions to constant panic. I really pray that the NICE bank will let me have an extension to my overdraft. Really. New Mekhiko may become a foreboding place, otherwise.

Not least of my worries is that I also calculated that I have to pay back �50 of my Mallorca advance! Rubbish� And the car door now won�t get fixed before I go away.

On the good side, I still haven�t sent FPK my November expenses. Which is also on the bad side, as I could�ve done it last week, in principle, when the Ganch came over.

What may help put things in perspective is that himself doesn�t sound in the best of form, so a wee trip up to town is on the cards. I think I know how he feels. More than at any other time, my life is actually a mess right now. It�s crap how money worries can do this to me, but when I can not worry about bills and necessary expenses, I can at least get on with life. But this just� ach, I can�t even say it�

Better form tomorrow, hopefully. Need sleep, clearly.