As you would probably imagine, using a bedside table device every night, year on year, you soon get used to where the on/off button is. It becomes pretty much second nature, just like the snooze button on an alarm clock.

However, it seems that not everyone is so gifted, as the manufacturers of this new CPAP have seen fit to light the two buttons on this device with bright blue LED lights, which are on *all* the time, whether the device is switched on or off, and paint the ceiling with a pale blue glow.

So this bit of equipment is supposed to help you sleep, but is noisy, and illuminates the bedroom. Excellent design, eh?

So what I asked them was whether a particular machine, which is (a) very small and (b) can run from a battery pack as well as the mains and (c) is manufactured by the same company as the standard model was, compatible, connection and software wise. They said it was, but if I bought it, I could not attend the clinic but would have to go private.

Also , as these devices are classed as medical equipment, I would need a letter from a doctor before I could (legally) buy it; and that would go on my medical record and give the game away.

For the last 6-7 years or more, I have been illegally importing my preferred nasal mask from the States, because the NHS no longer stocked that item; which was the one I started CPAP with and preferred. The fact that it was about a quarter of the cost of the high-tech ones the NHS had been sold on didn’t change a thing. Last year, I forgot to take it out of my CPAP bag, and the technician looked at it with fondness – “Haven’t seen one of them in years, they did the job, and lasted forever. Do you want it replaced with a gell mask?” “No thanks”.

Sorry, I will stop ranting again!

Whilst I am very glad of the National Health Service, occasionally some of the innate stupidity of the hidebound system makes me want to scream. I think this would qualify as one of those cases

What I found hilarious was Anna Torv’s wonderful impersonation of Leonard Nimoy’s phrasing. I think she got it quite right, and the implications were shocking, but I also found myself giggling with glee.

Have now finished series 3, and am waiting for series 4 to become available (and inexpensive enough) on DVD.

Yes, I must get up to see you sometime, but I don’t know when. Weekends are completely booked until Christmas. New Year? I don’t have any plans for NY eve or day. Yet…

For those who don’t want to do the cold smoking, but would like to try the result, let me know – either come and visit, or invite me over, and I will bring goodies with me.

I am really getting into experimenting with such things. One of my board game pals who was here today has left me with a pile of walnuts from his tree, which I am going to see if I can find a good recipe for smoking them.

You’ll have to come over one weekend and see what I am up to. If I know in advance, I can make sure I have stuff ready for tasting – most of it requires at least 5 days after smoking for the taste to mature, before which it can be quite bitter.

So how far does the smoke penetrate the butter? I’d have thought that it would be mostly on the outside, as it is with most smoked cheeses. Or do you soften it and mix it in (like with honey-butter)? Since I like smoked cheeses (and like butter) it sounds wonderful. (Hmm, I can just imagine having a set of pots of butter, with honey, garlic, smoke, etc., for different foods…)