I’m hiding in my office because we’ve been invaded by clergymen. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve nothing against clergymen and these are a particularly nice example of the species, it’s just that I don’t handle invasions well at the best of times and THIS is not the best of times.

To put it plainly - I’m puttered. I got hardly no sleep last night and it’s catching up with me. Thing is, you see, the bridge in my little village is being replaced, which requires the men to work in the river. In order to do that, they have to isolate the relevant bit of river and pump the water out … and keep the pumps running all night.

Our house is not called ‘Bridge End’ for no reason.  We’re right by the bridge works and it sounds like a squadron of Lancaster bombers going over - non-stop.

I went and had a word with the site foreman this morning, after I’d retrieved my eyeballs from halfway down my face, and he promised faithfully he’d do something about it. Switching one of the pumps off overnight and putting acoustic baffles up seemed to be a major part of the plan.

I do so hope it works. Lack of sleep does nothing for my sunny disposish.