related on Twitter, and there’s an instant rise in followers who are coaches, positive thinking evangelists and similar … only to have many of them drop off when (if) they actually read my tweets. I’m guessing, but I get the impression that they are gurus of blinkered positivity who only want to connect with like minds, no doubt thinking anything else is the work of the devil (of negativity).

Pre-holiday preamble: First flight in nearly seven years; uncertainty over BA cabin staff’s threatened 12-day strike; snow and ice; cold weather sore dry eyes; trying to figure out an angle to pitch to publications on my return; ... not exactly ideal conditions for getting into holiday mode.

The Pope—a Cracovian—is supposed to be dying, and the German President is now talking of German victims, so it was particularly apposite to be visiting Krakow at this time. Despite the prime reason being to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, it was also surprisingly relaxing – possibly because I didn’t have to think of my family or work for five days! Actually, I did think of Archie quite a lot and felt much love for him… but I’m jumping ahead.