…as Jennifer Fallon did. I followed on her blog her long saga detailing her attempts and frustrations as she tried to subscribe (in Alice Springs, Australia, which admittedly is close to the end of the civilised world) until she finally gave up and bought a house that had broadband. Now that’s what I call determination. Or desperation. She did say that the jacuzzi in the new house had something to do with her purchase, but my feeling is that the broadband connection was the clincher.

If you don’t read Jenny’s blog, you ought to. She is exceptionally funny. (Besides, yesterday she plugged one of my books. ) She is also a gifted fantasy author and one of the very, very few who can induce me to stay up past 1 a.m. to find out how a story turns out. She still manages to surprise me too, which is equally rare these days. Tip-top entertainment…

Now I have to resist the temptation to spend twice as much time as I should online. I wonder if I can get some tips from Jenny…

The techie spent another hour in my house, but was unable to get the broadband working.

So I am now paying for broadband which cannot be connected, even though it has been activated. Great.

The techie’s theory is that the telephone line into my house is not a main line but an extension line. Work that one out.

So now I have to find a telephone technician. And pay him.

I tell you, I am jinxed.