In the pink

It's always challenging for a man to take photographs of children these days. Today though, I had to. Strangely, it didn't seem to be a problem.

A fascinating event featuring three Arab writers, reading their own work in Arabic and then having someone read a translation. One explained, movingly, that he was from Jerusalem, couldn't get out permanently and would probably die there. It was heartfelt, matter-of-fact and very sad, not least because he was a compelling performer.

A visit by Alasdair Gray, Scotland's very own manic Santa; Martin Bell came to talk about corruption in government; a sadly under-attended and entertaining talk about the history of Rock and Roll... ending with Christopher Brookmyre making musics at Unbound and the gayest straight man I've seen in a while.