Explosive arguments have been reverberating around the house over the last 24 hours. Manu and Cristina are irritating the hell out of each other, and seemingly for not a very good reason. It's one thing shouting at each other in your room, but another when you're doing it in a small kitchen with Bastian trying to read the paper.

It was Manu's birthday party last night, and we all had a good time anyway. We had drinks at Griffins where they now have the summer tables out, and then we went for a really good pizza in a local restaurant. And then we went back to the pub. It's a good feeling to be round a big bunch of friends again, and speaking Italian is very enjoyable. It flows.

I had a look at a hotel for Dan Gav Tom and Andy for when they come. It looks fine really. Not the cheapest hotel ever, but there don't seem to be many cheap ones about in Modena.

Tonight, Bastian and I are cooking for Andrea, Catherine, Clare, Ella, and Bastian's new squeeze Federica, a pHD student here in Modena. Should be a fun evening if I can keep my eyes open long enough. At least my bed isn't too far. We've been cooking since 2 this afternoon so it's all pretty much ready and we just have to throw it all in the oven. The best thing has to be that Bastian has been watching lots of Jamie Oliver, and keeps saying "pukka mate", and "let's whack a bit of that in, lovely" etc... It is very strange in a german accent, just believe me.