Early start - earlier than anticipated.  My wife has a stonking cold.  She is coughing and gasping at 4.30 am.  So we chat about the Endurance Challenge: quality time.   Drift off again, then alarm goes at 5.20 - mustn't miss the 6.15 to Swansea.  Cappucino grande: I ask for an extra shot but barista points out it has four already.  Capitulate gracefully. 

I'm on a return visit after the Independent Asylum Commission hearing in Cardiff eighteen months ago.  That was where I first realised how different attitudes are under the devolved administrations of Wales and Scotland: these people run their own hospitals and schools; asylum policy is made in England, and they don't like it.  I walk into the lecture hall the usual five minutes late.  On every seat there's a copy of our recommendations about support, Deserving Dignity.  How much has changed in the two years we've been at work?  Precious little (the negativities that pervade the whole asylum system) and a lot (New Asylum Model; Case Resolution Directorate; the IAC journey).  I talk to lots of wonderful people; there's an upbeat determination to work together and get things changed.

Doze my way back to London, quickly print off invaluable CAP advice about assembling a food parcel; shoot out to see Oh What a Lovely War! at Grey Coat Hospital where I'm a Governor.  It's fantastic, and everyone's buzzing as I come out and head for Tesco's.

Tesco's is useless: nothing at cheapo prices. 

I go to Sainsbury's.   Now I'm hunting out Basics.  It's central London and everything costs more than CAP prices.  Backwards and forwards, up and down.  Start with bread (37p); pick up jam - put down jam; pick up eggs - eggs go when I see the price of pasta -2 sorts, 38p, with pasta sauce (26p); beans are 20p; spaghetti - you have to ring the changes - 23p; spread (hope I can cook with that) 26p; shocked to find UHT milk comes in at 49p; splash out on fruit and fibre - 65p; 80 tea bags are only 31p.  What's gone? Coffee; sugar (cheapest 40p - am I allowed to pinch some from the coffee stall?); FRUIT - when did the price of apples go through the roof?  VEG - budget won't run to potatoes, or anything green.  Total spent: £3.11 - 61p over budget and missing some basics.

Still, I won't starve, though I may get constipated and spotty.  The thought hits me and leaves me with a kind of wonder.  I've just been to Sainsbury's and shopped for - can it really be less than 10% of what I might spend normally?  And I won't starve.  At this stage there's a real joy in getting down to basics.  Wonder how long that will last.  Savour a cup of coffee, and two tangerines.  Yes, savour ...