This morning I have another appointment with the surgeon, to see what steps to take next with my gluteal haematoma (otherwise known as a fat arse). Things appear to have got slightly better - or at least they haven't got much worse - since the doctor sucked an oceanful of vile fluid from the sac in my butt cheek on Thursday afternoon (I have to admit I nearly fainted when I made the mistake of looking over my shoulder and saw how MUCH goo there was in the medical-looking kidney-shaped basin next to him as he worked the syringe on my bum).

But for some reason I am filled with anxiety this morning, after a night of too light sleep. What am I worried about? Things are on the up! Aren't they? I think the weeks without any form of exercise - and since Thursday I've barely moved a muscle in a bid to knock this bloody swelling for six - are beginning to take their toll on my psyche. Not even pleasant company could really lift my spirits this weekend (my friends Matthias & Stefan from Augsburg came and had dinner with me at Christian's place on Saturday night).

It's just not good to be this inactive. Not that I'm an outdoorsy marathon-running type normally. But I'm on my bike at least once a day and I do try to play badminton regularly. I miss exercise! (Yes, folks, I really did just write that!) But at least I'm getting through some of the books I've been meaning to read for some time. Not that that's much consolation either, to be honest.

Still, this morning I gazed out of the bathroom window and saw a wonderful sight: the gentle layer of bubbly grey-white clouds above me was just turning pink with the sunrise. But the best thing about it was, they were turning pink from the top down! It was a delightful experience to watch as the clouds began to glow shades of salmon, at first with just a hint of colour through the heart of the cloud or at the top edges, but eventually shining neon bright.

I've decided that this is a good omen. I guess I'll know in an hour's time...