Yes, surprisingly given the nature of this photo, I've been working hard today preparing for next week's big conference in Barcelona.

When I work at home normally, I have a great view - I've photographed it before. Today though I've been able to have a view that knocks the one from my office window in Sandhurst for six. I've been working looking out across the valley down to the sea at Looe.

Last night, after I got home, we scooted off down the A303 to Cornwall and I had the pure, unadulterated joy of waking up in the bed in the ancient cottage high on Bodmin Moor.

The weather was basically grotty but the view shifts with the winds and clouds so it's never the same for more than a few minutes. While DM was dealing with builders, I was preparing for our big new product launch next week.

At 6pm, the vista suddenly changed - sunshine - and just at the moment I switched off my laptop! How convenient.

On went the boots and on went the dog leads and off we went for more exploration of the mine workings on Caradon. It's a dangerous place - there are lots of big holes in the ground where a person could fall and join a few sheep skeletons and never be heard from again - many of the mine's ventilation shafts and access shafts are uncapped so it's vital to watch where you go and where the dogs go. There is talk of a man whose dog went down a rabbit hole and it took five days to get him out because he fell down a shaft - mind you, he was lucky - someone knew he was there - no-one would ever hear you if you fell down one if no-one knew you were there.

Nature is a great leveller - the mine workings are gradually crumbling and being grown over by ivy and other vegetation. It's a shame because the mine is such an integral part of the heritage of this district but in a hundred years I suspect there will be little sign of it unless action is taken urgently. I hope that happens - I believe this landscape should be regarded as important by all of us - it's at the heart of industrial revolution Britain. This shaft is a new one to us, Sump Shaft - the photo is the ruin of the engine house - it's the next one down the hill from Pearce's Shaft. I will learn this stuff and I relish every moment.

Why isn't work like this every day? I feel so full of joy and happiness tonight. Once again our new neighbours astound me with their kindness (more on that another day) and progress is being made with builders at last!