MAGNOLIA, POLITICS AND SPRING-TIME

The magnolia is the most primitive flowering plant still living on Earth - and really quite exquisite. So here, to herald spring and to remind ourselves of natural beauty - is a photo sent all the way from Chicago - of the tree which blooms in Dan's neighbour's garden. Thanks. Dan!

Meanwhile, here in England - the General Election has been called at long last.

I love it! Four weeks of wall-to-wall debating, angst, anger and passion - in what is being called the closest campaign in decades.

Do you love politics - or do you wish you could close your eyes and wish it was all over?

THE PRINCE'S CHAMBERMAID

Il pleut.

Il pleut beaucoup.

Never mind - it's what makes the flowers grow and the skin glow.

I've just finished a book and so have been out seeking inspiration for the next one...

Saw Michelangelo's Dream which was utterly sublime.

Went to see the new Alice In Wonderland, which was so atrociously bad that I walked out after half an hour. What was the matter with Johnny Depp's accent? Now I'm wondering whether 3D isn't just an excuse to fob the public off with bad acting and too much noise.

And the flip-side of intrusive noise is the music of Schumann and Beethoven which I heard during a fantastic concert at London's Wigmore Hall on Sunday morning.

Oh, and I have a book which is just coming out in north America - and here's a detail from the cover. He's a Prince and she's a chambermaid....

What have you done recently which has inspired you - and do you like films in 3D?