What a day. It began very early with a visit to the Weymouth sorting office to wish all the posties a Happy Christmas and to thank them for all their hard work. I don't think it's until you actually see what they get up to that you fully appreciate what they all do all year, and in all weathers. Steve Riggs was there to greet me and soon I was armed with a coffee and began my wander around. Similar to the Swanage team, there is a great atmosphere in Weymouth's office, with the same banter and friendship all too evident. I arrived earlier than expected as I had to train up to London to get to the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand for Alexander Blackman's bail hearing. So at 0830 after chatting to as many posties as I could, and meeting the charming new boss, I hopped on to my motorcycle and headed home. Into a suit and then off to the station to catch the 1007 from Poole. For once, the service was smack on time and before long I was at the court, where some former Royal Marines were already gathering. At about 1345 Claire arrived, flanked by her legal team. She posed for some photographs and then we all went inside this glorious building and up the stairs to Court 4. The Lord Chief Justice himself was hearing this case, along with another eminent colleague. Naturally, we all hoped that Mr Blackman would be freed on bail, but that did not happen and for legal reasons I will not delve into the detail as to why he was not. We were told not to comment on the case, but I can say that we will returning to the same court next Wednesday. I can say that what we heard gave cause for hope, hope that this whole nightmare will soon be over, one way or the other. We left the court about an hour later and had to literally fight our way through the waiting press, who then behaved like idiots as they tried to snap away like demented demons. It really was extraordinary to behold and for the first time I felt sorry for people like the Royals and celebrities who face this level of inspection on a regular basis. C'est la vie! We went back to the QC's Chambers and over a cuppa caught up on events. Then for me it was time to catch another train to stay with my daughter for the weekend.