I'm still shocked by the suddenness of it all.

Today, August 27 2004, I was invited to go over to an address across town. It was a vacant flat, the invitation came from a person working at the local Housing Association, and the keys were thrust into my face.

"Do you want this flat?"

I looked at it. My folks looked at it. They went into the car, and left me to look at it alone, which I did. For ten minutes.

And then I said yes, and went outside to show the keys in my hand to my folks.

My current flat's rent is set at around £96 a week. This flat's rent is half that, and the rooms are bigger, cleaner, well maintained ... and in a better neighbourhood, where the only way the drunks can come past my window and pound on the glass and yell obscenities is if they can fly.

Did I say I accepted the flat?

Today, I spent the day packing my stuff into boxes, ready to move. In effect, I move in on Monday - at least, I get the keys Monday. By next Friday, I'll be well in.

So, there you have it. A complete change of postal address, effective from next Friday.

And that's my big news.