The conference was being held across multiple floors of the bookshop. On registration I received my delegate badge and was asked to open my handbag. As soon as I did, a woman quickly placed a ribeye steak inside and gave me a wink. This was a completely unexpected, but welcome, conference freebie.

Later, I was chatting to some American delegates when I became distracted by a Victorian round tower outside. I knew that this building was currently being squatted and I felt a wave of envy. What a wonderful place to live, I thought. Then I watched a man arrive and realised that the only access to the tower was via a vaulting pole.

Towards the end of the event, I had a rather passionate make-out session with a gay man. This was not going to develop into a relationship, I realised.