Descending a narrow tree-lined lane the carriage passed into a leisurely winding road, bounded by market-gardens and the River Val.

We are about to leave the relative security of 2008. And about to enter what will be a desolate end to this decade. The arse has indeed gone clean out of 'er.

a comby lode

Also in Indiana is the area's only real city--Michigan City, of course--some dollar-a-ticket, nearly first-run movie houses, a superb public library designed by Stanley Tigerman, and a minizoo at its lakefront Washington Park.