Linda, my hubby & I have loads of stuff we've recorded digitally off BBC radio (mostly 4 & 7); there's some great stuff – especially from Radio 7: old series of "I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again", "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" and tons more, also (from Radio 4) the latest installments of "Hitch-hiker's Guide..."

We'd be happy to slap 'em onto CDs & send 'em along for Dave to listen to – if he has a CD player. If he's got something that will play MP3s, that's even better, 'cos we can fit way more on each CD, but anyway, PM me & let me know the specs of whatever he's got & we'll send some stuff along ASAP (if you think he'd like it).

Have a folkie friend here in Sheffield who also had a stroke (a few weeks ago) & some of us have been going over to sing with her; the ward seems to cope with it pretty well. We asked if it was OK the first time we went, but since then we just show up & sing and it seems to be OK.

She's got one of these combination TV/radio/phone/net access deals by her bed, which is extremely nifty, but my impression is that they eat money like it was water, so a certain amount of caution might be called for. But if Dave does have access to one of these, anyone wondering what a good gift would be might well consider purchasing a "phone card" (I noticed the vending machines in the hospital, which sell these cards at several different price levels) which pays for X amount of time/usage. Just something to keep in mind...

Sending out warm thoughts to you both.