So through a haze of Lemsip (other medicinal drinks are available)....here are some thoughts on recent news, 2012 and the future.

•Alasdair Gray's essay, Settlers and Colonists, in the Unstated volume published by Word Power, caused ructions this week. His words and their ramifications have been discussed eloquently, and less than eloquently, on Twitter and in blogs all week, and I have linked to some of those on my own Twitter feed all week (@philipjemiller).

Before I set off on my week away from work, it seemed the Creative Scotland issue was heading in a more positive direction.

A series of letters and statements from Creative Scotland seemed to be more conciliatory and open than we had seen previously and, going into the two artist meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow, one sensed the beginnings of a sea-change at the top of Creative Scotland, at least at board level, and a sense that it knew it a) needed to change its ways and b) would benefit from some internal reforms.

But to Creative Scotland first:

The two-sub committees of its board have now begun their work investigating and gathering evidence before major changes are wrought at the funding body. Let’s hope their reports are not shelved or ignored.

The committees will both provide reports to the full board before Christmas. The inquiries were, I understand, actually planned before the letter signed by 100 artists was sent to chairman Sir Sandy Crombie last week. But the impetus behind them is now even more urgent.

Why was it depressing? Because I said that I didn't think there was any organised campaign to express the disquiet over Creative Scotland and its policies, funding, strategy and so on.

"It was dispiriting to read that," one person said. I felt it was true. Yes, there are lots of dissenting voices, and many opinions on Creative Scotland, but no cohesive voice, and certainly no defined campaign, counter-weight or plan.