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I've just been wandering around the village trying to remind myself that there is a world beyond bilateral and plenary sessions. A granddad who I bumped into pointed to the toddler he was out walking and expressed the view that he hoped that the children wouldn't have to face what his generation had during the Troubles.

For others, the drama at the castle doesn't appear to have impinged too much on their lives.

Rumours abound about a paper which could include a date for transfer of justice powers in early May prior to a general election and a process for dealing with parades. That might involve a cross between the current commission and some of the ideas contained in the Ashdown review on parading.

Any suggestions for what a new body should be called? I am not convinced that marching quango has the necessary ring to it.

Although the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP have been called back to Hillsborough for an all party session it's still not clear how far apart the DUP and Sinn Fein are on any possible compromise. But we do have some evidence that the world is looking on with confirmation that Hilary Clinton has been on the phone to Gordon Brown agreeing that the governments must press forward towards a deal.

PS - Although these are supposed to be hot house talks one participant complained to me that the rooms inside Hillsborough Castle are freezing cold. He quipped to colleagues:

"Last night the prime ministers deprived us of sleep, today they deprive us of heat. What next, waterboarding?"

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