Well, in case you run into trouble with ALSA/Pulseaudio you can always resort to OSSv4….and networking audio ?….just mount the fs of the remote pc via NFS or sshfs and redirect to /[remote pc]/dev/dsp

Granted, it may take getting used to, but it may also allow for an extra hour or two in bed on a morning when many most need it. I would also proffer that iPlayer has made programme scheduling times largely irrelevant.

As much as I am easily charmed by Ben Fogle, as you well know, there are only so many times one can enjoy him playing Quoiks with some old Yorkshire folk. I think this brought into question the commitment of some presenters and indicated a shake up was needed to reinvigorate the programme.

Nevertheless, it was certainly refreshing to have a presenting team largely comprised of middle-aged women rather than the young, prim, proper and pretty Oxbridge graduates often favoured by the BBC. I was particularly fond of Charlotte who was always enthusiastic, knowledgable and created enjoyable pieces even when faced with some of the less inspiring assignments.

It had crossed my mind that this might be a decision driven by parsimony and the long arm of the recession reaching into the BBC’s deep well of venerable institutions hitherto closely protected from costcutting exercises; I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if Julia Bradbury is commanding a salary that is greater than those of the ousted presenters combined.