I was a bit embarrassed to learn that Ross Street had kindly informed this bulletin board of my heart bypass operation in January (which in fact followed two back operations in March and October of 2001); I didn't know how proper it was to use the system for such personal news. In fact I have been deeply touched by the large number of sympathetic letters I have received, both via Ross and directly, from so many colleagues, and even from some I have yet to meet in person. It is only a few that I have been able to thank in person, even of those closest to me; will the majority please accept this letter as expressing my gratitude for their kindness, and as recording the pleasure I have taken from the warmth of their messages? To bring the news up to date, the heart operation of 25 Jan went perfectly in itself, but the wound in the leg whence a vein was taken became infected a few days after my leaving the hospital. I had to return to hospital, and am now pretty much stuck at home while the thing heals slowly with antibiotics. Apparently healing can be slow unless one spends most of the time in bed, and most of the rest with the leg raised; which is pretty tedious. Anyway, my home email has now been restored after a problem at the university, so that I feel less cut off. I expect to be better after some weeks, and to meet many old friends at the Fields Institute in September. Once again, my sincere thanks, and my fond regards to many old friends. Max.