I used to imagine I was technologically savvy. I stage managed in repertory theatre and am dram groups where my knowledge of lighting and sound effects came in handy.

Not quite sure when I lost the ability as high tech gadgets proliferated. So I was still battling with the teeny print instructions for my minidisc recorder and microphone when the time came for my first outside interview.

Finally got to grips with everything an hour before I was due to meet author and historian Margaret Gaskin. Her book The Blitz tells of the Second Great Fire of London and the stories and memories surrounding it.

It has also formed the basis of a Channel Four documentary.

The recording went well. Margaret has a lovely voice, warm and enthusiastic about the people and events she writes about. Her choice of music brought the era to life once more.

We edited. We broadcast. Listeners phoned in to ask questions and comment.

And for the first time ever, the archive disc at the end was blank. So now we have to rerecord off air, re-inserting the music tracks. Really sad about that because the original recording was so edgy --the first time I was cutting live recording --my comments and intros to the music tracks and the music itself --with a pre-recorded interview.

Have not yet explained to Margaret what went wrong either as she is waiting for a demo tape.

Hopefully I'll do better next time. She has promised to talk to me again when her paperback edition comes out in the New Year and the book will also be released in America.