I see Sometimes has managed to lower the tone again 
Topsy, I hated the whole mouth thing. Are you gargling? Bugger all else you can do, from what I remember. I have a great lentil soup recipe. Will find and send it in a bit.
Gracie, your DD sounds so very sweet. Tough when they're like that though. Hope you have a nice rest.
No real news from my friend. Her DH texted to say they'd been to see her in neonatal care and that the staff were all being hugely positive, so am hoping that's a good sign. Poor thing, had to have an emergency caesarian, so this afternoon was the first time she'd even seen the baby. 