Plate-spinning becomes second nature to the MP. Events, issues, correspondence, meetings, campaigning, Parliamentary and constituency work – some weeks it blurs into a whirling mist of activity. Here is a brief highlight of my week: February 2. Train to London for MEPs’ reception in the Commons, up to the Chamber to ask a question of Eric Pickles about Wiltshire Council, then a three-hour meeting to plan all of my military events for the year (something like 100 of them).

February 3. Breakfast with Reserves General (speak briefly). Ask a Chamber question about the effect of legal aid levels on barristers. Two hours quizzing Baroness Neville-Jones and General Lord Richards on decision-making in the Defence Select Committee. Vote against allowing mitochondrial genetic engineering on precautionary principle, although it’s a tough one to judge. Quick drink with departing Commons Clerk, change into black tie and over to Hilton for Aerospace dinner. BBC2 film about Commons sees no more than a glimpse of me. There may be more later!

February 4. Quiz Defence Secretary for two hours in Select Committee, then over to Chamber to ask a question for constituents about customs duties on charitable imports to Sierra Leone. PMQs. Down to the terrace to meet Di Bell from Nettleton Stores for the Countryside Alliance Rural Oscars, and then see my father-in-law be awarded Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Society.

February 5. Privileged viewing of all four Magna Cartas together for the first time in the House of Lords. I’m proud that the best one is from Wiltshire! Interviews with BBC Wiltshire and Sky News about Iraq; question to Minister for Energy and solar farms on greenfield sites and a pile of correspondence eats up the morning. Train to Wiltshire in time for an outstanding film in Malmesbury Town Hall about Scouts’ visit to First World War battlefields.

February 6. Speak briefly at annual conference of primary heads in Bradford-on Avon, hare over to Royal Wootton Bassett to visit the Coventry Building Society, then via Chippenham to a meeting near Bath. By 3pm I am back in Chippenham to welcome Chief Whip Michael Gove to a rally, followed by a Supper Club meeting in the Biddestone Arms.

February 7. Busy surgeries in Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett.

February 8. Leafleting in Bath, followed by a trip to the Combined Services Point to Point meeting at Larkhill.