Truth, a semblance of truth, and statistics

It is as if His Grace had never been away.

According to Extreme Tracking, October was a record month for His Grace's blog, breaking the 90,000 barrier of unique visitors for the first time.

This was not quite reflected by Google Analytics, for whom the highest month of absolute unique visitors remains July 2009, thanks to Michael Jackson.

October 2010 did, however, set a few records:

A new highest day: Friday 8 October recorded 8,066 absolute unique visitors (Google Analytics), thanks to Katharine Birbalsingh.

And the month saw 112,554 page views from 95,049 unique views (Google Analytics).

According to Cision, His Grace climbed into the Top 10 UK Political Blogs at No5.

This is nonsense, of course. But, unlike some other blog rankings, Cision do at least explain their methodology.

His Grace’s top referrer remains Iain Dale’s Diary (blessings upon him), whence comes 20 per cent of referred traffic.

ConservativeHome and John Redwood’s Diary have both removed His Grace from their blogrolls. Mr Redwood has since informed His Grace that he has given no such instruction, and is ‘looking into it’.

The 'Left', however, appreciate His Grace a little more, primarily in the shape of Tom Harris MP (more blessings).

His Grace’s visitors come from 185 countries of the world (ClustrMaps), including 94 hits from the Holy See.

Perhaps they wish to join the Society of Cardinal Cranmer.

In celebration of such statistics, His Grace usually grants a celebratory ‘open pulpit’ for his readers and communicants to raise whatever issues they desire. If you are reading this, blessings upon you, for it is your faithfulness and loyalty which makes His Grace’s blog of intelligent and erudite comment upon matters religio-political the success that it is.

On this occasion, however, His Grace would like to reward his readers and communicants with the inimitable Ann Widdecombe dancing the Pasodoble. As one judge says: “You don’t really want to watch but you can’t help yourself.”