Oh dear. Remember that much-reported bus tour which Sarah Palin began with such a blaze of hoopla, less than a month ago? The PAC-funded One Nation tour , complete with a special "We the People" slogan adorning her luxury coach, all set to travel round historic moments -- and battleground states, natch -- across the land?

Now it seems talk of a nationwide sweep may have been exaggerated. The tour, which had reporters all confused about its route from the start, now seems to have come to an unheralded stop, with no word on whether it'll resume.

The Palin family have headed back to Alaska, annoying thousands of frustrated fans who'd hoped to catch a glimpse of their political idol.

So what's the story? Has Palin decided against a presidential run after all? Or is she taking time out to prepare for some kind of formal announcement? As usual she's managing to hog the headlines, either way.

Meanwhile her 20-year-old daughter Bristol is hogging some headlines of her own with the launch of her autobiography. Yes, that's right -- the Dancing with the Stars finalist has produced a memoir detailing her ill-fated love affair with Levi Johnston whose own autobiography is out later this year, in case you're interested.

There's clearly no love lost between the pair nowadays: in Not Afraid of Life Ms Palin describes him variously as a "gnat" , "cocky" and "obnoxious"

Some wags are already calling the book the start of the Bristol for President campaign.

And just when you thought it was safe to go back to Alaska....

Felicity Spector is a deputy programme editor for Channel 4 News.