Wow what a week, as you may recall, young Finch was placed on the reserve list for the World Scout Jamboree 2011 in Sweden, well Monday he was invited to attend!! the little fella when mad with joy! and as a result he is away this weekend on his first training camp, leaving me and she who must shop to have a quiet weekend. I was told Monday lunchtime that he was going to be invited to attend but was not allowed to tell him, had I been at work all would have been good, but I was at home recuperating following a knacker related issue that saw me at A&E with Mr Blackett Sunday night, anyway the teenager arrived home at 4 in a mood, I could have lifted this mood instantly but was not allowed to! it was torture until the call came at 7.30, when he took the call his face burst into a huge grin, he put the phone down and of course wanted to jump and dance around with the old man, sadly my knackered knacker would not allow this! so he jumped on his mother who was visiting! So he is away on his first weekend as I write, and will be coming to terms that he is not allowed Ipods or mobile phones on the training weekends or in Sweden! so as yet he has no idea that Charlton actually won last 2-1 last night!!!

Had a brilliant week in France, staying in Conde Folie, we visited New Foundland Cemetery which still has bunkers and shell holes, and some impressive memorials to those that died. Amiens was well worth the visit, a lovely city with a wonderful cathedral. Friday we drove north to Fromelles, to see the burial of soliders from the battle of Pheasants Wood, where 5300 Australians and British soldiers died in 24 hours, a mass grave was discovered in 2008 and over the past month they have been conducting military funerals, Friday saw the last of these. As yet they remain unidentified, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are carrying out DNA tests to find out who they are.

The service we saw was very emotional, and a rare chance to see what will probably be the last of theses burials, the coffins were carried by both Australian and British soldiers, the kids with us were visibly moved by what they were seeing, as well as us adults. We managed to talk to 3 retired soldiers who were happy to talk to the boys and us and pass on all sorts of information. A long drive for us but well worth it, something I will never forget. I will post more pictures shortly.

Had a great weekend with the Firepower Explorers on Crew at Frylands Wood. Going to bed each night at 3am and then getting up at 7am is not something I should be doing! Young Finch had an early birthday celebration, smashing cake and a card from everyone, he is very at hone with this lot, very pleasing, and a change of Scouts Groups is on the cards for both of us, Young Finch because his mates are at a different group and me for entirely different reasons, but thats not for this forum!

Off work this week, had anew boiler fitted this morning, the heating is ticking over very nicely now!

Had a visit to the Dr first thing as a result i am off for x-rays on my knee, shoulder and elbow on my return from France.

I seem to be very happy and content lately, no moans and groans, aint life grand!

Off to France in the morning til the weekend, cant wait to get there for a break.

The new job is going very well, working up in the City is a new experience for me, which I am quite enjoying, despite an incident with a Brompton rider last week. For those who do not know a Brompton is a folding bike and is it appears the choice of Accountants, I say this with some authority, Older Finch has one and is an accountant, neither Middle Finch or myself have one! I was nearly run down by one of the beasties last week, the rider decided a red light for him was to be ignored, I did offer him a full and frank appraisal of his abilities. I discussed this in depth with my admin assistant and my boss, it was my boss who announced that they were all accountants! I have noticed how things are slightly different in the commercial world, I have been up to now working in Charities and Local Government, and the big difference seems to be birthdays, in previous jobs the cakes were all home made and a bit iffy, here in the City we are extremely close to an outlet selling Krispy Kreme doughuts, I approve of the commercial sides views.

It seems things at home will change very shortly! I appear to be under instructions to get the paint out and curtains are to be replaced by blinds.... god help me