Whoops , sorry folks, I had intended to get here a bit more often than I have been. Thought it might be a good place to air some of my feelings of being unemployed, searching for jobs and being a proper family man again. Not to worry, we've been busy attending to domestic neccessities - especially now that we're approaching the end of the school year.

As for home, the grass is growing so fast you can watch it, but it has been so wet that I can't get out to cut it. The pony isgetting fat on the new grass and is taking exception to being restricted in what she can eat - we can't afford for her to go lame with too much rich food and little exercise. I must try to get to see a friendly farmer to ask if I can borrow some sheep so they can keep the grass in check - and keep the pony in shape. Down in the wood, there are some world class nettles - nearly 7 feet tall some of them. Somewhere else I have to get around to trimming, once the rain hold off for more than a few hours.

Today was our local carnival - with a 6 hour break in the rain for it all to go off very smoothly indeed. The children took part in the precession and it turned into a nice afternoon out.

I've been trying to toughen up my hands so that I can learn "Hand-drilling" from Rich59 at the moot. I'm getting hot-spots on my hands where blisters might have grown if I had not practiced. So far I've got thickish smoke, and dark brown dust but the ember remains ungenerated just now. But it feels good that I have some progress to report, I'm using a thumb loop to get good downward pressure, I'm hoping that its a good thing. Soon we'll be packing the car up ready to set off - frankly I can't wait....

See you there.