We have to have a video conference on Friday, they said! That was followed swiftly by a muted wail from your humble correspondent who had every intention of sneaking off to Bisley for an afternoon on Century Range but would they listen, would they heck! Even my impassioned pleas just to make it a conference call fell on the stoniest of ground.

So instead of a merry day, spent in the company of the stoutest of bulldogs, burning through ammunition at a rate that would bring joy to the heart of Mr Federal & his shareholders, I am stuck in the office, looking out at the sun, seething, because the video conference thingy, got cancelled ... grrrrrrrr!

Thus today has one last chance to redeem itself, beer & burnt cow round at The Englishman's early evening - then drive across the rolling downlands that comprise his estate & down to the pub for a few pints of finest foaming & then maybe a spot of late night whiskey drinking round at The Good Colonel's. Trust me when I say, that I need the hangover from hell to face tomorrow morning as its that time of year again it's the school fete (worse than death) - ho hum