The week and a half off was good. For the first week I did nothing at all - getting up at noon and pottering around at home till it was too late to go out. The last few days were pretty hectic - the walk, the birthday, the constant minkering. A case of recharging my batteries and then running them flat again. Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes. I think I may have contributed to Amazon's reduced losses this quarter.

I have read or deleted most of the 427 emails that awaited me on my return, I have tidied my desk, and read a few blogs. Now it's back to work, back to reality.