I had an email from Carol yesterday *waves* asking what a conker is. That’s the third person from the States to ask me that - it’s the seed from a Horse Chestnut Tree - http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/conkers.html I just took it for granted that everyone would know, which just goes to prove how much research I do for my stories – none what-so-ever *grin*

I’m sorry you lot haven’t experienced the joy of being the proud owner of a ‘sixer’. When I was writing Conkers, Scally mentioned they used to soak conkers in vinegar, I used to put mine in the oven. According to this website that’s considered cheating – yeah, well, who cares as long as you smash you opponents conker to smithereens!

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So I’ve hit the big time *smug look*. My friend Craig has actually sent off to Kodak for some prints of my photos. David Bailey must be quaking in his boots – I’m sure he recognises competition when he sees it. OK, his prints may cost more – but at 19p per print and £1.30 P & P – mind are an absolute bargain! He's decided to get in early before fame makes me big headed and unapproachable.

Craig's always asking me for my signature too – Yes, OK, on a company cheque, don’t be so bloody picky – even David Bailey had to start some where.

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My friend Trish is back on-line after upgrading to broadband. Hooray! She moved down south over a year ago and I’ve really missed her. She’s the only person I’ve ever worked with that had a louder laugh and a bigger bust than me. We used to have great fun at staff parties – Trish is one of those really organised people – she carries a corkscrew in her bag for a start. She had two leaving parties – everyone went to the first, and just a small handful of us to the second. It was held at a 'select up market' restaurant – God in own knows what Sandy was thinking when she booked that one! The writing was on the wall before we ever got there.

It was a lovely night and we said goodbye in style, we also got through rather a lot of wine – one couple, who were indulging in a candle lit dinner asked to be moved because of the raucous laughter that was coming from our table. That did quieten us down for a little while and we apologised. They were very nice about it – the poor man had been trying to propose – so we had a glass of champagne with them to celebrate.

At the end of the night we were all a little bit worse for wear. When we stood up to leave, Tom pulled Trish’s chair back for her, he’s such a gentleman. Unfortunately that was the exact moment Trish’s leg’s decided that they’d had enough and went on strike. She took one step back and collapse gracefully to the floor. We couldn’t stop laughing. Tom and I did try to help her to her feet, but it was a lost cause. We ended up holding onto each other with Trish still on the floor by our feet because we were laughing that much it hurt and we could hardly stand up ourselves by that stage. It’s must have been nearly ten minutes later before we all managed to pull ourselves together. Trish’s husband, who'd come to collect her, took control and got her to her feet again - she didn't stop giggling to herself until she went to sleep in the car on the way home.

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er… you know when you see something and it makes you think of someone – but you can’t say who because that person would bend your ear if you did.

Well…whilst shopping last night I couldn’t help but notice that the new Warner Bros film, Happy Feet, is advertised everywhere. From toys that dance to birthday cakes, from computer games to chocolate bars.

*looks around* - now for God’s sake don’t say anything to him – but here’s the link - Tesco had hundred's of the things:

http://www.johnlewis.com/Nursery/Baby+and+Pre-school+Toys/Baby+and+Pre-school+Toys/Soft+Toys/217/230395111/Product.aspx

With a bit of luck, he'll be way too busy at the moment to even read this.

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Scally has started to ask questions about the next James and Jay story. So far I’ve asked her about the weather - she answered my question and then asked again about the story. I’ve tried to side track her by telling her about this amazing picture of fungus I'd taken:

But she's a hard woman to throw off the scent - I don’t think it’s going to work.

So thank you, Scally, I knew I could rely on you to inspire and motivate me, help get me get back on track, so to speak – I'm going to start writing again tonight.

*Walks away muttering under her breath*

Bloody Beta’s - flipping task master's the lot of them - 'Ahem-ing' and 'FULL STOP-ing' like it's going out of fashion - *pout*