Well I'm sure you've all missed my sparkling presence. I've been away in Cheshire for a few days, staying with my Aunt. As ever, it was lots of fun and I've managed to come back with a rather nice tan. Some from a bottle, some from the sunshine. Overall the visit was rather "agricultural". We spent an unhealthy length of time judging and dealing with cows - well, heifers actually, of the pedigree Holstein variety (black and white cows) - at the local agricultural show. In addition we looked around the "best farm and herd in Cheshire" and also went to a cattle auction. Immense fun. OK, so not every one's idea of fun, but it was actually enjoyable.

And now it's back down to earth with a bump. Or perhaps a tinkle and a fizz. A fizz, because my wonderful law firm couriered me a magnum of champagne for doing so well in my exams (did i mention I got a distinction.... *cough*) and a tinkle because I'm having piano lessons again. As of about 4hrs ago. I suddenly decided that perhaps I could have a lesson a week for the next six weeks and thus polish my skills somewhat. It's four years since I had lessons and my standard has slipped somewhat. However, I located my old (well, young and dishy actually) piano teacher and I'm back with lessons... and practice! It was bizarre having a lesson again. David (my teacher) looked pretty much the same as he did four years ago. Back then he was aged 24 and had just got married to someone aged 21. When he initially started teaching me he was aged 21. He's an incredible pianist though. So, I am now older than he was when he first started teaching me, and I'm older than his wife was when they got married. Scary stuff. But it's funny how some things just don't change and we slipped back into an easy routine of piano playing, instruction and banter. Let's hope I get somewhere.