so mum and dad and nicky are all home safe and sound. Nick was so funny when we picked her up - she just talked for like half the trip up from dublin, until she finally caved and started reading Harry Potter which i'd brought down for her. It was the quietest ive seen her in ages - she just sat and read. Although she knows who dies - she read it in the paper (rage) she doesnt know lots of the other things that happen so its all good (or tout tes bangs in porteguese which she keeps shrieking!)

Its good to have a full house again - i dont think id like to live on my own. But then we both head off to castlewellan on saturday. Im looking forward to it but im a bit nervous as well - leading 6-8s is brilliant and i love it - but its just making sure that ive done everything i was supposed to and that i've packed everything we need makes me panic a wee bit. Last year i had paul to calm me down - brilliant co -leader as he knows that this is how i get. But this year although gayle is fab too i feel that as its her first year i have to break her in gently, which may be a silly attitude to take but i'd rather not overwhelm her.

Im looking forward to castlewellan - it'll be the last one thats relatively similar to all the other years ive been doing it (this will be my 4th year) just because alot of the guys i started on team with have siad they may not do it next year. Thats ok - God's doing a new thing. But it'll be sad too.

I'm going in with alot of expectations but at the same time not a lot. I expect it to pan out roughly the same way as the last 3 (including like programme, kids, team life everything!) but i haven't any expectations beyond that. hmmm. haven't really thought...