I've just realised I have been doing this blog for over a year now. How did I miss that anniversary? I tend to write my blog on the move - snatched minutes between meetings, on the train, on a plane and occasionally by dictating it onto a recorder.

Yesterday I had another birthday the wrong side of 40 - again! My wife was stuck in Arizona because of the volcanic ash issue and was due to fly back for my big day. She is not pleased. My children managed to get a card for me – I have no idea from where, perhaps they went out during the night? They 'took me out' to the Fountain in Newmarket - my favourite Chinese restaurant.