Scoutabout

This weekend I visited Scoutabout - I have never actually camped there but have visited the 2005, 2008 and now the 2011 events. What a fantastic event with so much to do and on such a scale. Of course it isn't like a real camp as it has a theme park feel but a bit of variety never hurt anyone. I hope everyone who went had a fabulous time - only one broken bone for Surrey West as far as I am aware which is quite amazing given the adventurous things the young people could have a go at. It was also extremely moving to see all the flags and standards at the end and realise what a strong and vibrant movement Guiding and Scouting is across Surrey.

Letters

Just before I went on holiday, I received a letter from our neighbour at Herons Wey. It was very friendly and courteous and just shows that the effort of communicating with them was worth it. Just two weeks later I received another one! Quite different - annoyed and angry and with reason. It seems there are some users of Herons Wey who think it acceptable to disturb them early on a Sunday morning; in this case by parking across our entrance road and talking loudly - before 8am. Ask yourself whether you would be happy if someone did it outside your house. Why do our neighbours deserve less consideration and courtesy than you would? Anyway I now have to deal with it. Whoever you are - a letter will be on its way to you asking you to make amends to our neighbour - yes, I know you are a volunteer and I have no right to ask you. However, you are a member of a movement that believes in being courteous and considerate and a good neighbour. No matter how temporarily you were a neighbour to this family - you were still a neighbour. Time to do the right thing!

Cycling and walking

Last week I bought a bike - with a certain amount of trepidation having not cycled for so long. However, it is an absolute joy and seems to take very little effort to ride. Yesterday we cycled from Oatlands in Weybridge to New Haw and back - probably 10 miles in total and I wasn't even that tired. My hands ached from the handlebars jumping up and down as the bike hit bumps on the towpath but I thought my legs would ache - which they don't.
Next week we have very little opportunity to cycle as my husband and I are walking from the source of the Thames up to Oxford (about 60 miles) although we are fair weather walkers so may not do it if it rains. Anything that is a break from work and the long hours I have been doing is to be welcomed. It is only the thought of 500 emails to be responded to when I return that is a bit of a downer. Perhaps I will just delete them all on the basis that any that are really important will be followed up by the sender later. Or am I that brave?

PS - next Friday's Guide meeting/District event is ...... a walk along the Thames from the Excel Centre between Walton on Thames and Molesey back to the Guide Hall in Weybridge. The irony!

Busy again

It seems to be recurring theme that I am busy again. Having had a 1930 finish on Tuesday, 1800 yesterday and 1830 today all in London it has been a busy week so far - and my day off tomorrow is also very full with a client visit plus several projects to work on.

Sadly not all of my colleagues are in the same position and I have started to hand work and opportunities to a lady who has been at Hay Group longer than me but who has a niche specialism which no-one seems to want this year. Sometimes our skills are not in demand but we should remember that doesn't make them without value and one day their time will come. In the meantime I will do what I can to help because I know she would do the same for me. That's what friends are for.