Battered Hero...

A successful week at work - I won more money for the firm and so I am the Hero Of The Hour - but it's also exhausting. I've just embarked on a series of regional consultation events with teenagers on the educational reforms that will soon affect them big time.

It's very hard work - apart from the travelling (Newcastle today and Sheffield tomorrow. Newcastle was easy anyway...) there's also the fronting events for 70 teenagers and their teachers, supporting my team, problem solving, schmoozing. And still seven more to go...

Not easy with a hernia - and Other Soreness. Yes - that's back again. I've tried everything this week - careful diet and no alcohol for five days. Hasn't made any difference. I'm going to have to go back to the doctor.

And as I'm really not at home much for the next fortnight, Alfie is in the kennels. He's with me at the weekend, but in again next week. I knew it would be like this month but that doesn't make it any easier.