What a great day. It's Mrs C's birthday today, and what better present could she wish for than 27 gift-wrapped 10-year-olds, complete with a full complement of laundry? She was, of course, thrilled - as were we both, in the knowledge that our Little Men were back with us again. They've obviously had a great time in France, but such were their displays of affection when they returned that we were deeply moved by the fact that they cared about their lodge as much as they do.

I held a small, impromptu party for some of our friends and colleagues, and it was lovely to be able to entertain a very buoyant and relaxed HM, as well as several others. How fortunate we are to work for someone whom we regard as our 'boss' and our friend. He's a good man, you know - and I'm sure things will work out well for him in the future. Mrs C and I have worked for him for 13 years, and it's going to be difficult to say farewell.

I don't know whether you've bloggerlogged while the troops have been away, but there are a couple of entries I've compose during the intervening days. Do have a read of them, and comment if you'd like to. Googlemail should act as the mediator, it seems.

More tomorrow, as always.