My summer holiday is now over, and I've just started my first week of jury service. Now, obviously I'm going to have to be a little careful about what I blog about jury service. So I'll skip over that for the time being and do the summer holiday first.

The holiday was a week away in a cottage half way between Abergavenny and Monmouth. Despite all the rain, we managed glorious sunshine for 3 days, and modestly reasonable weather for the remainder. I'll have to try and work out how to add the coordinates for Google Earth (which is cool - you should try it!) so you can see for yourself. 3 major walks (including our first 'real' hill walking) and 2 smaller ones, plus pony trekking in the Black Mountains.

The list of places we visited is quite long - Puzzlewood, the Blorenge, the sculpture trail in the Forest of Dean, White Castle (which was within walking distance of the cottage), Offa's Dyke Path. We saw a canal lock in operation, got lost up a hill, visited South Wales mining country at Blaenavon (the big pit), and two steam railways. All managed without major rows. It was a fantastic time, and has left us with the urge to go back to this area next year because there was so much we didn't do. Photos will be available next time you visit in the obligatory Harrison family scrap book.

As for jury service. Well so far it mostly involves hanging around in a slightly shabby, crowded, 70's style cafeteria waiting for your name to be called. Nothing controversial to write home about at all.