Here we are at the run down towards Christmas. I can't tell you how much I dislike this time of year. It's dark in the morning, it's dark in the evening. You feel constantly tired and there's the stress of trying to prepare for Christmas.

We're not doing big presents for the kids this year - although my family have given me quite a bit of money, and we are therefore thinking about getting a Wii afterwards. No chance of getting one beforehand, and both kids enjoy their electronic games. It's a lot of money, but we know they'll get their money's worth out of it. The alternative is a holiday somewhere, or perhaps membership of Chester Zoo. I'll let you know what we decide.

Work is work. I just hate getting up when it's dark and then going home when it's dark. Still there is light on the horizon as I may shortly be able to hand over my staff to someone else and just be a planning manager - which I think is probably more up my street although it only forms part of my role at the moment.