I couldn't think of an apporpriate title for this post, so I will leave it blank...a little like my mind at the moment! The Summer Holidays have been long and full but I have managed to do most of what I had planned. France and Cornwall were lovely and gave me loads of ideas for new colourways and textures to try.

The downside to the holiday was that my son was ill with suspected chicken pox and my bank account was cleared of all funds the day before we were due to leave the country. Luckily, it had been a mistake and the Bank were wonderful. Still, I had a day of complete horror as I tried to work out how to get money quickly.

Still, it all came out in the wash and the children had a great time. France was particularly good for them, as they had no inhibitions about their lack of French and gabbled away with the other children on the site.

I'm now psyching myself up for the onslaught of work. Half of me looks forward to it with relish...the other half dreads it. Still it pays the bills and fills my bank account with money for other people to take ;o)

After a lot of rushing around, looking for all the legal documents that seem to mysteriously disappear the minute you need them, I am now ready to pack the family into the car and disappear into the ether. A week in Cornwall followed by a week of me driving in France doesn't necessarily herald a relaxing time but it is a break away from the norm.

Amid the loads of washing, ironing, hoovering (why does one feel the need to clean the house before leaving it for a week or two?) etc I did manage to make some beads, one set of which is really nice. I used the 'Dark Silver Plum' and worked it in the flame so I could tease out the silver while still maintaining a high gloss. The beads look fascinating and have maintained the gloss in the kiln too.

There will be no more posts from me for a few weeks now - I come home only to fall straight back into work. I have to remain as acting head for a minimum of another term, whilst undertaking the headship training. I'm lucky that the acting deputy is so supportive and more than capable of doing the job on a substantive basis!

Everyone else does Spring Cleaning - I do Summer Cleaning! The first few weeks of the holidays are a frenzy of cleaning, sorting, tidying and endless trips to the tip. It's a cathartic exercise for me as it tricks me into believing that I am in control again...

As usual, I've been here, there and everywhere. Yesterday, we went down to London again, this time to see the Bolshoi Ballet dance Don Quixote. I've never seen a Russian Ballet company before (except years ago in Sheffield - they were so unbelievably bad, I still wonder if they were supposed to be a comedy act or some sort of pastiche on ballet!) but I was interested to see how they differ to British ballet. And they differed: they were amazing and passionate and immaculate in their technique and lots of other 'ands' besides! I'm not gifted enough to express how moved I was by the whole performance but it will stay with me forever.

Sarah and I also went to the Freed shop to check on her pointe shoe fitting. What an experience that was. It's a little corner shop on St Martin's Lane, stacked high with beautiful satin pointe shoes. The assistant was really helpful, reassuring us that her shoes were right for her feet but also giving Sarah some exercises to do to strengthen her feet. I found the whole thing fascinating, although my feet cramped when I tried the exercises - the joys of old age and arthritis.

The end is in sight - only another week to go and the Summer holidays begin! I won't be at home for so much of them though that I will struggle to make beads. Still, the change will do me the world of good. The last few weeks have been unbelievable at work - I'm beginning to wonder whether there is a conspiracy to throw as much trouble my way as possible.

I did pass the second round of NPQH, which means I am now officially a trainee head teacher. I think for the first time in my life I am really proud of myself. I can't wait to get stuck into the training which starts on September16th in York.

My car and phone have been giving me no end of trouble. The cost of repairing the car would cover the debt of a third world country and my phone has crashed leaving me with no contact list, music downloads or pictures! I'm relying on friends contacting me so I can save them to my list, so if you get no Christmas card this year you'll know why!

All my beads sold very quickly this time - I shall endeavour to make more in the very near future:this I do promise!