No-one ever died leaving an empty in-tray

Mmmh! I wonder if that is true? I read this quote recently and can't remember for the life of me who it is attributed to. I really like the saying though. It is rather in the vein of ' the graveyard is full of indispensable people' which I am pretty sure is Oscar Wilde. Now that is one of my favourites for sure.

I am sure many busy people out there, like me, look at the 'in tray of life' and wonder how on earth it is going to get tackled. While I have had quite a few challenges in my life over the years the one thing I can definitely say hand on heart is that I have never been bored. Irritated when sitting in a long traffic jam, or restless on a plane journey, but never bored. I can honestly say I can't remember a time in my adult life when I have been bored. There is always so much to do and so many wonderful things to explore if there is any down time. I suppose I am lucky that my parents ( particularly my mum) instilled a love of reading into me which means I always have an exciting pile of stuff to read around the place waiting for attention. I would rather read or write than watch the tv any day.

I love catching up with my pals ( especially over a coffee or even better a glass of wine!), I love shopping ( or just looking around), surfing the net and doing my blog, answering emails, studying for my course, hanging out with the other half and teenager, spending time with my mum, going to church and seeing all my friends there...and then there is the stuff of life or 'servicing' as my dad used to call it, or keeping the show on the road....

Speaking of all that, I have an early coffee with my girlfriends at good old Costas this morning and then it's off to Sedbergh school to drop Peter at a residential rugby camp til Thursday. He needs about four hundred changes of clothes, especially in this weather, and even more stuff for all the activities. It looks a great programme but busy busy busy.... and I will be busy with the washing machine when he gets back.

Newcastle Falcons

Have uploaded a cartoon on Jonny Wilkinson from a google image page. I saved it into my photos file and uploaded it onto the blog. I am not even sure if I am 'allowed' to do this- it is someone else's picture? Aggh! Visitors to this page: please advise!

Anyway, the reason I have added such is to add flavour to my next posting. Teenager has spent the week at the Newcastle Falcon's summer rugby and activity camp, and had a thoroughly great time. Much of the day seemed to be spent diving into huge muddy puddles ( as a reward for doing well on the activities and competitions apparently- clearly the coaches have no compassion for the parents who have to wash all the kit daily...).

As a dedicated NUFC supporter ( as is teenager) I never thought I would ever be remotely interested in rugby. However, mum is very keen and has slowly converted me across to the sport. Teenager has now abandoned goalkeeping as his passion ( all that investment in goalie coaching and endless football events...) and is totally keen on playing the game. Bruises, bashings, scratches and blood seem to be a badge of honour, and are clearly part of the enjoyment. As Oscar Wilde said:"Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the center of the city."

We went to see Steve Bates ( Falcons director of rugby) speak to the supporters' club ( yes I am a member) on Tuesday night. It was interesting to hear his perspectives on the next season. There was a whole heap of technical chat about rules, none of which I understood at all ( but teenager apparently followed quite happily). All I care about is watching the lovely players and their even lovelier legs whizzing about in the mud: vacuous perhaps but very honest.