"Long hair minimizes the need for barbers; socks can be done without; one leather jacket solves the coat problem for many years; suspenders are superfluous" -- Albert Einstein

I thought I should give my thanks to my good friends and ex-colleagues at the Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Cambridge who chipped in and got me the means to get this lovely jacket and environmentally friendly wind-up torch/radio. I did have to put an extra 73p to it though!

Preparations are ongoing. Essential winter survival kit has been packed (deoderant, DVDs, books, and nice comfy jumpers), vaccinations have been organised (I may be ill very soon), and teeth have been pulled (am sat here in pain as I type this!)

This next week sees the start of the pre-deployment training period, where I will be busy at conferences, first aid courses, field training and a large amount of cloud gazing.

The picture hanging on the wall is of my grand parents, by the way. Olive Blanche and John Preston.