A great deal of news, both work and personal. Some good, some not so. Yesterday was a long day. We all travelled up to the NEC in a people carrier. We stopped half way for a coffee, and there were some army people there in desert fatigues that were travelling in an ambulance. All were walking wounded, but I was sobered by how incredibly young most of them were. They are brave, particularly as this war is not well supported at home.

Arriving at the NEC, inspected the trade show, then went upstairs for the lunch and ceremony. We did not win the main prize. But we did win the judges prize for commitment to the environment. Westminster (which is always so clean) didn't get anything. Travelled back and arrived home around 5. A long and tiring day, but very satisfying. An impressive haul of freebies among the boys and the return journey was a hoot with everyone telling funny stories about the wonderful and weird world of some of our staff and their exploits.

In the evening, we had a phone call from GRW to say that they've matched us with a woof. He is a rather timid 3 year old who is black and needs a quiet home. The clincher is he's called Andy! We are hoping to visit him on Saturday and if all goes well bring him home on Wednesday or Thursday 28th or 29th of the month. Most exciting - I can't stop thinking about him. The only thing we are both very apprehensive about is visiting the kennels for a visit and then having to leave him there before we go back to pick him up for good. Fingers and everything else crossed.

Today was an absolute stinker. Going into work, did the usual of ploughing through the huge pile of emails that had arrived yesterday. One was the worst possible news. All of the three VSS we had requested for our restructure (on a cost neutral basis) had been turned down. I was furious. Then had the utterly miserable job of telling the three people concerned. This is right up there with telling people they haveen't got the job as being one of the most awful things to do. However, my colleague J kindly offered to tell one of the three who is currently off sick. This has now wrecked our restructure plans so it is back to the beginning and start again. Grrrr.

Later in the day, had another email announcing that our Chief Executive's "root and branch" review has led to the suspension of the proposed merger between ourselves and Parks. Grrr again. Now we are in limbo as a department as we are not wanted by Waste or Highways and not by anyone else at the moment it would seem. Root and branch feels more like stump and chainsaw right now. Day ended on a really foul mood with a local resident activist sending War and Peace type emails demanding instant action on graffiti in his ward, and a really perculiar one from otherwise highly regarded boss on his last day in the office who had requested some costed proposals for extra work, then replied by expressing surprise on receiving them, turning down the bid and suggesting how I should chop into next year's budget to fund the work. I must admit I sent a distinctly grumpy reply. All in all, one of those days I'd rapidly prefer to forget. To add to the fun, husband is on a delayed train and won't be home for another hour. Humph.