Today, the Lab is 'retreat'ing to Hyam's Beach in Jervis Bay, home of the whitest sands in the world (an interesting claim, that can not be corroborated online. Has anyone got a recent Guinness I could have a shufti at?). We've booked three houses for two nights, and have planned a barbecue, and that's about it.
I'm taking my fishing rods, tackle and hipflask, and me and the Younger Pawn and Dr Chou En are going to try to catch something to throw on the barbie. Failing that, Chou En and myself will sit on the rocks under the full moon and pretend we're fishing. The Black Queen is packing the steaks and sausages and home-brew ginger beer, and one of the students is taking about three thousand board games. It should be fun.
Coincidentally, the Cage has decided to hold a "Retreat for Academic Staff" this month. It will be one day, at the conference centre on Carrilon Avenue, core hours and has two 'themes: "Managing Change" and "How should our courses change in response to developing needs". The Dean of Science and Head of Biological Sciences will "speak to" the first theme, and three other Heads of Schools are being persuaded that they really want to be involved.
Sounds positively ghastly. I might plan to advance on that day, instead.
