Ah, the post-break fervour. Has it really only been a month? It always felt longer when I was playing. Holidays and parties are all very well, but having nothing but, and no matches, for so long did make one a bit indolent and wan -- and for those with little else to occupy themselves in the famine of sport, seemed to give them a bit of an always-winter-but-never-Christmas feel. Always did the heart good to see them rennervated upon the season's return, though.
I must say I'm very much looking forward to the Scottish matches these next few days, though it's a shame that apart from the Neep, the all-Scottish games are nearly over, and none upcoming until Wigtown-Montrose in March. It's always interesting to see what players take from the opportunity to mingle more, and the insight they gain from training with those who would usually be their opponents, but it's not something we typically get to see except for the World Cup.
[Graham] I see yours made the most of the charity match. Well done indeed, bringing Chidera Okeke over from Wigtown. Solving your pesky beater problem and meeting your muggleborn quota in one fell swoop.
[Bart] My condolences on your erstwhile retirement. Portree does seem to have a way of getting its claws in one. How did Graham Urquhart manage to lure you back, anyhow? Or did you simply find you couldn't make piracy pay?
[Morven] Suppose it will take some time to find out who it'll go to, but at this point I'm just as curious to see if I become the next casualty of the BIL investigation curse as I am eager to move on. I suppose this is why the children didn't seem to question their luck. A promotion is a promotion, after all.
Obviously there's no way to be sure of these things but I've put together a list of possible replacements for me, and for you, depending on whether you're deemed ready to replace me after so little time back in the fold. Najafi might think it best to keep you in place for a bit longer if someone less experienced moves into Deputy, but I'll argue your case, of course, should you wish it. Don't like to take it for granted that you would, given how much you've been enjoying yourself lately.