This past week has been a real soap-opera week for me. I'm not going to chronicle it all it here, because to be honest, a lot of it's only really of interest to the people involved.

However, I have discovered that I have to leave the US pronto-presto, a few days earlier than planned, before my grace-period at the end of my visa expires. This, combined with a house move, happening the same week, means I've been a tad pre-occupied with that, and therefore not writing so much!

The good news, is that I'll get to have two or three weeks in my native Britain, visiting family and friends, and my former employer will foot the bill, including a hire car, hotel and food!

So, in the coming weeks, expect lots of reports from 'the old country', as I reacquaint myself with Britain, my home city of Bath, old friends, and familiar pubs. Actually, the pubs are set to feature heavily.

I'll be visiting people in various parts of the country, and amongst the cities that'll be getting a mention is Bristol - the city I was born in. London will only get a mention when I (or my paid agent) goes to the US Embassy to have them stamp a new visa in my passport (whilst giggling at the awful picture in it.

In case you're wondering, the picture was taken just before I grew my goatee, and due to the awful lighting and exposure control of the Photo-Me vending machine I used, I look like Nicholas Witchell

I'll be taking my iBook with me, so expect reports from wherever I am. One of the projects will involve my friend Tim getting DSL, and setting up his website. There could be another Name-the-domain competition out of it!

Alternatively, the domain name will be decided by a panel of highly-trained experts in such matters. Well, OK, perhaps that should read, "Max and Tim, in the Porterbutt pub, after six to eight pints of Guinness.

And when I return? Well, then the fun really starts! But I'll tell you about some potentially exciting work developments in my next installment!