Three fingers please

Jacqui Smiths revelations last week that she had smoked dope at University rather overshadowed the fact that she was an avid participant in the world renowned drinking game, 'bunny rabbits'.

It is good that such a revered game should get such high profile publicity, albeit on the back of a much more dull and uninspiring one like spliff smoking.

'Bunny rabbits' was just one of a host of games embraced by the various sports and social sections of colleges all around the Country when I was a lad, so why should a cabinet minister feel ashamed or bashful about admitting they were a regular participant. The practice is also wide spread in rugby and cricket clubs and any publicity which would hasten an increase in the numbers playing should to be welcomed. One would hope the present government will not endeavour to brush such high profile exposes under the carpet, or release names of further party games they have played, on 'bad news' days.

I feel certain that John Major when in office occasionally dabbled in 'Fizz Buzz Cricket' and that senior civil servants at Defra are dab hands at 'Frogs in a Bucket' or 'Fuzzy Duck' and I understand George Bush and Tony Blair regularly played 'Commander Bilbybobs' with their Chiefs of Staff in the White House.

Everybody needs a relaxation when away from the public gaze, and what better way that a traditional British drinking game. Now whats the time....ah, is that right hand drinking or left?

"Well I've been on package tours before....."

I am sure you are all pleased to hear that I avoided winning 'The Rabbit' on the recent golf trip to Wales. It was a close run thing, but close is fine by me.

It was interesting though that the recent bird flu outbreak should be in Conwy on the day I played there, given I am part of the team setting up an emergency response unit for Defra at the moment. No planting of infection was involved, however, and I am sure the team dealt with the requirements more than satisfactorily.

Kierans 21st birthday bash passed off without too many incidents although his 7ft tall Uncle John did get bit squiffy towards the end and started parodying Monty Python in the Travel Agent Sketch... '.... and their Watney's Red Barrel and their swimming pools full of fat German businessmen pretending to be acrobats and forming pyramids and frightening the children....' although in this case the children were 20 year olds!!

We also had an offer on the house over the weekend, but it fell some way below our expectations so we have said to the agent must try harder. It's an interesting hierarchy they have. The sharp suited twenty something with the patent pointy shoes does all the leg work and shows the punters round, then as soon as there is an offer in steps the Branch Manager to claim all the glory for the sale. The sharpie could do with a bit of coaching on how to sell a property, but then they probably have yet to own one themselves so lack the common sense experiences of life in general really.

So a lively ten days, lets see what the next few hold.....