Hi all,

Counting down the days now until I down tools, hang up the lab coat for the last time this year and fly back home to my beloved (albeit broke!) Republic.

In an admission that may stun you, I'm really looking forward to the traditional lab clean-up, mainly because the place looks like a bomb hit in every direction (not just backwards). I think Polly-Anna has described the fire-fighting role of experienced PhDs and postdocs better than I; and my lab has lacked either for two years!! Derek Lowe's In the Pipeline article in this month's Chemistry World also gives you a picture of what I face.

Before leaving you all for the 2011, I'd like you to put a note in your diary for the 2nd RSC's Younger Members Symposium, set for the University of Nottingham on the 13th of June 2012. It really isn't that far away, and I hope to see many of you there.

I'll surely be mentioning this again in the New Year, but until then have a great holiday.