And how was your week?
As a semi-retired portfolio worker, my time is spent in a very fluid manner with considerable fluctuations in work-related events. This week proved to be very full and very varied.
On Monday, I wrote my latest column on Internet matters – my 64th – for Connect, the telecommunications section of the trade union Prospect. The article explains how the domain name system works and you can read it here.
On Tuesday, I attended a special strategy session of the Communications Consumer Panel. As part of its cull of so-called quangos, the Government intends to move the work of the Panel into Citizens Advice but the timing and process of this move are still to be determined.
On Wednesday, I attended an all-day routine meeting of the Communications Consumer Panel. Our visitors included Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards and Broadband Stakeholder Group Chief Executive Antony Walker and our agenda items included advertising of broadband speeds and release of new spectrum for mobile services.
On Wednesday evening, my wife and I attended a dinner at the Reform Club to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – her father, the Czech Karel Kuttelwascher, was a pilot in the Battle. One of the speakers was the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton who talked about the heroism of RAF helicopter crews in Afghanistan. The other main speaker was a 90 year old veteran of the Battle, Squadron Leader Tony Iveson, who graphically described some of his exploits in the Second World War.
Thursday was a social day. My wife and I went over to Leytonstone to see our friend Jen and her son James who was born just four weeks ago. The we went on to nearby Walthamstow to visit Peter & Janet, friends of mine for some 35 years. Finally, in the evening, I went into central London to have dinner with my half-brother Chris who is only two years older than my son but just as close.
Today (Friday) it’s back to work. I’m attending Postcomm for a briefing session on a new regulatory framework for postal services.
So a full and varied week. We relax tomorrow by hosting two sets of parents with their collective total of three young children. That will be fun. Then I’m off on Sunday to travel to Birmingham for a two-day conference on next generation broadband.