Meeting a president

Last day before leave so the usual running around trying to finish everything to the point that you might sleep easily while away.

Delighted that I also had the opportunity to meet up with Michael Hamilton, the President of the Children and Youth Community Tribunal from Guernsey. Accompanying him was Karen Brady who is the Convenor. Confusingly her role is similar to the Principal Reporter in Scotland, whereas my role is more akin to Michael's. Maybe I should call myself "President"? But what's in a title?

More importantly Guernsey adopted the principles of Scotland's children's hearings system nearly 5 years ago. They had scoured the world looking for the system they wished and concluded that Scotland's approach best suited what they wanted to achieve. They have adapted our system to suit their circumstances - but the principles are aligned.

A decade ago I had been involved with Guernsey during their exploration and had visited the island a couple of times. It was good to catch up with their developments - and to hear that they are facing similar issues and challenges in how to improve the operation of their system as we are doing today.

So a stimulation discussion and great exchange of views followed by a clearing of the desk - but only after a conversation on what our priorities should be next year.

Then my second funeral of the week as we said farewell to a great friend (of my late father and of my mother) who passed away last week. He was 88 and had been part of the family scene all my life. As with Tuesday it was more of a celebration of a life but nevertheless tingled with loss.

Then home to pack ahead of a break in Derbyshire. Why is it that getting away on holiday creates so much activity that you need a holiday?