Shorter week in parliament as Monday was Bank Holiday (with traditional grotty weather). Jake & Hannah were away so there was just Linda and Lydia at home. Usual wet day options - we went to Mrs B's teashop for lunch, then played Simpsons Cluedo (it was Lisa in the Kwik-e-mart with the Slingshot!) and then watched a film - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! Actually we all enjoyed the day!

Tuesday off to London as I am hosting a parliamentary reception for Jessies Fund a charity that provides musical therapy for seriously ill and disabled children. I act as host and introduce the founder, Lesley Schatzberger (who tells me she is a reader of this blog - so hello Lesley!) and their Patron, Victoria Wood.

Victoria used to go to school with Lesley and makes a very funny 5 minute speech about their schooldays, which she says were in the days when teachers dressed in suits that looked like they were weaved from the fur of their pets! But she also makes strong points about what music can do to help children with such difficult conditions. It was a great reception.

There is more about this event and a link to the Jessies Fund website on my site at www.iancawsey.co.uk

Wednesday was just busy. Select Committee, PMQs, meetings with the Dogs Trust, Macmillan Cancer Care and discussions on wind farms and local banking services. Actually I really like days like this when you move from one subject to another and learn quite a lot in a short period of time.

In the evening the Tories try to filibuster the Finance Bill, I'm not sure why but the Blues run out of steam and the result goes the other way - or am I mixing them up with Chelsea!

Thursday and it's Jake's birthday - 16 today! So a big Happy Birthday to him and I'm hoping to get away from Westminster in time to have a birthday dinner with him and the rest of the family later on!