Mostly prickly with some fluffy bits

I'm back from the dreaded team-build: tired, grubby and not feeling particularly bonded, but willing to admit that it was not all awful.

Thank you to each and every one of you who commented on my admittedly somewhat sorry for myself previous post, and for your amazing through-the-ether support. It really helped to read your thoughts and know that I am not the only one who thinks these contrived relationship-building events have little to recommend them.

I'm a reflector so I need time to absorb all that went on but my initial thoughts are that the bits I was dreading were dreadful - uncomfortable, unpleasant and forced. But, amongst others that I am sure will occur to me later, these things were good:

• The setting was beautiful and I had the opportunity yesterday to wander the grounds alone for over an hour, soak in the late-evening autumn sunshine, and take some photographs.

• I was able to spend some time away from the office with the people I already like and respect and we had a few laughs.

• There were enough of us involved that I was able to avoid (for the most part) directly engaging with those obnoxiously competitive, willing-to-resort-to-dirty-tricks-and-slur-tactics-to-win* types who decided the whole thing was a good idea in the first place and so were in their horribly competitive element.

• I think I could be an Olympic archer in time for London 2012 given a little training. Who knew? Perhaps this is just the career change opportunity I've been seeking.

• The pecan toffee cheesecake and spiced chai were delicious.

I'll post some more pictures once I've had a chance to sort them out. Now I'm going to get clean, rest up, and visualise my Olympic gold. Oh dear, perhaps that competitive spirit invaded my psyche after all...

I hope you're all having a good day or at least one with a silver lining.

*Remind you of any Presidential candidates you've heard of recently?