While the volcanic ash descends, the cloud that has hung over Batchworth has started to lift. Selected highlights:

• A world record in the 200m semi. What's that? Dubious you say? Shirley knot!
• A podium place in the 200m final... but a couple of steps lower than one would have liked.
• A team talk that didn't involve any of the colour so prominent a couple years ago - but resulting in a similar frame of mind, for once.
• A final to be proud of - and the requisite couple of steps further up the podium.
• Sub 2:00 500m for three of the four crews in the major final. Wow.
• A jolly pleasant drive home - waving the trophy at anyone on the M25 who cared (dared?) to look.

The infamous (and ficticious, honest) dog-leg clearly bent in our favour for a change :-)