Living in a family of autists I particularly enjoyed this recent BBC programme featuring Rosie and her family. To anyone who does not understand it this is a great introduction to the challenges and rewards. Next time you facing a screaming child on a bus this may make you think twice. It also reminds me of a wonderful Mum who travels occasionally West from Brighton and carries a bucket of chocolate. Not for the kids she is blessed with, but for the passengers who give her a dirty look. 

Donations can be taken through this site if in the Euro/Dollar zone.
http://www.razoo.com/story/Floodreliefcollaboration

Although the monsoon rains usually bring flooding this year has been exceptional. It is possible that up to a quarter of the rice crop may have been lost. Tourism is largely unaffected in Siem Reap with the main hotels and tourist sites open. However the poverty affected areas outside the City are really suffering. The Khmer live a hand to mouth existence, earning very little, and as soon as they have a few dollars it is off to the market to buy food. If they cannot earn, or reach the market problems start. Appeals are being set up to assist as we speak. A donation of $38 buys a 50 kg sack of rice, enough to feed a family of four for one week. 
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2011101352119/National-news/safe-areas-are-running-out-of-food.html


HOW TO HELP 


UK : Please submit funds to Michael Horton, Barclays Bank, Lancaster. Sort Code 204761 account number 30453986
Michael runs the Concert Cambodia office in Siem Reap helping and advising NGO's and liaising with hotels and voluntary projects. Michael is currently helping me with a new project which I will advise you of shortly.http://www.concertcambodia.org/ 
 
OUTSIDE UK : Hotel De La Paix are also doing rice runs and donations can be made through Paypal account Rice and Water for Cambodia;   
 http://portal.gdacs.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=IBO6SkrrHsc%3D&tabid=79

I have added some material to the Gallery section including Brighton Life a celebration of the cities more eccentric side.

Attila releases some old classics!My old mate John Baine has released some of his classic old material on line.  Well worth a listen! 
http://www.reverbnation.com/attilathestockbroker

My 'other' team Schalke concluded a mixed season by winning the Cup in Berlin last weekend. Full report on my blog page. Photo from the Schalke UK webpage. 

Albion won League One at a canter this season. Here are some shots of the celebrations.Onto happier things and They managed to amass a record number of points in a season, even allowing for adjustments from when three points were awarded for a win. Another Championship, gained at first through shear flair, and later through hard work and grinding out less pretty wins in mid winter. Oddly the main run of injuries started the week after the title was clinched, thus we only took two points from our last four games. Currently we are renegotiating contracts and looking to build a team to ultimately challenge for the top division for the first time in thirty years. The rumour mill is in overdrive though the Michael Owen story seems perhaps a little excitable.   

Albion get the keys to the new stadium this month, and will start the big move in immediately in time for the pre season friendly with Spurs in the last Saturday in July, (Poor choice!) All season tickets are sold and a capacity of 18,000 is guaranteed for all games next season. In the meantime I am now a volunteer for the clubs community support projects and will assist in some days out for less privileged kids in the summer.


More photos (as featured in the Argus) here, https://picasaweb.google.com/john.palfrey/AlbionCelebrations?authkey=Gv1sRgCK3Zn6D0oOK4QA#

Just watched a rather magical documentary about a tiger in India and the decline of such a great beast.http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ysjds/Natural_World_20102011_A_Tiger_Called_Broken_Tail/
Makes a lovely hour and has a positive conclusion. Coincidentally I shall be travelling to Ranthambore National Park next month, my first journey out of Europe since the Cambodian adventure.http://www.tigerwatch.net/
Reports will appear here with photo links as the trip progresses.

A very good commentary on the current situation in Cambodia with regard to volunteering, especially with orphanages has been transmitted by the Al Jazeera network. There is a link to the programme in my support Cambodia section together with my comments..