Hello again!

I'm so pleased to say that this morning I was able to return home after surgery.

It was a huge relief and an emotional experience. I would like to go on record with my gratitude to a wonderful surgical and medical team, who not only with considerable skill removed a 'very large and growing' cyst from my abdominal cavity, but also managed to preserve the kidney that was threatened by it.

The surgeons have pronounced the operation a great success and I will eternally be in their debt. There is some way to go yet, and I have a lot of muscles to repair, together with the sizeable wound itself. But Peakfan is back and I cannot tell you how happy I am to write those words.

I hope to be able to resume blogging duties and may do so for the Durham game, depending how I feel each day. If initially there is a day when I do not feel up to doing so, I will at least put a header for that day and your comments on it.

But it was nice to see some of Derbyshire's players get good action for the second team against Nottinghamshire. Especially good to see Mark Watt and Alex Thomson bowling well in tandem, during the final innings, to ensure a comfortable 10 wicket win. Although equally so to see Tom Wood in the runs.

It was also good to follow the Derbyshire Premier League action at the weekend, with plenty of favourites past, present and maybe future in action.

I remain confident that we will enjoy a good summer. The main thing missing so far has been bowling rhythm, the fairly awful weather legislating against that. But with Lakmal getting back into the groove at Lady Bay, I expect to see an improved performance at Chester Le Street this week.

I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to watching that. Even if part of me, a sizeable part, will wish that I was there in person, as originally planned.

One final comment, in this brief but essential catch up, I am very pleased that. Mickey Arthur, in all of the press pieces surrounding his new role with Pakistan, has reiterated his commitment to Derbyshire. I fully understand that a man used to involvement year round would find a winter hard to handle in this country. With the right structures in both places, which he has certainly established at Derby, then there shouldn't really be an issue.

What will be interesting is his pull for overseas players now, from that part of the world. One would assume that Pakistan players with the desire to impress their national coach would be very keen to impress him in county colours. That might well be worth keeping an eye on.

As hopefully will this blog!

See you soon.