More public science events

I still haven't got round to blogging about the Rothamsted Research open weekend, and I have another event tomorrow. This time it's Cereals UK, which is more a business-orientated event. Farmers, agrochemical companies and agricultural research institutes will be there, so it should be fairly different from the RRes open weekend, as the public at this event have more of a vested interest in the work. There's a strong presence from our institute at the event, as a lot of our work focuses on cereals.

The ideal weather for Cereals UK would be rain for a couple of weeks beforehand, so that field diseases have a chance to develop and show strong symptoms in our demonstration plants (we take infected plants with us and they are 'planted' there, as the whole event is spread over several fields). Then some sun and dry weather for the actual event would be nice, given that we will have to stand there! Typically, it's been the other way round this year, with dry weather for the last few weeks, and rain scheduled for the next two days. I've dug some wellies out ready for tramping across the fields.

I also have a slot talking to the public about plant science and soil organisms at the Royal Society 350th anniversity Summer Exhibition at the Southbank Centre in early July. It runs for about 10 days, but I'm only helping for one day (11am to 8.30pm, it'll be a long day, although others have even longer days, from 9.30am to 11.30pm for several days). I have several papers to review too. How am I supposed to get any actual work done?!

It'll have to be an early night tonight, as we're supposed to reach Royston for Cereals UK by 7.30am tomorrow. I doubt that will happen, but it'll be a 6am start at the latest.

Looking forward to be up to my shins in mud!!