When the ambassador is away... A fellow diplomat in Amman once told me that he loved it when the Ambassador was away, because he didn't have to do any work. Well, after a busy summer, @PeterMillett1 is now on a well-earned holiday. In his absence, has the British Embassy shut down? Far from it. In fact, the post-Ramadan and Eid pace has picked up significantly. Our visa team has been busy assessing applications for Jordanian students to visit the UK for the new academic year. Our Consular section is providing assistance to British Nationals in Yemen and Syria, as well as Jordan.  Our Trade and Investment team are following up on new leads. And our Political team  continues to follow closely and respond appropriately to the latest developments in the region. And what of me? When the Ambassador is away, I am officially known as Charg d'Affaires.  Most Deputy Ambassadors in the British Diplomatic Service enjoy their periods as "Charg". But not because we can turn up at our leisure and leave early -- no, most of us enjoy the chance to do our boss's job (don't most people?!). It has been one week, and I do miss Peter's steadying hand and wise counsel. My wife also tells me I am around the house much less. But I will be honest -- I am enjoying many of his duties.  In the last few days for example, I have spoken alongside the Minister of Finance at the launch of the Oxford