Well,well,well,well,well.

Hullo again, all my dear friends.

I do hope you have missed me as much as I have missed you.

The last 24 hours have been absolutely miserable for me. As if my heart had been scooped out, leaving only an empty, aching void.

To be denied the pleasure of Sparkies and the company of those I hold dear to me, even for such a short time, has brought home to me just how much I value the friendship of you all.

I am truly sorry to have caused such needless inconvenience to you by my silly, childish, wanton misuse of the infraction button.

The sainted Sloppy was quite right to punish me for my idiotic behaviour and I am simply glad that the ban was as short as it was.

To merely apologise seems somehow quite inadequate, in the light of my stupid, irresponsible actions, but I offer apologies anyway.

To Mandy, Tina, Dayt and all the others against whom I have offended, I am deeply sorry and full of remorse.

I do hope you will believe me when I say that I have been taught a lesson I will never forget and that in future, my behaviour on these hallowed boards will be nothing less than gentlemanly, exemplary and of the finest kind.

I am sure that many of you will agree that it was high time someone brought me down a peg or two and - dear friends- trust me, this has been done.

It has been truly said that we only fully realise what we have lost, after we lose it.

It is a humbler, more reflective and, hopefully, more mature Archie who now returns to the fold, asking, (not demanding,mind) your forgiveness for the arrogance, discourtesy and hubris which I have too often displayed in the past.

And to Sloppy, for this second chance to redeem myself, I have only gratitude and respect.

If you have done, thank you for reading this.

Archie