The 2002 annual retreat was held on 23/24 September at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. There was a strong attendance and the whole occasion was scientifically and socially a great success. Thanks to Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, Jon Pines, Julie Ahringer and the administrative team for their hard work in organising the event, which was enjoyed by all.

The annual retreat is an ideal opportunity for each group to briefly describe its current research interests to the other groups, and to new members. In addition to the group leaders' presentation, the evening poster session is a very relaxed and informal way of discussing some of the more detailed aspects of the individual research projects.

Here, Peter Ahnesorg, winner of the poster competition, attempts to baffle Lars Koop with science.

But it's not all fun and games. The real function of the retreat is to test members' personalities by forcing them to take part in all kinds of humiliating outdoor activities.

Atilla Toth focussing hard during the Institute spelling test.

Many thanks to all the staff of Lady Margaret Hall - the accommodation was very comfortable, and we were very well looked after during our two days there.

The food was very good, the atmosphere very convivial, and the Salsa lessons after dinner on the Monday evening proved to be a spectacular display of coordination and style. Or lack thereof.

And now the main event! The egg-propelling competition! Assemble some of the best brains in the world, set them a task, and see what happens...

Most chose to use the materials provided to make some kind of catapult thing. The St Johnston team's device worked well, but sadly their egg didn't survive the crash landing. Losers.

The Smith team. Losers. Dismal.

Ah. Now. The Raff team tried to harness gravity, and send their egg along a piece of string. But the string broke. Losers.

The Brown team tried the rather underhand/overhand/around-the-head tactic of simply throwing the egg using a sling. But it went backwards. Losers. In fact, the only group to achieve a negative score, which is pretty cool.

The Gomperts team. What on earth were they up to? Losers.

The Amaya team! With a sophisticated low-level buttressed catapult featuring a two-stage plastic-cup release mechanism, how could they possibly lose?

The prize was to serve refreshments to the whole Institute. Only joking - this was another game, in which contestants had to carry water in cups full of holes. I don't know why.